Tariff Response and Business Resources

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Team Dufferin - County of Dufferin Tariff Response and Business Resources

The County of Dufferin’s Economic Development division is dedicated to supporting local businesses as they navigate the challenges of evolving trade policies and tariffs. Through the Team Dufferin Seminar Series, we offer informative and engaging sessions designed to provide valuable insights and guidance to complement local municipal efforts.

Explore the resources below to stay informed and better equip your business to adapt and thrive in this changing landscape.

Land Use Planning for Agricultural Prosperity

Wayne Caldwell, October 29, 2025

This presentation explored how thoughtful land use planning can support agricultural prosperity in Dufferin County. It addressed the pressures of urban encroachment and farmland loss, the current strengths and challenges of the agricultural sector, and the importance of looking beyond tariffs to consider broader agricultural issues.

Download the Presentation Here

Land Use Planning for Agricultural Prosperity

Watch the Recording Here!

Land Use Planning for Agricultural Prosperity

Trade Tensions, Tariffs & Local Strategy: Navigating Global Trade Shifts Through Data and Economic Development

Joy Nott, July 30, 2025

This presentation provided an overview of the latest trade and tariff issues and their effects on local industries and supply chains. It also outlined what a tariff actually is, as well as how businesses are choosing to respond.

Download the Presentation Here

Trade Tensions, Tariffs & Local Strategy: Navigating Global Trade Shifts Through Data and Economic Development

Watch the Recording Here!

Trade Tensions, Tariffs & Local Strategy: Navigating Global Trade Shifts Through Data and Economic Development

Weathering the Storm: Strategies for Rural Stability and Growth in Uncertain Times

Ryan Gibson, May 7, 2025

This second session took a closer look at Dufferin County’s rural economic landscape, with a spotlight on vulnerable sectors such as the agri-food industry and manufacturing, and the challenges and opportunities shaping their future.

Download the Presentation Here

Weathering the Storm: Strategies for Rural Stability and Growth in Uncertain Times

Watch the Recording Here!

Weathering the Storm: Strategies for Rural Stability and Growth in Uncertain Times

What Trump Means: Economic Development, Canada and the 47th President of the USA

Brock Dickinson, March 5, 2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the first session of the Team Dufferin seminar series. This seminar explored critical workforce challenges in Canada and their implications for economic development and investment attraction. Brock discussed the potential economic impacts of a Trump presidency on Canada, including trade policies, tariffs, and broader shifts in the global economy.

Download the Presentation Here

What Trump Means: Economic Development, Canada and the 47th President of the USA

Watch the Recording Here!

What Trump Means: Economic Development, Canada and the 47th President of the USA

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Contact the Dufferin County Economic Development division to pick-up your #TeamDufferin swag!
Email ecdev@dufferincounty.ca to arrange a pick-up for postcards, shelf hangers and window decals!
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Town of Orangeville Tariff Resources

The Town’s Economic Development and Culture (EDC) division is committed to providing resources and support for local businesses that are navigating this evolving situation.

Town of Shelburne Tariff Resources

The Town of Shelburne Economic Development is dedicated to offering comprehensive resources and unwavering support for our local businesses as they navigate the complexities of this evolving situation. We are committed to empowering our business community with the tools and information, needed to adapt and thrive in these challenging times.

The Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) represents 15 municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, advocating for 1.6 million residents. Through collaboration, WOWC addresses rural and small urban challenges, shaping policies for regional growth.

Please complete the Tariff Business Impact Survey to help assess how U.S. tariffs are affecting businesses in Rural Ontario.

Tariff Business Impact Survey

Government of Canada Tariff Supports and Resources.

Updated Canada-U.S. Resources
Core Facts Document
Updated Key Messages Document

Department of Finance
Tax relief and support for businesses affected by tariffs
Government launches consultations on trade measures to prevent diversion of steel products into Canada
Support for Canadian businesses and workers

Global Affairs Canada
Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges
Canada’s Trade Agreements
Diversify your exports with the Trade Commissioner Service
Expand your business into new markets
Doing business in the United States

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Programs and services to help your business grow
Expert advisory service
Tools, funding and resources

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Support for Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries impacted by trade disruptions

Farm Credit Canada
Trade Disruption Customer Support Program

Export Economic Development Canada
Preparing your business for tariffs: A checklist for exports
Trade Impact Program

Business Development Bank of Canada
Support for Canadian businesses impacted by uncertainty around US tariffs

Government of Canada News

The proposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports into the United States could prove devastating to the Canadian Economy. And, with the potential for retaliatory action, companies and citizens on both sides of the border could be negatively impacted.

