Standing Strong: Supporting Local Businesses Amid U.S. Tariffs
The recent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods highlight the importance of supporting local and Canadian businesses.
Pacifican’s Regional Tariff Response Initiative
www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) helps businesses affected by tariffs improve productivity, expand and diversify export markets, optimize supply chains, and boost domestic trade within Canada.
Eligibility: Incorporated for-profit businesses employing 10 to 499 full-time employees, and not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs.
Funding: $200,000 to $10 million per project in repayable contributions. $200,000 to $1 million per project in non-repayable contributions.Strategic Response Fund
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund.
The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps businesses in all sectors impacted by tariffs adapt, diversify, and grow, with support provided to industries by new Workforce Alliances to align training and workforce needs. The program seeks to support large-scale innovation and technology development & projects that enable Canadian firms to adapt to tariff pressures, diversify markets, and drive long-term industrial transformation. SRF provides funding for 2 categories of projects, each with their own set of requirements: Business Innovation and Growth projects & Collaborations and Networks projects- Business Development Bank of Canada: Offering the Pivot to Grow Loan to help your business counter the effects of tariffs on Canadian exports to the USA by boosting your cash flow while your business adapts to a new trading landscape. Click here for more information.
- Pacifican: Accepting Expressions of Interest for their Business Scale-up and Productivity Program, which supports companies on BC to scale-up operations, commercialize technology, improve productivity and/or diversify markets. Click here for more information.
Works-Sharing Program
The Works-Sharing Program enables employers to deal with a temporary shortage of work without laying off employees. Under a Work-Sharing agreement, employers can reduce the employees’ working hours by between 10% and 60%. www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/eligibility.html?utm_source
Connecting Consumers and Producers is regional online directory created by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako that promotes local food producers and provide resources to consumers that support eating locally produced food all year round.
For consumers: There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support the growers, producers and food we enjoy here at home. The Buy BC website was created to help us select fresh-tasting, high-quality products that are grown, raised and made in BC.
For producers: all producers, processors, retailers, farmers' markets and industry associations can apply to get the Buy BC logo and add it to your packaging and marketing material for free.
For consumers: The Made in CA website lists Canadian-produced product in one place, enabling you to support Canadian businesses and workers. Made in CA have put together a shopping list to source grocery items and brands produced and manufactured right here in Canada. Read more here.
For producers and manufacturers: If you produce or manufacture product and can ship across Canada, consider submitting your business listing here.
To help make sure your business has the information it needs to face the economic and trade uncertainty, the Development Bank of Canada has prepared a list of resources to help you better understand the situation and its impact. Resources and webinars include:
- Running your Business in 2025: Building Resilience in a Changing World;
- The Impact of Potential Tariffs: How to get your Business Ready;
- How to Manage the Impact of Potential Tariffs on your Supply Chains; and more.
Read more here.
If you’re a Canadian exporter, or a company that supplies exporters, please contact Export Development Canada to help guide you with:
- Managing the volatility in the Canadian dollar exchange rage
- Access more working capital to manage existing contracts
- Protect against supply chain disruptions
- Make informed business decisions with US market intelligence
Visit the EDC site here.
Explore Canadian supply chain options through Canada's Business Registries website.
Export Navigator is a program that helps B.C. businesses diversify and grow by guiding them through the export process. Participating businesses are paired with community-based advisors who provide free support and ongoing guidance.
Linking your B.C. business to the global value chain allows you to reach new markets, bringing your products or services to the rest of the world. Trade and Invest B.C. can help you find the resources, connections, and information you need to effectively level-up your business to play at the global level.
View more here.
Providing information on imports into Canada, exports from Canada, Tariff rules and regulations, trade agreements, and more. View the website here.
This service helps you navigate disruptions and provides support caused by USA tariffs. View the website here.