Federal Government Adds $500 million to Support Canadian Businesses Impacted By U.S. and/or Chinese Tariffs 

Canada’s Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) offers 75% project funding up to $10 million in interest-free loans and 50% up to $1 million in grants to Canadian businesses and organizations impacted by U.S. and China.

Eligible businesses include but not limited to wood, steel, automotive manufacturers. Applicants must have 5 to 499 employees, been incorporated for no less than three years, plus demonstrate that at least 25% of their revenues are in tariff-affected markets or show direct negative impacts resulting from the tariffs, e.g. increased costs, reduced sales, or lost market access.

Eligible activities include adopting or adapting technologies, automating, or digitizing production, reshoring R&D or manufacturing, expanding into new markets, as well as strengthening domestic supply chains and compliance standards.

Eligible expenditures include incremental employee wages, consulting fees, equipment purchases and installation, facility retrofits, marketing and outreach, training, and direct project materials. Ineligible costs include land and building purchases, vehicle costs, debt refinancing, entertainment, and ongoing operating expenses. Projects must begin after March 2025 and be completed no later than 31 March 2028.