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Source verified September 29, 2026
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.
Latest source updateLast Update: September 17, 2026Latest change: The RTRI business applicant guide and FAQ now clarify project end-date requirements and liquidity-assistance document requirements.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 17, 2026
Latest change: The RTRI business applicant guide and FAQ now clarify project end-date requirements and liquidity-assistance document requirements.
RTRI applicant guide and FAQ updated
The RTRI business applicant guide now says the project end date must be no later than the program end date, replacing the earlier wording that it had to be on or after that date. It also changes the liquidity-assistance supporting document from payroll remittance reports to payroll records for the last 12 months. The FAQ now presents the liquidity-assistance document list more explicitly, including payroll records, quantified liquidity-need evidence, employment retention targets, and operational obligations.
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 — 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.
/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
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
- 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
- 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
- A project plan with major activities, key milestones and timelines.
Official resources
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
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.
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 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
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projectsFunding for Northern Ontario pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains in response to tariff impacts.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (Prairies) — Liquidity assistanceTemporary liquidity support for Prairie businesses
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic Canada — Pivot projectsSupport for tariff-affected Atlantic Canadian businesses and business-support organizations to implement pivot projects, improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Atlantic Canada — Liquidity assistanceLiquidity support for businesses affected by tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia — Liquidity assistanceHelp for businesses affected by tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Canada — Pivot projectsFunding for pivot projects by tariff-affected businesses and business-support organizations in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon to improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces — Pivot projectsSupports tariff-affected Prairie businesses with pivot projects that improve productivity, develop markets and strengthen supply chains, and organizations helping these businesses adapt.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec — Liquidity assistanceSupport for Quebec businesses affected by tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec — Pivot projectsFunding for Quebec pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains in response to tariffs.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projectsProject funding for tariff-affected southern Ontario businesses to improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains.
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:
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.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 — Pivot projects?
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 — 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.