Learn more by reading the full report!

Deloitte. Report

In response to international tariffs, the Canadian and Ontario governments have announced financial assistance measures for individuals and businesses, including farm businesses.

Business Support

Your Board of Trade is dedicated to being a strong advocate for businesses in Dufferin County. We champion initiatives that enhance the business environment, address pertinent issues, and work with all levels of government in a non-partisan manner, fostering constructive dialogue for the betterment of our community.

Business Support

The job board for Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. See how you can ensure your job posting makes it onto the site!

Visit FindYourJob.ca How To For Employers

The Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) provides support to new and existing small businesses in the Orangeville area. Visit their website to find out about free support services.

Learn more about SBEC

The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin leads local workforce development by identifying local labour market needs and working with the community to develop action plans to address these issues.

Discover more

The tax rate is established annually and is based on budgetary requirements for the local municipality, Dufferin County, and education (as set by the province). The tax rate is expressed as a percentage of a property’s assessed value. Each property class has its own tax rate. The tax rate is multiplied by the assessed value, resulting in the amount of property taxes payable for the year.

Click here for a summary of the 2023 rates

The County’s application process centre around three application types: Pre-Consultation, County Official Plan Amendment, and Local Official Plan Amendment. Besides a County Pre-Consultation and a County Official Plan Amendment, all planning applications are to be submitted through the Town or Township and will be circulated to the County by local planning staff. For further information on the process, flow charts are available from Planning and Development.

Click here for more information

Dufferin County is home to a Georgian College Campus, offering a wide range of education and training opportunities to residents within the County and the surrounding areas.

Georgian College

Community Futures South Georgian Bay (CG SGB) a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) sponsored by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, CF SGB is one of 61 CFDCs in Ontario, dedicated to developing and diversifying the local economy. As a comprehensive business resource, CF SGB supports new and expanding businesses by offering business loans up to $300,000, a business coaching and mentoring program, business counselling, and support for community economic development.

Learn more about CFSGB

A row of beehives against a wooded backdrop

Dufferin County: Commuting and Work

This report analyzes commuting trends in relation to employment, within and outside of Dufferin County.

Food for Thought: Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report (Agriculture and Food Sector)

164 agriculture and food businesses in Dufferin County were visited as a part of the Business Retention and Expansion project. See the results of this project in the final report.

The 2020 Canadian E-Commerce Report

What influences the way Canadians shop online? Understanding shopper behaviour will help you focus on what will create the biggest impact for your business.

Rural Resiliency Task Force

In response to COVID-19, Dufferin County Economic Development implemented a task force to assist businesses through the pandemic and to recover post-pandemic. The Western Ontario Warden's Caucus (WOWC) survey was facilitated by all counties in Western Ontario, to identify the impacts of COVID-19 on business.

COVID-19 Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report

This project was completed in partnership with the Town of Orangeville and the Town of
Shelburne in an effort to connect with our local business owners in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report (Professional, Scientific, and Technological Sector)

This report outlines the findings from a Business Retention and Expansion project on the Professional, Scientific, and Technological sector in Dufferin County.

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Tariff Response and Business Resources

Team Dufferin - County of Dufferin Tariff Response and Business Resources

Land Use Planning for Agricultural Prosperity

Download the Presentation Here

Watch the Recording Here!

Trade Tensions, Tariffs & Local Strategy: Navigating Global Trade Shifts Through Data and Economic Development

Download the Presentation Here

Watch the Recording Here!

Weathering the Storm: Strategies for Rural Stability and Growth in Uncertain Times

Download the Presentation Here

Watch the Recording Here!

What Trump Means: Economic Development, Canada and the 47th President of the USA

Download the Presentation Here

Watch the Recording Here!

Municipal Tariff Resources

Town of Orangeville Tariff Resources

Town of Shelburne Tariff Resources

Tariff Resources

Explore these resources to help you do business in Dufferin.

Past Reports

Dufferin County: Commuting and Work

Food for Thought: Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report (Agriculture and Food Sector)

The 2020 Canadian E-Commerce Report

Rural Resiliency Task Force

COVID-19 Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report

Dufferin County Business Retention and Expansion Report (Professional, Scientific, and Technological Sector)