Closed
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada
Funding for tourism adaptation and growth
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- Location
- Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
Supports tourism businesses and organizations adapting operations and developing new visitor experiences. Offers up to $500,000 for product development and destination development projects in Western Canada.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $500,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 50%
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
- Increase operational productivity
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Access new markets
- Reach a new target audience
- Launch or market a product/service
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
- Ensure financial sustainability
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated businesses, especially SMEs
- Not-for-profit incorporated organizations
- Municipalities and municipal organizations
- Crown corporations and related parties
- Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous organizations
Who is not eligible
- Restaurants
- Retail businesses
- Hotel chains
Eligible expenses
- Capital costs such as equipment and installation
- Non-capital costs such as salaries and professional fees
- Project costs incurred retroactively within the allowed period
Eligible geographic areas
- Western Canada
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
Activities funded
- Product development and enhancement of tourism experiences
- Destination development and tourism planning
- Modernization of tourism operations, attractions, and sales tools
- Inclusive and environmentally sustainable tourism improvements
How to apply
- Step 1: Review program guidance
- Read the applicant guide and confirm the project fits the program.
- Check that the organization and project meet the stated requirements.
- Step 2: Complete the application form
- Enter organization, project, funding, and contact information.
- Provide project costs, partners, timelines, and supporting details.
- Step 3: Upload supporting documents
- Attach the required financial statements and other requested supporting files.
- Add any project plan needed for third-party delivery, if applicable.
- Step 4: Validate and submit
- Review the form for errors or omissions.
- Submit the application through the online system.
Documents Needed
- Financial statements for the past two years of normal operations
- Interim financial statements for at least the last six months
- Project plan for third-party delivery, if applicable
- Supporting documents such as business plan, budgets, supplier quotes, cash flow forecasts, or funding confirmations
Selection criteria
- Support for Indigenous tourism
- Strategic importance to the regional tourism sector
- Contribution to regional economic development
- Job creation in the region
- Impact in a tourism-dependent community or downtown core
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed only after a complete submission is received.
- Incomplete applications are not assessed.
- Applicants are notified after validation and review of the form.
- A contribution agreement must be signed before funding can proceed.
- Costs incurred before a signed agreement are at the applicant’s risk.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis until funding is fully distributed.
- Only one application per business is accepted per intake.
- Project costs may be eligible retroactively up to 12 months before the application is received, but not earlier than April 19, 2021.
- Applications must be complete to be assessed.
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada Program
What is the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada?
Supports tourism businesses and organizations adapting operations and developing new visitor experiences. Offers up to $500,000 for product development and destination development projects in Western Canada.
How much funding can be received?
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada program?
To be eligible for the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada program, you must:
Tourism-focused applicant
Eligible tourism role
Western Canada project
What expenses are eligible under Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada?
Capital costs such as equipment and installation
Non-capital costs such as salaries and professional fees
Project costs incurred retroactively within the allowed period
Where is the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada available?
The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada program is available the province of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada?
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) in Western Canada is funded by Government of Canada