Trade Diversification Hub

Canadian trade is changing quickly

The Canadian Trade Diversification Hub tracks consequential developments affecting Canadian manufacturers, retailers and businesses seeking new markets.

We focus on what matters: tariffs, trade agreements, export programs, government incentives, international market opportunities and technologies that can help Canadian businesses diversify.

Not just what happened. Why it matters—and what Canadian businesses can do next.

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Programs We’re Tracking

Canadian businesses are navigating a rapidly changing trade environment. We are tracking programs that may help businesses diversify markets, adopt technology, improve productivity, protect jobs and respond to tariff-related disruption.

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Last updated: August 29, 2026

🔴 CanExport SMEs

STATUS: APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR NON-U.S. MARKETS

Eligible Canadian SMEs can apply for $10,000 to $50,000 toward international business-development activities in new markets. For 2026–27, the program has an increased emphasis on trade diversification.

Deadline: August 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Funding allocated to new U.S.-market projects has already been fully committed, so new applications targeting the United States are no longer being accepted. The 2026–27 program also increased minimum eligibility to 3 full-time employees and $300,000 in annual revenue.

Official CanExport SMEs information

🟢 Regional Tariff Response Initiative BC

STATUS: ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

PacifiCan is accepting applications from eligible B.C. businesses affected, or highly likely to be affected, by ongoing trade disruptions.

Eligible activities specifically include digitization, automation and technology adoption, productivity improvements, developing and expanding markets, finding new customers, supply-chain optimization and strengthening domestic trade.

Businesses can qualify through significant U.S./China sales exposure or through demonstrated/high-likelihood exposure to ongoing trade disruptions. Eligible businesses must be incorporated and staffed in B.C. and generally require at least two complete years of externally prepared/reviewed financial statements.

Official PacifiCan RTRI information

🟢 BDC Pivot to Grow


STATUS: FINANCING AVAILABLE

BDC has expanded Pivot to Grow to help Canadian businesses respond to tariffs, preserve cash flow, strengthen supply chains, invest in equipment and pursue new markets.

The program offers financing of up to $5 million under its general Pivot to Grow offering. A new tariff-response liquidity stream announced August 25 starts at $250,000 for eligible Canadian businesses affected by the latest U.S. tariffs.

Official BDC Pivot to Grow information

🟢 EDC Trade Impact Program


STATUS: AVAILABLE — SUPPORT EXPANDED

Export Development Canada’s Trade Impact Program provides financing, insurance and other solutions to Canadian exporters dealing with tariffs, trade uncertainty and changing supply chains.

On August 27, EDC announced that it was expanding the program to reach more Canadian businesses, particularly SMEs affected by the latest U.S. tariffs.

Official EDC Trade Impact Program update

🟡 Canada Strong Diversification Fund


STATUS: ANNOUNCED — APPLICATION DETAILS PENDING

The Government of Canada announced a new $2-billion Canada Strong Diversification Fund on August 25 as part of its latest tariff-response package.

The fund is intended to support tariff-affected businesses with investment-ready projects and advance Canadian industrial and trade diversification.

Detailed eligibility requirements and application information have not yet been released.

We will update this page when the government publishes the application process.

Canada Strong Diversification Fund

🟢 Work-Sharing Tariff Special Measures

STATUS: AVAILABLE — EXTENDED TO MARCH 31, 2027

Canada’s Work-Sharing Program can help eligible employers avoid layoffs when business activity temporarily declines for reasons beyond their control.

Special measures introduced in response to tariffs have now been extended through March 31, 2027.

Eligible employees who agree to reduced working hours can receive Employment Insurance benefits while their employer recovers.

Official Work-Sharing Program information

🟡 Worker Retention & Retraining


STATUS: NEW SUPPORTS DEVELOPING

The federal government’s August 25 tariff-response package includes $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, including measures intended to help employers retain and retrain workers affected by trade disruption.

Additional implementation details are still emerging.

Businesses should not assume funding is available to them under this new measure until specific eligibility and application requirements are published.

Official federal tariff-response information

🟢 Tariff Remission

STATUS: AVAILABLE IN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Canadian businesses importing goods from the United States may qualify for tariff relief in specified circumstances.

Existing remission covers certain identified products and uses. Where existing relief does not apply, businesses may also request exceptional remission from Canadian counter-tariffs.

Eligibility depends on the goods and circumstances involved, so businesses should verify the applicable tariff classification and remission rules before applying.

Official Government of Canada tariff-relief information

🔵 Sector-Specific Support

STATUS: MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE OR DEVELOPING

Additional federal assistance is available or being developed for industries particularly affected by trade disruption, including steel and aluminum, forestry and agri-food.

For example, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative includes dedicated national funding envelopes for SMEs affected by steel, aluminum and copper tariffs, the forest sector and the food sector.

Businesses should check both general diversification programs and assistance specific to their industry.

Don’t see a program that fits your business?

Canada’s diversification response is evolving quickly. We will update this page as new programs, application details and deadlines are announced.

Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

Important

Picturethis3D provides this information as a service to Canadian businesses. We are an independent Canadian technology company and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada or the Government of British Columbia. Program availability, eligibility, funding and deadlines may change. Always confirm current information directly with the responsible government department or agency.

    Get notified when consequential new developments affect Canadian trade, market diversification, tariffs, funding programs and international opportunities.

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    PROGRAMS WE’RE TRACKING ▲

      Get notified when consequential new developments affect Canadian trade, market diversification, tariffs, funding programs and international opportunities.