CANADIAN BUSINESS FUNDING · RTRI

Tariff relief for
Canadian businesses.

A way forward when trade changes.

Tariffs can affect your business long before a duty appears on an invoice. We help you understand the funding, make the case and manage your Regional Tariff Response Initiative application.

Discuss my eligibility Explore the funding

Free one-on-one consultation. Practical guidance for your business. No obligation to hire us.

Reviewed September 20, 2026 • Official sources linked below

Find your regional agency

TWO DIFFERENT BUSINESS NEEDS

Liquidity assistance
and pivot projects.

Liquidity assistance covers tariff-related cash-flow shortfalls in your existing labour and overhead. Pivot projects fund net-new investment on top of the business you already run. You can apply for either, or both. You do not need a pivot project to request liquidity assistance.

The terms below describe FedDev Ontario for Southern Ontario. Your regional agency confirms the terms that apply to your business.

01 / EXISTING LABOUR AND OVERHEAD

Liquidity assistance

Non-repayable support for a tariff-related cash-flow shortfall in the business you already run. It is based on your average payroll over the last 12 months, with overhead such as rent, utilities, insurance and property taxes considered where needed.

Funding
Up to $2M, non-repayable
Basis
Primarily 50% of eligible payroll
Period
Up to 12 months, ending by March 31, 2028

What it looks like in practice

FedDev uses average eligible monthly payroll from the latest 12 completed months, then assesses the funding needed to keep operating. Available financing, other assistance and the actual shortfall all matter.

ILLUSTRATIVE CALCULATION$100,000 × 50% × 12 = $600,000

Average eligible monthly payroll × support rate × months. This is a starting calculation, not an entitlement.

Certain essential operating costs may be considered exceptionally. Tariffs, inventory, raw materials and debt payments are not reimbursable liquidity operating costs.

How FedDev calculates liquidity support
02 / NET-NEW INVESTMENT

Pivot projects

Funding for net-new investment on top of your existing labour, overhead and operations: equipment, automation, expansion, new markets and reinvestment in the business.

Non-repayable
Up to $1M; up to 50% of eligible costs
Repayable
Over $1M; up to 75% of eligible costs
Completion
By March 31, 2029

What it looks like in practice

  • Automate a production bottleneck to improve unit costs.
  • Adapt products or processes to reach new Canadian or international customers.
  • Invest in equipment or technology to reduce supply-chain dependence.

Projects need measurable results. Non-repayable projects must demonstrate local or regional economic benefits. Larger contributions are interest-free and repayable under an agreement.

FedDev pivot funding terms · Repayment FAQs
How the limits fit together

Up to $3M in combined non-repayable support: $2M for liquidity plus $1M for a pivot. Total RTRI support, including repayable funding, is capped at $20M per applicant. The same costs cannot be funded twice.

WHO CAN APPLY

You do not have to be
in a priority sector.

Current FedDev guidance welcomes businesses across all tariff-impacted sectors. What matters is the business, the impact and the evidence.

Read the official eligibility criteria

An established Canadian business

For FedDev: an incorporated, for-profit business located and operating in Southern Ontario, with a business that was viable before tariff impacts.

$1M+ in annual revenue

In at least one of the last two fiscal years. This is a revenue threshold, not a minimum project budget or funding request.

A demonstrated tariff impact

Direct or indirect exposure, supported by a clear connection between tariffs and changes in your costs, customers, supply chain or revenue.

Eligibility does not guarantee approval. Businesses outside Southern Ontario should check the rules of their regional agency.

LOOK BEYOND THE CUSTOMS INVOICE

The impact can be indirect.
The evidence must be clear.

A tariffed HS code or direct U.S. exports are not the only ways to demonstrate an impact. These examples show how pressure can travel through a business.

01

Your customer exports. You don't.

A Canadian customer cuts orders because tariffs have made its U.S. sales less competitive. Your business feels the loss further down the supply chain.

Evidence to gather

Customer correspondence, purchase orders and sales comparisons.

02

Your inputs cost more.

A supplier passes tariff-related costs through to you. Even with steady sales, higher material costs can compress margins and put pressure on payroll.

Evidence to gather

Supplier price notices, invoices and margin analysis.

03

Orders are delayed or cancelled.

A customer postpones a contract because of tariff uncertainty, leaving a documented gap in revenue and cash flow.

Evidence to gather

Dated customer explanations, cancelled orders and cash-flow forecasts.

04

Your supply chain is disrupted.

Tariff-related changes to suppliers or delivery routes interrupt production, reduce output or prevent you from fulfilling orders.

Evidence to gather

Supplier notices, delivery records and affected production or sales.

Illustrative scenarios, not automatic eligibility. A general slowdown alone does not establish tariff impact.

ONE NATIONAL INITIATIVE. REGIONAL DELIVERY.

Wherever you operate,
start with the right agency.

Fundspoke helps companies across Canada. RTRI is delivered by seven regional development agencies, each with its own intake process and requirements. Choose your region for how the agency there works, what it asks for and how to apply.

FedDev Ontario

Southern Ontario

FedNor

Northern Ontario

CED

Quebec

ACOA

Atlantic Canada

PrairiesCan

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

PacifiCan

British Columbia

CanNor

Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Operating in several regions? Separate regional liquidity requests may be required for employees in each agency's area. Confirm allocation before applying.

Explore the national RTRI initiative

TARIFF RELIEF BY SECTOR

How tariffs hit
your industry.

Sector guides cover the U.S., Canadian and Chinese tariff measures that affect each industry, the evidence agencies look for and the liquidity and pivot projects that fit.

SECTOR GUIDE

Manufacturing

U.S. tariffs, customer cutbacks and higher input costs for Canadian manufacturers.

