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 ▼

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Programs We’re Tracking

Programs We’re Watching

Funding, Financing & Opportunities for Canadian Businesses

Updated October 9, 2026

Canada’s trade landscape is changing. New government programs, financing initiatives and industry-support measures are creating opportunities for Canadian businesses to adapt, innovate, strengthen domestic supply chains and develop new markets.

The Canadian Trade Diversification Hub tracks significant federal, provincial, territorial and regional initiatives that can help Canadian businesses respond to trade disruption and build long-term competitiveness.

Our focus is on programs that support:

• Trade diversification: Finding new customers and reducing dependence on individual export markets.
• Productivity and innovation: Investing in technology, automation, manufacturing capacity and operational efficiency.
• Financing and business resilience: Accessing capital to manage tariff pressures, maintain operations and support expansion.
• Canadian supply chains: Increasing domestic sourcing, manufacturing and interprovincial trade.
• Workforce development: Retaining, retraining and preparing Canadian workers for changing industry requirements.
• Emerging markets: Identifying opportunities in defence, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and strategic industries.

Program availability, eligibility and funding are subject to change. Businesses should confirm requirements directly with the administering organization before applying.

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Federal Programs — Canada-Wide Opportunities

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

STATUS: ACTIVE — REGIONAL APPLICATION INTAKES VARY

Funding envelope: $3.45 billion over four years

Delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies, RTRI supports businesses affected by tariffs and changing international trade conditions.

Funding can help eligible businesses improve productivity, diversify markets, strengthen supply chains, invest in business transformation and address qualifying liquidity pressures.

Application dates, contribution amounts and repayment requirements vary by region.

Who should investigate: Tariff-affected manufacturers, exporters, SMEs and organizations supporting regional business development.

Official program: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/regional-tariff-response-initiative

Canada Strong Diversification Fund

STATUS: OPEN — CONTINUOUS EXPRESSION-OF-INTEREST INTAKE

Additional federal investment: $2 billion

Delivered through the Strategic Response Fund, the Canada Strong Diversification Fund supports businesses facing significant impacts from U.S. tariffs.

Two funding streams address business adaptation and diversification, as well as capital maintenance to preserve existing operations and productive capacity.

Expressions of interest are accepted until available funding is committed.

Who should investigate: Tariff-affected businesses undertaking qualifying investment, adaptation, diversification or capital-maintenance projects.

Official program: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund/tariff-relief-canada-strong-diversification-fund

BDC — Pivot to Grow

STATUS: ACTIVE — CONTACT BDC FOR CURRENT FINANCING AVAILABILITY

The Business Development Bank of Canada offers financing and advisory support to help eligible businesses respond to tariff disruption and changing market conditions.

A further $500 million liquidity stream was announced in August 2026 to address immediate cash-flow pressures. The government also announced broader access to tariff-related BDC programs by lowering the minimum annual revenue threshold to $1 million.

Financing may help qualifying businesses stabilize operations, invest in productivity and pursue new markets.

Who should investigate: Established Canadian SMEs experiencing trade-related financial pressures or planning business transformation.

Official information: https://www.bdc.ca/

Strategic Response Fund (SRF)

STATUS: ACTIVE — PROJECT ELIGIBILITY AND INTAKE DEPEND ON FUNDING STREAM

The Strategic Response Fund supports major industrial projects that strengthen Canada’s competitiveness, manufacturing capacity and strategic supply chains.

Relevant investments may include industrial transformation, technology adoption, commercialization, capacity expansion and diversification.

The Canada Strong Diversification Fund operates through the SRF framework.

Who should investigate: Canadian businesses proposing significant industrial investment projects.

Official information: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/

EDC — Trade Impact Program

STATUS: ACTIVE — FINANCING AND RISK-SUPPORT AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO ASSESSMENT

Export Development Canada’s Trade Impact Program helps eligible Canadian businesses manage international trade uncertainty and strengthen their ability to compete.

EDC support can include financing, credit insurance, guarantees and other trade-related financial solutions, depending on eligibility and individual business circumstances.

Who should investigate: Exporters, businesses entering international markets and Canadian companies exposed to trade-related financial risks.

Official information: https://www.edc.ca/

CanExport SMEs

STATUS: GENERAL APPLICATION INTAKE CLOSED — MONITORING REOPENING

CanExport SMEs supports eligible Canadian businesses seeking to develop new international export markets.

Eligible activities may include market research, business-development travel, trade events, translation and market-entry initiatives, subject to program rules.

The general intake is currently closed. Separate government-led delegation opportunities may have their own application periods.

Who should investigate: Export-ready Canadian SMEs planning international market expansion.

Official information: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/

AgriMarketing — Market Diversification for SMEs

STATUS: VERIFY CURRENT INTAKE BEFORE APPLYING

This federal initiative supports eligible small and medium-sized agricultural and agri-food businesses seeking to develop or diversify markets.

