Ottawa is funding tariff adaptation directly. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a federal program — roughly $1.95 billion — delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies to help businesses hit by tariffs and shifting trade conditions adapt, retool, and reach new markets.
How it is delivered
RTRI runs through the regional development agencies rather than a single national portal — in Alberta and the Prairies, that is PrairiesCan. In February 2026, the federal government announced nearly $5.9 million in RTRI funding for southern Alberta businesses alone, aimed at helping exporters and manufacturers adjust to changed trade conditions and access new markets. Program projects are to be completed by March 31, 2028.
What it is for
The program’s stated focus is resilience and diversification: adapting operations affected by tariff costs, developing new products or capabilities, and reducing dependence on a single export market. It sits alongside other federal supports for tariff-affected businesses, including Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank of Canada programs and the Trade Commissioner Service’s market-diversification help.
How to pursue it
Start with your regional development agency’s RTRI page (PrairiesCan for Alberta) for current intake status, eligibility, and application requirements — the agencies run their own processes and timelines. As with any government program, verify current details on the agency’s own site before planning around it.
Sources: PrairiesCan / Government of Canada RTRI announcements (Feb. 17, 2026); Canada.ca — support for businesses impacted by tariffs; CTV News Calgary coverage.
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