On August 25, 2026, the federal government announced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures for tariff-hit workers and businesses. It includes a $1.5 billion boost to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs) to provide liquidity supports to small and medium-sized enterprises, focused on sectors like steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
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Ottawa adds $1.5B to Regional Tariff Response for SME liquidity in $7.5B package
Why this matters for founders
Founders of tariff-exposed SMEs should contact their regional development agency (e.g. FedDev Ontario, PacifiCan, ACOA) now to apply for the new liquidity supports, and check adjacent streams like BDC's Pivot to Grow before cash-flow pressure builds.
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