Ontario expands Skills Development Fund with $955 million boost to support workers amid U.S. tariff pressures

Ontario Construction News staff writer

In a move to protect workers and strengthen Ontarioโ€™s economy in the face of escalating U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the provincial government is injecting nearly $1 billion into its Skills Development Fund (SDF), bringing the total fund to $2.5 billion.

Premier Doug Ford announced the $955 million expansion on Tuesday at the annual Skills Ontario competition.

โ€œWeโ€™re already seeing the impact of President Trumpโ€™s tariffs and the economic uncertainty he has created on Ontario workers,โ€ Ford said. โ€œMy message to these workers and their families is clear: Weโ€™ll always have your backs. Todayโ€™s announcement is the latest step in our plan to protect Ontario by investing in workers and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed, no matter what comes our way.โ€

The new funding, spread over three years starting in 2025โ€“26, will be channeled through both the SDFโ€™s Training and Capital Streams. The government is allocating $705 million in the 2025 Ontario Budget to train more workers in key sectors such as manufacturing and healthcareโ€”industries expected to feel the brunt of tariff-related disruptions. An additional $150 million will be invested in capital projects to expand and modernize training facilities.

Industry leaders welcomed the move, hailing the SDF as a critical tool in preparing the provinceโ€™s workforce for the future. Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, praised the governmentโ€™s foresight.

โ€œThe Skills Development Fund has proven to be an excellent vehicle to develop and deliver skills solutions to address the challenges we face,โ€ he said. โ€œThe Ford government must be commended for its leadership.โ€

“On behalf of all building trades workers, we welcome todayโ€™s announcement to invest $955 million over three years towards added funding for the SDF capital and training streams,โ€ said Marc Arsenault, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. โ€œThe government is demonstrating its firm commitment to support Ontario during an uncertain time. These considerable investments will increase construction training capacity to meet the needs of projects, securing continued employment for the workforce.”

โ€œWe look forward to continued collaboration as we build infrastructure to propel our economy forward.”

Other endorsements came from the Carpentersโ€™ Regional Council, the Ontario Home Buildersโ€™ Association, and other key trade and industry bodies. All stressed that the funding will not only create pathways to good jobs but also build a stronger, more self-reliant province.

Since its launch in 2021, the SDF has trained over one million workers and supported hundreds of projects across the province. With over 500,000 skilled trades-related job openings expected in the next decade, the government says continued investment in workforce development is critical.

More details about the provinceโ€™s economic strategy will be unveiled in the 2025 Ontario Budget, scheduled for release on May 15.

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