NEWS FROM RIGHT HERE
September 24, 2026
TARIFFS
Trade tensions and tariff measures can have significant impacts on businesses, their supply chains and their competitiveness.
To help you navigate this period, the SDC District Central has brought together on this page the main support programs, financial resources and advisory services available to businesses.
Identify your needs and explore available programs, resources and support services
To help you identify the resources that apply to your situation, start by asking yourself: what do you need today?
Then explore the sections below that address your needs.
*Programs, resources and support measures are actively monitored on an ongoing basis. This list is therefore subject to change without notice to ensure it remains relevant.
Guidance and Support
Programs, resources and services providing guidance and support, including consulting services, specialized advice and expert support.
- Trade Resilience – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
At least 15% of sales come from exports to the United States; or revenues have decreased or costs have increased by at least 10% due to U.S. tariffs; or the business demonstrates a significant likelihood of being negatively affected by tariffs or the uncertainty they may create. Annual revenue of at least $1 million. - EDC Trade Impact Program – Federal
The Trade Impact Program supports Canadian exporters (direct, indirect and prospective), as well as businesses that provide products and services to exporters facing tariff pressures and trade uncertainty. - Programme Panorama – Investissement Québec (French)
Established businesses looking to diversify their markets beyond Quebec - Programme Grand V – Investissement Québec (French)
Businesses looking to invest in and accelerate their transition toward innovation and sustainable productivity to drive growth. - Service d'aide à l'exportation - Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent (French)
A rapid assessment to evaluate your level of exposure to U.S. trade measures and quickly identify the key issues and relevant courses of action for your business.
Funding and cash flow
Programs, resources and services providing financial support, including loans, lines of credit, working capital, refinancing, loan guarantees and crisis assistance.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Federal
Enhanced in 2026, this program supports Quebec SMEs affected by current trade disruptions, helping them remain competitive and resilient. It includes targeted support for projects led by SMEs in Canada’s steel sector. - Pivot to Grow Program – Federal
Enhanced in 2026, this program supports Quebec SMEs affected by current trade disruptions, helping them remain competitive and resilient. It includes targeted support for projects led by SMEs in Canada’s steel sector. - Steel and Aluminium Industries Support Program – Federal
Manufacturers of steel, aluminum, copper and fabricated products, or products composed primarily or entirely of steel, aluminum and copper; at least three years in operation and annual revenue of at least $1 million. - Forestry Support Program – Federal
Forestry manufacturing businesses—including sawmills, secondary processing facilities, pulp and paper mills, and manufacturers of finished wood products—as well as forestry service companies, including logging and wood transportation businesses; at least three years in operation and annual revenue of at least $1 million. - Strategic Response Fund (SRF) – Federal
The FRS supports projects in three key priority areas: responding to tariffs, innovation, and addressing AI computing capacity challenges. - Tariff Support for Canadian Companies EDC – Federal
The Trade Impact Program supports Canadian exporters (direct, indirect and prospective), as well as businesses that provide products and services to exporters facing tariff pressures and trade uncertainty. - Programme d’aide d’urgence aux petites et moyennes entreprises (PAUPME) : Tarifs douaniers – PME MTL (French)
Quebec for-profit SMEs and social economy enterprises that generated between $200,000 and $2 million in the most recent fiscal year, can demonstrate that at least 25% of their 2024 revenue came directly or indirectly from exports to the United States, and can demonstrate that they are affected by U.S. tariffs. (Other criteria apply.) - Fonds offensif pour le renforcement des capacités économiques (FORCE) – Provincial (French)
Manufacturing or primary-sector businesses whose exports to the United States are subject to any new U.S. tariff of at least 25% that came into effect on or after March 4, 2025. - Support for agriculture industries impacted by trade disruptions – Federal
Nine programs designed to support businesses in the agriculture and agri-food sectors. - Fonds PME MTL and Fonds locaux de solidarité Montréal - PME MTL
The PME MTL Fund, whose eligibility criteria have been relaxed, provides access to financial resources. At the same time, a six-month moratorium on principal and interest payments is in place for portfolio companies affected by these measures. An exceptional extension of repayment periods beyond 84 months will also be possible.
