Grants and tariff relief
A grant is money you don’t pay back. Here is what’s out there, who can get it, and how to find the right one.
Grants and tariff relief
A grant is money you don’t pay back. Here is what’s out there, who can get it, and how to find the right one.
The short answer
A grant is money from the government that you do not pay back.
But it is not free cash for anything you want. Each grant has one goal. It might help you hire people, train your team, sell to new countries, or get through a hard time like tariffs.
Most grants work like a deal. The government pays part of the cost. You pay the rest. Often it is half and half.
| Kind of grant | What it helps pay for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff relief | Wages, rent and bills, new equipment, new markets | Regional Tariff Response Initiative |
| Hiring | Wages for new or young staff | Canada Summer Jobs |
| Training | Courses for your team | Provincial job grants |
| Exporting | Selling in new countries | CanExport SMEs |
| New ideas | Building a new product or process | NRC IRAP |
| Big growth projects | New machines, space and jobs | Provincial funds, like the Ontario Together Trade Fund |
Some of these open once a year. Others take applications until the money runs out. Always check the dates.
For businesses hurt by U.S. tariffs, it is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. People call it the RTRI.
You don’t have to sell to the U.S. yourself. If you supply a business that does, you may still qualify. See the 7 questions that tell you.
It is rare. Most grants are for businesses that already have sales.
New businesses usually get help as a loan, not a grant. Two good places to start:
Read more in how to get a loan to start a business.
Every grant has its own rules. But most ask for the same basics:
Some grants add more rules. For example, you may need a set number of staff or a set amount of sales.
Not if you follow the deal. When you get a grant, you sign an agreement. It says what the money is for.
If you use the money for something else, or don’t finish the project, you may have to pay it back.
Some programs also give loans with no interest. These are called “repayable contributions.” You do pay those back. Always check which kind you are getting.
And yes, grants usually count for tax. Here is how that works.
It depends on the program. Some give a few thousand dollars. The federal tariff relief program gives up to $3 million to businesses with at least $1 million in yearly sales.
Most take weeks or months, not days. Some programs aim to answer in about 60 business days. Apply early, because money can run out.
Often, yes. But you can’t claim the same cost twice. Some programs also limit how much total government help one project can get.
Many programs say yes. The federal tariff relief program, for example, is for incorporated businesses that are run for profit.
No. You don’t pay back a grant if you follow the rules. You do pay back a loan. Some programs offer both, so read the agreement.
Keep reading
3 min readEvery tariff relief program for Canadian businesses in 2026, explained simply: grants up to $3M, BDC loans with 0% interest for a year, Work-Sharing and provincial help.
Read the article
3 min readHow to apply for a government grant in Canada, step by step: find the right program, check the rules, gather documents, write a clear plan and avoid common mistakes.
Read the article
3 min readSmall business grants in Ontario for 2026, explained simply: tariff relief up to $3M, the Ontario Together Trade Fund, hiring and training help, and who qualifies.
Read the articleTalk to a specialist
One short form or a quick call. Open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM ET.