SECTOR GUIDE

Steel

Section 232 tariffs on exports and surtaxes on imported steel.

SECTOR GUIDE

Aluminum

Section 232 tariffs on aluminum products and 50% counter-tariffs on U.S. aluminum.

SECTOR GUIDE

Machine shops and CNC

Customers' tariffs, metal input costs and funding for new CNC equipment.

SECTOR GUIDE

Tool, die and mould

Delayed tooling programs, automotive tariffs and higher steel and mould costs.

SECTOR GUIDE

Auto parts

Section 232 auto tariffs, CUSMA status and customer production changes.

SECTOR GUIDE

Food processing

U.S. dairy measures, Chinese tariffs and higher ingredient and packaging costs.

SECTOR GUIDE

Wood, lumber and furniture

Section 232 lumber, cabinet and furniture tariffs plus Section 338.

SECTOR GUIDE

Greenhouses and growers

The 25% U.S. export test, packaging costs and seasonal payroll.

SECTOR GUIDE

Consumer goods (CPG)

Section 338 on consumer products and counter-tariffs on packaging and cosmetics inputs.

SECTOR GUIDE

Wine, beer and spirits

The U.S. import ban on alcoholic beverages and higher packaging costs.

SECTOR GUIDE

Machinery and equipment

Section 338 on industrial machinery and counter-tariffs on U.S. equipment.

SECTOR GUIDE

Seafood processing

China's seafood tariffs, the U.S. export test and packaging costs.

SECTOR GUIDE

Canola, pork and pulses

China's tariffs on canola oil, pork and peas, and what is suspended.

SECTOR GUIDE

Plastics and packaging

Section 338 on plastics and paper, and 50% counter-tariffs on U.S. packaging.

SECTOR GUIDE

Copper and electrical

Section 232 on copper, Section 338 on electronics and counter-tariffs on U.S. wire.

See all sector guides

HOW FUNDSPOKE HELPS

You run the business.
We build the funding case.

Our senior team connects the financial picture, the tariff impact and the project plan. We handle the application and stay involved through claims and reporting.

01

Find the fit

Review your operations, financial position and tariff exposure. Identify liquidity, pivot funding, or a combination.

02

Prepare the application

Build the evidence, cash-flow forecasts, project budget and funding plan. You review and approve the submission.

03

Stay through delivery

Support due diligence, contribution-agreement requirements, claims and reporting after approval.

A useful starting point

Your location, revenue history and a short description of how tariffs have affected you. As we prepare the application, we will work through financial statements, payroll and cash-flow information, evidence of impact, and any proposed project budget.

Talk to Fundspoke

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Tariff relief,
without the guesswork.

Practical answers for Canadian companies, with FedDev Ontario details where specified.

FedDev Ontario's official FAQs
What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative?

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is federal support delivered through Canada's regional development agencies to help businesses affected by tariffs. It includes liquidity assistance and funding for projects that strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets or build resilience. Fundspoke helps companies assess their fit and prepare applications; the regional agency makes the funding decision.

Can I qualify if my company does not export directly to the United States?

Potentially. FedDev Ontario recognizes indirect tariff effects, including disruption to supply chains, higher input costs and lost customers or revenue. A supplier to a Canadian exporter may be affected even if it has no direct U.S. sales. The application must show a credible, documented connection between tariffs and the business impact.

Does the $1 million minimum mean I need a $1 million project?

No. For FedDev Ontario, the threshold is at least $1 million in annual revenue in at least one of the last two fiscal years. It is not a minimum project cost or funding request. Other eligibility requirements still apply, and your regional agency's rules must be checked.

Does my company have to be in a priority sector?

No. Current FedDev Ontario guidance invites businesses across all tariff-impacted sectors. A business outside a named priority sector can be considered if it meets the program's eligibility and assessment criteria.

Do I need a pivot project to request liquidity assistance?

No. Eligible businesses can request liquidity assistance on its own, funding for a pivot project, or both. Liquidity addresses a demonstrated tariff-related cash-flow need; a pivot project supports a defined plan to adapt the business.

Is RTRI funding a grant or a loan?

Under current FedDev Ontario terms, liquidity assistance of up to $2 million is non-repayable. Pivot contributions of up to $1 million can also be non-repayable; larger pivot contributions are repayable and interest-free. Non-repayable support is capped at $3 million across liquidity and pivot, with total RTRI support capped at $20 million. Funding amounts depend on assessment and the contribution agreement.

Will liquidity assistance reimburse tariffs or cover all operating costs?

No. FedDev primarily bases liquidity assistance on eligible payroll and demonstrated need. Certain essential operating costs can be considered exceptionally. Tariff payments, customs duties, raw materials, inventory purchases and debt repayments are not eligible liquidity operating costs under the current guide.

Is there one application deadline for all of Canada?

No. Intake arrangements vary by agency. FedDev Ontario is accepting applications as of this guide's September 20, 2026 review. Its liquidity period must end by March 31, 2028, while pivot projects must finish by March 31, 2029. Those are completion dates, not a single Canada-wide application deadline. Confirm current intake and available funding before applying.

LET’S FIND YOUR NEXT STEP

Tariffs changed the plan.
Let's work on the response.

Tell us what has changed for your business. In a free, one-on-one consultation, we will help you understand your funding options and next steps, whether or not you work with us. No strings attached.

  • Free one-on-one consultation
  • Practical guidance for your business
  • No obligation to hire us

Let’s discuss tariff relief for your business.

Share your location and how tariffs have affected your business. For revenue, use a band reached in either of your last two completed fiscal years. This helps us assess the right regional program.

Know a business feeling the impact?

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Independent advisory by Fundspoke. We are not a government agency. Program terms and intake availability may change; the regional agency's current rules and contribution agreement govern funding.