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.

NEWS UPDATES ▼

Programs We’re Tracking

Canada’s trade environment is changing quickly — and so are the programs available to help Canadian businesses respond.

We’re tracking federal funding, financing and market-diversification programs that may help Canadian businesses manage tariff pressures, strengthen domestic supply chains, improve productivity and reach new markets.

Status Guide: 🟢 Open / Available · 🔵 New / Expanded · 🟡 Announced / Details Pending · ⚫ Closed

Last updated: September 9, 2026 (08:39 PT)

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

🟢 OPEN

Up to $3 Million in Non-Repayable Support

Canada has significantly expanded the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to help businesses affected by tariffs and global trade disruption.

Canada’s Regional Development Agencies are now delivering $3.45 billion through the initiative to help businesses address liquidity pressures, strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets and build greater resilience.

Eligible businesses may receive up to $3 million in non-repayable support, including up to $2 million for demonstrated liquidity needs.

Funding may support:

Market Diversification • Productivity • Business Pivots • Capital Investment • Supply-Chain Resilience • Liquidity

British Columbia

In B.C., the program is administered by PacifiCan, which is now accepting applications under the expanded program.

Across Canada

Businesses outside B.C. can access RTRI through their respective Regional Development Agency:

PrairiesCan — Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
FedDev Ontario — Southern Ontario
FedNor — Northern Ontario
CED — Quebec
ACOA — Atlantic Canada
CanNor — Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

This is currently one of the most important federal programs for Canadian SMEs affected by changing trade conditions — particularly companies seeking to reduce dependence on a single market or invest in new domestic and international opportunities.

→ CHECK ELIGIBILITY / APPLY

Canada Strong Diversification Fund

🟡 NEW

$2 Billion for Business Diversification

The federal government has launched the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, backed by an additional $2 billion and administered through the Strategic Response Fund.

The fund is designed to help tariff-affected Canadian businesses undertake investments that allow them to adapt, remain competitive and diversify.

The initiative is expected to support shovel-ready projects, including ongoing capital maintenance and projects undertaken by medium-sized businesses.

Regional Development Agencies will work with the program on project intake and triage.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

This could become an important source of capital for Canadian manufacturers and established businesses investing in technology, equipment, production capacity and other infrastructure required to reach new markets.

WATCH FOR: Detailed eligibility and application requirements.

→ LEARN MORE

BDC — Pivot to Grow

🟢 EXPANDED

Liquidity for Tariff-Affected Canadian Businesses

The federal government has added a new $500 million liquidity stream to BDC’s Pivot to Grow program to help Canadian SMEs experiencing cash-flow pressures related to U.S. tariffs.

The expanded support includes:

$250,000–$5 Million Loans • Up to 36 Months Interest-Only • Simplified Application Process

Access to BDC tariff-related programs has also been broadened by lowering the minimum annual revenue requirement to $1 million.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

Diversification takes time. This program is particularly important because it can help businesses manage immediate cash-flow pressure while implementing longer-term changes.

→ EXPLORE BDC SUPPORT

Strategic Response Fund (SRF)

🟢 ACTIVE

Large-Scale Investment, Transformation & Diversification

The Strategic Response Fund supports major Canadian projects involving industrial transformation, innovation, modernization and market diversification.

The federal government committed $5 billion over six years to help tariff-affected businesses adapt, diversify and grow.

Projects may include:

Retooling • Modernization • Technology Adoption • New Markets • Domestic Capacity • Supply-Chain Resilience

The program is primarily designed for large-scale projects, generally involving projects above $20 million and federal contributions of $10 million or more.

The new Canada Strong Diversification Fund is being administered through the SRF.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

This is potentially significant for larger Canadian manufacturers and businesses planning substantial investments in new production, technology or markets.

→ EXPLORE THE STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND

EDC — Trade Impact Program

🟢 ACTIVE

$5 Billion to Help Canadian Exporters

Export Development Canada’s Trade Impact Program is deploying $5 billion over two years to help Canadian exporters manage trade disruption and pursue new markets.

Support can include:

Working Capital • Financing • Credit Insurance • Risk Management • International Expansion

The program can also help companies manage non-payment risk, currency volatility, cash-flow constraints and barriers associated with international expansion.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

Finding a new market is only part of diversification. Canadian companies also need the financing and risk-management capacity to successfully enter and operate in those markets.

→ EXPLORE EDC SUPPORT

CanExport SMEs

🔴 INTAKE CLOSED

International Market Development

CanExport SMEs helps eligible Canadian small and medium-sized businesses share the cost of developing new international markets.

For the 2026–27 intake, successful projects could receive up to $50,000 toward eligible international business-development activities.

The 2026–27 application intake closed August 31, 2026.

Applications are not currently being accepted.

WHY WE’RE STILL TRACKING IT

CanExport remains one of Canada’s most directly relevant programs for SMEs planning international expansion.

Businesses considering the next intake should begin identifying target markets and developing their market-entry strategy now.

WATCH FOR: Announcement of the next application window.

