Ontario Investing $70 Million to Protect Workers Affected by U.S. Tariffs

August 20, 2025

• In the face of global economic uncertainty, we will continue to protect Ontario’s greatest strength: our highly skilled, world-class workforce.
• We’re protecting Ontario workers through investments in training and reskilling, giving workers the tools they need to re-enter the workforce and land rewarding, good-paying jobs – making Ontario the most competitive economy in the G7.
• That’s why we’re investing $20 million in Protect Ontario Workers Employment Response (POWER) Centres to retrain workers facing layoffs, and $50 million to expand the Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) program so more people can get the skills they need for in-demand jobs with bigger paycheques.
• POWER Centres build on and enhance the existing Adjustment Advisory Program Action Centres, helping workers, sectors, and communities as they adapt to economic changes. 
• BJO will provide up to 2 years of training supports for eligible workers, while also covering expenses for vocational skills training, such as tuition, transportation, and childcare, for up to $35,000.
• These new and exciting changes will give workers facing layoffs access to training, upskilling, and career supports, while also protecting those impacted by U.S. tariffs—helping them gain better skills, secure better jobs, and earn bigger paycheques.
• Since January 2021, nearly 16,000 jobs seekers have received retraining support through BJO. Additionally, in 2025, 10 Action Centres were operational across Ontario, helping nearly 15,000 workers.