Help exporters navigate the tariffs by: 

• Understanding how your business is affected; 
• Identifying potential new markets;
• Connecting you with the right contacts to help problem solve; and,
• Finding potential partners and opportunities in new markets.
  https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/united-states-of-america-etats-unis-amerique/tariff-challenges-defis-droits-douane.aspx?lang=eng#resources

This provides Canadian companies with tools and guidance to address U.S. tariffs and navigate trade challenges.  Key sections include:  

• What are tariffs; 
• Canada’s response to the U.S. tariffs;
• Navigating tariffs for businesses; and,
• Understanding USMCA/CUSMA compliance.
  https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/united-states-of-america-etats-unis-amerique/self-serve-resources_ressources-libre-service.aspx?lang=eng

Canada responded to U.S. tariffs with retaliatory measures, imposing a 25% tariff on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with plans for additional tariffs under consultation. Support programs are available for affected businesses and workers, and the government is promoting “Made in Canada” products to encourage domestic consumption. While these measures protect Canadian industries, they may increase costs for consumers and disrupt cross-border trade. Canada continues to advocate for the removal of U.S. tariffs while maintaining its trade relationship with the U.S. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/canadas-response-us-tariffs.html  

The Government of Canada has implemented a comprehensive plan to support businesses and workers affected by U.S. tariffs. Key measures include the Duties Relief and Duty Drawback Programs to reduce tariff costs for exporters, a remission process for exceptional tariff relief, and tax deferrals on corporate income tax and GST/HST remittances until June 30, 2025. Additional support includes resources for exporters, programs for agriculture and agri-food industries, EI Work-Sharing initiatives to prevent layoffs, and temporary EI measures for impacted workers. The government is also deploying new financing facilities, increasing funding to regional development agencies, and developing a national trade corridor to drive investment and growth. Further measures will be introduced as needed to mitigate economic impacts. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/canadas-response-us-tariffs/support-canadian-businesses-workers.html

The Canada Tariff Finder is a free online tool designed for Canadian entrepreneurs to access up-to-date tariff information for countries with which Canada has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).  

https://www.tariffinder.ca/en/ 

ACOA can provide advice and resources and help connect you with the right people.  The goal of this program is to help companies expand into global markets, develop export plans, and attract foreign investment. Through partnerships and the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS), ACOA invests in trade missions, market development, and investment attraction to boost economic growth in the region. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/international-trade-investment.html

The Tariff and Customs Advisory Program (TCAP) offers Atlantic Canadian companies’ expert guidance to manage tariffs, optimize supply chains and stay compliant with trade regulations. This program provides access to expert consultants for a small fee. 

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/169f6fe4fc3b47cc8c73254a75c1feb9

If your business exports to the U.S. and is impacted by U.S. tariffs, or the uncertainty surrounding them, BDC can help. Their Pivot to Grow loan can help boost your cash flow, while your business adapts to a new trading landscape. This program offers flexible financing and advisory services. 

https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pivot-grow-loan

Specifically designed to help Canadian businesses manage the financial challenges caused by tariffs and trade barriers. Key Features: 

• Working Capital Support: Provides loans or guarantees to help businesses manage cash flow disruptions caused by tariffs. 
• Credit Insurance: Protects exporters against non-payment risks when dealing with new or existing buyers in the U.S. or other markets. 
• Market Diversification Support: Helps businesses explore alternative markets outside the U.S., reducing dependency on tariff-affected exports.

https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/trade-support-canadian-companies.html

Providing support for businesses to enable firm-level innovation and remove barriers to growth, through a suite of programs and services, IET international trade professionals works with clients to increase global competitiveness and diversify and expand export opportunities. 

IET also works in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada on trade missions in foreign markets while also capitalizing on the expertise of Trade Commissioners both locally and in-market to support export initiatives and activities. 

https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/iet/1004n01/#:~:text=The%20Small%20Business%20Loan%20Guarantee%20Pilot%20Program,total%20for%20the%20duration%20of%20the%20program 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/managing-supply-chain-risks-2025.html 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/future-of-your-business-in-southeast-asia.html 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/grow-your-global-business-with-canada-trade-team.html 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/key-markets-strategic-trade-diversification.html 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/navigating-tariffs-customs-regulations.html 

https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=1884DB7D-9034-4DF6-B8E8-F4AC8C314573&LangLocaleID=1033&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=SFMC&utm_campaign=25Apr_EXT_TAX_tariff_impact_Responding_with_resilience 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/planning-expansion-changing-global-market.html 

https://www.edc.ca/en/events/webinar/unlock-new-markets-with-mergers-and-acquisitions.html 

The ACOA REGI program aims to foster a dynamic and inclusive economy in Atlantic Canada by supporting businesses and non-profit organizations. It is structured into two funding streams: 

1. Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) – Provides interest-free, unsecured repayment contributions to help businesses expand, adopt new technologies, improve productivity, and access new markets.
2. Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) – Offers non-repayable contributions to non-profits that support business development through accelerators, incubators, and innovation-oriented organizations. Special focus is given to under-represented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, and youth.

https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/regional-economic-growth-through-innovation.html 

The ACOA BDP, supports entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in Atlantic Canada to launch, modernize, and grow their businesses.  

