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Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects

Project funding for tariff-affected southern Ontario businesses to improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains.

Offered by
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
Official source: feddev-ontario.canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 20,000,000
Up to 75% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Southern Ontario that were viable before tariffs and can document direct or indirect tariff impacts. FedDev Ontario normally looks for $1 million in annual revenue in at least one of the last two fiscal years.
See full eligibility

Overview

FedDev Ontario is accepting applications for Southern Ontario RTRI pivot projects. This stream helps businesses affected by tariffs modernize production, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains. Incorporated for-profit businesses must operate in Southern Ontario, have been viable before tariffs and normally show at least $1 million in revenue in one of their last two fiscal years. Use records such as supplier notices or lost orders to show direct or indirect tariff impacts.

Local or regional projects may receive a non-repayable contribution of up to $1 million at up to 50% of eligible costs. Larger transformative projects may receive a repayable contribution over $1 million at up to 75%. Finish by March 31, 2029. Apply through FedDev Ontario’s business application page. Organizations that primarily help businesses should consult the separate not-for-profit stream.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$20,000,000
Maximum share of project costs
75%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Obtain certifications or accreditations
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
5-500 employees
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
For-profit business

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

New required executive contact details

The “Apply as an organization” page now requires contact details for the company’s most senior executive or organization leader.

See more

The “Apply as an organization” page adds contact information for the company’s most senior executive or organization leader to the mandatory application attachments. It asks for that person’s name, title, direct phone number, and email address.

Official source: feddev-ontario.canada.ca
November 3, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Southern Ontario that were viable before tariffs and can document direct or indirect tariff impacts. FedDev Ontario normally looks for $1 million in annual revenue in at least one of the last two fiscal years.

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants unable to demonstrate the required tariff-related trade impacts.
  • Businesses that do not meet the incorporation, southern Ontario location, revenue or pre-tariff viability requirements.
  • Projects that do not meet eligible project activities or financing requirements.

Eligible expenses

  • Budget for new costs that are necessary to deliver the pivot project. Examples include machinery, equipment or software and installation, site improvements for specialized equipment, project-specific labour and expertise, training, materials, marketing and project management. Ongoing operating costs such as regular rent or utilities belong outside the pivot budget. If you also apply for liquidity assistance, separate the costs and claim each expense only once.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Unreasonable, non-incremental or unrelated costs.
  • Land or building purchases, entertainment, vehicles and debt refinancing.
  • Ongoing operating expenses in the pivot project budget.
  • In-kind contributions and anticipated future revenues cannot be used as the applicant’s financing contribution.
  • Costs already funded through another government source cannot be claimed twice.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Southern Ontario

Activities funded

  • Improve productivity or modernize production through equipment, automation or digital tools.
  • Diversify markets, develop export opportunities or find new customers.
  • Strengthen supply chains or adapt operations to reduce future exposure to trade disruptions.

How to apply

  1. Check the current intake on FedDev Ontario’s application page. Use the business form and choose pivot project support. If you also need short-term liquidity, the same form allows both requests.
  2. Gather two fiscal years of annual financial statements and the latest interim statements, incorporation documents and senior executive contact details. Include evidence of tariff impacts, bios of key staff and a project schedule with milestones and completion dates. Prepare a cost breakdown by fiscal year and disclose matching funds and other public support.
  3. Download the PDF to a computer, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, attach the documents and have an authorized representative submit it. Keep the confirmation. Costs before a decision are at your own risk.

Documents Needed

  • Annual financial statements for the last two fiscal years and the most recent interim statement, with a balance sheet, income statement, cash-flow statement and notes. FedDev Ontario prefers audited or review engagement statements. Only the latest interim statement may be prepared internally.
  • Incorporation documents and the name, title, direct phone number and email of the most senior executive.
  • Evidence of tariff impact, such as changes in orders, costs or revenue.
  • Key management or technical team biographies and a project schedule with activities, milestones and completion dates. Prepare the proposed budget and financing by fiscal year.

