Open
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec
Support for Quebec manufacturing SMEs impacted by international tariffs
Last Update: June 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 19, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative provides up to $1 million in non-repayable funding for Quebec manufacturing SMEs affected by tariffs, supporting projects that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and market diversification. Eligible activities include acquiring equipment, digitization, automation, technology adaptation, and market development strategies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 19, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects to improve productivity and competitiveness by increasing automation, digitization, equipment use, or technology adoption.
- Market diversification projects to find new customers and reduce exposure to tariffs, including market analysis, development, and expansion activities.
- Projects to strengthen business resilience through strategic partnerships and supply chain optimization.
- Projects to support compliance with standards in order to access markets or increase sales.
- Technology showcase and demonstration projects.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form, signed by an authorized person.
- Financial statements for the last two fiscal years and the most recent interim financial statements.
- A work plan or project schedule with the main activities, milestones, and detailed budget.
- Documents showing the impact of tariffs on the business, such as revenue declines, higher costs, or lower profitability.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Manufacturing SMEs with fewer than 500 employees
- Manufacturing SMEs in Quebec
- Businesses in sectors significantly affected by tariffs, including steel, automotive, copper, aluminum, wood processing, and food processing
- Companies engaged in market diversification, productivity improvement, and supply chain optimization projects
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that are not manufacturing SMEs.
- Companies with 500 or more employees.
- Businesses located or operating outside Quebec.
- Companies that cannot show they were negatively impacted by tariffs or the economic context, or cannot provide concrete evidence of those impacts.
- Businesses that do not have a structuring project aimed at improving competitiveness and diversifying markets.
Eligible expenses
- Costs that are essential to the project and directly related to the eligible activities.
- Retroactive costs incurred up to 12 months before the signed application date, if the need for financial assistance is justified.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Debt refinancing.
- Purchasing assets above fair market value.
- Amortization expenses.
- Goodwill.
- Land purchases.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by CED after the deadline, and late applications are not considered.
- CED assesses applications case by case against the initiative’s criteria and prioritization factors.
- Funding is not guaranteed and may differ from the amount requested, depending on the analysis and available funds.
- For non-repayable funding requests, applications are processed on an ongoing basis until the budget is fully used.
- For repayable contributions, applications are considered on an ongoing basis.
Additional information
- This initiative is part of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) framework.
- It is a temporary measure designed to help manufacturing SMEs adapt to tariff-related economic pressures.
- Applications that do not meet the published criteria are automatically rejected.
- Eligible projects may receive funding only once under this initiative.
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- FedNor — Regional Tariff Response InitiativeSupports Northern Ontario SMEs affected by international trade tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic CanadaSupports Atlantic SMEs affected by tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British ColumbiaSupports B.C. businesses adapting to tariff-related trade disruptions
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern CanadaSupports Canadian businesses facing trade disruptions
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern OntarioSupports tariff-impacted Northern Ontario SMEs for productivity and growth
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie ProvincesSupports Prairie businesses impacted by trade tariffs and disruptions
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern OntarioSupports southern Ontario businesses impacted by international trade disruptions
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec Program
What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec?
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative provides up to $1 million in non-repayable funding for Quebec manufacturing SMEs affected by tariffs, supporting projects that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and market diversification. Eligible activities include acquiring equipment, digitization, automation, technology adaptation, and market development strategies.
How much funding can be received?
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec program?
To be eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec program, you must:
Manufacturing SME with fewer than 500 employees.
Located and operating in Quebec.
In business for at least 3 years and generated $2M+ in the last completed fiscal year.
Adversely impacted by tariffs and able to prove it.
What expenses are eligible under Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec?
Projects to improve productivity and competitiveness by increasing automation, digitization, equipment use, or technology adoption.
Market diversification projects to find new customers and reduce exposure to tariffs, including market analysis, development, and expansion activities.
Projects to strengthen business resilience through strategic partnerships and supply chain optimization.
Projects to support compliance with standards in order to access markets or increase sales.
Technology showcase and demonstration projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec?
You can contact Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Where is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec available?
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec is a Grant and Funding