Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces
The Government of Canada is helping Canadian businesses and industries respond to global trade pressures.
The national Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs), is part of the broader Government of Canada tariff response plan to protect Canadian businesses and workers. In the Prairie region, PrairiesCan delivers the RTRI.
Together, RDAs are delivering $3.45 billion to help businesses affected by tariffs address liquidity pressures, strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets, and build resilience in the face of global trade disruptions. Support is also available for not-for-profit organizations that help businesses adapt, grow, and expand trade opportunities.
Need more info? Read our Frequently asked questions page.
Apply today — Intake is open until December 31, 2028 or until all available funding is committed.
Types of support
Support for businesses
RTRI offers different types of support to help tariff-impacted businesses maintain operations, strengthen competitiveness, and build long-term resilience.
Liquidity assistance
Funding for businesses experiencing tariff-related financial pressures. This support is intended to help companies maintain Canadian operations and retain employees while responding to trade disruptions and planning for longer-term resilience.
- Non-repayable funding:
- Up to $2 million
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Funding period: Up to 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028.
Pivot projects
Investments for businesses undertaking activities that improve productivity, increase competitiveness, and reduce exposure to future trade disruptions.
- Non-repayable funding:
- Up to $1 million for projects with local or regional economic benefits
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Repayable funding:
- Over $1 million for larger scale transformative projects
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Repayable contributions are interest-free
- Funding period: start and end dates can vary by project, but all projects must be completed by no later than March 31, 2029.
Eligible businesses may apply for pivot project funding, up to 12 months of liquidity assistance, 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 small and medium-sized enterprises facing tariff pressures with minimum annual revenue of $1 million, across all sectors. Regional development agencies will assess applications based on program criteria, demonstrated need, and the business’s proposed response to tariff impacts.
Businesses in all tariff-impacted sectors may be eligible for RTRI support and are encouraged to apply.
Support for not-for-profit organizations
RTRI also provides funding to not-for-profit organizations that help Prairie businesses respond to tariffs and trade disruptions.
Funding can support projects that help affected businesses:
- diversify markets and expand trade opportunities
- improve productivity and competitiveness
- strengthen supply chains
- access business support, market development and advisory services
Liquidity assistance is only available to eligible businesses and cannot be used by not-for-profit organizations for their own operating expenses.
RTRI contribution funding for not-for-profit organizations:
- is normally non-repayable
- normally covers up to 90% of eligible project costs
- at least 10% of project costs should be covered by non-PrairiesCan funding
- for commercial (revenue-generating) projects, will normally be repayable contribution funding for up to 75% of eligible project costs
Indigenous applicants
RTRI contribution funding for Indigenous applicants:
- normally covers up to 80% of eligible project costs for commercial projects
- at least 20% of project costs should be covered by non-PrairiesCan funding
- normally covers up to 100% of eligible project costs for non-commercial projects
Funding from other sources
PrairiesCan considers all other funding sources for the project and may give preference to projects that demonstrate greater leverage of funding from non-PrairiesCan sources.
Applicants may receive support from other federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal programs, provided there is no duplication of funding for the same costs.
Applicants must disclose all sources of government assistance received or requested. For liquidity assistance, costs already reimbursed through another government wage or operating support program cannot also be claimed under RTRI.
Government funding (federal, provincial, and municipal) can cover up to:
- 90% of project costs for businesses or commercial (revenue-generating) projects
- 100% of project costs for non-commercial projects
Related initiatives
- RTRI is part of the national Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
- Canada Strong provides further support measures for businesses, workers, and employers impacted by tariffs.
Contact PrairiesCan
For additional RTRI information, contact us directly at one of our regional offices by calling 1-888-338-9378.
Help spread the word
Download and share our Regional Tariff Response Initiative information sheet (PDF) with businesses or organizations that may benefit from the program.