Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon
Canadian businesses continue to face changing trade conditions, tariffs, and global supply chain disruptions. To help businesses respond to these pressures, the Government of Canada has introduced the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) as part of its broader tariff response plan.
The national RTRI is delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs). In Northern Canada, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) delivers the initiative in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
Together, Canada’s RDAs are delivering $3.45 billion in support to help tariff-impacted businesses address immediate liquidity pressures, strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets, and build resilience against future trade disruptions.
Support is also available for eligible not-for-profit organizations whose primary focus is helping businesses adapt, grow, and expand trade opportunities.
RTRI Support for Northern Canadian Businesses
The RTRI provides different types of support to help tariff-impacted businesses maintain operations, respond to immediate financial pressures, and make longer-term investments in competitiveness and resilience.
For businesses in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon, support is available through liquidity assistance and pivot project funding.
Liquidity Assistance
Liquidity assistance provides short-term, non-repayable support to businesses experiencing financial pressures related to tariffs and trade disruptions.
The funding is intended to help businesses maintain their Canadian operations and retain employees while responding to current trade challenges and planning for longer-term resilience.
Liquidity assistance includes:
- Non-repayable funding: Up to $2 million
- Maximum contribution: Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Funding period: Up to 12 months
- Project completion: No later than March 31, 2028
Eligible costs may include:
- Employee salaries and wages
- Rent or commercial lease payments
- Utilities
- Business insurance
- Property taxes
- Other essential recurring operating expenses related to maintaining operations
Liquidity support is primarily based on a business’s demonstrated and quantified need. The amount is generally determined with reference to eligible payroll costs, although certain essential operating expenses may also be considered.
Pivot Projects
Pivot projects are designed to help businesses become more competitive and resilient over the longer term.
Funding can support investments that improve productivity, modernize operations, diversify markets, strengthen supply chains, and reduce exposure to future trade disruptions.
Non-repayable pivot project funding:
- Up to $1 million for projects with local or regional economic benefits
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
Repayable pivot project funding:
- Available for larger-scale, transformative projects exceeding $1 million
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Repayable contributions are interest-free
Project timelines can vary depending on the proposed project, but all pivot projects must be completed no later than March 31, 2029.
Eligible activities may include:
- Productivity improvements and process modernization
- Equipment and technology adoption
- Automation and digitization
- Market diversification and export development
- Supply chain resilience
- Activities that increase competitiveness
- Initiatives that reduce trade-related risks
Pivot project funding is intended for new, additional costs directly related to eligible project activities and must result in incremental and measurable outcomes.
Combining RTRI Support
Eligible businesses may apply for liquidity assistance, pivot project funding, or both, depending on their needs and the nature of their proposed activities.
A business may receive up to $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, consisting of:
- Up to $2 million in non-repayable liquidity assistance
- Up to $1 million in non-repayable pivot project funding
When repayable support is included, a business may receive up to $20 million in total RTRI funding.
Available funding combinations can include:
- Liquidity assistance only, up to $2 million
- Liquidity assistance plus a non-repayable pivot project, for a combined maximum of up to $3 million
- Liquidity assistance plus a repayable pivot project exceeding $1 million, for a combined maximum of up to $20 million
- A non-repayable pivot project of up to $1 million
- A repayable pivot project exceeding $1 million
Businesses may use multiple contribution agreements where applicable.
Who Can Apply?
The RTRI focuses on businesses facing tariff pressures, with eligibility available across tariff-impacted sectors.
To be eligible for business support in Northern Canada, a business must:
- Be an incorporated, for-profit business
- Be located and operating in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, or Yukon
- Have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the company’s last two fiscal years
- Have been viable prior to tariffs
- Demonstrate that it has been affected by ongoing trade disruptions
Businesses established after March 21, 2025, may be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate that they have been adversely affected by tariffs introduced since the launch of the RTRI.
Applications are assessed based on program criteria, demonstrated need, and the business’s proposed response to tariff impacts.
Demonstrating Tariff Impact
Businesses must demonstrate that they have been affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures, countervailing duties, or other qualifying trade impacts.
Tariff exposure may be demonstrated in several ways. For example, a business may:
- Operate in a sector affected by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs, including businesses with direct exposure as exporters or indirect exposure as supply-chain partners to affected exporters
- Operate in another tariff-impacted sector
- Generate 25% or more of its revenue from goods that are ultimately exported to the United States
- Have experienced significant increases in the cost of goods or materials required for production because of tariffs
- Have experienced supply chain disruptions
- Have experienced a loss of revenue or customers associated with trade disruptions
Businesses that cannot demonstrate direct or indirect tariff exposure are not eligible for support.
