Before you apply

Will also include the following:

• a clear business plan including an outline on how the project will mitigate the impact of tariffs, how the project uses Canadian inputs, and how the business plays an important role in the local supply chain
• a clear description of how the applicant has been directly impacted by tariffs and/or trade uncertainty, including numbers (dollars, percentages, etc.) where possible and supported by documentation
• an independent market assessment and/or proof of unmet market demand
• a clear description of market size and opportunity
• identification and assessment of direct competitors
• detailed information about the applicant and project management team
• credible financial statements with logical and reasonable financial projections
• demonstrated financial capacity to carry out the project and repay the funding
• well leveraged (more than 50%) by other sources of funding with written proof*
• significant expected economic benefits for the Prairie provinces and/or local economy supported by reasonable assumptions and rationale

Example of a strong commercial project:

ABC Incorporated, a Canadian SME currently operating entirely in a tariff-impacted market, is proposing to automate its manufacturing processes by installing robotic systems and upgrading its packaging lines. This will improve throughput by 30%, reduce unit cost by 15%, and reduce reliance on U.S. markets by expanding into new European and Asian markets. ABC Inc. has confirmed private capital funding of $2M and is requesting $1M from PrairiesCan (33% of project costs).  Project activities include purchase and installation of automation equipment sourced from Canadian suppliers, hiring Canadian engineers, a new supply chain redesign to source more Canadian input (e.g., packaging material) and reach new markets to support diversification efforts into the southeast Asian and European markets.  This proposed project will generate 20 highly qualified jobs, increased revenue sales of $15M and exports of $10M to Asian and European markets.

Will also include the following:

• strong market/industry demand (such that the project supports SMEs directly or indirectly impacted by the ongoing trade uncertainty, including the recently imposed tariffs by the U.S., China and/or Canadian counter-tariffs)
• measurable economic benefits for the Prairie provinces
• effective governance measures and management team in place to carry out the project
• strong, evidence-based rationale for the project
• financial statements that demonstrate the organization is financially self-sustaining
• well leveraged (more than 10%) by non-PrairiesCan sources of funding with written proof*

Example of a strong non-commercial (non-revenue generating) project:

ABC Not-For-Profit organization will establish a virtual and physical “Tariff Resilience Hub” that provides tariff-impacted Prairie manufacturers with advisory services, supplier matchmaking, export readiness training, and technical assistance to mitigate tariff-related disruptions. The hub will focus on helping companies reconfigure supply chains, enter new domestic and global markets, and implement cost-saving technologies. ABC’s key activities include developing an online knowledge platform and supply chain tool, providing regional workshops and one-on-one expert advisory services, providing market access support (e.g., compliance certifications, logistics), and collaborating with Indigenous economic development corporations to support Indigenous SMEs in affected sectors. This proposed project will provide training sessions for 1,000 entrepreneurs and assist 400 SMEs to export $200M over the next 3 years.