October 2026

Tariff Response and Support

Another round of U.S. trade measures has added to the challenges facing Durham Region businesses, including farms and the agri-food sector. U.S. import bans on select Canadian products, including certain dairy products and alcoholic beverages, took effect on September 29. 

Support tools and resources are available to help Durham businesses navigate these changing trade conditions.

Farms and agri-food businesses can access the Government of Canada’s Agriculture and agri-food trade between Canada and the United States resource page for trade information and market insights. 

The Invest Durham Tariff Response page offers business resources and links to federal and provincial programs. Recent updates include expansions to the Ontario Trade Together Fund, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Canada Strong program. 

The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) also continues to meet regularly and collaborate with federal, provincial and local partners to identify emerging challenges and connect local companies with relevant information and support.

Help shape the future of Durham Region by joining a Regional advisory committee. 

Regional advisory committees give residents and organizations an opportunity to share their expertise, identify emerging issues and help shape the Region's community programming and engagement initiatives. 

Applications are now open for appointment to the following committees: 

• Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
• Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC)
• Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART)
• Durham Region Transit Advisory Committee (TAC)
• Energy from Waste - Waste Management Advisory Committee (EFW-WMAC)
• Durham Active Transportation Committee (DATC)
• Durham Environment and Climate Advisory Table (DECAT)
• Durham Regional Police Services Board (DRPS)



If you’re passionate about building a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous Durham Region, submit your application by October 26.

Agriculture plays a vital role in Durham Region’s economy, and it’s important that the contributions of farms and agri-businesses are reflected in Regional policies and decision-making. 

The Region’s Business Count team is gathering employment and business information from every business establishment in Durham. The information collected helps the Region better understand the size, growth and needs of Durham’s agricultural sector. It supports economic development initiatives, infrastructure, service planning and strategies that help attract investment and support local businesses.  

By taking a few minutes to participate, you can help ensure the agriculture sector has an accurate voice in the data used to shape the Region’s future.

Gather at the Farm is back this October, shining a spotlight on Durham Region’s agricultural and rural communities. The month-long campaign encourages visitors and residents to explore farms, markets and seasonal happenings across the region.  

With 16 farm festivals and events and more than three dozen farm stores and markets, Gather at the Farm showcases the diversity of Durham’s agri-tourism experiences. Together, they put a face to local agriculture and give people another way to connect with the region’s rural communities.

For Durham's farms and rural businesses, attracting visitors can open the door to new ways of doing business. 

Cycling tourism is one example. The Region's 13 rural on-road cycling loops help riders explore the countryside while connecting them with businesses and experiences along the way. Each stop at a farm, market, café or other local business is an opportunity to connect with new customers. 

For farms, visitor experiences can also be part of a broader approach to diversification. Agritourism generates an estimated $633 million in economic output and supports 8,734 jobs across the province, highlighting the potential of this growing sector. 

So, what can diversification look like? Brooks Farms offers a local example of how new ideas helped the business evolve, while staying true to its agricultural roots.  

Durham Region is also working with the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge to help farmers and rural business owners pursue agriculture-related and on-farm diversified activities.

On September 17, the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) hosted its 24th annual farm tour.

This year’s event focused on the importance and contributions of family farms and the dairy industry in Durham Region. Host farm, West Port Dairy, provided participants with a firsthand look at the day-to-day operations of their family-run dairy farm and how it has evolved over the years.

The more than 120 attendees learned about the opportunities and challenges facing today's farming operations, as well as the role innovation and technology play in supporting long-term success.

Upcoming Events

Looking for guidance on tariffs and available business support? Join the free webinar at noon today (October 15) for updates from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, (FedDev).

Learn about eligibility information for the BDC Tariff Support Program and the Regional Tariff Response Initiative.

Registration remains open. If you are unable to attend the webinar, it will be made available at a later date on the Invest Durham Tariff Response page.

Local food and agriculture will be in the spotlight at the Uxbridge Farmers' Market on October 18.

Join Durham Tourism from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as Chef Alex Page showcases fresh local ingredients in a free culinary demonstration and tasting. The event coincides with the market's Pumpkin Fest, bringing visitors together to explore offerings from more than 50 local farmers, makers and bakers.

News and Headlines

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $2 million across the province to help small businesses in the agri-food industry expand operations and enhance food safety. Learn more about the funding. 

The federal government has announced a one billion Food-Link Fund with the goal of strengthening competition and improving Canada’s food distribution network. Read more about the investment.

Contact Us

Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857

InvestDurham.ca 



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