FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guelph business leaders share CUSMA priorities
Guelph – May 13, 2026
As Canada prepares for the CUSMA review, local industry leaders shared their priorities with Guelph MP, Dominique O’Rourke and MP Tim Louis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy. The conversation took place during a round table convened by O’Rourke to ensure Guelph’s perspectives are reflected in the negotiations.
“Guelph is the fourth largest exporter to the US per capita, so we have felt the impacts of U.S. tariffs locally,” said O’Rourke. “Having Guelph’s input into the CUSMA review is crucial as we work to maintain US market access and our leadership role in advanced manufacturing and agri-food.”
More than 360 Guelph‑based businesses export over $6 billion in goods annually to the United States, by far the city’s largest trading partner. These exports account for approximately 34% of Guelph’s GDP, highlighting the community’s strong reliance on cross‑border trade.
Over the past year, the federal government has rolled out a comprehensive package of supports for tariff‑affected businesses, including large liquidity loans, the Strategic Response Fund, new programs through the Business Development Bank of Canada, and expanded work‑sharing and retraining measures. The $1‑billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) has already helped several local businesses adapt and remain competitive. More recently, O’Rourke was a strong advocate for an additional $500 million investment in the RTRI, as well as a new $1‑billion BDC program to support manufacturers and exporters using steel, aluminum, or copper—providing critical bridge financing as companies respond to extraordinary market pressures.
“Canada is well positioned to protect its interests as we strengthen our domestic priorities,” said O’Rourke. “Today’s conversation provides valuable insight as we continue our ongoing bilateral and trilateral negotiations towards a successful new CUSMA agreement.”
Businesses are encouraged to access the supports available to help stabilize operations, invest in innovation, and build resilience for the future through the BDC program and the RTRI.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lianne Cassidy
Chief of Staff to Dominique O'Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph
[email protected] | 519-837-5170