• Support for Entrepreneurs: Interest-free, unsecured repayable funding covering up to 50% of capital needs for business expansion or startup. Additional contributions cover up to 75% of costs for activities like staff training, productivity improvements, marketing, and environmental management systems. 
• Support for Non-Profits: Non-repayable funding for organizations that assist SMEs with business counselling, training, networking, research and development, and technology transfer. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/business-development-program.html 

IRAP offers non-repayable financial support to innovative SMEs engaged in R&D projects aimed at developing new technologies or improving existing ones. 

National Research Council (NRC) – Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)  

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a federal program designed to support large-scale, transformative innovation projects in Canada. Administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), SIF provides funding to businesses—including tech companies—working on projects that foster innovation, create jobs, and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness. 

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) 

The SR&ED program is a Canadian federal tax incentive designed to support businesses conducting research and development (R&D). 

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit 

Innovators from Canadian organizations may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology. They cover up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners. 

Government of Canada Trade Commissioner – CanExport Innovation Program  

The CSBFP helps small businesses and start-ups in Canada secure loans by sharing the risk with financial institutions. It provides up to $1.15M in financing per borrower, including term loans for purchasing assets like equipment, real estate, or franchise costs (up to $1M) and lines of credit for operating expenses (up to $150,000). Businesses with annual revenues under $10M are eligible, except farming businesses, which can apply under a separate program. Interest rates for loans are competitive, and applications are made directly through participating financial institutions like banks and credit unions.  

Government of Canada – Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) 

The BGP assists Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with opportunities to increase their productivity and improve their competitiveness. The BGP provides support for the following: 

• Development and Commercialization for research and development (R&D) in NL ;
• Knowledge and Technical Assistance;
• Productivity Improvement and Innovation; and,
• Growth and Internationalization. 

Financial support is non-repayable and normally up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs. 

https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/funding/business-growth-program/ 

The BIP provides term loans to SMEs (with fewer than 100 employees and less than $10 million in sales) in strategic growth sectors as identified by IET. 

The fund is also available to businesses that have export potential and require assistance to enter or expand in external markets. Funds are provided to complement funding from conventional sources, where a need has been demonstrated, and are also intended to increase the capital base of businesses allowing them to leverage new private-sector investments. 

The BIP is in the form of repayable term loans, at an interest rate of Bank of Canada Prime plus 0.5%. 

https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/funding/business-investment-program/ 

The GTF provides financial support to businesses, organizations, post-secondary institutions, and industry associations to assist with the province’s transition to a green economy. The program will de-risk commercial and non-commercial activities that facilitate collaboration, investment, and industry growth required for the transition. 

The program is offered to both commercial and non-commercial applicants focusing on green economy projects. 

The program will normally provide financial support in the form of non-repayable funding ranging from $75,000 minimum to $3 million maximum (Indigenous and Rural projects have no minimum project size). 

It will provide up to 40 per cent or 50 per cent of eligible project costs for commercial or non-commercial organizations respectively. 

https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/funding/green-transition-fund-program/ 

In partnership with credit unions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is introducing a new two-year pilot project to assist small businesses with growth and expansion. The Small Business Loan Guarantee Pilot Program will provide loan guarantees for term loans issued by credit unions under their existing loan programs. The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, and the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, today announced that the Provincial Government will issue guarantees up to $5 million in total for the duration of the program.

https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/iet/1004n01/#:~:text=The%20Small%20Business%20Loan%20Guarantee%20Pilot%20Program,total%20for%20the%20duration%20of%20the%20program 

This program provides minority equity investments for Canadian mid-market businesses to accelerate growth and create national and global champions. Key highlights include: 

• Investment Details: Flexible equity investments ranging from $3M to $45M, with ownership stakes up to 49%. BDC can act as a sole investor, lead investor, or co-investor. 
• Target Companies: Profitable businesses with proven products/services, experienced management teams, and stable cash flows. 

https://www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/growth-equity