Canada expands Regional Tariff Response Initiative funding

The Canadian federal government has expanded its Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) with an additional $1.5 billion in funding, part of a broader $7.5 billion package designed to help businesses navigate economic uncertainty and trade pressures.

Under the enhanced program, eligible businesses and organizations in regions including Southern Ontario and British Columbia can access up to $3 million in non-repayable funding. This includes up to $2 million specifically for demonstrated liquidity needs and up to $1 million for business pivot projects. The initiative aims to help companies strengthen supply chains, improve productivity, and diversify into new markets.

For larger-scale transformation projects, repayable funding remains available. The program is being delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies as part of a wider strategy to defend domestic industries and jobs in response to U.S. tariffs, which have prompted $25 billion in total countermeasures from the Canadian government.