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FR 437-525-4210 Check eligibility

Guide

The evidence agencies look for, how to organize it, and the mistakes that slow applications down.

Check my eligibility Call 437-525-4210

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

Why tariff impact matters

Every tariff relief program asks the same core question: how have tariffs affected this business? A clear, well documented answer is often the difference between a fast approval and months of back and forth. Agencies need to see that the impact is real, connected to trade measures, and that the funding you request matches the need.

The accepted ways to show impact

For the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, agencies accept several kinds of exposure. You only need to demonstrate one, but stronger files often show more than one.

  • Sector exposure: you operate in a sector affected by U.S. Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs, directly or as a supply chain partner.
  • Export share: at least 25% of your revenue comes from goods ultimately exported to the United States.
  • Business impact: significant cost increases, supply chain disruption, or lost revenue or customers.

Evidence checklist

  • Financial statements for the last two fiscal years, plus year to date results
  • Sales broken down by customer and destination, showing U.S. exposure
  • Cancelled, reduced or delayed purchase orders and the correspondence around them
  • Supplier invoices or price notices showing cost increases on steel, aluminum or imported inputs
  • Customs entries and duty or surtax payments
  • Payroll records and headcount, used to size liquidity assistance
  • A 12 month cash flow forecast showing the gap you need to cover
Indirect exposure needs a chain of evidenceIf you supply a business that exports, show who your customers are, what share of your sales they represent, and how their orders changed. Letters or emails from customers about reduced volumes are powerful.

Telling the story with numbers

Reviewers respond to clear before and after comparisons. Show the same months before and after tariffs took effect: revenue, gross margin, input costs and order volumes. Then connect the change to specific trade measures and explain what you are doing about it.

For liquidity assistance, tie your request to actual costs: payroll, rent, utilities, insurance and property taxes over the months you need covered. For pivot projects, show how the project reduces your exposure, opens new markets or improves productivity.

Common mistakes that slow files down

  • Claiming impact without numbers to back it up
  • Mixing pre tariff problems with tariff related ones
  • Requesting funding for costs another government program already covers
  • Missing financial statements or inconsistent figures between documents
  • Slow answers to reviewer questions

We build this evidence package for our clients as part of every application. Check your eligibility and we’ll show you what your file needs.

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Check my eligibility Call 437-525-4210