Engineering Trade and Tariff Information Hub
Welcome to OSPE’s Engineering Trade and Tariff Information Hub. This is where Ontario’s engineering community can come to help make sense of how global trade decisions, everything from steel tariffs to Buy America rules, are impacting the work you do every day. We all know that when policies shift, they affect project costs, material availability, supply chains, and even the competitiveness of Ontario’s engineering firms. This information hub brings together the key issues, trends, and real-world impacts in one place, so you can stay informed, plan with confidence, and understand how trade policy connects to the future of engineering in Ontario.
OSPE’s CEO Update:
Highlights of OSPE’s Recent Relevant Advocacy Work
- OSPE Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
- OSPE Federal Budget Submission
- OSPE Member Roundtable on National Engineering Licensing
- Ontario Removes Barriers to Engineers’ Professional Mobility
- What Canada’s Tariff Sift Means For Engineers
- Engineers in the Legislature: Advancing Fairness, Innovation & Mobility in Ontario’s Engineering Profession
- Ontario Takes Action on Engineering Mobility
- Unlocking Ontario’s Economic Potential
- Standing Up for Engineers – OSPE’s Response to the New Tariffs
- Ontario Implements Procurement Restrictions in Response to US Tariffs
- Statement From OSPE on the impact of the U.S. – Canada Tariff Dispute
- Advancing Critical Minerals Strategy
Ontario & Canada Engineering Funding Resource Centre
Key Provincial and Federal Programs
1. Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) (Federal)
- A program that supports Canadian companies (SMEs) in co-innovation projects with foreign partners. tradecommissioner.gc.ca
- Why this matters for engineers: If an engineering firm or tech spin-off is developing a new device, service or process and seeks to partner internationally, this can help with funding.
- Learn more: CIIP
2. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program (Federal)
- A long-standing federal tax-credit program supporting R&D: companies doing scientific research or experimental development can claim tax credits and refunds.
- For engineering firms doing R&D on new processes, materials, devices, this is often relevant.
- Learn more: Innovation support + SR&ED Canada
3. Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) (Provincial – Ontario)
- Helps Ontario innovators connect with researchers, industry partners and funding needed to commercialize IP. Ontario Centre of Innovation
- Useful for engineering firms or start-ups in Ontario looking to bridge prototype → commercial product.
- Learn more: OCI Website
4. FedDev Ontario – Technology & Innovation Financial Support (Federal, Ontario region)
- Provides funding options for businesses in Ontario for technology and innovation projects. SBS SPE
- Good fit when an engineering company is doing tech adoption, innovation, scaling up.
- Learn more: FedDev Ontario funding support
5. Canada‑Ontario Job Grant (Provincial-federal)
- Funding program for skills training: employers in Ontario can receive substantial support for training employees. (Referenced via OSPE article) ospe.on.ca
- Useful for engineering firms wanting to up-skill staff (digital tools, BIM, AI, etc.).
- Read more: Canada-Ontario Job Grant info
6. Natural Resources Canada – Grants & Incentives for RD&D
- Federal program line: supports multiple grants and incentives for R&D, particularly clean resources, sustainable tech. Natural Resources Canada
- For engineers working on energy systems, minerals, decarbonization, this is relevant.
- Learn more: NRCan funding site
7. Ontario Government – “Available Funding Opportunities” portal
- The provincial government’s directory of funding opportunities for business. Ontario
- It’s useful as a gateway to more specific programs; you’ll likely find many tailored to engineering/technology in this repository.
- Learn more: Ontario Funding Opportunities
Get Involved
- For Policy and Advocacy Inquiries, contact advocacy@ospe.on.ca
- For Corporate & Industry Partnerships, contact Baijul Shukla, VP, Member Experience and Corporate Strategy bshukla@ospe.on.ca
