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Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects

Funding for B.C. pivot projects that strengthen productivity, competitiveness and supply chain resilience in response to tariffs.

Offered by
Government of Canada
Official source: canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 200,000 - $ 20,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in British Columbia
See full eligibility

Overview

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative — British Columbia supports pivot projects by tariff-affected businesses and business-support projects by not-for-profit organizations. Projects can improve productivity, adopt technology and automation, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains. Business projects with local or regional benefits may receive up to $1 million in non-repayable funding covering up to 50% of eligible costs; transformative projects requesting more than $1 million may receive interest-free repayable funding covering up to 75%. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$20,000,000
Minimum funding
$200,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Automate business operations
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service
  • Ensure financial sustainability
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • British Columbia
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
10-499 employees
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
For-profit business, Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
Business owners / entrepreneurs

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

RTRI FAQ adds liquidity funding conditions

The RTRI FAQ now states that liquidity recipients must use funding to maintain Canadian employment and operations, and that PacifiCan must be notified if liquidity needs change.

See more

The RTRI FAQ now spells out new liquidity funding conditions: recipients must use the support to maintain employment and operations in Canada, and they must notify PacifiCan if their liquidity needs change. The FAQ also says funding may be reduced, terminated, or repaid, and that dividends and some non-arm’s-length payments may be restricted. These details were added to the FAQ source for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia, not to the main program overview.

Official source: canada.ca
October 6, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in British Columbia
  • Not-for-profit organizations in British Columbia whose primary focus is to support businesses
  • Businesses in all tariff-impacted sectors may be eligible for RTRI support

Eligible expenses

  • Labour costs, including wages and benefits, and material used
  • Capital costs such as machinery, equipment, and infrastructure
  • Consultancy fees, including professional and technical services
  • Advisory expenses for not-for-profit projects, such as planning, business information, counselling advisory services, coaching, mentoring, networking events, workshops, conference fees, and business training through a business service organization
  • Costs related to expanding or maintaining markets

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Basic and applied research and development (Technology Readiness Level 1-6), and purchase of raw materials or production inputs
  • Acquisition of land, buildings, or other facilities, and motorized vehicles
  • Entertainment or hospitality expenses, dividends and bonuses, and salary bonuses or similar distributions
  • Refinancing of existing debt, interest on invested capital or other debts, and amortization or depreciation of assets
  • Federal and provincial income taxes and recoverable GST, lobbying activities, donations, dues and membership fees, goodwill, in-kind costs, and costs that are not incremental, reasonable, or necessary

Eligible geographic areas

  • British Columbia

Activities funded

  • Productivity improvements and process modernization
  • Equipment and technology adoption, including automation and digitization
  • Market diversification, export development, and supply chain resilience
  • Non-commercial projects by not-for-profit organizations that support businesses impacted by tariffs, and other activities that increase competitiveness and reduce trade-related risks

How to apply

  • Review the eligibility requirements.
  • Review the applicant guide for businesses or not-for-profits.
  • Submit an application through the online application portal.
  • Select the correct organization and program stream when creating the submission.
  • Businesses should select BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Business, and not-for-profits should select BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Not-for-profit-NFP.

Documents Needed

  • Recent financial statements for the last two full fiscal years and current interim financial statements
  • Proof or confirmation of funding from other sources
  • Incorporation documents, partnership agreements, letters patent, or other relevant documentation
  • Evidence to support tariff impact claims
  1. A project plan with major activities, key milestones and timelines.

Selection criteria

  • Priority is also given to applicants that export value-added products, show past and potential future growth, are Canadian-owned, and secure confirmed non-PacifiCan or non-government funding above the minimum required.
  • Applications are assessed on business viability before tariff impacts, tariff impact or likelihood of impact, and the strength and viability of the project or business plan, including opportunities for future growth.
  • Assessment also considers alignment with PacifiCan or Government of Canada priorities, economic benefits for British Columbia and Canada, financial and management capacity, market demand and performance, and technology readiness where applicable.

Processing and Agreement

  • We aim to provide a funding decision within 90 business days (90% of the time) although responses may be delayed due to high submission volumes.
  • For proposals that involve new technological innovations, a technical assessment may be done by the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), or by another external party contracted by PacifiCan.

Additional information

  • Information provided by applicants may be shared with other federal departments and agencies, provincial or territorial governments, and municipal governments to review projects and determine eligibility for other Government of Canada programs.

Contacts

PacifiCan.RTRI-SME_IRRT-PME@pacifican.gc.ca

Guides for this program

Official sources

canada.ca

Official page

Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia-Contact us

Program guide

Enhanced Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)Initiative (RTRI): Applicant GuideRegional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia-Applicant guide for businesses

Application form

Rtri Cash Flow Template
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects Program

What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects?

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative — British Columbia supports pivot projects by tariff-affected businesses and business-support projects by not-for-profit organizations. Projects can improve productivity, adopt technology and automation, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains. Business projects with local or regional benefits may receive up to $1 million in non-repayable funding covering up to 50% of eligible costs; transformative projects requesting more than $1 million may receive interest-free repayable funding covering up to 75%. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.

How much funding can be received?

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects program?

To be eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects program, you must: Incorporated for-profit business located and operating in B.C. At least $1M in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years; viable before tariffs. Demonstrated tariff impacts: affected sector, at least 25% of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., significant tariff-related cost increases, supply disruption, or lost revenue or customers. Businesses established after March 21, 2025: eligibility to confirm with PacifiCan. B.C. non-profits with a primary business-support mandate may also apply.

What expenses are eligible under Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects?

Labour costs, including wages and benefits, and material used Capital costs such as machinery, equipment, and infrastructure Consultancy fees, including professional and technical services Advisory expenses for not-for-profit projects, such as planning, business information, counselling advisory services, coaching, mentoring, networking events, workshops, conference fees, and business training through a business service organization Costs related to expanding or maintaining markets

Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at PacifiCan.RTRI-SME_IRRT-PME@pacifican.gc.ca.

Where is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects available?

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Pivot projects program is available the province of British Columbia.