Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario (Organization)

Overview of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario (Organization) program:

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is part of the Government of Canada’s $6.5-billion national tariff response plan designed to protect Canadian industries and workers from the impacts of trade tariffs imposed by the United States, China, and related countermeasures. Delivered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the RTRI provides targeted, time-sensitive financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Indigenous businesses across southern Ontario that have been negatively affected by these trade disruptions. FedDev Ontario’s stream of the RTRI focuses on helping SMEs boost productivity, lower operating costs, strengthen supply chain resilience, and open access to new markets to safeguard long-term competitiveness. Priority consideration is given to companies in the steel and automotive sectors, as these industries face some of the heaviest tariff impacts. However, businesses in all affected sectors are eligible if they meet program criteria. The RTRI supports activities such as digitization, automation, technology acquisition or adaptation, market expansion, reshoring of production, and development of domestic supply chains. The program works in coordination with other federal initiatives, including the Workforce Alliances, Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, BDC’s Pivot to Grow Initiative, and the Strategic Response Fund, ensuring a comprehensive network of support for tariff-impacted businesses. FedDev Ontario also emphasizes Canadian ownership, local economic contribution, completion capacity, and preference for domestic sourcing as part of its assessment criteria. All projects must be viable, feasible, and aligned with Canada’s broader goal of fostering long-term economic resilience and job protection amid shifting trade landscapes.

Benefits of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario (Organization) program:

• Repayable Funding (Loans): Between $125,000 and $10 million.
• Non-repayable Funding (Grants): Between $125,000 and $1 million.
• Projects must occur within the eligible program timeframe (March 2025 March 2028).

Eligibility criteria of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario (Organization) program:

• Organizations must:
• Be an incorporated not-for-profit organization in southern Ontario whose primary focus is to support businesses and/or community economic development.
• Support businesses with:
  • At least 25% of sales in markets targeted by the tariffs, OR
  • Businesses that can demonstrate direct impact from tariffs or uncertainty, such as: Increased production material costs (supply chain disruptions, lead time changes, sourcing costs). Increased retail costs of finished goods. Added import/export taxes. Revenue declines or market access loss (customers/contracts lost, reduced export volumes), Employment effects (layoffs, hiring freezes, Work-Sharing Program participation).