Activities may include export promotion, market development and initiatives that strengthen international commercial opportunities.

Funding limits, eligible expenses and intake periods are determined by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Who should investigate: Canadian agricultural producers, processors and agri-food SMEs.

Official information: https://agriculture.canada.ca/

Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility

STATUS: ACTIVE FEDERAL TARIFF-RESPONSE MEASURE — CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR

The Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility provides financing support for qualifying large Canadian businesses experiencing significant tariff-related financial disruption.

Federal enhancements announced in August 2026 introduced additional flexibility.

Financing is subject to eligibility, financial assessment and facility requirements.

Who should investigate: Large Canadian employers and enterprises materially affected by tariffs.

Official information: https://www.ceefc-cfuec.ca/

Canada Small Business Financing Program

STATUS: ONGOING — AVAILABLE THROUGH PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

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

Eligible financing can support qualifying equipment, real property, leasehold improvements, intangible assets and working-capital needs, subject to program rules.

Although not exclusively a tariff-response program, it remains relevant to businesses investing in productivity, modernization and growth.

Who should investigate: Canadian small businesses seeking financing for eligible capital and operating investments.

Official information: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/

Workforce Retention and Retraining Program (WRRP)

STATUS: ANNOUNCED — VERIFY IMPLEMENTATION AND APPLICATION DETAILS

The federal Workforce Retention and Retraining Program is intended to help employers facing economic challenges retain employees while providing opportunities for retraining.

The announced model includes support for employers whose participating workers agree to temporarily reduced hours, with training assistance of up to $1,000 per participating employee.

Who should investigate: Employers facing tariff-related disruption who want to preserve employment and develop workforce skills.

Official information: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/canadastrong.html

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Regional Development & Emerging Industry Opportunities

Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)

STATUS: ACTIVE — REGIONAL INTAKES VARY

National funding envelope: $379.2 million over three years

The Regional Defence Investment Initiative supports Canadian businesses and regional innovation ecosystems seeking to participate in domestic and international defence supply chains.

Potential areas of investment include advanced manufacturing, commercialization, equipment, productivity, technology development and supply-chain integration.

Businesses developing technologies with both civilian and defence applications may find opportunities through this initiative.

Who should investigate: Manufacturers, engineering firms, technology developers and businesses seeking to diversify into defence-related markets.

Official information: https://www.canada.ca/en.html

Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

STATUS: SUPPLIER QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITY — VERIFY SOLICITATION DETAILS

The Government of Canada has reopened qualification opportunities associated with its Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace.

The initiative may provide opportunities for Canadian businesses offering autonomous systems, engineering, communications, related technologies and specialized services.

This is a federal procurement opportunity, not a grant or guaranteed contract.

Who should investigate: Canadian defence-technology businesses, manufacturers and qualified suppliers.

Official procurement portal: https://canadabuys.canada.ca/

Regional Innovation & Productivity Programs

STATUS: ONGOING — AVAILABILITY VARIES BY REGION

Canada’s regional development agencies administer programs supporting business scale-up, technology adoption, innovation, productivity and regional economic development.

Businesses should investigate opportunities through the agency serving their location:

• British Columbia: Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
• Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
• Southern Ontario: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
• Northern Ontario: Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
• Quebec: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
• Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
• Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Official regional program directory: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/regional-development-agencies

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Provincial Programs — Opportunities Worth Investigating

British Columbia — Regional Tariff Response Initiative

STATUS: ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Delivered by PacifiCan, the expanded RTRI provides tariff-affected B.C. businesses with access to support for liquidity, business adaptation and market diversification.

Eligible businesses may access up to $3 million in non-repayable support, comprising up to $2 million for liquidity and up to $1 million for qualifying pivot projects. Larger transformation projects may qualify for repayable contributions.

Official information: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html

Alberta — Industry Skills Grant

STATUS: OPEN — DEADLINE OCTOBER 30, 2026

The Alberta Industry Skills Grant supports industry-driven training initiatives that address workforce and skills shortages.

The current competitive intake offers funding ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million per project.

Projects must demonstrate broader industry benefits rather than simply covering routine training costs for an individual employer.

Who should investigate: Industry associations, employers, training organizations and eligible partnerships developing sector-wide workforce initiatives.

Official information: https://www.alberta.ca/

Alberta — Northern and Regional Economic Development Program

STATUS: OPEN — DEADLINE NOVEMBER 19, 2026

Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development Program supports projects that strengthen regional economic diversification, business development and investment readiness.

Eligible organizations may receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $300,000, subject to contribution limits.

Individual for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply directly.

Who should investigate: Municipalities, Indigenous communities and eligible nonprofit economic-development organizations.