Non-Profit Organizations
Support is also available for eligible not-for-profit organizations in Northern Canada whose primary focus is supporting businesses.
NFP projects can help organizations undertake activities that assist tariff-impacted businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions, improving competitiveness, growing, and expanding trade opportunities.
However, there is an important distinction between support available to businesses and support available to non-profit organizations.
Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible for liquidity assistance for their own operating expenses. Their RTRI support must instead be directed toward eligible projects that support businesses affected by tariffs.
What Projects Can RTRI Support?
The type of support available depends on the business’ needs and proposed activities.
Liquidity Assistance
Liquidity assistance is intended to provide short-term support where necessary to maintain operations and employment.
Eligible costs may include:
- Employee salaries and wages
- Rent and commercial lease payments
- Utilities
- Business insurance
- Property taxes
- Other essential recurring operating expenses
Businesses seeking liquidity assistance must demonstrate a material liquidity need related to tariff impacts and commit to maintaining operations and employment in Canada. A pivot project is not required to receive liquidity assistance.
Pivot Projects
Pivot projects focus on longer-term investments that can help businesses adapt and become more competitive and resilient.
Eligible activities may include:
- Productivity improvements: Modernizing processes and improving operational efficiency
- Technology adoption: Investing in equipment, automation, and digital technologies
- Market diversification: Developing new markets and reducing reliance on markets affected by trade disruptions
- Export development: Expanding domestic and international trade opportunities
- Supply chain resilience: Strengthening supply chains and reducing vulnerabilities
- Competitiveness: Improving a business’s ability to compete in changing markets
- Trade resilience: Reducing exposure to future tariff and trade-related risks
Projects must demonstrate incremental and measurable outcomes and add value to activities already undertaken by the applicant.
What Will You Need to Apply?
Applicants should be prepared to provide information supporting both their eligibility and their proposed use of funding.
Required information may include:
- Corporate information and a business profile
- Financial statements for the previous two years
- Evidence of tariff impacts, such as export sales information
- Payroll records
- A quantified demonstration of liquidity needs, where applying for liquidity assistance
- Employment retention targets and operational obligations
- Information about other government funding received or requested
Applicants must disclose other sources of government assistance. RTRI funding cannot duplicate funding received for the same costs through another government program.
Understanding Eligible Costs
Eligible costs depend on the type of support being requested.
For liquidity assistance, funding is intended to help maintain operations and employment in Canada during tariff-related disruptions. The amount of support is based on demonstrated and quantified liquidity needs.
For pivot projects, eligible costs are new and additional costs directly related to activities that improve productivity, competitiveness, supply chain resilience, market diversification, or long-term growth.
Costs that are considered unreasonable, non-incremental, or not directly related to project activities are ineligible. Examples include land and building acquisition, entertainment expenses, motor vehicle costs, and refinancing existing debt.
Can RTRI Be Combined with Other Government Funding?
Businesses may receive support from other federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal programs, provided there is no duplication of funding for the same costs.
Applicants must disclose all government assistance received or requested. Costs already reimbursed through another government wage or operating support program cannot also be claimed under RTRI liquidity assistance.
Get Help with Your RTRI Application
Understanding which RTRI funding stream is appropriate, demonstrating tariff exposure, calculating financial need, and developing an eligible project can make the application process complex.
EVAMAX can help Northern Canadian businesses identify and pursue Regional Tariff Response Initiative funding.
Our funding experts can work with your business to:
- Assess your eligibility and determine whether your business and proposed activities align with RTRI requirements
- Identify the appropriate funding stream, including liquidity assistance, pivot project funding, or a combination of both
- Assess and document tariff impacts, including effects on revenue, customers, costs, exports, and supply chains
- Identify eligible costs and activities that align with program requirements
- Develop and structure your project around clear, measurable outcomes
- Prepare your funding application and organize supporting documentation
- Help demonstrate your funding need and employment or operational commitments
- Review other government assistance to help identify potential duplication of costs
- Strengthen your application by clearly communicating how the proposed funding will help your business respond to tariff-related challenges
Whether you need immediate liquidity support to maintain operations or are planning a larger investment in technology, productivity, market diversification, or supply chain resilience, EVAMAX can help you navigate the funding process.
Explore Your RTRI Funding Opportunities
If your business operates in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, or Yukon and has been affected directly or indirectly by tariffs or other trade disruptions, contact EVAMAX to discuss your funding opportunities.
Our team can help you assess your eligibility, identify the appropriate RTRI funding stream, develop your project, and prepare a strong application.
Let EVAMAX help you navigate RTRI and pursue the funding your business needs to adapt, compete, and build resilience in changing trade conditions.