→ MONITOR CANEXPORT

AgriMarketing — Market Diversification for SMEs

🟢 OPEN

New Markets for Canadian Agriculture & Food Businesses

This targeted Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada initiative helps eligible agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, fish and seafood SMEs expand into new international and interprovincial markets.

Eligible projects may receive federal contributions covering up to 70% of eligible project costs, generally with a federal contribution of less than $100,000.

Priority is being placed on sectors affected by tariffs and trade disruption and projects targeting new or non-traditional markets.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

This program directly connects federal funding with the objective at the heart of this Hub: helping Canadian businesses reduce market dependence and reach new customers.

→ CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility

🟢 ACTIVE

Liquidity for Large Canadian Enterprises

The $10 billion Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility provides financing to large Canadian companies affected by actual or potential tariffs and countermeasures.

The program has been expanded to provide greater flexibility, including:

Up to 36 Months of Liquidity Needs • Loan Terms Up to 15 Years

The facility is administered through the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

Although intended for large enterprises, keeping major Canadian manufacturers and exporters operating can protect entire domestic supply chains — including the SMEs that supply them.

→ LEARN MORE

Canada Small Business Financing Program

🟢 ACTIVE

Financing for Small Business Investment

The Canada Small Business Financing Program helps eligible small businesses obtain financing by sharing lending risk with participating financial institutions.

Financing can support eligible investments including:

Equipment • Leasehold Improvements • Working Capital • Intangible Assets • Intellectual Property

This is not specifically a tariff-relief program, but it may be useful to businesses financing investments required to adapt, modernize or enter new markets.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

Diversification frequently requires investment before new revenue begins. Existing financing programs can therefore play an important role alongside tariff-specific programs.

→ EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Rapid Response Supports for Workers & Employers

🟡 NEW

$3.5 Billion in Worker & Employer Support

The federal government has announced $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers affected by tariffs and trade disruption.

Measures include expanded income and training supports and a new Workforce Retention and Retraining Program intended to help employers retain and retrain workers during periods of reduced activity.

WHY WE’RE TRACKING IT

Businesses pivoting into new markets need to retain skilled employees. Workforce support can be as important as financing when companies are restructuring, introducing technology or developing new products.

WATCH FOR: Detailed program eligibility and application information.

→ LEARN MORE

Provincial & Regional Programs

🔵 TRACKING NATIONWIDE

Federal programs are only part of the picture.

We are also monitoring trade diversification, export development, productivity and tariff-response initiatives across:

British Columbia • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba • Ontario • Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland & Labrador • Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut

As significant new provincial or territorial programs become available, we’ll add them here.

What Should Businesses Be Doing Now?

DON’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT.

Businesses considering diversification should be prepared to answer four questions:

Where are you exposed?

Identify dependence on individual countries, customers, suppliers or distribution channels.

Where could you grow?

Identify realistic Canadian, interprovincial and international markets.

What investment is required?

Consider technology, equipment, production capacity, certification, product adaptation, marketing, logistics and distribution.

What changes as a result?

Be prepared to demonstrate measurable outcomes — new markets, increased productivity, Canadian jobs, stronger supply chains or reduced dependence on vulnerable markets.

The strongest funding applications start with a credible diversification strategy — not a search for a grant.

We’re Tracking the Changes

Canada’s response to changing global trade conditions is evolving rapidly. Programs can open, close or change eligibility with little notice.

The Canadian Trade Diversification Hub will continue tracking funding opportunities, financing programs and policy changes that may help Canadian businesses adapt, diversify and reach new markets.

KNOW OF A PROGRAM WE SHOULD BE TRACKING?

→ LET US KNOW

Information is provided for general informational purposes only. Program availability, eligibility and terms can change. Businesses should confirm current requirements directly with the administering government department, agency or financial institution before applying.

Don’t See a Program That Fits Your Business?

Canada’s trade-diversification response is evolving quickly.

We update this page as new programs, eligibility requirements, application openings, funding opportunities 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 any provincial government.

Program availability, eligibility, funding and deadlines may change. Always confirm current information directly with the responsible government department or agency.

Why Picturethis3D Is Tracking These Programs

Trade diversification is not simply about shipping Canadian products to another country.

Manufacturers entering new markets also need new ways to present, demonstrate, configure and sell their products without establishing expensive physical distribution or showroom infrastructure in every market.

Picturethis3D’s Spatial Commerce platform is designed to help manufacturers place products directly inside an accurate digital version of the customer’s actual property.

That creates a different route to market:

Digitize once. Reach customers across Canada and beyond.

For manufacturers of furniture, cabinetry, lighting, appliances, flooring, building products and other property-related goods, Spatial Commerce can potentially complement government-funded investments in:

  • market diversification;
  • digital transformation;
  • export development;
  • commercialization;
  • product catalogues;
  • e-commerce; and
  • new-market entry.

You are already investing in production and market diversification. Picturethis3D can help build the digital route to the customers those investments are intended to reach.

Program information is provided for general informational purposes and is subject to change. Eligibility and funding decisions are determined solely by the applicable government agency or program administrator.

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