Official information: https://www.alberta.ca/

Manitoba — Trade Resilience Loan Program

STATUS: OPEN — CONTINUOUS INTAKE

This provincial program offers working-capital financing to eligible Manitoba businesses affected by U.S. tariffs or Canadian countermeasures.

Repayable loans range from $100,000 to $1 million, subject to eligibility and program requirements.

Who should investigate: Established Manitoba businesses facing qualifying tariff-related financial pressures.

Official information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/

Manitoba — Trade Growth Investment Financing Program

STATUS: OPEN — CONTINUOUS INTAKE

Manitoba’s Trade Growth Investment Financing Program supports productivity-enhancing capital investments and business expansion.

Eligible projects may receive repayable loans of $250,000 to $5 million, subject to project-cost and applicant-contribution requirements.

Who should investigate: Manitoba SMEs investing in equipment, facilities, information technology and other qualifying productivity improvements.

Official information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/

Manitoba — Export Development Program

STATUS: OPEN — SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE FUNDING

The Manitoba Export Development Program supports eligible businesses undertaking trade shows, trade missions and export-development activities.

Assistance may cover up to 75% of eligible exhibitor costs or 50% of eligible attendee costs, subject to program limits.

Maximum assistance is $20,000 per event and $50,000 per company annually.

Who should investigate: Manitoba SMEs pursuing new domestic and international customers.

Official information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/

Manitoba — Workforce Tariff Response Program

STATUS: OPEN — CONTINUOUS INTAKE

The Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program helps eligible employers affected by tariffs retain and retrain workers.

Support may cover up to 100% of eligible direct training costs, with additional wage assistance potentially available to qualifying employers.

Who should investigate: Manitoba employers adapting to trade disruption and changing workforce requirements.

Official information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/

Nova Scotia — Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive

STATUS: OPEN — DEADLINE OCTOBER 18, 2026

Nova Scotia’s Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive supports eligible training initiatives that improve workforce skills, technology adoption and business productivity.

Qualifying applicants may receive funding covering up to 75% of eligible training costs.

Who should investigate: Nova Scotia businesses, industry associations and sector organizations investing in workforce development.

Official information: https://novascotia.ca/

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Additional Provincial & Territorial Programs We’re Monitoring

Trade diversification is not limited to programs specifically labelled as tariff relief.

We are also monitoring funding and economic-development initiatives across Canada that support manufacturing, exports, business expansion, productivity, regional investment and workforce adaptation.

Ontario: Manufacturing modernization, investment attraction, regional development and workforce training.

Quebec: Export diversification, industrial productivity, business financing and manufacturing transformation.

Saskatchewan: Export development, agricultural diversification, manufacturing and investment expansion.

New Brunswick: Export readiness, productivity, manufacturing growth and workforce development.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Business expansion, innovation, export development and regional economic diversification.

Prince Edward Island: Export development, manufacturing productivity, innovation and workforce skills.

Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Northern business development, Indigenous economic participation, infrastructure and regional diversification.

New programs and substantive changes will be highlighted as official information becomes available.

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Emerging Opportunities We’re Watching

Interprovincial Trade & Canadian Supply Chains

Initiatives designed to reduce internal trade barriers, strengthen Canadian procurement and improve the movement of goods and services between provinces.

Defence & Dual-Use Technology

Funding and procurement opportunities for Canadian companies developing technologies with civilian and defence applications, including manufacturing, simulation, digital modelling, engineering and training.

Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

Programs supporting productivity, robotics, artificial intelligence, manufacturing modernization and technology commercialization.

Export Market Diversification

Opportunities supporting entry into markets beyond the United States, including Europe, the Indo-Pacific and other international destinations.

Workforce Retention & Skills Development

Programs that help employers retain skilled workers, retrain employees and prepare for changing technological and industrial requirements.

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Stay Informed

New programs. Changing deadlines. Emerging opportunities.

The Canadian Trade Diversification Hub monitors official announcements and substantive program changes affecting Canadian businesses.

We prioritize updates involving:

• Newly introduced funding and financing programs.
• Application openings, closures and deadlines.
• Changes to funding amounts, eligibility and program terms.
• New export-development and market-diversification opportunities.
• Initiatives strengthening Canadian manufacturing, procurement and supply chains.

Our objective is simple: Help Canadian businesses identify opportunities to adapt, diversify and compete.

Important Notice

This Hub is an independent information resource developed by Picturethis3D. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or administered on behalf of the Government of Canada or any provincial or territorial government.

Program information is provided for general reference. Funding availability, eligibility, application deadlines and program requirements may change without notice.

Always consult the official administering organization before making business or financial decisions.

Picturethis3D — Supporting Canadian innovation, industry and economic diversification.

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PROGRAMS WE’RE TRACKING ▲