Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

Program Description

A national program delivered through all 7 Regional Development Agencies (ACOA, CED, CanNor, FedNor, FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan) helping SMEs impacted by U.S. and China tariffs boost productivity, diversify markets, strengthen supply chains, and reshore operations. Up to $1 million is available as a NON-REPAYABLE contribution; larger projects are normally funded as interest-free REPAYABLE contributions (up to $5M at PrairiesCan, up to $10M at FedDev Ontario). ISED's national page states $3.45 billion over 4 years; some regional pages still carry older figures. Costs may be eligible retroactively up to a 12-month period before the signed funding request, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements

• For-profit business incorporated and registered in Canada and in operation for at least 2 years (PrairiesCan); FedNor, FedDev Ontario and CED require at least 3 consecutive years actively operating and generating revenue; PacifiCan requires at least two complete years of externally prepared/reviewed financial statements; ACOA and CanNor publish no age test.
• 1 to 499 full-time equivalent employees at PrairiesCan and CED; under 500 at FedDev Ontario (which additionally requires at least 5 FTE in southern Ontario); ACOA states there is no hard employee cap. RDA-specific — confirm with your own agency.
• Must demonstrate direct or indirect tariff impact: minimum 25% of sales to U.S./China markets OR evidence of increased costs, lost revenue, reduced orders
• Business must have been viable prior to March 21, 2025
• One non-repayable contribution per business (lifetime limit across all RDAs)
• Not-for-profit organizations whose focus is supporting businesses, plus Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations, co-operatives and corporations, are also eligible applicants — the not-for-profit stream has no age, employee-count or 25%-of-sales test, only an operating presence in the region and legal-entity status
• Applicants requesting NON-REPAYABLE funding must also generate economic benefits for the local economy or region and play an important role in supporting the local supply chain
• Indigenous applicants: PrairiesCan normally funds up to 80% of eligible costs on commercial projects (at least 20% from non-PrairiesCan sources) and up to 100% on non-commercial projects
• Canadian content is a scored preference at PrairiesCan and a mandatory form question at PrairiesCan and PacifiCan; PrairiesCan's attestation form requires a two-year table of Canadian-input spend against cost of goods sold, and PacifiCan a 3,000-character narrative on Canadian technologies and products.
• 50% reimbursement applies to non-repayable for-profit funding only. Repayable contributions can reach 75% of eligible costs; not-for-profit applicants up to 90-100%; Indigenous applicants 80% (commercial) to 100% (non-commercial). Do not build a 50/50 budget without confirming which rate applies to your applicant type.