Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia
Additional funding announced for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)
RTRI launched in fall 2025 with an investment of $1 billion across Canada in targeted support. In spring 2026, the Government of Canada announced additional investments through RTRI:
- $500 million nationally to support small and medium-sized businesses affected by trade disruptions, of which $200 million is for those that have been affected by steel, aluminum and copper tariffs
- $300 million nationally to support small and medium-sized businesses in the forest sector
- $150 million nationally to support small and medium sized businesses in the food sector
Interested in the RTRI program? Watch our video: RTRI program and application information for companies - YouTube (15:27 minutes).
At a glance
| Status | Accepting applications. The closing date for applications will be established at a later date, based on the level of demand and available funds. Advance notice of at least 20 business days will be provided prior to closing intake of applications. |
|---|---|
| Funding per recipient | Businesses with commercial projects:
Not-for-profits with non-commercial projects: up to $10 million per project |
| Type of funding | Businesses: repayable and non-repayable contributions Not-for-profits: non-repayable contributions for non-commercial projects that support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) |
| Eligible organizations | Incorporated for-profit businesses employing 10 to 499 full-time employees Not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs |
Overview
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in British Columbia is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries, and supply chains. It is part of a coordinated effort to protect Canadian businesses and workers from the impact of tariffs.
Through the RTRI, we’re making investments to help B.C. businesses facing trade and tariffs disruptions to pivot to new paths to growth by helping them:
- boost productivity and reduce costs
- build more resilient supply chains
- reach new markets
The RTRI invests in businesses, either directly or through the organizations that support them, so that they can seize new opportunities, adapt to global trade disruptions and boost domestic trade. These investments contribute to long-term economic resilience in the face of continued global uncertainty. PacifiCan will deliver the RTRI in British Columbia to help B.C. small- and medium-sized businesses affected by tariffs improve productivity, expand and diversify export markets, optimize supply chains, and boost domestic trade within Canada. To benefit from this support, companies must have a strong plan to pivot their operations to new pathways to growth.
