Opportunities NB — Tariff Working Capital Loans

Insider Tip

The 25% threshold for US sales or counter-tariff materials is the eligibility gate — if you are below it, this loan will not be approved regardless of other factors. Document your US sales percentage clearly using prior-year invoices or customer revenue breakdowns. ONB Business Navigators can help you design the right financing stack (ONB working capital loan + BDC or EDC federal programs) — call them before assembling the full package. Unlike grants, this is repayable, so build your repayment plan into the use-of-funds narrative. ONB will want to know how the business returns to sustainable operations within 12–24 months.

Rejection Pitfalls 6

• US sales or counter-tariff materials threshold below 25%
• Business was not profitable on a pre-tariff basis
• Outstanding CRA remittances or municipal property taxes

Success Profile

New Brunswick manufacturer, processor, or primary-sector exporter with 5–200 employees, proven pre-tariff profitability, and at least 25% of revenue from US customers. Company experiencing near-term cash flow shortfalls due to cancelled US orders, tariff-related cost increases, or supply-chain disruption. Current on all tax obligations. Needs bridge financing to maintain payroll and operations while pivoting to new markets or adapting product lines.

Evaluation Criteria

ONB assesses the business's pre-tariff financial health, tariff-impact evidence, US sales or counter-tariff materials exposure (minimum 25%), compliance with tax obligations, and the soundness of the working capital use plan. The loan is structured as bridge financing — ONB evaluates the company's realistic path to sustainable operations within the loan term.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 5

• Payroll and employee wages during the tariff-impact period
• Operating costs (rent, utilities, supplier payments) required to maintain business continuity
• Accounts payable to Canadian suppliers disrupted by tariff-related cash flow shortfall
• Inventory purchases needed to fulfill non-US orders or maintain operations during US market disruption
• Tariff duties paid on counter-tariff-affected inputs (where consistent with loan terms)

Ineligible Expenses 4

• Capital equipment purchases (not a working capital use)
• Repayment of existing shareholder loans or dividends
• Expansion into new markets or facilities (not covered under working capital mandate)
• Expenses incurred before the loan agreement is signed and disbursed

Intake Periods

Ongoing intake via ONB Business Navigators. No published intake windows. Contact ONB directly to initiate the process.

Deadline Notes

Active as of Budget 2025-26 tariff-response package. No fixed deadline published. Funding envelope is finite — contact ONB Business Navigators promptly if your business meets the 25% US-sales or counter-tariff materials threshold. Program is intended as short-term bridge financing while business adapts.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Non-profit organizations
• Government bodies and public-sector entities
• Businesses not operating in New Brunswick
• Businesses without documented US tariff impact meeting the 25% threshold
• Businesses with outstanding CRA or property tax obligations

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Not-applicable Risk

This is a repayable loan — full repayment of principal and interest is required per the loan agreement. There are no grant-style clawback provisions, but default triggers standard loan recovery procedures.