TORONTO — Due mainly to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, the Ontario government has announced it is expanding its Skills Development Fund (SDF) by nearly $1 billion over the next three years, for a total of $2.5 billion.
The funding will go towards training and reskilling Ontario workers, including those directly impacted by layoffs resulting from tariffs, states a release.
The money includes $705 million in new funding through the upcoming 2025 Ontario Budget to train more workers through the SDF Training Stream, building on  in January.
Through the upcoming 2025 Ontario Budget, the government is also providing $150 million over three years starting in 2025–26 to support increased demand in the SDF Capital Stream. This investment will help more organizations build, expand and retrofit their training facilities.
According to the release, more than 500,000 workers are expected to be needed to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario over the next decade.
The SDF is comprised of two funding streams: the Training Stream, which supports hiring, training and upskilling programs for jobseekers, apprentices and workers; and the Capital Stream, which supports upgrades or construction of training centres for high-demand jobs in key sectors of Ontario’s economy such as skilled trades.
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