Ontario manufacturing support programs: trade, PPE, branding, and tax credits

Ontario manufacturing support programs: trade, PPE, branding, and tax credits

Ontario manufacturers deal with high input costs, export challenges, and tight margins. The province offers a range of trade funding, PPE and supply chain support, branding programs, and manufacturing tax credits. Knowing how each program works helps manufacturers combine support and lower project costs. For example, the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) can cover up to 75% of eligible expenses. This can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for large projects.

This guide explains the Ontario manufacturing support programs most relevant to trade, PPE, branding, and tax credits. Each section outlines the main options for manufacturers.

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Trade Funding: Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)

Best for: Manufacturers facing tariffs, export problems, or supply chain gaps

The Ontario Together Trade Fund helps Ontario manufacturers that need to adjust, reshore, or replace suppliers because of trade impacts.

Key details

• Funding: Up to $5 million per project
• Cost share: Up to 75% of eligible project costs
• Structure: Non‑repayable grants; loans may be considered at Ontario’s discretion
• Status: Open

Who is eligible

• For‑profit businesses registered and operating in Ontario
• At least 3 years of operations with financial statements
• Minimum 5 full‑time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Must show trade‑related impacts, such as:
  • Being in a tariff‑targeted sector
  • Revenue loss of 30% or more
  • Replacing a supplier or reshoring production

Eligible activities

• Re‑tooling or expanding manufacturing
• Supply chain localization and reshoring
• Export market pivots and trade-related investments

Tip: Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you check if your project fits OTTF requirements by size, sector, and impact.

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PPE and Emergency Supply Support: Ontario Together Fund

Best for: Manufacturers producing PPE or critical supplies

The Ontario Together Fund was created to boost Ontario-based production of PPE and essential goods during emergencies.

What it supports

• Manufacturing or retooling for PPE and critical supplies
• Rapid production scale‑up in Ontario

Important note

• Intake is highly targeted and often time‑limited.
• Not all manufacturers are eligible at all times.

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Branding and Market Visibility: Ontario Made

Best for: Manufacturers wanting to grow Ontario-based branding

Ontario Made is a free branding and certification program, not a cash grant. It helps Ontario manufacturers clearly show that their products are made in the province.

What you get

• Use of the Ontario Made logo
• Listing in the Ontario Made product directory
• More visibility with retailers and consumers

Who can apply

• Ontario manufacturers of any size
• Many sectors are eligible, from industrial goods to consumer products

Ontario Made does not provide direct funding. However, it can support sales growth and works well with funded expansion or export projects.

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Tax Credits: Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (OMMITC)

Best for: Manufacturers investing in buildings, machinery, or equipment

The Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit reduces Ontario corporate income tax when you invest in manufacturing or processing assets.

Key features

• Applies to buildings, machinery, and equipment used in manufacturing or processing
• Available to Canadian‑controlled private corporations (CCPCs)
• A non‑refundable version exists for some non‑CCPC corporations
• The Ontario government has proposed temporarily enhanced rates for this credit, planned for late 2025. As of June 2024, this is a proposal, not yet law.

Why it matters

• Tax credits apply after you spend on eligible assets
• Can be combined with programs like the Ontario Together Trade Fund, but check stacking rules

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How manufacturers combine these programs

Many Ontario manufacturers use:

• OTTF for trade-related expansion or reshoring
• OMMITC to reduce tax on new machinery and buildings
• Ontario Made to boost market presence

This approach lowers both upfront project costs and long-term tax burden.

For more details, see:

• How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules
• What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?

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Common mistakes to avoid

1. Applying without clear trade impact
   OTTF needs proof of tariffs, revenue loss, or supply chain problems. General growth plans are not enough.

2. Missing the 75% cost share limit
   If your budget assumes 100% funding, your application will not be accepted.

3. Ignoring tax credits when budgeting
   Many manufacturers focus only on grants and skip OMMITC, leaving money unclaimed.

4. Assuming Ontario Made is financial funding
   It supports branding and sales—not cash flow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Ontario Together Trade Fund a grant or a loan?
It is mainly a non‑repayable grant, covering up to 75% of eligible costs. In some cases, the province may offer loans instead.

Q: Can I use OTTF and the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit together?
Yes, in many cases. Grants lower project costs upfront, while tax credits reduce corporate tax after the investment, subject to stacking rules.

Q: Does Ontario Made provide cash funding?
No. Ontario Made is a free branding and marketing program, not a grant or tax credit.

Q: What size manufacturer qualifies for OTTF?
You need at least 5 FTE employees and three years of operating history. Both small and mid‑sized manufacturers can qualify if trade impacts are proven.

Q: Are PPE manufacturers still eligible for Ontario Together funding?
Eligibility depends on current provincial priorities. The program is targeted and not always open to all sectors.

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Next steps

Ontario manufacturing support programs work best when planned together. GrantHub tracks active manufacturing grants, trade funds, and tax credits across Ontario. This helps you find options that suit your facility, project size, and growth plans.

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