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 $
Find funding to adapt to tariffs
Tariffs are putting pressure on your costs, cash flow or export sales? helloDarwin helps you assess Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) support and prepare a funding plan for your next steps: maintaining operations, improving productivity, diversifying markets or strengthening supply chains.
Build a practical response to tariff pressures
Start with the impact on your business, then connect each proposed expense to a clear response. RTRI can support short-term liquidity needs and longer-term projects, subject to the rules of your regional development agency.
Protect operations and jobs
Document cash-flow pressures linked to tariffs and assess temporary liquidity assistance to help maintain Canadian operations and employment.
Improve productivity
Plan equipment, automation or process improvements that reduce trade-related risks and strengthen your competitiveness. Show the expected operational gains.
Diversify markets and supply chains
Assess new customers, markets and suppliers to reduce exposure to trade disruptions. Build a costed plan with measurable milestones.
RTRI funding programs for tariff-response projects
Explore regional RTRI programs for productivity, market diversification and supply chains. Liquidity assistance may also be available. Confirm funding terms, eligible costs and intake dates with your regional agency.
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 $
Examples of accepted RTRI applications
These examples from our funding library illustrate RTRI projects in productivity, equipment and market diversification. Past approvals do not establish your eligibility or guarantee funding.
Accepted$250K-$500K
2025Manufacturing
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec
Automation equipment and a tariff-response plan to diversify customers and strengthen Quebec supply chains
Accepted$100K-$250K
2025Manufacturing
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario
Automation of a Southern Ontario production line to reduce tariff exposure and reshore supply-chain capacity
Accepted$1M+
2025Manufacturing
FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Automation equipment and supply-chain reshoring project for a Northern Ontario manufacturer affected by tariffs
Accepted$500K-$1M
2026Manufacturing
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces
Operational modernization with new tools
Accepted$500K-$1M
2026Manufacturing
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia
Operational modernization with new tools
Accepted$500K-$1M
2025Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic Canada
Digital transformation to improve efficiency
Support for your tariff-response funding plan
Combine funding expertise with practical digital tools to move from tariff-impact assessment to a well-prepared application.
Tariff-response funding strategy
Assess tariff exposure, clarify your response and prioritize the RTRI support that fits your region, costs and timeline.
Application preparation
Bring together tariff-impact evidence, financial forecasts, project budgets and expected outcomes in a clear funding application.
Funding discovery and tracking
Use the helloDarwin platform to explore regional programs and organize opportunities around your tariff-response plans.
Tariff-relief funding: your questions answered
Clarify the support that may fit your business before committing to a funding application.
What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative?
RTRI is a federal initiative delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies to help businesses affected by tariffs. Support can include temporary liquidity assistance and pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains. The appropriate stream depends on your location, business profile, documented tariff impact and proposed response. Review the current regional guidelines before preparing an application.
Does RTRI automatically reimburse tariffs paid?
No. RTRI support is assessed against program criteria and the needs or activities described in an application. It should not be treated as an automatic refund of customs duties. A tariff-response funding plan should explain the impact on your business and how the requested support will help maintain operations or improve resilience. Customs remission and duty-relief measures have separate rules.
Which regional agency should I contact?
Use the agency serving the location where your business operates: CED in Quebec, FedDev Ontario in southern Ontario, FedNor in northern Ontario, ACOA in Atlantic Canada, PrairiesCan in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, PacifiCan in British Columbia, or CanNor in the territories. The program cards above are regional examples. Other regions also deliver RTRI, and intake details should be confirmed directly with the relevant agency.
What should I prepare for an RTRI assessment?
Gather a business profile, recent financial statements and evidence of direct or indirect tariff impacts, such as increased input costs, lost customers or supply disruptions. For liquidity assistance, prepare cash-flow forecasts and relevant payroll information. For a pivot project, prepare the scope, quotes, budget, schedule and measurable outcomes. Disclose other government assistance and confirm which costs and start dates are eligible.
How can helloDarwin help with tariff-response funding?
We help clarify tariff impacts, identify the relevant regional program and structure the funding plan around documented needs and project costs. Our team can support application preparation, while the platform helps you explore and organize funding opportunities. The regional development agency assesses eligibility and makes the funding decision; helloDarwin does not guarantee approval or a particular amount.