Vote conveniently by internet or telephone from October 19 at 10 a.m. to October 26 at 8 p.m.
Learn more on the Town’s dedicated election website:
Ajax is committed to fostering a vibrant local economy by supporting businesses, attracting investment, and providing the tools and resources companies need to grow and succeed in our community
Meet Ajax’s Business Engagement and Support Team
The Town of Ajax’s Business Engagement and Supports Team is here to help your business.
Contact us for support with:
- Business Retention & Expansion
- Site Selection
- Market Information
- Access to Programs & Resources
- Tourism Opportunities
- Film Permits
For more information, contact us at priority@ajax.ca.
Town of Ajax Business Retention and Expansion Program
To assess the current business climate and better understand the services that businesses need, the Business Development Team initiated a Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program to collect the following information in 2023.
The program was designed to help answer questions such as:
- Are businesses expanding and growing?
- Are they expressing common concerns or problems?
- What are the trends in the overall market and in key sectors?
- How can the Ajax Business Development Team address concerns and help local businesses succeed?
Program Survey
Students from Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology contacted businesses to assist with the completion of a BR+E survey which includes questions on the following topics:
- General Business Information
- Business Climate (general impression of Ajax from your business perspective)
- Future Plans (downsizing, relocating, selling, expanding, closing)
- Business Development (outlook, sales, products or services)
- Workforce (hiring, access to labour)
- Community Development (Ajax’s advantages and disadvantages as a place to do business)
- Sector specific questions (Agriculture, Downtown Retail, Local Food, Manufacturing, Mining, Natural Resources, Retail, Tourism)
Program Partners
The BR&E Program was delivered as a Capstone Project, led by the Town of Ajax in partnership with Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology, CityStudio Durham Region, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and Ministry of Rural Affairs.
The results from the project will inform future Town of Ajax Business Development Action Plans and programming.
Town of Ajax Tariff Response
While Canada and the United States’ trade relationship experiences a period of transformation, Durham Region’s business support community is acting quickly to deepen our local economic strength. The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is working closely with our federal, provincial, and local partners to support your business. The DETF is a collaborative response team made up of Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism team; local municipal economic development teams from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog, and the region’s chambers of commerce and boards of trade. The members also engage with other key partners like Spark Centre and 1855 Technology Accelerator, post-secondary institutions, business improvement areas (BIAs), the Business Advisory Centre of Durham (BACD), provincial and federal partners, industry associations, and others.
Local Response and Updates
August 25, 2026: Canada announced dollar-for-dollar, rate-for-rate counter-tariffs on approximately $27.6 billion in U.S. imports in response to the new 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. The counter-tariffs will take effect September 8, 2026. The federal government also announced $7.5 billion in new and enhanced supports for Canadian businesses and workers impacted by tariffs.
- August 22, 2026: Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to the new 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. The dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs will target U.S. steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, electronics and other products, and are scheduled to take effect on September 8, 2026.
- August 18, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day delay to the implementation of the proposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods, moving the effective date from August 19 to August 22, 2026, as Canada and U.S. continued trade negotiations.
- July 20, 2026: The U.S. administration announced new 50% tariffs on a significant number of Canadian goods, including products in the automotive, alcohol and dairy sectors. The tariffs were scheduled to take effect on August 19, 2026.
- March 24, 2025: Ajax Council Meeting item 5.4 – Procurement Update regarding Tariffs. In addition to actions staff have already undertaken, Ajax Council directed staff:
- That the Town of Ajax’s Procurement By-Law be amended to enable staff more flexibility in choosing Canadian suppliers by aligning purchasing thresholds with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (as amended); and,
- That Procurement staff be directed to report back to Council, or the appropriate committee of council, regarding any major trends or policy changes that may affect procurement for local governments
- March 21, 2025: News release, Ajax Sign lights up in red and white to show Canadian solidarity on tariff challenges
- March 5, 2025: News release, Regional leaders strengthen economy, challenge US tariffs
- March 4, 2025: Statement from Mayor Shaun Collier about the announcement of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods in the US
- March 4, 2025: Tariffs took effect as of 12:01 a.m.
- February 27, 2025: Letter to Minister Ng Regarding Request for Amendments to the Competition Act to Support Canadian Companies in Municipal Procurement
- February 18, 2025: Motion regarding Response to 25% Tariff Threat from United States
- February 3, 2025: Trump to delay imposing tariffs on Canada for 1 month, Trudeau says, CBC News
- February 3, 2025: Regional Chair and Mayors affirm support of local businesses in response to Canadian export tariffs
Business Resources
The OCC has created a 10-step resource to mitigate its effects and stay competitive.
Business diversification is critical to business success. The Trade Commissioner Service has developed a spotlight page on Market Diversification that offers tools to help you determine export readiness, step-by-step guides, and export maps. Explore your pathways to global expansion.
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service will help exporters navigate the tariffs by:
- understanding how your business is affected
- identifying potential new markets
- connecting you with the right contacts to help problem solve
- helping you find potential partners and opportunities in new markets.
Learn about the process to request remission of tariffs that apply to certain goods from the U.S. Information from The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. Review the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service website for more resources.
The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium “Member Needs Help” program is an exclusive service for its members, designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the manufacturing community. For a limited time, the Canada/US Trade Relations Edition is open to all Canadian manufacturers. Here you can review questions and pose new ones to a community of peers and experts. Additionally, if you would like to stay informed with regular email communications on this topic, you can sign up by completing this form.
Export Development Canada can support businesses to navigate uncertainty. EDC offers trade support to Canadian companies. Explore how EDC can help. Resources include:
- Key markets for trade diversification
- Preparing for tariffs
- Webinars
Review information including overviews of U.S. tariffs, de minimus treatment, CFIB’s advocacy efforts, and other details.
Supports and Funding
- Get access to information for more than 12,000 manufacturing establishments and 250 ecosystem partners in Ontario, visually depicted on an interactive map, with enhanced search features. Explore using Trillium Network GIS Map tool.
- List of products from the United States proposes for 25 per cent tariffs listed as of February 4, 2025.
- Canada Tariff Finder – BDC Quickly get tariff information for specific products and countries.
- Province of Ontario – Information on provincial support for exporters/importers and trade relationships: Building Fortress Am-Can: Ontario’s Am-Can growth plan.
- Explore the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Business Funding portal. This is a concierge program from the Government of Canada to help find programs, services, and funding available to businesses.
Naming Rights Opportunities
Elevate your brand and make a lasting impression by acquiring naming rights with the Town of Ajax. Owning naming rights offers you a unique opportunity to showcase your brand across high-traffic areas and demonstrate your commitment to Ajax’s future.
Investing in naming rights is so much more than a marketing strategy. Together, we can make a difference and leave a legacy. Explore available opportunities and become a valued partner in the Town of Ajax’s story.
For more information, please contact sponsor@ajax.ca
Available Opportunities
| Facility | Asset |
|---|---|
| Audley Recreation Centre | Ajax Fairgrounds |