Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced that Northern Ontario businesses can now apply to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — a targeted program built to help SMEs respond to global shocks and build for the future.
To strengthen this support, the Government of Canda doubled the RTRI national investment from $450 million to $1 billion over three years. Delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies, this investment will help boost productivity, diversify markets, strengthen supply chains, and grow domestic trade, helping businesses stay competitive and resilient in a shifting global landscape.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Digitization, automation or technology integration investments that enhance SME productivity and competitiveness.
- Market diagnostics, development and expansion activities to support SMEs , including participation in trade missions, diversify their customer base and reduce exposure.
- Establishing strategic alliances, optimizing supply chain logistics, and ensuring compliance with standards, to enhance global and/or domestic presence, thereby reducing dependence on suppliers and customers.
- Strengthening domestic supply chains and facilitating internal trade to enhance the resilience and reliability of domestic markets.
- Business support, market development in all markets, and guidance services, e.g., advice for SMEs from a sectoral intermediary organization.
- Reshoring or onshoring of production, research and development mandates and/or highly qualified personnel/expertise to the region.
For more information visit the website: Regional Tariff Response Initiative