Industries in northern Ontario will share in a $7.2 million federal and provincial fund to help industries cope with the effects of the U.S. trade war with Canada. In a news release July 27, officials said the money will help “more than 500 workers in northern Ontario gain in-demand skills, protect local jobs and build a stronger, more resilient economy.” The money is coming through the Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response, the release said. “This investment will help more than 500 workers across northern Ontario upgrade their skills, transition into in-demand careers and ensure local employers have the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed.” Help workers transition Ontario will deliver the funding through Skills Advance Ontario, which works with employers and training providers to help workers transition into sectors that “are driving economic growth.” Algoma Steel Inc. is receiving $1,486,153 to help “upskill” 250 of its employees, providing technical and skills training that will strengthen their capabilities as the company’s operations evolve. “This investment supports a highly skilled workforce in northern Ontario and strengthens Algoma Steel’s long-term competitiveness,” the release said. Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition is receiving $1,550,992 to help 120 manufacturing workers build the skills needed for careers in the trades such as welding and industrial mechanics. “Delivered over four to 18 weeks in multiple Ontario communities, including Sault Ste. Marie, the program will combine industry-recognized safety certifications with paid work placements to prepare workers for opportunities in high-demand sectors,” the release said. Confederation College gets $2.78M In Thunder Bay, Confederation College of Applied Arts & Technology is receiving $2,780,400 to help 110 tariff-impacted workers and jobseekers affected by forestry and pulp and paper sector restructuring in Thunder Bay transition into in-demand careers. “Participants will receive training in heavy equipment operation, millwrighting, welding, electrical work and commercial driving, equipping them with the skills needed to fill local labour market needs,” the release said. Also in northwestern Ontario, the Washagamis Bay Investment Corp. will get $1,395,150 to train 40 jobseekers, primarily Indigenous participants from the Treaty #3 region, for careers in housing construction, forestry and telecommunications infrastructure in the Kenora area, helping address local workforce needs while creating pathways to rewarding, long-term employment. “Workers in Sault Ste. Marie affected by the tariff-accelerated layoffs at Algoma Steel possess valuable experience and practical skills that are needed across northern Ontario in communities like ours,” Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said in the news release. “The opportunities exist, but workers need help connecting their experience to new careers and this support from the provincial government will help them transition into new opportunities while strengthening Ontario’s workforce.” “We thank the governments of Canada and Ontario for this investment in our workforce,” added Algoma CEO Rajat Marwah. “As Algoma advances to electric arc furnace steelmaking, upskilling over 250 of our employees to meet the demands of new technology is essential to maintaining our competitiveness — and to keeping a highly skilled workforce right here in northern Ontario." Read the full news release here.