Selection criteria

  • Degree to which the company or sector is impacted by tariffs
  • Degree to which the project supports new or expanded initiatives and helps boost productivity, catalyze growth, or diversify markets
  • Expected results of the project
  • Quality of the project plan and budget, including project readiness, ability to repay, and managerial, technical, operational, and financial capacity
  • Degree of risk and mitigation measures, quality of Intellectual Property strategies for IP-intensive projects, and the breadth, representation, and diversity of projects considered for funding

Processing and Agreement

  • You will receive an email acknowledging the time and date of your application.
  • Any activities and related costs incurred before a formal decision is made are at the applicant’s own risk.
  • If approved, you must confirm all matching funding sources and sign a contribution agreement within 30 calendar days of being notified.
  • Funding is reimbursed based on approved costs incurred and claimed throughout the project’s duration.
  • If approved, FedDev Ontario may request additional documentation for the contribution agreement, including insurance coverage, conflict of interest, financial management, project expenditures, performance measurement and reporting, and recipients must submit project performance reports and statements.

Additional information

  • FedDev Ontario may consult external experts during the assessment process and share applicant information with them.
  • Any confidential or proprietary information should be clearly marked as such.
  • Information submitted is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
  • FedDev Ontario may modify these guidelines at any time without notice and may waive certain requirements on an exceptional basis.

Contacts

indigenous-autochtones@feddevontario.gc.ca
1-866-593-5505

Guides for this program

Official sources

feddev-ontario.canada.ca

Official page

Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses: How funding works

Program guide

Regional Tariff Response Initiative for organizations: Application guide for organizationsRegional Tariff Response Initiative for organizations: When to applyRegional Tariff Response Initiative for organizations: Who can apply

Application form

FDO0090E - APPLICATION FOR FUNDING (Not-For-Profit Applicants)FDO0090E - APPLICATION FOR FUNDING (Not-For-Profit Applicants)FDO0091E - APPLICATION FOR FUNDING Regional Tariff Response InitiativeFDO0091E - APPLICATION FOR FUNDING Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Supporting document

Regional Tariff Response Initiative for organizations: Apply as an organizationRegional Tariff Response Initiative: How to applySupplementary Attachment updated en
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects Program

What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects?

FedDev Ontario is accepting applications for Southern Ontario RTRI pivot projects. This stream helps businesses affected by tariffs modernize production, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains. Incorporated for-profit businesses must operate in Southern Ontario, have been viable before tariffs and normally show at least $1 million in revenue in one of their last two fiscal years. Use records such as supplier notices or lost orders to show direct or indirect tariff impacts. Local or regional projects may receive a non-repayable contribution of up to $1 million at up to 50% of eligible costs. Larger transformative projects may receive a repayable contribution over $1 million at up to 75%. Finish by March 31, 2029. Apply through FedDev Ontario’s business application page . Organizations that primarily help businesses should consult the separate not-for-profit stream .

How much funding can be received?

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects Funds up to 75% 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) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects program?

To be eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects program, you must: This pivot stream is for incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Southern Ontario that were viable before tariffs, can show direct or indirect tariff impacts, and normally had at least $1 million in annual revenue in either of their last two fiscal years. Below that threshold, contact FedDev Ontario if your business is critical to an affected supply chain, sector or local economy. Not-for-profit organizations that support businesses have a separate stream.

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

Budget for new costs that are necessary to deliver the pivot project. Examples include machinery, equipment or software and installation, site improvements for specialized equipment, project-specific labour and expertise, training, materials, marketing and project management. Ongoing operating costs such as regular rent or utilities belong outside the pivot budget. If you also apply for liquidity assistance, separate the costs and claim each expense only once.

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

You can contact Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) by email at indigenous-autochtones@feddevontario.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-593-5505.

Where is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects available?

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