Grants and tariff relief
Federal and Ontario programs for businesses that want to grow, hire, train or get through tariffs.
Grants and tariff relief
Federal and Ontario programs for businesses that want to grow, hire, train or get through tariffs.
The short answer
The federal Regional Tariff Response Initiative is the biggest grant for Ontario businesses hurt by tariffs.
In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario runs it. It is for incorporated businesses with at least 5 full-time staff in the region and fewer than 500 in total. In northern Ontario, FedNor runs it.
This is Ontario’s own fund for businesses facing U.S. trade trouble. It helps with bigger projects, like new equipment, space or new markets.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| How much | Grants or loans of up to $5 million. Most get 10% to 20% of costs. |
| Project size | At least $200,000 in costs |
| Your business | At least 3 years old, with at least 5 full-time staff |
| Timing | Finish the project within 2 years. Applications are taken any time while it’s open. |
Its loans charge no interest during the project. Part of a loan can be forgiven if you meet your job and investment goals.
CanExport SMEs pays up to half the cost of selling in new countries, up to $50,000. It usually opens once a year. The 2026 to 2027 round has closed, so watch for the next one.
Each program has its own rules. Most want a business that:
New to grants? Start with our simple guide to grants in Canada.
We work with businesses all across the province, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Windsor, Ottawa, London and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Grants just to start are rare. New businesses usually use loans, like Futurpreneur or the Canada Small Business Financing Program. See your options.
FedDev Ontario runs it in southern Ontario. FedNor runs it in northern Ontario. The rules are set by the federal government.
Often, yes, if they pay for different costs. You can’t claim the same cost twice, and total government help on one project is limited.
It depends on the program. The federal tariff relief grant goes up to $3 million. The Ontario Together Trade Fund goes up to $5 million in grants or loans for big projects.
Keep reading
4 min readA simple guide to small business grants in Canada for 2026: what a grant is, the main types, who qualifies, and the tariff grant worth up to $3 million.
Read the article
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 articleTalk to a specialist
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