Ontario Taking Action to Protect Workers Amid Economic Uncertainty
April 28, 2025
Province delivering support to businesses, while making Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business
The Ontario government is providing approximately $11 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses as it protects the province’s economy from economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs.
“In the face of President Trump’s attacks on Ontario’s economy, our government will do whatever it takes to protect Ontario workers and businesses. Today’s measures will help give workers and businesses the support they need in the face of growing economic uncertainty,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We can’t control President Trump, but we’re in full control of the kind of future we build for ourselves. The best way to protect Ontario is to build the most competitive economy in the G7, breaking down internal trade barriers and diversifying our trade so we can build a more resilient, prosperous and secure province.”
As a first step to support workers and businesses, the province is:
- Deferring select provincially administered taxes for six months from April 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, giving businesses and job creators approximately $9 billion worth of cash flow they need to keep workers employed and weather the economic turmoil.
- Through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), issuing a further $2 billion rebate for safe employers to support businesses and help keep workers on the job, in addition to the previous $2 billion rebate distributed in March.
To protect Ontario’s economy, the government will deliver on its mandate to break down internal trade barriers, make the province’s economy the most competitive in the G7, including by speeding up timelines and approvals for development, as well as diversifying trading partners and helping businesses if they need to retool and retrain workers for new customers in new markets.
“We are ready to protect Ontario’s workers, businesses and families from the economic uncertainty of U.S.-imposed tariffs,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Today’s measures help Ontario to weather the storm while continuing to build on our plan for ongoing prosperity.”
“In the last year, the WSIB provided historic, 50-year-low premiums to over 320,000 employers and surplus rebates to over 280,000 safe employers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario is looking to provide further relief to employers through an additional distribution that will help them keep workers on the jobs, whatever comes our way from President Trump.”
“In the face of economic uncertainty, Ontario stands ready with a plan that will defend the interests of our families and workers, protect our economy and jobs, and build a strong, stable future for generations to come.” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
The government is ready to do whatever is necessary to protect Ontario.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is granting relief to businesses remitting taxes under Ontario’s 10 business-focused tax programs, including the Employer Health Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Gasoline Tax, Fuel Tax, Mining Tax, Tobacco Tax, International Fuel Tax Agreement, Beer, Wine & Spirits Tax, the Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans and the Race Tracks Tax.
- Providing up to $9 billion in cash flow support to about 80,000 Ontario businesses by offering six months of interest and penalty relief will allow them to temporarily delay payments for select provincially administered taxes, giving them more flexibility to deal with any challenges resulting from U.S. tariffs.
- The six-month period begins April 1, 2025, and ends October 1, 2025. All taxes owed must be paid by October 1, 2025.
- The WSIB surplus rebate announced last November returned $2 billion in surplus funds to Ontario businesses. Eligible businesses who are safe employers received their distribution amount in March.
- Last year, the government also provided additional support for workers by removing the $150 fee for apprentices taking their first Certificate of Qualification exam, saving each apprentice at least $330 in total when combined with other fee removals and deductions that the province has implemented since 2019.
- The province also unlocked $400 million in health and safety programs for workers and employers developed by the WSIB, to support workers and ensure they have the supports they require.
Quotes
“In these uncertain times, Ontario businesses need certain relief. By achieving better results and strong financial management we are able to return this surplus right when businesses need it the most.”
– Jeffery Lang
President and CEO, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Related Story
Province Investing $100 Million in Job Training to Protect Ontario Workers
The Ontario government is stepping up to protect Ontario workers in the face of potential American tariffs on Canadian goods by investing an additional $100 million in the province’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, bringing the total provincial investment in SDF to $1.5 billion. This investment will support workers in fields including manufacturing, construction, critical mineral extraction and other skilled trades, providing them with the skills and training they need to secure better jobs and bigger paycheques while protecting Ontario’s economy.
