Local Businesses Hurt by Tariffs Can Apply for Funding via Expanded Program
September 11, 2026Cornwall Ontario – FedDev Ontario is expanding its program that offers help to southern Ontario businesses under financial pressure due to tariffs. Info sessions have been set up this month to help business owners navigate the expanded program.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) will deliver $3.45 billion in aid to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) impacted by tariffs to help them adapt to changing market conditions, strengthen their competitiveness, diversify into new markets, and build greater trade resilience with more flexibility to address liquidity pressures. It equips SMEs, and the organizations that support them, to seize new opportunities, adapt to global trade disruptions and boost domestic trade. These investments will contribute to long-term economic resilience in the face of continued global uncertainty.
Eligible businesses may apply for up to 12 months of liquidity assistance, pivot project funding, or both.
- A business may receive up to a maximum of $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, consisting of up to $2 million in liquidity assistance and up to $1 million for a non-repayable pivot project.
- A business may receive up to a maximum of $20 million in total RTRI funding when repayable support is included. This maximum could include non-repayable liquidity assistance, up to $2 million.
The initiative will focus on businesses facing tariff pressures with minimum annual revenue of $1 million, across all sectors. Support is also available for not-for-profit organizations in southern Ontario whose primary focus is to support businesses.
Info Sessions
FedDev Ontario is hosting online sessions to help businesses and organizations learn about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Get answers on eligibility, funding and the application process.
| Register for a bilingual session | |||
| Date | Time (Eastern Time) | Link to register | |
| September 14, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Register | |
| September 16, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Register | |
| September 21, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Register | |
| September 24, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Register | |
More Info
RTRI is delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries and supply chains. In Ontario, the RDA is FedDev Ontario. Your business must demonstrate that it has been affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures or countervailing duties. This could be demonstrated if your business:
- operates in a sector impacted by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs (including direct exporters and also indirect exposure, for example as a supply chain partner to an affected exporter), or operates in another tariff impacted sector
- has at least 25% or more revenue coming from goods that are ultimately exported to the U.S.
- has experienced significant cost increases where tariffs have raised the price of goods and materials needed for production; supply chain disruption; or loss of revenue or customers
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative: Who can apply
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative: How to apply
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative: Frequently Asked Questions
Businesses may apply for both liquidity support and a pivot project at the same time if they require immediate financial support while undertaking activities to strengthen their long-term competitiveness and resilience. Previous RTRI recipients may also be eligible for this liquidity support. Existing RTRI recipients should contact their project officer for more information.
Please register to the information sessions for answers on eligibility, funding and the application process, or email regionaloutreach-rayonnementregional@feddevontario.gc.ca.