[Canada announces strategic industrial assistance plan to respond to the impact of U.S. tariffs] On October 22, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Governor Doug Ford jointly announced a series of strategic industrial assistance plans on the 21st to support workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs and promote long-term economic growth. According to a press release on the Prime Minister’s official website, these plans total 8.7 billion Canadian dollars (approximately US$6.2 billion) and focus on protecting Ontario’s steel, automotive and critical mineral industries, including establishing a joint steel action fund, supporting automakers to upgrade production lines, building road infrastructure and building critical mineral supply chains in the northern part of the province. Ontario is the heart of Canada's manufacturing industry, with automobile manufacturing, steel industries and abundant critical mineral resources. Because its economy is highly dependent on exports to the United States, Ontario has become one of the regions hardest hit by U.S. tariffs. The press release stated that the Canadian government has provided more than 25 billion Canadian dollars in assistance to Canadian workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.