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FR 437-525-4210 Check eligibility

Guide

Who qualifies, how much you can receive, what it pays for, the deadlines, and how to apply in every region.

Check my eligibility Call 437-525-4210

9 minute readUpdated October 13, 2026Sources: Government of Canada

What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative?

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a federal program that helps small and medium sized businesses cope with tariffs imposed by the United States and China, and with Canada’s own countermeasures. It is delivered by Canada’s seven regional development agencies, and in August 2026 the Government of Canada added $1.5 billion to the program, bringing the total committed nationally through those agencies to $3.45 billion.

The program funds two kinds of support for businesses: liquidity assistance to help you get through tariff pressure, and pivot projects that help you adapt, compete and diversify.

How much funding is available?

StreamTypeMaximumCost share
Liquidity assistanceNon repayable$2,000,000Up to 50% of eligible costs
Pivot projectsNon repayable$1,000,000Up to 50% of eligible costs
Larger pivot projectsRepayable, interest freeOver $1,000,000Up to 75% of eligible costs

A single business can receive up to $3 million in non repayable funding by combining liquidity assistance and a pivot project. Including repayable support, total RTRI funding can reach $20 million per business. In some regions, liquidity support is calculated mainly on 50% of average monthly payroll, up to the lesser of demonstrated need or $2 million.

Who is eligible?

Across the regional agencies, eligible businesses generally must:

  • Be an incorporated, for profit business located and operating in the agency’s region
  • Have at least $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the last two fiscal years
  • Have been viable before March 21, 2025 (later businesses may be considered case by case in some regions)
  • Demonstrate direct or indirect exposure to trade disruptions

Tariff exposure can be shown in several ways: operating in a sector affected by U.S. Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs, including as a supply chain partner; earning at least 25% of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the United States; or experiencing significant cost increases, supply chain disruption or lost revenue or customers.

You don’t have to export to qualifyIndirect exposure counts. Suppliers, service providers and manufacturers whose costs rose because of tariffs or countermeasures are often eligible.

What can the funding pay for?

Liquidity assistance

  • Employee salaries and wages
  • Rent or lease payments
  • Utilities and business insurance
  • Property taxes

Costs already reimbursed by another government wage or operating program cannot be claimed again.

Pivot projects

  • Productivity and process modernization
  • Equipment and technology, including automation and digitization
  • Market diversification and export development
  • Supply chain resilience

Deadlines and timing

  • Liquidity assistance covers up to 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028.
  • Pivot projects must be complete by March 31, 2029, and some agencies accept project start dates up to 12 months before you apply.
  • Applications are assessed as received, and approval depends on available funding. PrairiesCan lists intake until December 31, 2028 or until funds are committed.

Which agency handles your application?

RegionAgency
Southern OntarioFedDev Ontario
Northern OntarioFedNor
QuebecCED
British ColumbiaPacifiCan
Alberta, Saskatchewan, ManitobaPrairiesCan
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Newfoundland and LabradorACOA
Yukon, Northwest Territories, NunavutCanNor

How to apply

  1. Confirm your eligibility: revenue, incorporation, viability before March 21, 2025 and tariff exposure.
  2. Gather financial statements, payroll data and evidence of tariff impact.
  3. Prepare a 12 month cash flow showing your liquidity need, and a project plan and budget for any pivot project.
  4. Submit through your regional agency’s process, such as the MyACOA portal in Atlantic Canada or by contacting CED or PrairiesCan directly.
  5. Respond to reviewer questions promptly and completely.

This is the work we do every day. Start a two minute eligibility check and a specialist will tell you exactly where you stand.

Sources: FedDev Ontario, FedNor, CED, PrairiesCan, ACOA, CanNor and Department of Finance Canada program pages, October 2026.

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