Open
Funding for Quebec pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains in response to tariffs.
Quebec, Canada
Up to 20,000,000 $
RTRI: funding to help your business adapt
Published non-repayable limits · Regional rules apply · Reviewed November 6, 2026
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) helps tariff-affected Canadian businesses protect operations, improve productivity and reach new markets. Canada’s regional development agencies deliver the initiative. helloDarwin helps identify the relevant support and build your application around your business and project.
Up to $2M
Liquidity assistance for eligible payroll and essential operating costs, based on demonstrated need.
Up to $1M
Non-repayable pivot support for eligible productivity, diversification and supply-chain projects.
Up to 50%
Of eligible costs for these non-repayable streams. Larger projects may involve repayable support.
Explore regional RTRI programs
Explore regional program profiles, then build your application with helloDarwin. Program ceilings can include repayable funding; non-repayable limits and regional rules apply.
Open
Project funding for tariff-affected southern Ontario businesses to improve productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains.
Ontario, Canada
Up to 20,000,000 $
Open
Funding for Northern Ontario pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains in response to tariff impacts.
Ontario, Canada
Up to 20,000,000 $
Turn trade pressure into a plan for your business
RTRI pivot projects can support changes that make your business more resilient. These are possible project directions, subject to the regional agency’s assessment.
Modernize your operations
Improve production capacity, automate bottlenecks or upgrade equipment to strengthen competitiveness.
Reach different markets
Build a market diversification project that reduces exposure to a single export destination.
Improve productivity
Use technology and process improvements to adapt how your business operates and delivers.
Your RTRI application, built with helloDarwin
From opportunity discovery through submission, every step reduces your team’s internal workload and clarifies the next decision.
Assess the fit
We review your tariff exposure, business profile and location to identify the relevant regional support. You get a clear view of what to explore and what still needs to be confirmed.
Shape the project
Together, we clarify the business need, eligible activities, budget, financing and timeline. The goal is a coherent project that addresses tariff pressures and regional priorities.
Prepare the file
Our team helps organize the narrative and supporting documents with your internal team. We align the project, financial information and evidence before submission.
Move to submission
helloDarwin guides the submission process and helps address requests for clarification. The funding agency evaluates the application and makes the approval decision.
What we check before building your application
A good starting point is a clear business need and evidence to support it. Our team checks the detailed regional requirements with you.
Your exposure to tariffs
Changes in revenue, margins, customer orders or supply costs help explain how tariffs affect your Canadian operations.
The funding structure
We distinguish liquidity from pivot support, review eligible costs and confirm the expected company contribution and repayment terms.
Timing and documentation
Intake dates, expense periods and project milestones vary. We check the current rules before you commit to an application plan.
What we’ll need from your team
Your tariff impact
Your business profile and evidence of changes to sales, costs, orders or supply chains.
Your financial picture
Financial statements, cash-flow forecasts and payroll or operating-cost records relevant to the support requested.
Your project plan
For a pivot project: activities, quotes, a budget, financing, milestones and expected outcomes.
Your RTRI questions
How does helloDarwin help with my application?
Start with the assessment on this page. We help identify the relevant support, check regional requirements and structure the application with your team. We guide the preparation and submission steps; the funding agency remains responsible for approval.
How much funding could my business receive?
Published non-repayable limits are up to $2M for liquidity assistance and up to $1M for pivot projects, generally up to 50% of eligible costs. Combined non-repayable support is capped at $3M. Larger pivot projects may include repayable support above $1M, with up to 75% of eligible costs; the overall $20M RTRI ceiling includes repayable support. These are maximums, not an estimate or guarantee for your business. We assess the applicable rules with you.
Can helloDarwin help in my province or territory?
RTRI is delivered through seven regional development agencies. We identify the responsible agency and check the relevant intake, dates and eligible costs with you. Liquidity support can cover up to 12 months ending by March 31, 2028; pivot projects must generally finish by March 31, 2029. Regional rules and funding availability still apply. Official sources reviewed November 5, 2026:
For projects outside Quebec and Ontario, also review pivot profiles in the Prairies and in British Columbia. Check the conditions for your region.
What makes a project eligible?
A documented tariff impact, a suitable business profile and eligible costs are starting points. Revenue, operating history, location, industry and project conditions vary by agency. We check these requirements before helping you build the file; reported losses alone do not establish an eligible budget or an award.
Prepare your evidence with the liquidity application guide or structure your investment with the pivot project application guide.
Does RTRI refund tariffs I have already paid?
No automatic refund is provided through RTRI. It supports eligible operating costs and adaptation projects. Customs duty remission follows separate rules. We help distinguish the relevant support when reviewing your situation.