The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) was launched in March 2025 with $450 million in federal funding targeting specific sectors impacted by tariffs. At that time, support was mainly offered as repayable loans and cost-sharing through Canada’s seven Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
On September 5th, 2025, the government expanded the program to $1 billion over three years, available to all sectors and added the option of non-repayable funding of up to $1 million per business. Funding for projects makes direct funding available for the first time, alongside advisory services and region-specific support.
Deadlines and eligibility vary by RDA. Click on your RDA below to learn about the RTRI.
| Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) |
Intake |
What you can receive |
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(ACOA) |
Open |
Case-by-case repayable or non-repayable loan. More details to come. |
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
(CED) |
For funding under $1 million, applications can be submitted between October 10, 2025, and October 31, 2025. |
- Minimum funding: $100,000
- Up to $300,000 for market diversification projects
- Up to $1million structural investments in productivity or for hybrid projects aimed at productivity and market diversification.
|
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
(CanNor) |
Coming Soon |
TBD |
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
(FedDev Ontario) |
Only available for sectoral funds with small business stream opening soon. |
General
- Stream 1 <$100K can be non-repayable loan
- Stream 2: $125K–$10M is repayable loan
Steel and Automotive
$100K–$1M non-repayable with strict criteria.
|
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
(FedNor) |
TBD |
TBD |
Prairies Economic Development Canada
(PrairiesCan) |
Open |
- Loan from $500,000 to $5 million per project;
- Can be up to $1 million of non-repayable contribution otherwise funding to for-profit businesses is normally repayable;
- Repayable contribution funding is normally repaid with no interest over 5 years in monthly installments beginning 1 year after the project end date.
|
Pacific Economic Development Canada
(PacifiCan) |
Open |
- Loan of $200,000 to $10 million per project in repayable contributions.
- $200,000 to $1 million per project in non-repayable contributions.
|
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