Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces – Frequently asked questions

The amount is based mainly on 50% of your average monthly payroll for up to 12 months. If necessary, certain essential operating costs may also be considered.

Funding will not exceed your demonstrated need or $2 million, whichever is less, and may be reduced to account for other government assistance.

See the Applicant Guide for Businesses for details on the calculation and required documents.

• Pivot projects support businesses undertaking activities that improve productivity, increase competitiveness and reduce exposure to future trade disruptions. A business can normally request non-repayable contributions (up to $1 million) representing up to 50% of total project costs and/or repayable contributions for larger commercial projects representing up to 75% of total project costs.
  • A business can receive a maximum of $20 million under the RTRI, including liquidity assistance support.
• Funding is project-based and must result in incremental and measurable outcomes and add value to the existing activities of the applicant.
• Project start dates may be up to 12 months prior to application submission.
• Projects must be completed by no later than March 31, 2029.
• Repayable contributions are interest-free. If approved, the schedule of payments will be set out in your contribution agreement.

Yes, eligible businesses may be eligible for liquidity support and a pivot project. For greater clarity, a business may be eligible to receive funding for one of the following combinations of projects:

• liquidity assistance only, up to $2 million non-repayable
• pivot project only, up to $1 million non-repayable and up to $20 million total contribution (including non-repayable and repayable)
• liquidity assistance plus a pivot project, for a total of up to $3 million in non-repayable contributions and a total of up to $20 million contribution (including non-repayable and repayable)

The above may involve multiple contribution agreements.

Your business must meet all the following criteria:

• be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in the Prairies
• have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in at least one of the last two fiscal years
• have minimum sales of 25% in the markets targeted by the tariffs or countertariffs, or
• are able to demonstrate being negatively affected by the tariffs or countertariffs or the uncertainty they have created.
• to be eligible for liquidity assistance, your business must also have a demonstrated liquidity need due to tariff impacts

RTRI normally supports manufacturers, suppliers and value-added businesses operating in tariff-impacted sectors.

Retail businesses, businesses providing local consumer services (i.e. hotels, restaurants, utilities, healthcare, recreation) or oil and gas extraction and construction services are generally not eligible.

Businesses in the transportation and warehousing or professional, scientific, and technical services sectors may be eligible if they demonstrate that they play a critical role in a supply chain and are eligible for funding.

To qualify, companies must demonstrate that their core business function is directly tied to the operations or value chain of exporters in the forestry sector.

Support is also available for non-profit organizations whose primary focus is to support businesses. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for liquidity support.

Viability will be assessed through applicant attestation, financial information operating history and current operations resources. Businesses must demonstrate that they were viable prior to the applicable tariff or countertariff impact.

Yes. Current RTRI recipients may be eligible for liquidity assistance beginning no earlier than August 22, 2026, and for up to 12 months, provided they have a demonstrated liquidity need and there is no duplication of funding for costs that are already being supported through an existing contribution agreement. Existing clients should contact their project officer for more information.

No. Businesses seeking liquidity assistance are not required to submit a pivot project. However, they must demonstrate a liquidity need related to tariff impact and commit to maintaining operations and employment in Canada.

Applicants will be required to provide:

• incorporation documents for your organization and proof of signing authority (e.g. bylaws, articles of incorporation, board minutes or record of decision)
• a business plan or pitch deck providing details about your organization (including management team, board of directors) and details about the proposed project
• financial statements for the past two years
• interim financial statements for at least the last 6 months
• evidence of tariff impacts, such as export sales information
• confirmation of non-PrairiesCan project funding * (e.g. bank statements, unused portion of lines of credit, official letters of intent, funding agreements, signed term sheets)
• for liquidity assistance: payroll records, a quantified demonstration of liquidity needs (for example, cash flow forecasts), employment retention targets and operational obligations

Eligible costs depend on the type of support being requested.

For businesses seeking liquidity assistance, funding is intended to help maintain operations and employment in Canada during periods of tariff-related disruption for a limited period (up to 12 months) ending no later than March 31, 2028.

Liquidity assistance is based on the business’ demonstrated and quantified liquidity needs. The amount of support is determined with reference to eligible payroll costs, although other operating costs (rent or commercial lease, utilities, property taxes, and/or business insurance) are eligible and may be taken into consideration.

For businesses undertaking pivot projects, eligible costs are new, additional costs directly related to activities that improve productivity, competitiveness, supply chain resilience, market diversification or long-term growth.

For all types of support, costs are ineligible if they are deemed unreasonable, non-incremental and/or not directly related to project activities. Examples include land and building acquisition, entertainment expenses, , refinancing existing debt, and salary bonuses and dividend payments.

For more details on eligible costs, see the Applicant Guide for Businesses or Applicant Guide for Not-for-Profit Organizations.

Yes. Businesses 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 the RTRI. Adjustments to the funding amount will be made if additional government supports are received during the project period.

Yes. The objective of liquidity assistance is to help businesses maintain operations and employment in the Prairies while responding to tariff-related disruptions. Applicants will be required to attest that liquidity assistance will be used to help maintain Canadian operations and retain employees. Recipients will also be required to report on employment and payroll levels during and after the project period.