Ontario Investing $13 Million to Protect Workers in Niagara

June 18, 2025

Niagara Falls – The Ontario government is investing more than $13 million through the Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund to help over 9,000 workers and jobseekers in Niagara prepare for in-demand jobs in the construction, manufacturing and food and beverage processing sectors. This investment is part of the government’s $1 billion expansion of the Skills Development Fund, for a total of $2.5 billion, to help protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs while helping Ontario remain competitive in the face of American tariffs and economic uncertainty.

“In a border community like Niagara, these regional investments through the Skills Development Fund are critical to help protect local workers and job creators,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This provincial support for training programs right across our region will help secure our future by providing opportunities for good jobs and careers with secure paycheques.”

“The investments we are announcing today will help workers across Niagara get the skills and training they need to find good-paying jobs and support a growing economy,” said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.

“By investing in workers, we are helping protect their jobs and futures, and helping Ontario stand up to President Trump’s tariffs and anything else that might come our way.”

Premier Ford was joined by MPP Oosterhoff and Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, as well as members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303, in Niagara Falls today, to announce the funding.

“This government is stepping up to protect Ontario workers,” said Minister Piccini.

“We are meeting the moment of economic uncertainty with bold and decisive action. That means investing in the skills and training that empower our world-class workforce to not only persevere in the face of adversity, but to build a stronger, more resilient Ontario.”

The Ontario government is partnering with eleven organizations in Niagara to deliver the free training programs in sectors affected by American tariffs and policies, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303, Civiconnect, Silverline Group, Food and Beverage Ontario, Steelcon Group of Companies, Niagara Home Builders’ Association, Edge Factor, Canadian Niagara Hotels, Niagara Industrial Association, Willowbrook Nurseries and XpertVR.

Since its launch in 2021, the Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with better training for better jobs with bigger paycheques. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $1 billion through the Skills Development Fund to support major industries and sectors while training the workers needed to build and strengthen Ontario’s economy to withstand whatever comes our way. This investment brings Ontario’s total investment in the Skills Development Fund to $2.5 billion.

“Both the Niagara Home Builders’ Association and our educational partner, Niagara College, are incredibly grateful to the province for once again investing in training that continues to prepare students with the skills that they need to work their way toward building a stable career, creating a stronger workforce and preparing more Niagara residents for meaningful, in-demand careers,” said Chuck McShane, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association.

“At Edge Factor, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals,” said Jeremy Bout, Founder and President of Edge Factor.

“We are proud to be working with the Ontario government to highlight the Real Pathways campaign, where we share real people, real stories and real pathways to a successful future in the trades.”

“I want to thank Premier Ford and the Ontario government for their continued commitment to building a strong, resilient workforce,” said Nour Hage, President and Chief Executive Officer of Civiconnect in Beamsville.

“This funding through the Skills Development Fund will help Civiconnect expand our Youth Skills Studio and prepare more young people with the hands-on experience and training they need to build successful careers in the skilled trades.”