Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada
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 Atlantic Canada, ACOA 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 non-profit organizations that help businesses adapt, grow and expand trade opportunities.
Types of RTRI support available for businesses
The RTRI offers different types of support to help tariff-impacted businesses maintain operations, strengthen competitiveness and build long-term resilience.
Liquidity assistance |
Pivot projects |
|---|---|
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:
Funding period: Up to 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028. |
Investments for businesses undertaking activities that improve productivity, increase competitiveness and reduce exposure to future trade disruptions. Non-repayable funding:
Repayable funding:
Funding period: Start and end dates can vary by project, but all projects must be completed by no later than March 31, 2029. |
Combining RTRI support
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 of up to $2 million.
Supporting tariff-impacted businesses
The initiative will focus on businesses 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.
Eligible applicants
To be eligible, your business must:
- be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in Atlantic Canada
- have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your company’s last two fiscal years
- have been viable prior to tariffs
Support is also available for non-profit organizations in Atlantic Canada whose primary focus is to support businesses.
In addition, 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 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
Ineligible applicants are:
- non-profit organizations seeking liquidity support for their own operating expenses
- businesses that are unable to demonstrate direct or indirect tariff exposure
Types of projects and eligibility:
- Liquidity assistance (for businesses): Short-term support, where necessary, to maintain operations and employment. Eligible costs include:
- employee salary and wages
- essential recurring operating expenses related to rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance and property taxes
- Pivot projects (for businesses): Designed to help businesses become more competitive and resilient over the longer term. Eligible activities may include:
- productivity improvements and process modernization
- equipment and technology adoption, including automation and digitization
- market diversification and export development
- supply chain resilience
- activities that increase competitiveness and reduce trade-related risks
- Non-profit projects: For organizations in Atlantic Canada that support businesses impacted by tariffs.
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.
Apply now
Apply online through our MyACOA Client Portal.
How to apply
Before applying, review the information on our How to apply for financial assistance page.
Required documentation, including proof of tariff impact, should be submitted as part of the application process. Consult our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions about the RTRI.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss your project.
Applications may be shared with other government departments as appropriate. This may include but is not limited to Employment and Social Development Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada and other regional development agencies.
Automated systems and/or artificial intelligence may be used to assist in the review and assessment of applications.