Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

What Is the RTRI?

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a $1 billion federal program designed to help Canadian businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs, Chinese tariffs, and Canadian counter-tariffs. It is the largest single tariff relief program in Canadian history.

Originally announced in March 2025 with $450 million in funding, the program was expanded to $1 billion over three years in September 2025 as trade disruptions intensified. It is delivered through Canada's seven Regional Development Agencies, with PrairiesCan handling applications for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

This is not a loan-only program. Eligible businesses can receive up to $1 million in non-repayable contributions — funding they never have to pay back. For larger projects, repayable contributions of up to $5 million are available at zero interest, repaid over five years starting one year after the project ends.

How Much Funding Can You Get?

The RTRI offers two types of funding, and eligible businesses can access both within a single project.

Non-repayable contributions (the grant portion): Up to $1,000,000 for eligible businesses. This is free money — you never pay it back. Businesses in the steel sector receive priority consideration for non-repayable funding, though businesses in other priority sectors can also access non-repayable support.

Repayable contributions: $500,000 to $5,000,000 per project. This is interest-free funding repaid in monthly installments over five years, beginning one year after the project end date.

Cost share rules: PrairiesCan funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs. The remaining 50% must come from non-PrairiesCan sources. Total government funding from all levels can cover up to 90% of project costs for commercial projects and 100% for non-commercial projects.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for RTRI funding through PrairiesCan, your organization must meet all of the following criteria.

Business Type Requirements

Your business must be an incorporated for-profit business operating in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Indigenous-owned organizations and not-for-profit organizations that support businesses are also eligible. Retail businesses and tourism operators are not eligible.

Tariff Impact Requirements

You must demonstrate that your business has been directly or indirectly affected by ongoing trade disruptions. You need to show either that at least 25% of your sales are in markets targeted by the tariffs, or that you can demonstrate negative impacts including increased costs, supply chain disruptions, revenue decline, loss of customers, or employment effects.

Financial Viability Requirements

Your business must have been financially viable prior to March 21, 2025. You need at least two complete years of externally prepared or reviewed financial statements and a minimum three years of continuous viable operation.

Priority Sectors

While any eligible industry can apply, PrairiesCan gives priority to sectors experiencing higher tariff impacts:

• Steel manufacturing and fabrication — Dedicated $150 million national allocation. Core Design Ltd. in Leduc received $1M to double capacity for steel downhole tools.
• Metal recycling and processing — CAC Metal Recycling received $1M to expand non-ferrous processing capabilities.
• Agriculture and food processing — Barr-Ag received $1M for automated equipment. Alberta Food Processors Association received $1.5M.
• Critical minerals and mining — Named as a priority sector in program guidelines.
• Clean technology — Aligned with Alberta's energy transition economy.
• Automotive supply chain — Priority sector nationally.
• Forestry and bioeconomy — Named as priority sectors.

What Costs Are Eligible?

RTRI covers a broad range of costs directly related to your project. All costs must be incremental, reasonable, and essential.

• Labour costs: Wages and benefits for employees directly working on the project
• Capital costs: Purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure
• Material costs: Raw materials and supplies consumed directly in the project
• Consultancy fees: Professional and technical services including engineering and market research
• Advisory expenses: Planning, coaching, workshops, training through service organizations
• Market development costs: Trade missions and market research to diversify away from tariff-affected markets

Retroactive eligibility: Costs may be retroactive for up to 12 months prior to your application, but no earlier than March 21, 2025. If you have already incurred tariff-response costs since March 2025, they may be eligible for reimbursement.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

Submit an EOI through PrairiesCan's web portal. Your project title must start with "RTRI-" (or "RTRI steel-" for steel industry applicants). You'll provide business information, tariff impact description, project overview, estimated costs, and expected outcomes.

Step 2: Full Application

If your EOI is successful, PrairiesCan invites you to submit a full application. A strong application includes quantified tariff impacts, an independent market assessment, competitor analysis, project management team details, credible financial projections, and expected economic benefits.

Step 3: Review and Approval

PrairiesCan assesses applications against criteria including: degree of tariff impact, project alignment with productivity and growth goals, use of Canadian content, and quality of the project plan and budget.

Step 4: Contribution Agreement

If approved, you sign a contribution agreement. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis — you incur costs, submit claims with documentation, and PrairiesCan reimburses the approved portion.

Step 5: Reporting and Compliance

Once underway, you must provide progress reports at least twice per year, submit annual financial statements, and ensure all activities are completed by March 31, 2028.

Real Alberta Companies That Have Received RTRI Funding

Core Design Ltd. — Leduc, AB — $1,000,000

Manufactures custom steel downhole completion products for oil and gas. RTRI funding is being used to purchase specialized machinery that doubles manufacturing capacity for steel-made downhole tools and thermal solutions. First RTRI-approved project on the Prairies, announced December 19, 2025.

Red Deer Ironworks (RDI) — Red Deer, AB — $1,000,000

Leading global provider of high-pressure flow-control products to oil and gas. RTRI investment is helping lower manufacturing costs and compete more effectively in global markets. Announced March 17, 2026.

CAC Metal Recycling — Acheson (Greater Edmonton), AB — $1,000,000

Expanding and modernizing low-iron (non-ferrous) processing capabilities. The investment increases processing capacity and reduces reliance on tariff-sensitive imported steel products. Announced March 17, 2026.

Barr-Ag — Olds, AB — $1,000,000

Purchasing and installing automated equipment to improve efficiency and expand hay product lines. Enables new products, reduces costs, and strengthens agriculture supply chains. Announced March 17, 2026.

Mount Royal University — Calgary, AB — $1,500,000

Launching the Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence, delivering specialized programming to help companies test, refine, and commercialize transportation and logistics solutions. Announced February 17, 2026.

Alberta Food Processors Association — Calgary, AB — $1,498,903

Providing tailored trade and productivity advice to food and beverage businesses affected by tariffs, including direct funding distribution to impacted SMEs and an AI-powered upgrade to the AB Food Connect platform. Announced February 17, 2026.

RTRI vs Other Canadian Funding Programs

RTRI vs IRAP: IRAP funds R&D projects (up to 80% of salaries, 50% of contractor costs). RTRI funds operational and productivity improvements in response to tariffs (50% of broader costs including capital equipment). You may be eligible for both if projects are distinct.

RTRI vs SR&ED: SR&ED is a retroactive tax credit for qualifying R&D. RTRI is a contribution program you apply for in advance. These serve different purposes and can be stacked for different project activities.

RTRI vs CanExport: CanExport provides up to $50,000 for international market development. RTRI provides up to $5 million for a wider range of activities. RTRI covers market diversification at a much larger scale.

How Impact Applications Can Help

Navigating RTRI is complex. The application requires quantified tariff impact documentation, market assessments, competitor analysis, financial projections, and a project plan aligned with PrairiesCan's assessment criteria. Most businesses we work with are leaving money on the table — either by not applying, by under-scoping their project, or by failing to articulate their tariff impact in the language PrairiesCan wants to see.

Our team handles the entire process: assessing your eligibility, quantifying your tariff impact, building your project plan, preparing your financial projections, writing your application, and supporting you through to approval.

This guide is maintained by Impact Applications Inc. and updated as new RTRI information becomes available. For official program details, visit the PrairiesCan RTRI page. Last reviewed: March 28, 2026.