Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario

• Businesses can request a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $10 million in repayable contributions.
• Businesses can request a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in non-repayable contributions.
• For repayable funding, FedDev Ontario covers up to 75% of eligible project costs; the applicant must contribute at least 25%.
• For non-repayable funding, FedDev Ontario covers up to 50% of eligible project costs; the applicant must contribute at least 50%.
• Total government assistance (federal, provincial, and municipal) cannot exceed 90% of total eligible project costs (up to 100% for Indigenous applicants).

• The business must be located and operating in southern Ontario at the time of application.
• The applicant must be a for-profit business, incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario for at least the past 3 years.
• The business must employ a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees in southern Ontario and fewer than 500 employees overall.
• The business must have been viable prior to the imposition of U.S. and China tariffs, and prior to March 21, 2025.
• The business must demonstrate either at least 25% of sales in markets affected by tariffs, or be directly impacted by ongoing trade disruptions (including U.S. and China tariffs or Canadian measures).

Who is eligible?

• For-profit businesses located and operating in southern Ontario
• Indigenous businesses (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) in southern Ontario
• Businesses in the steel industry (production, processing, fabrication of steel and iron products)
• Businesses in the automotive industry (including supply chain companies related to vehicles, metals, plastics, rubber, and electronics)
• Other businesses in sectors directly impacted by U.S. and China tariffs or related trade disruptions

Who is not eligible

• Businesses operating without a physical address in southern Ontario (such as those based in P.O. boxes, co-working spaces, or home-based operations).
• Applicants currently with an active project or application to another FedDev Ontario program; only one application at a time is permitted.
• Businesses operating as non-profit organizations (only for-profit businesses are eligible).
• Companies with fewer than 5 full-time equivalent employees in southern Ontario or more than 500 full-time equivalent employees overall.

Eligible expenses

• Purchase and installation of equipment, machinery, or software directly related to the project.
• Renovation, site, or leasehold improvements directly connected to installing specialized project assets (excluding land or building purchases).
• Salaries and benefits for incremental employees working specifically on the project (labour costs must be incurred in Canada).
• Fees paid to professional and technical personnel, consultants, engineers, or contractors directly related to project activities (excluding costs for application preparation).
• Costs for marketing and outreach activities relevant to the project, such as promoting project activities and demonstration of products, processes, or services (excluding hospitality and entertainment).
• Training sessions, course materials, external trainers, and other costs related to skills development specific to the project.
• Direct materials used for the completion of project activities, including configuring and testing production systems, prototypes, and product testing (excluding raw materials for regular operations or inventory).

Eligible geographic areas

• Southern Ontario

• Degree to which the company and/or sector is impacted by tariffs.
• Extent to which the project supports new or expanded initiatives and helps boost productivity, catalyze growth, and/or diversify markets.
• Clarity and quality of the project plan and budget, including project readiness and applicant’s managerial, technical, operational, and financial capacity.
• Expected results of the project and potential economic benefits.
• Degree of risk associated with the project and effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.

• Applicants are required to submit externally prepared financial statements for the previous two fiscal years, as well as interim statements for the most recent fiscal year.
• Certification confirming the authority of the signatory and compliance with Canadian laws is mandatory as part of the application process.
• If funding is approved, recipient names, awarded amounts, and project descriptions will be made publicly available.
• Applicants should be aware that receiving financial assistance may have tax implications and are encouraged to seek professional advice on this matter.