Is Your Business Being Hurt by Tariffs? Here's What Support Is Actually Available — And How to Access It
Over two-thirds of Canadian small business owners say U.S. tariffs are negatively affecting their business. Profits are down. Revenues are down. Some are taking on debt just to stay afloat.
And yet, when the federal government launched a $1 billion program specifically designed to help businesses like yours adapt — almost nobody applied. In fact, 77% of small business owners had never even heard of it.
That's not a government communication problem. That's a finance problem. And it's exactly the kind of problem that costs businesses money.
This post breaks down what's actually available, who qualifies, and what you need to do to access it — in plain language, with no government jargon.
First, Let's Acknowledge What's Actually Happening
The data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is stark:
• 63% of small businesses report higher expenses directly because of tariffs
• 53% have seen reduced profits
• 48% report lower revenues
• 42% are dealing with supply chain disruptions
• Over a third have paused investment plans entirely
• 79% say unpredictable tariff policy is a barrier to planning
And it's not evenly distributed. If you're in manufacturing, agriculture, wholesale trade, or any sector with significant U.S. exposure, you're feeling this harder than most.
Here's the part that matters for this conversation: the businesses that come through periods like this aren't necessarily the strongest or the luckiest. They're the ones that are best informed and best positioned to take action.
The Program You Probably Haven't Heard Of: The RTRI
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a federal government program delivered through Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). It was launched in March 2025 with $450 million in funding and expanded to $1 billion over three years.
Its purpose is simple: help Canadian SMEs that are being hurt by tariffs invest in projects that make them more competitive, diversify their markets, and strengthen their supply chains.
What it funds:
• Automation and technology to reduce costs and improve productivity
• Market diversification — finding new customers outside the U.S.
• Supply chain improvements — reducing reliance on U.S. suppliers
• Business advisory and consulting services
• Export market development activities
Funding is provided as repayable contributions (think low-cost loans) or, in some cases, non-repayable grants depending on your region and project type. Individual SME projects can access up to $1 million in support, with some regional programs going higher.
Do You Qualify? Here's the Short Version
Eligibility varies by region, but the general criteria across most RDAs are:
• SME with fewer than 500 employees
• In business for at least three years
• Can demonstrate a negative impact from tariffs — or operate in a tariff-exposed sector
• Have at least two years of externally prepared financial statements
• Have a project that can be started and completed within the program's timeframe
⚠ Important regional note:
Eligibility rules are not uniform across Canada. In British Columbia, businesses must have at least 10 full-time employees. In Quebec, the program is currently closed to new applicants except for manufacturers with revenues above $2 million. If you're in Ontario or the Prairies, the program remains open and has more flexible criteria. Check with your regional RDA directly.
Why Are So Few Businesses Applying?
According to CFIB, the three most common reasons businesses aren't applying are:
• "We didn't know about it"
• "We thought we were too small to qualify"
• "The paperwork didn't seem worth the time"
The first two are fixable with information. The third is a legitimate concern — but it's also where having the right financial support makes a real difference.
A well-prepared application requires: a clear project plan, evidence of tariff impact (revenue data, cost changes, customer loss), financial projections, and a strong business case. That's not something most small business owners can put together in a weekend — especially when they're already stretched.
It's also worth noting that applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, and budgets are finite. The businesses that move quickly and apply well are the ones that get funded.
What Should You Actually Do Right Now?
Step 1: Find your regional RDA.
Canada's RDAs are organized by region. Here's where to start:
• Ontario: FedDev Ontario
• BC: PacifiCan
• Prairies (AB, SK, MB): PrairiesCan
• Quebec: CED (note: eligibility now restricted)
• Atlantic: ACOA
• North: CanNor
Step 2: Document your tariff impact now.
Even if you're not ready to apply, start pulling together the evidence: revenue trends since early 2025, changes in input costs, any customer or supply chain changes tied to tariffs. This is the foundation of a strong application — and it's useful data for your business regardless.
Step 3: Define a project.
The RTRI doesn't fund general operating costs — it funds specific projects. Think: what would you invest in if you had access to funding? New equipment? A new market? A technology upgrade? Get specific.
Step 4: Get your financials in order.
Applications require externally prepared financial statements and financial projections. If your current bookkeeper can't produce these, that's a signal in itself — and it's something worth addressing before the application, not during it.
A note on timing
The RTRI has rolling application windows, but budgets are finite and programs in some regions are already closed. If this is relevant to your business, the time to act is now — not after the next budget announcement.
The Bigger Picture
The tariff situation is not going away quickly. The CUSMA agreement is up for formal review on July 1, 2026, and the outcome will shape Canadian trade conditions for years. Businesses that use this period to diversify, invest in productivity, and strengthen their financial foundations will be in a fundamentally different position than those that wait it out.
Programs like the RTRI exist precisely for this moment. The question is whether your business is set up to access them.
Not sure if the RTRI applies to your business?
We help Canadian SMEs assess their eligibility, document their tariff impact, and build applications that give them the best shot at funding. Book a free 30-minute finance health check — no commitment, just clarity.
