Ontario Announces $11B in Relief for Some Tariff-Hit Businesses

On April 7, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced approximately $11 billion in relief and support for businesses across the province that have been directly or indirectly affected, or will soon be hit, by the emerging trade war between the U.S. and Canada. These changes impact provincially-administered tax programs and WSIB.

Provincial Tax Relief

From April 1 to October 1, 2025, Ontario is granting a deferment option to businesses that are normally required to remit taxes under the province’s 10 business-focused tax programs. These include the following:

• Employer Health Tax
• Insurance Premium Tax
• Gasoline Tax
• Fuel Tax
• Mining Tax
• Tobacco Tax
• International Fuel Tax Agreement
• Beer, Wine, & Spirits Tax
• Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans
• Race Tracks Tax

Businesses that choose to take advantage of the six-month deferment will not be charged interest or penalties. The measure is expected to provide up to $9 billion in cash flow support to around 80,000 businesses across the province.

WSIS Rebate

Through the WSIB, the government will issue a $2 billion rebate for safe employers across the province. Among other requirements, safe employers are those that have not been convicted more than once under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act since 2020. These funds are in addition to the $2 billion WSIB rebate announced in November 2024, and which was distributed in March 2025.