Tariff Support Resources for Local Businesses
My office has put together some information for local businesses that may be dealing with tariffs, counter-tariffs, or broader trade disruptions.
The Tariff Relief Package Guide below outlines federal funding, financing, tariff relief, and workforce programs that may be available.
Brandon-Souris Tariff Relief Package
Where should most Manitoba businesses start?
For most small and medium-sized businesses in Manitoba, the best first call is the PrairiesCan Regional Tariff Response Initiative, or RTRI.
RTRI is particularly important because it can assist businesses affected by:
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U.S. tariffs on Canadian products
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Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. goods
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tariff-related increases in the cost of materials or production inputs
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supply-chain disruptions
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declining sales or cash-flow pressures caused by tariffs
Generally, an incorporated business must operate in the Prairies, have had at least $1 million in annual revenue in one of its last two fiscal years, have been viable before the tariff disruption and be able to show how tariffs are affecting the business.
Businesses may be able to access two kinds of assistance.
Liquidity assistance
Eligible businesses may receive up to $2 million in non-repayable funding to help deal with immediate financial pressures.
Support can cover up to 50 per cent of certain eligible expenses for up to 12 months, including payroll for Canadian employees and certain essential costs such as rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance and property taxes.
Pivot projects
Businesses investing to adapt to the new trade environment may qualify for support for activities such as:
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new machinery or equipment
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automation
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productivity improvements
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changing suppliers
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strengthening supply chains
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entering new markets
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improving competitiveness
Eligible projects may receive up to $1 million in non-repayable funding. Larger projects may qualify for interest-free repayable contributions.
PrairiesCan General phone: 1-888-338-9378
PrairiesCan Brandon office
Address: 940 Princess Ave., Unit B, Brandon, MB R7A 0P8
Phone: 204-983-4472 | Toll-free: 1-888-338-9378
Email: wd.mb-mb.deo@prairiescan.gc.ca
Learn more or apply:
https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html
PrairiesCan staff can also help determine whether RTRI is the right program or whether another federal program would be a better fit.
If Canada’s counter-tariff is making an important U.S. input much more expensive
If your business imports a specialized U.S.-made part, piece of equipment, material or other production input that is now subject to a Canadian counter-tariff, you may be able to request tariff remission from the Department of Finance.
Tariff remission is different from a grant or loan. If approved, the government can remove the Canadian tariff itself.
Finance Canada may consider remission where, for example:
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the product cannot be sourced in Canada
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a reasonable alternative cannot be sourced from outside the United States
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changing suppliers is not technically or commercially reasonable
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the tariff would cause severe economic harm to the Canadian business
Businesses need to provide evidence. This can include the product's tariff or HS code, import volumes and values, information about suppliers, attempts to find alternative sources and the impact of the tariff on jobs, production and investment. Approval is not automatic.
Tariff remission information:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/process-requesting-remission-tariffs-that-apply-on-certain-goods-us.html
Email: remissions-remises@fin.gc.ca
Use the subject line: U.S. Remission
If you import parts or materials that eventually go into an exported product
Manufacturers should also look at two existing Canada Border Services Agency programs.
Duties Relief Program
This program can allow qualifying businesses to import goods without paying eligible duties or surtaxes when those goods will eventually be exported.
The imported goods can be exported in the same condition or used to manufacture another product that is later exported.
Learn more:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ddr-red/relief-report-eng.html
Drawback Program
If your business has already paid eligible duties or surtaxes on imported goods that are later exported, you may be able to receive a refund.
Learn more:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ddr-red/drawback-eng.html
There are additional rules when finished products are exported to the United States or Mexico, so businesses should discuss this with their customs broker.
It is also important to confirm the actual country of origin of the product. Purchasing an item from an American supplier does not necessarily mean it is considered U.S.-origin for tariff purposes.
If you need cash to keep your business operating
In addition to RTRI, the Business Development Bank of Canada, or BDC, has tariff-related financing available.
BDC Pivot to Grow
The new liquidity stream can provide loans from $250,000 to $5 million to qualifying businesses experiencing a cash-flow shortfall because of U.S. tariffs. This is a loan and must be repaid.
The liquidity stream has specific requirements related to exports to the United States, so it may not be the right program if your only problem is a Canadian counter-tariff on something you import.
