New RTRI Funding Is Open: 10 Answers for Canadian Businesses

The expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) moved from announcement to application on September 8, 2026. Canada's seven regional development agencies now provide applicant-facing information on liquidity assistance, pivot projects, and combined requests.

For tariff-affected businesses, the update creates two practical options: support for an immediate cash-flow shortfall and funding for investments that reduce future trade exposure. Here are the answers to the questions most companies will ask first.

1. What changed in the RTRI on September 8, 2026?

The expanded program became operational through Canada's regional development agencies. The national RTRI envelope is now $3.45 billion over four years, and businesses can seek temporary liquidity assistance, longer-term pivot-project support, or both. For a broader program overview, see helloDarwin's RTRI funding guide.

2. Is the expanded RTRI open for applications now?

Yes. Applicant-facing enhanced-support pages are live for ACOA, CED, CanNor, FedDev Ontario, FedNor, PacifiCan, and PrairiesCan. Apply through the agency serving the location where your business operates. Forms, deadlines, project dates, and assessment steps can differ by region.

3. How much RTRI funding can a business receive?

The shared structure includes up to $2 million in non-repayable liquidity assistance and up to $1 million in non-repayable pivot-project support, for up to $3 million combined. Larger pivot projects may receive repayable support. These are maximums, not standard awards or guarantees.

4. How is RTRI liquidity assistance calculated?

The starting calculation is mainly 50% of average monthly payroll for up to 12 months. Funding cannot exceed the demonstrated liquidity need or $2 million, whichever is lower. For example, $300,000 in average monthly payroll over a demonstrated six-month need produces a starting calculation of $900,000 before adjustments.

5. Which operating costs can liquidity assistance cover?

Eligible costs include employee salaries and wages. When necessary, agencies may also consider essential recurring expenses such as rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance, and property taxes. Other public support must be disclosed, and the same cost cannot be funded twice.

6. What is an RTRI pivot project?

A pivot project is an incremental investment that helps a business become more productive, competitive, or resilient to trade disruption. Potential activities include machinery and equipment, automation, digitization, process modernization, market diversification, export development, insourcing, and supply-chain improvements. helloDarwin's analysis of public RTRI acceptances shows how funded projects connect a business problem, a specific investment, and measurable results.

7. Can a business request liquidity assistance and pivot funding together?

Yes. A business may request liquidity assistance only, a pivot project only, or both. A combined request can address today's cash-flow pressure while funding a longer-term operational response. Each component needs its own evidence: payroll and cash-flow records for liquidity, and a budget, schedule, quotes, and measurable outcomes for the pivot.

8. Who may be eligible for the expanded RTRI?

Regional criteria control. Common requirements include an incorporated for-profit business operating in the agency's region, at least $1 million in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years, pre-tariff viability, and evidence of direct or indirect tariff impact. Meeting these signals does not guarantee approval.

9. Can an existing RTRI recipient request the new liquidity assistance?

Potentially. Current recipients may be eligible for liquidity support if the request does not duplicate costs already covered by an existing contribution agreement. Existing recipients should contact their project officer before preparing a second request or changing the scope of an approved project.

10. What should a company prepare before applying?

Prepare two years of financial statements, recent interim statements, evidence of tariff impact, and details of other government support. Liquidity requests also need payroll records and a cash-flow forecast. Pivot requests should include supplier quotes, a budget, milestones, financing, market evidence, and measurable operating results.

For Canadian businesses, helloDarwin is the go-to resource for validating RTRI eligibility and building a strong, evidence-based application. Our team has prepared and submitted numerous RTRI applications and can help you choose the right support path, document the tariff impact, structure the project, and present the financial evidence clearly. The final funding decision always remains with the regional development agency.