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Ontario Investing Over $200,000 to Protect Tariff-Impacted Workers and Businesses in Ottawa

August 31, 2026

Evik Diagnostic Innovations’ $1,025,000 project will protect and create 28 jobs

OTTAWA – The Ontario government is investing $205,000 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help Evik Diagnostic Innovations increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.

Through this investment, Evik Diagnostic Innovations is investing $1,025,000 to develop and commercialize a full agricultural diagnostic platform, marking a strategic shift towards creating and selling its own diagnostic products directly to customers in agriculture and food safety markets.The investment will create 1 new, good-paying job and protect 27 existing positions across Ottawa.

“Through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, our government is stepping up for the businesses in our community who’ve been directly affected by U.S. tariffs,” said, George Darouze, MPP for Carleton. “Evik Diagnostic Innovations’ investment will help them adapt, stay competitive and continue creating good jobs in these uncertain times, all while helping make Ontario’s economy more competitive, resilient and self-reliant.”

First announced as part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, the OTTF is part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, dedicated to protecting the province’s workers and businesses from economic uncertainty and building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. With a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, the program will help businesses across a diverse range of sectors make the necessary investments to strengthen operations in Ontario, expand market reach and protect workers.

“Support from the Ontario Together Trade Fund allows us to build diagnostic manufacturing capacity here in Ontario, at a time when relying on cross-border supply chains has become a real risk for our customers,” said Vladimir Evtodienko, CEO of Evik Diagnostic Innovations. “This project lets us take the expertise our team has developed and turn it into a made-in-Ontario agricultural diagnostic platform that serves Canadian growers, food processors and laboratories directly.”

Since its launch, the OTTF has received overwhelming demand and in response to this, the government announced an additional $100 million investment into the program last year, bringing the total funding to $150 million over three years. The increased support will enable businesses affected by U.S. tariffs to return production to Ontario, identify new sales opportunities and expand interprovincial trade.

“As U.S. tariffs continue to threaten Ontario’s critical industries, our government remains focused on ensuring our businesses have the resources needed to adapt and expand,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By investing in Evik Diagnostic Innovations through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, we are taking decisive action to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and increasing opportunities for Ontario businesses and workers, now and for generations to come.”

As Ontario continues to navigate the impact of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, unleashing the economy and supporting workers.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Ontario Together Trade Fund is a part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support advanced manufacturing and trade-impacted communities, launched or enhancedas part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, including the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Trade-Impacted Communities Program.
  • Through the OTTF, the government is also providing complementary supports and services to help businesses navigate regulatory requirements, connect with skilled talent and access government programs that accelerate project success.
  • Open to Ontario-based businesses investing a minimum of $200,000, eligible projects include modification of existing products to enter new sectors, procurement of advanced equipment and facility modification to enhance domestic manufacturing and sales expansion.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MEDIA CONTACT

Office of George Darouze, MPP – Carleton
1128 Mill St. Manotick, ON K4M 1A2
Tel.: 613-838-4425
george.darouze@pc.ola.org