5 -- Publications
Government Assistance Programs – Customs Tariffs
September 11 2026
Government of Canada
Support for Canadian Employers and Workers in Response to Tariffs
Canada Economic Development (CED)
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI):
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a temporary measure targeting manufacturing SMEs affected by economic disruptions caused by tariffs. It complements other federal, provincial, and territorial tariff support programs.
Financial Assistance:
- For strategic investment projects focused on productivity and market diversification: non-repayable contribution of up to $1 million.
- For projects focused exclusively on market diversification: non-repayable contribution of up to $300,000.
- For major and strategic investment projects: repayable contribution of more than $1 million.
Assistance Rates:
- The maximum assistance rate is 50% for projects receiving a non-repayable contribution.
- The maximum assistance rate is 75% for commercial projects receiving a repayable contribution.
- The minimum amount of assistance is $100,000.
- Costs may be eligible retroactively for up to 12 months prior to receipt of the signed application, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.
Conditions: The business must have been operating for at least three years, have generated revenues of $2 million or more during its most recently completed fiscal year, and have been financially viable prior to the imposition of tariffs by the United States or China, i.e., before March 21, 2025. This must be demonstrated through the SME’s financial statements.
BDC – Pivot to Grow Loan
This program provides financing to help you maintain your operations, pursue new business opportunities, invest in productivity, and adapt to an evolving business environment while protecting your cash flow.
- Loans ranging from $250,000 to $5 million;
- Interest-only payments for up to 36 months (with up to 60 months to repay the loan).
Conditions: A resilience plan is required. The business must have annual revenues of $1 million or more, have been operating for at least three years, and have a positive cash flow history. At least 15% of sales must come from exports to the United States, or the business must have experienced a decrease in revenue or an increase in costs of at least 10% due to U.S. tariffs.
BDC – Trade Resilience:
Quickly access tariff information applicable to products and countries with which Canada has a free trade agreement. The Canada Tariff Finder is so intuitive that it can provide tariff information even without an HS code.
Government of Canada Programs for the Deferral, Relief or Refund of Canadian Customs Duties:
Requesting Tariff Remission for Goods Imported from the United States: The Government of Canada has established a remission process in response to Canadian counter-tariffs on certain products imported from the United States. Under certain circumstances, this process provides relief from the payment of Canadian counter-tariffs or allows businesses to obtain a refund of duties already paid.
Deferring Duties on Products Imported from the United States: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers three duty deferral programs applicable in the context of Canada’s counter-tariffs on certain products imported from the United States.
The Duties Relief Program provides relief from Canadian customs duties on goods imported into Canada that are subsequently modified, processed or left unchanged, and then exported.
Duty Drawback Program:
The Duty Drawback Program provides a full or partial refund of customs duties already paid on goods imported into Canada that are subsequently exported, either in the same condition or after being modified or processed.
Customs Bonded Warehouse Program:
The Customs Bonded Warehouse Program allows businesses to defer the payment of customs duties on goods imported into Canada until they enter the Canadian market. If the imported goods are exported directly from the customs bonded warehouse, no customs duties are payable.
Trade Commissioner Service (TCS):
Access international markets with our support. Get started today and grow your business through our export advisory services, funding opportunities, accelerator programs, and tailored support at trade events. With a presence in more than 160 cities around the world, we can help you do business globally.
Support for Canadian Exporters Facing U.S. Tariffs
CanExport SMEs:
Funding to help your business expand into global markets.
EDC – Trade Impact Program:
Through its new Trade Impact Program, EDC is prepared to deploy an additional $5 billion across a range of products over two years to help eligible companies navigate economic challenges.
Employment Insurance – Work-Sharing Program:
Special measures under the Work-Sharing Program in response to the threat or potential implementation of U.S. tariffs are in effect from March 6, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
Government of Quebec
Support for Canadian Employers and Workers in Response to Tariffs
Please note that this information is available in French only on the Investissement Québec website.
Investissement Québec
FORCE Program:
Designed to support, in the short term, the continued operation of Quebec businesses with strong prospects for profitability whose activities are affected by U.S. tariffs.
-
A loan of up to $50 million;
-
Interest-free for the first year, followed by a graduated interest rate starting in the second year;
-
A maximum term of 7 years;
-
A principal repayment moratorium of up to 24 months.
Conditions: The business must have generated at least $2 million in revenue during its most recently completed fiscal year, be registered in Quebec and have been operating there for at least two years, and have demonstrated profitability for at least one of its two most recently completed fiscal years. The business must operate in the manufacturing sector (production of goods) or a primary sector (e.g., agriculture, mining or forestry). At least 25% of its revenue must have come from exports to the United States during at least one of its two most recently completed fiscal years.
Please note that this information is available in French only on the Investissement Québec website.
PANORAMA Program:
PANORAMA is designed for established Quebec businesses seeking to diversify their markets outside Quebec. It combines flexible financing with specialized support to assist with initiatives ranging from strengthening working capital to carrying out more ambitious expansion projects.
-
Term loan ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000;
-
Principal repayment moratorium of up to 24 months;
-
No security or corporate or personal guarantees required.*
Security may be required if your business does not meet the financial strength and credit quality criteria.
Please note that this information is available in French only on the Investissement Québec website.
Export and Commercialization Support Program (PSCE) – Component 2:
Designed to strengthen the commercialization and export capacity of SMEs and large businesses.
-
Non-repayable financial contribution;
-
Maximum financial assistance of $60,000 per business per year;
-
Minimum eligible expenditures of $50,000 required for a first application;
-
Minimum private-sector contribution of 35% of the total project cost;
-
Combined government assistance of up to 65% of eligible expenses;
-
Maximum assistance rate of 50% of eligible expenses for a first submitted project.
This component will be open from September 17, 2026, at noon to October 1, 2026, at noon for applications involving projects whose activities will take place entirely in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East or Oceania.
Please note that this information is available in French only on the Investissement Québec website.
Commerce International Québec (ORPEX)
Opération Prospérité Québec:
Commerce International Québec, in collaboration with the ORPEX organizations from Quebec’s 17 administrative regions, is proud to launch Opération Prospérité Québec. This initiative provides concrete strategic solutions to assist and support exporting SMEs seeking to diversify their markets, both within Canada and internationally.
Please note that this information is available in French only on the Investissement Québec website.
Services Québec – Customized Training Initiative to Support Market Diversification
The objective of this initiative is to support Quebec businesses affected by the introduction of new U.S. tariffs by helping them develop and strengthen their workforce skills and implement diversification strategies targeting other markets in Canada, international markets, or markets outside the United States.
For more information on the Customized Training Initiative to Support Market Diversification, contact a business advisor at your local Services Québec office.
In partnership with
© Année CAE Capital. All rights reserved• Privacy Policy
Website created by Riposte
