fednor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative

• Non-repayable contributions up to $1 million, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Repayable contributions over $1 million, covering up to 75% of eligible project costs; repayment terms determined during agreement development.

• The applicant must be an incorporated small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), including Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) businesses.
• The business must be located and operating in Northern Ontario.
• The company must employ at least 5 full-time employees.
• The business must have been viable for at least three consecutive years.
• The business must have at least 25% of sales in markets targeted by the tariffs, or demonstrate that it has been negatively affected by the tariffs in specific ways.

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located and operating in Northern Ontario
• Indigenous businesses (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) meeting the program's business criteria
• Companies operating in sectors such as steel, automotive, critical minerals, mining, forestry, clean technology, bioeconomy, and agriculture (priority given)

Who is not eligible

• Companies operating in the retail sector.
• Companies operating in the tourism sector.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for employees directly involved in the project.
• Purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure necessary for the project.
• Costs of materials specifically used for the project.
• Professional and technical consultancy fees.
• Advisory expenses, such as planning, business information, and participation in workshops, conferences, or business training events through recognized organizations.
• Expenses related to expanding or maintaining business markets directly linked to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Northern Ontario

• Demonstrated capacity to enter into a legally binding agreement and successfully manage the project.
• Quality and readiness of the project plan and budget.
• Degree of impact from tariffs and how the project addresses those impacts.
• Contribution to productivity, growth, and/or market diversification for the company.
• Level of Canadian content used in the project and regional benefits for Northern Ontario.

• Eligible costs may be retroactive for up to 12 months prior to receiving a funding application, but not earlier than March 21, 2025.
• Priority may be assigned to businesses operating in specific sectors such as steel, automotive, critical minerals, mining, forestry, clean technology, bioeconomy, and agriculture.
• Retail and tourism sector businesses are not eligible for this program.