Regional Tariff Response Initiative expands in Alberta

As of September 2026, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) has been expanded, and eligible Alberta businesses affected by tariffs can now apply for up to $3 million in non-repayable funding, or up to $20 million in total funding once repayable support is included.

RTRI is a federal program delivered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) for businesses and not-for-profits in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The enhancement adds a new liquidity assistance stream on top of the program's existing pivot project funding and is part of a $3.45 billion national investment in tariff support.

What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative?
What changed with RTRI in September 2026?
How much funding is available now?
Is my business eligible?
What's the difference between liquidity assistance and a pivot project?
Can I claim costs I've already spent?
What can't be funded?
How do I apply, and by when?

What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative?

RTRI is a federal contribution program delivered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to help businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the Prairie provinces respond to U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures, and related trade disruption. It was first launched in 2025 and was significantly expanded on September 8, 2026, with the addition of a new liquidity assistance stream alongside its existing pivot project funding.

What changed with RTRI in September 2026?

RTRI already funded pivot projects — investments that help a business adapt, diversify, or become more competitive. The September 8, 2026 enhancement adds a second stream, liquidity assistance, aimed at businesses that need short-term help covering payroll and operating costs because of tariff-related pressure. The program's total non-repayable funding cap also rose from $1 million to $3 million per business, and the application window was extended.

How much funding is available now?

RTRI now offers two types of support, and a business can apply for one or both.

A business can receive up to $3 million in combined non-repayable funding across both streams. Businesses pursuing a larger, transformative pivot project can access repayable funding on top of that, up to a total of $20 million in combined RTRI support. Businesses are normally limited to one non-repayable pivot project approval and one liquidity assistance approval.

EXAMPLE A Prairie manufacturer applying for both streams

Liquidity assistance (up to 50% of payroll and operating costs) $2,000,000
Pivot project funding (up to 50% of eligible costs) $1,000,000
Total non-repayable funding $3,000,000

Not-for-profit organizations aren't eligible for liquidity assistance, but can still apply for pivot-style project funding, which normally covers up to 90% of eligible costs. Indigenous applicants can normally receive up to 80% of eligible costs for commercial projects and up to 100% for non-commercial projects.

Is my business eligible?

To qualify for RTRI, an incorporated for-profit business generally needs to meet all of the following:

A business can show tariff impact in several ways, including operating in a tariff-affected sector, earning 25% or more of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or facing higher material costs, supply chain disruption, or lost revenue because of trade disruption.

What's the difference between liquidity assistance and a pivot project?

Liquidity assistance is short-term support meant to help a business keep operating and keep staff employed through tariff-related financial pressure. Funding is based mainly on 50% of the business's average monthly payroll for up to 12 months, and it can also cover essential recurring costs like rent, utilities, business insurance, and property taxes.

Pivot projects are longer-term investments meant to help a business become more competitive and resilient. Eligible activities include productivity improvements and process modernization, equipment or technology upgrades (including automation and digitization), market diversification and export development, and supply chain resilience.

Eligible costs can include labour, materials, capital purchases (like equipment), consultancy and advisory fees, and costs tied to expanding or maintaining markets. Costs may be eligible retroactively for up to 12 months before a signed funding request, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.

A business facing immediate cash-flow pressure while also planning longer-term changes can apply for both at the same time.

Can I claim costs I've already spent?

For pivot projects, costs can be claimed retroactively for up to 12 months before a signed funding request is received, but no earlier than March 21, 2025. Since that retroactive window moves forward with the date of application, businesses that apply sooner are able to capture more of their eligible costs than businesses that wait.

For liquidity assistance, eligible costs can only be claimed starting no earlier than August 22, 2026.

What can't be funded?

RTRI does not fund projects that move a business's operations outside Canada. Other ineligible costs include:

• land and building acquisition
• entertainment expenses
• refinancing of existing debt
• salary bonuses and dividend payments

For liquidity assistance specifically, costs that have already been reimbursed through another government wage or operating support program can't also be claimed under RTRI.

How do I apply, and by when?

RTRI accepts applications until December 31, 2028, or until all program funding is committed, whichever comes first. The application process depends on the type of applicant:

Incorporated businesses submit a detailed application directly through the PrairiesCan portal.

Not-for-profit organizations follow a two-stage process:

1. Expression of interest — a short online form covering your organization's eligibility, project details, and budget, submitted through the PrairiesCan portal.
2. Full application — if your expression of interest is selected, PrairiesCan will invite a detailed application.

Before applying, businesses should have on hand their incorporation documents and proof of signing authority, financial statements for the past 2 years plus interim statements for at least the last 6 months, a business plan or pitch deck, and any required RTRI attestation and supporting forms. Confirmed non-PrairiesCan funding (bank statements, signed term sheets, or letters of intent) is also part of a strong application; forecasted revenue or accounts receivable don't count as confirmed funding.

Because eligible costs and program details are specific to each business's situation, we'd recommend talking to an advisor before applying to confirm how RTRI funding fits with your business's finances and other funding sources.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this article, need help preparing an RTRI application, or just want to know more about the services we offer, please contact one of our Business Advisory Experts or complete the contact form below.