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Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia - British Columbia - Canada
Open
Source verified September 14, 2026

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia

Supports B.C. businesses facing tariff disruptions
Offered by
Government of Canada
Official source: canada.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: September 11, 2026
Latest change: The RTRI how-to-apply page now directs not-for-profit applicants to a different organization and program stream selection in the application portal.
View change
RTRI application portal selection updated
The RTRI how-to-apply page changed the application portal selection instruction for not-for-profit applicants. It now tells applicants to select BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Not-for-profit-NFP instead of PacifiCan - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI-NFP). The page footer date also changed to 2026-09-10, but no grant deadline or intake window changed.
Funding available
$ 200,000 - $ 20,000,000
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 in British Columbia offers repayable and non-repayable contributions of up to $10 million per project to incorporated for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs. It helps tariff-affected B.C. businesses boost productivity, diversify markets, optimize supply chains, and invest in digitization or automation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 20,000,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 200,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

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

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Activities funded

  • Liquidity assistance to maintain operations and employment while responding to tariff-related disruptions
  • 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

Documents Needed

  • A completed application
  • For businesses: an Attestation Form, Supplemental Form, financial statements, forecasted income statements and cash flows, proof of confirmed funding, and a business plan or pitch presentation/deck
  • For not-for-profits: financial statements for the past 2 complete years, interim financial statements, and proof of confirmed funding
  • Documents showing tariff exposure or impact, such as export sales information and supporting records on trade activities or tariff effects
  • For liquidity assistance: payroll records, evidence of essential operating costs, and a quantified demonstration of liquidity needs

Official resources

Official page

Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia

Program guide

Initiative (RTRI): Applicant Guide

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) - Applicant Guide for Businesses

Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia-Eligible applicants

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
  • Previous RTRI recipients may also be eligible for liquidity support
  • 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

Selection criteria

  • Applications received by October 15, 2025 are prioritized, and proposals that meet more of the listed prioritization criteria receive higher priority.
  • Priority is given to applicants that demonstrate capacity and readiness, commit to completing a significant portion of project activities by March 31, 2026 and the full project by March 31, 2028, and show strong evidence of tariff exposure or actual losses.
  • 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.

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.

Processing and Agreement

  • We are currently processing applications received in the first 30 days of the program opening.
  • 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

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia Program

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

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia offers repayable and non-repayable contributions of up to $10 million per project to incorporated for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs. It helps tariff-affected B.C. businesses boost productivity, diversify markets, optimize supply chains, and invest in digitization or automation.

How much funding can be received?

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia 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 program?

To be eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia program, you must: The organization matches an eligible applicant type in British Columbia.Business: incorporated, located and operating in B.C. NFP: based in B.C. with a primary business-support mandate. NFPs cannot request liquidity assistance for their own operating expenses.Business: at least $1M in revenue in at least one of the last two fiscal years.Applies to businesses; not to NFPs. Employee count remains a form field, not a 10–499 eligibility threshold.Business: pre-tariff viability demonstrated, or eligibility of a newer business confirmed by PacifiCan.For a business established after March 21, 2025, obtain PacifiCan confirmation before concluding eligibility; do not automatically require three years of operations.Business: direct or indirect tariff impacts demonstrated. Document the impacted sector, goods ultimately exported to the U.S., cost increases, supply disruption, or lost revenue/customers. For NFPs, use the SME screening documentation on page 2.

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

Liquidity assistance to maintain operations and employment while responding to tariff-related disruptions 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

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

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 available?

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