Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia

Overview of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia program:

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a major federal investment under Canada’s national $1-billion strategy to safeguard Canadian jobs, industries, and supply chains from the effects of tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China. Delivered in British Columbia by PacifiCan, RTRI supports small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations that enable SME growth, with funding designed to help them pivot toward new markets, increase productivity, and enhance resilience against global trade disruptions. RTRI focuses on enabling B.C. businesses to adapt to a shifting global trade environment by investing in activities that directly strengthen competitiveness. This includes upgrading technology, digitizing operations, reshoring production, optimizing supply chains, and expanding market reach domestically and internationally. The initiative offers multiple funding streams—ranging from interest-free repayable contributions for commercial projects, non-repayable contributions for strategic economic benefit projects, and significant non-repayable funding for not-for-profit organizations supporting SMEs. The program’s design reflects the pressing need for businesses to diversify beyond tariff-impacted markets while improving long-term operational stability. Companies must show a strong plan to pivot operations, remain economically viable, and demonstrate clear connections to tariff impacts or related trade uncertainty. RTRI recognizes the importance of regional resilience, supporting projects that generate strong local economic benefits, modernize production capacity, and strengthen domestic supply chain performance. Overall, RTRI helps B.C. businesses seize new opportunities, mitigate trade-related risks, and scale growth by investing in technology, market expansion, and operational transformation. The initiative functions as a strategic economic defence tool to reinforce Canada’s economic position while enabling B.C. businesses to remain competitive in a complex and shifting trade landscape.

Benefits of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia program:

• Businesses Repayable Contributions
• Interest-free repayable funding between $200,000 and $10 million per project.
• Covers up to 75% of eligible project costs.
• Repayment begins 1 year after project completion, repaid over 5 years in equal monthly installments.
• No collateral required and no penalty for early repayment.
• Businesses Non-Repayable Contributions
• Non-repayable funding up to $1 million for commercial projects that provide regional economic benefits or support supply chains.
• Covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Limited to one project per recipient under this stream.
• Not-for-Profit Organizations Non-Commercial Projects
• Non-repayable contributions up to $10 million.
• Designed to support SMEs and strengthen regional business ecosystems.
• Funding Source Requirements (All Streams)
• Minimum 10% non-government funding.
• Businesses (repayable stream): at least 25% non-PacifiCan funding.
• Businesses (non-repayable stream): at least 50% non-PacifiCan funding.
• Total combined government support cannot exceed 90% of project costs (100% for Indigenous-led projects).

Eligibility criteria of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia program:

• In general, eligible not-for-profit organizations supporting businesses:
• Are incorporated not-for-profit organizations operating in British Columbia whose primary focus is to support small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Must be in a position to support SMEs impacted by trade disruptions as defined below:
• At least 25% of sales are to markets impacted by tariffs, OR
• Able to demonstrate a significant likelihood of being negatively affected by the tariffs (including retaliatory/counter-tariffs) or the uncertainty they may create.
• For-profit businesses eligibility are:
• Are incorporated and staffed in British Columbia.
• Have 10499 full-time employees.
• Have operated continuously and viably for at least 3 years before March 21, 2025.
• Possess 2 years of externally prepared or reviewed financial statements.
• 5 Were viable prior to imposition of U.S./China tariffs.
• Have 25%+ sales to the U.S. and/or China, OR demonstrate high likelihood of being affected by tariffs or trade disruptions.