Carney, Ford announce $8.7B partnership to support steel, auto, critical mineral sectors

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are expected to unveil new support for auto companies making clean investments during the trade war with the U.S., CBC News has learned

Announcement comes after U.S. finalized rolling back fuel economy standards

Ashley Burke · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 21, 2026 9:59 AM EDT | Last Updated: 15 minutes ago

Listen to this article

Estimated 2 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are expected to unveil new support for auto companies making clean investments during a time of uncertainty caused by the trade war with the U.S., CBC News has learned 

A source with knowledge of the announcement that is expected later Wednesday said it includes addressing Canada's greenhouse gas standards after the Trump administration made changes on Monday.

Earlier this week, the U.S. finalized rolling back fuel economy standards for new vehicles, reversing policies meant to boost fuel efficiency and promote using electric vehicles. 

Carney and Ford are slated to roll out the support package on Parliament Hill on Wednesday afternoon and are expected to be joined by their industry and finance ministers. 

In August, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to increase tariffs on all cars, trucks, auto parts and steel to 50 per cent on Jan. 1, 2027. That threat came after Carney announced he was retaliating with matching dollar-for-dollar tariffs on American goods.

• ‘Counterproductively devastating’: Auto industry reacts to Trump’s new tariff threats

• No Canada-U.S. trade deal expected before American midterm elections: sources

The U.S. is already hitting finished vehicles and non-CUSMA-compliant auto parts imported to the U.S. with 25 per cent levies.

The Trump administration has also been hammering Canadian steel imports with tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashley Burke is a senior reporter with the CBC's Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa. She was recognized with the Charles Lynch Award and was a finalist for the Michener Award for her exclusive reporting on the toxic workplace at Rideau Hall. She has also uncovered allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian military. You can reach her confidentially by email: ashley.burke@cbc.ca