Importing, exporting and market diversification
Programs, resources and services providing support for importing, exporting and market diversification, including new market development, trade missions, e-commerce and market intelligence.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Federal
Enhanced in 2026, this program supports Quebec SMEs affected by current trade disruptions, helping them remain competitive and resilient. It includes targeted support for projects led by SMEs in Canada’s steel sector. - Pivot to Grow Program – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Businesses directly affected by tariffs, regardless of sector. - Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S. – Federal
Canadian importers facing exceptional circumstances. - Tariff Support for Canadian Companies EDC – Federal
The Trade Impact Program supports Canadian exporters (direct, indirect and prospective), as well as businesses that provide products and services to exporters facing tariff pressures and trade uncertainty. - Programme Panorama – Investissement Québec (French)
Established businesses looking to diversify their markets beyond Quebec. - CanExport PME – Federal
For businesses with significant economic ties to Canada, the capacity to grow internationally, and a clear plan to export Canadian goods and services. - Duties Relief Program (CBSA)
The business must import commercial goods under one of the following conditions: the goods are subsequently exported in the same condition; or they are used to produce other goods intended for export. - Drawback Program - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Businesses that import commercial goods that are subsequently exported in the same condition; import goods used to produce other goods intended for export; or where imported goods are destroyed because they are obsolete or surplus, or processed into goods that become obsolete or surplus. - Service d'aide à l'exportation - Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent (French)
A rapid assessment to evaluate your level of exposure to U.S. trade measures and quickly identify the key issues and relevant courses of action for your business. - PSCE Volet 2 : la diversification et la consolidation sur les marchés hors Québec – Investissement Québec (French)
Businesses registered in Quebec that have an establishment there and are actively operating in the province, with annual revenue of more than $1 million and up to $5 million.
Innovation and productivity
Programs, resources and services providing support for innovation and productivity, including research and development, product development, clean technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
- Strategic Response Fund (SRF) – Federal
The FRS supports projects in three key priority areas: responding to tariffs, innovation, and addressing AI computing capacity challenges. - Programme Grand V – Investissement Québec (French)
Businesses looking to invest in and accelerate their transition toward innovation and sustainable productivity to drive growth. - ESSOR volet 2 : Chantier productivité – Investissement Québec (French)
For-profit businesses and social economy enterprises with investment projects focused on productivity and expansion.
Investment and growth
Programs, resources and services providing support for investment and growth, including equipment purchases, expansions, modernization, automation and digital transformation.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Federal
Enhanced in 2026, this program supports Quebec SMEs affected by current trade disruptions, helping them remain competitive and resilient. It includes targeted support for projects led by SMEs in Canada’s steel sector. - Pivot to Grow Program – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Businesses directly affected by tariffs, regardless of sector. - Fonds PME MTL and Fonds locaux de solidarité Montréal - PME MTL
The PME MTL Fund, whose eligibility criteria have been relaxed, provides access to financial resources. At the same time, a six-month moratorium on principal and interest payments is in place for portfolio companies affected by these measures. An exceptional extension of repayment periods beyond 84 months will also be possible.
Workforce
Programs, resources and services providing workforce support, including employee retention, recruitment, training and immigration.
- Support for workers impacted by tariffs – Federal
Any employer that needs help minimizing job losses, as well as employees who need to acquire new skills or extend their Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. - Support for forest sector employers and workers – Federal
Sawmills and wood products businesses affected by tariffs. - *New* Workforce Retention and Retraining Program (WRRP) – Federal
The new program extends Work-Sharing flexibility measures until March 31, 2028, allows agreements of up to 152 weeks, and provides up to $1,000 per participant for employee training and reskilling.
Business succession and transfer
Programs, resources and services providing support for business succession and transfers, including buying, selling and transferring a business.
- Fonds PME MTL and Fonds locaux de solidarité Montréal - PME MTL
The PME MTL Fund, whose eligibility criteria have been relaxed, provides access to financial resources. At the same time, a six-month moratorium on principal and interest payments is in place for portfolio companies affected by these measures. An exceptional extension of repayment periods beyond 84 months will also be possible.
Transition and resilience
Programs, resources and services providing support for transition and resilience, including adapting to tariffs and trade barriers, deferrals, remissions, exemptions and refunds of duties, supplier relocation, risk management and sustainable development.
- Pivot to Grow Program – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Businesses directly affected by tariffs, regardless of sector. - Trade Resilience – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
At least 15% of sales come from exports to the United States; or revenues have decreased or costs have increased by at least 10% due to U.S. tariffs; or the business demonstrates a significant likelihood of being negatively affected by tariffs or the uncertainty they may create. Annual revenue of at least $1 million. - Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S. – Federal
Canadian importers facing exceptional circumstances. - Duties Relief Program (CBSA)
The business must import commercial goods under one of the following conditions: the goods are subsequently exported in the same condition; or they are used to produce other goods intended for export. - Drawback Program - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Businesses that import commercial goods that are subsequently exported in the same condition; import goods used to produce other goods intended for export; or where imported goods are destroyed because they are obsolete or surplus, or processed into goods that become obsolete or surplus. - Customs bonded warehouses - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Businesses that: import goods into Canada for storage or to undergo minor handling; consolidate imported and domestic goods for export or for sale in the Canadian market; import goods for display at conventions, exhibitions or trade shows and export them after the events; or help facilitate the movement of goods into and out of the North American market.
Contact the SDC with any questions or if you need guidance. Our team can help direct you to the programs and partners that are most relevant to your situation.
- Myriam D. Jutras, Project Manager – Connector of Opportunities, [email protected] / 514 912-7154
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