Program information

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 to12 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 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
• 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.

Businesses are normally limited to one RTRI non-repayable project approval and one RTRI liquidity project approval.

Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible for liquidity assistance.

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

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

For pivot projects and not-for-profit organization projects, eligible costs are new, additional costs directly related to activities that improve productivity, competitiveness, supply chain resilience, market diversification, or long-term growth.

Costs may be eligible retroactively for up to 12 months prior to the receipt of a signed funding request, but no earlier than March 21, 2025. Projects must be completed by no later than March 31, 2029.

Eligible costs can include the following:

• labour (e.g. wages and benefits) and material costs
• capital costs (e.g. purchase of machinery or equipment)
• consultancy fees (e.g. professional, advisory and technical services)
• advisory expenses (e.g., planning, business information, counselling advisory services; coaching, mentoring or networking events, workshops or conference fees, fees associated with participation in business training through a business service organization)
• costs related to expanding or maintaining markets

For businesses seeking liquidity assistance, funding is intended to help maintain operations and employment in Canada during periods of tariff-related disruption.

Liquidity assistance is based on the business’ demonstrated and quantified liquidity needs. The amount is based mainly on 50% of your average monthly payroll for up to 12 months, although other operating costs are eligible and may be taken into consideration.

This type of assistance is provided for a limited period to help address short-term tariff-related pressures, up to a maximum of 12 months starting no earlier than August 22, 2026 and ending no later than March 31, 2028.

Eligible costs include:

• employee salary and wages
• essential recurring operating expenses, specifically rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance and property taxes

Businesses may apply for both liquidity assistance 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 assistance. Existing RTRI recipients should contact their project officer for more information.