BDC also has financing for businesses looking to buy equipment, improve productivity, change their supply chains or diversify into new markets.
Learn more:
https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pivot-grow-loan
If you export or supply another Canadian exporter
Export Development Canada, or EDC, has expanded support for Canadian businesses affected by trade disruption.
Support can include:
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working-capital financing
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loan guarantees
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trade credit insurance
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foreign-exchange services
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assistance entering new export markets
These are generally commercial financial products rather than grants.
Learn more:
https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/trade-support-canadian-companies.html
If you are trying to avoid layoffs
Two programs may be particularly useful.
EI Work-Sharing
Work-Sharing allows an employer to temporarily reduce employees' hours rather than laying workers off. Participating employees can receive Employment Insurance benefits for the hours they are no longer working.
Special tariff-related measures have been extended to March 31, 2028, and eligible agreements can run for significantly longer than under the normal program.
Learn more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html
Worker Retention Grant
Employers that already have an approved and implemented Work-Sharing agreement may also be able to access the Worker Retention Grant if employees receive training during their reduced working hours.
The program can provide additional support to participating employees while they undertake training.
Learn more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/worker-retention-grant.html
If you are a farm, agribusiness or food processor
There are several additional programs worth looking at.
FCC Trade Disruption Customer Support Program
Farm Credit Canada is offering assistance to farmers, agribusinesses and food processors affected by trade disruptions.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible businesses may be able to access:
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an additional credit line of up to $500,000
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new term loans
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up to 12 months of principal-payment deferrals for existing FCC customers
Normal lending requirements still apply.
Learn more:
https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/financing/trade-disruption-customer-support-program
AgriMarketing Market Diversification for SMEs
Agriculture and agri-food businesses looking to develop new markets may qualify for a non-repayable federal contribution.
Eligible projects are normally under $100,000, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada generally covering up to 70 per cent of eligible costs.
Learn more:
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agrimarketing-market-diversification-small-medium-enterprises
Advance Payments Program
Agricultural producers can access cash advances of up to $1 million. For the 2026 program year, the first $250,000 is interest-free for most commodities, while the first $500,000 is interest-free for canola advances.
Learn more:
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/advance-payments
If you are in the steel, aluminum or copper sector
BDC has a specific Steel and Aluminium Industries Support Program.
It offers working-capital loans ranging from $250,000 to $50 million for qualifying Canadian businesses in the steel, aluminum or copper value chain that export to the United States and have been materially affected by U.S. tariffs.
This is financing, not a grant.
The program is currently scheduled to be available until December 31, 2026, or until the available funding has been committed.
Learn more:
https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/steel-aluminium-support-program
If you are a larger manufacturer making a major investment
The federal Canada Strong Diversification Fund, delivered through ISED's Strategic Response Fund, is aimed at much larger projects.
The current criteria generally require:
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at least $20 million in annual revenue
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average annual capital spending of at least $5 million over the previous three fiscal years
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a direct or indirect impact from U.S. Section 338 tariffs
Current funding requests are listed between $5 million and $30 million for eligible capital-maintenance projects.
What information should you have ready?
Before contacting one of these programs, it will help to have the following information available:
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a short explanation of how tariffs are affecting your business
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the affected products or inputs
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the HS or tariff code, if known
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the actual country of origin of the affected product
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your annual sales
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the percentage of your sales exported to the United States, if applicable
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the increase in your costs or decline in revenue
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the amount of tariff or surtax you are paying
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the number of Canadian employees
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any jobs, shifts or investments that may be at risk
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recent financial statements and cash-flow projections
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the amount of assistance you are seeking
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details of any equipment or investment you are considering
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if seeking tariff remission, evidence showing why the product cannot reasonably be sourced in Canada or from a non-U.S. supplier
Unsure where to start?
For most Brandon—Souris businesses, either the PrairiesCan office at 204-983-4472 (toll-free 1-888-338-9378) or the PrairiesCan general number at 1-888-338-9378 is a good first call.
You are also welcome to contact my office. We would be happy to help identify the federal program or department that appears most relevant and point you toward the appropriate application process.
Eligibility and funding decisions remain with the responsible federal department or agency.
Sincerely,
Grant Jackson, MP
Brandon—Souris