Prime Minister Mark Carney Unveils $2 Billion Trade Adjustment Package to Support Auto and Steel Workers

OTTAWA, ON — Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the creation of the $2 billion Canadian Industrial Trade Adjustment Program (CITAP), providing immediate working capital support and direct payroll wage subsidies for domestic manufacturing workers.

Protecting Industrial Manufacturing and Skilled Trades

The federal adjustment program guarantees up to $50 million in low-interest commercial credit lines per manufacturing enterprise and provides 75% work-sharing wage subsidies to prevent plant layoffs while Canadian manufacturers diversify export delivery contracts across European Union, Asian, and Latin American trade corridors. Prime Minister Carney affirmed that Canadian auto parts makers, aluminum smelters, and steelworkers will not bear the cost of unilateral foreign trade duties alone.

Prime Minister Carney emphasized that Canada’s economic foundation is resilient, backed by strategic critical minerals, clean electricity, and the world’s most skilled manufacturing workforce.

Industrial Coalitions and Labor Union Endorsements

Unifor and the United Steelworkers (USW) strongly endorsed the federal wage subsidy backstop, highlighting that protecting manufacturing jobs preserves industrial community stability in Windsor, Hamilton, and Sault Ste. Marie.

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) praised the emergency liquidity window for preventing cash flow insolvency.

Program Application Timeline

Federal trade adjustment portal intake opens through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) on September 1, 2026.