Incorporated for-profit business located and operating in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon
Services
CanNor Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Federal RTRI delivered by CanNor for incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon with at least $1M in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years and demonstrable tariff impact. Provides non-repayable liquidity assistance (up to $2M, up to 50% of eligible costs) and pivot project funding for market diversification and productivity (non-repayable up to $1M at up to 50%; repayable over $1M at up to 75%). Combined non-repayable maximum $3M; total RTRI funding up to $20M.
Overview
Federal RTRI delivered by CanNor for incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon with at least $1M in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years and demonstrable tariff impact. Provides non-repayable liquidity assistance (up to $2M, up to 50% of eligible costs) and pivot project funding for market diversification and productivity (non-repayable up to $1M at up to 50%; repayable over $1M at up to 75%). Combined non-repayable maximum $3M; total RTRI funding up to $20M.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant (non-repayable + repayable contributions) |
| Level | territorial |
| Region | Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
| Administrator | Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Max per project | $2,000,000 |
| Deadline | Liquidity assistance funding period up to 12 months ending no later than Mar 31, 2028; pivot projects must be completed by Mar 31, 2029 |
| Intake status | Open - applications accepted on an ongoing basis via CanNor (operations@cannor.gc.ca or regional office); updated $1M revenue threshold effective late August 2026 |
| Non-US bias | Pivot projects explicitly include market diversification and export development to reduce US-tariff exposure |
Eligibility
Minimum $1M in annual revenue in one or both of the company's last two fiscal years
Viable prior to tariffs
Must demonstrate tariff impact
operates in a Section 338/232-impacted sector (directly or indirectly, e.g., supply chain partner), has 25%+ of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the US, or has experienced significant cost increases, supply chain disruption or loss of revenue/customers
Not-for-profit organizations in the North whose primary focus is supporting businesses are eligible for NFP projects (not for their own liquidity)
What it covers
Liquidity assistance
employee salary and wages; essential recurring operating expenses (rent or commercial lease, utilities, business insurance, property taxes); up to $2M non-repayable, up to 50% of eligible costs, up to 12 months ending no later than Mar 31, 2028
Pivot projects
productivity improvements and process modernization; equipment and technology adoption (automation, digitization); market diversification and export development; supply chain resilience; up to $1M non-repayable at up to 50% for projects with local or regional economic benefits, or repayable over $1M at up to 75% for larger transformative projects
NFP projects supporting businesses impacted by tariffs
Market and diversification rules
Business may apply for up to 12 months of liquidity assistance, a pivot project, or both
Combined non-repayable funding capped at $3M ($2M liquidity + $1M non-repayable pivot); total RTRI funding up to $20M including repayable support
Liquidity support based on up to 50% of average monthly payroll for up to 12 months plus certain essential operating costs
Repayable contributions are interest-free with payment schedule in the contribution agreement
Funding cannot duplicate other government wage or operating support for the same costs
How to apply
Contact operations@cannor.gc.ca or your CanNor regional office for program information
Consult the RTRI application guide and fill out the PDF application form
Submit using the submit button in the PDF, or download and email the form with attachments to operations@cannor.gc.ca
Provide corporate information, two years of financial statements, evidence of tariff impacts, payroll records and quantified liquidity need, and disclosure of other government funding
Stacking notes
Businesses may receive support from other federal/provincial/territorial/municipal programs provided there is no duplication of funding for the same costs
Applicants must disclose all sources of government assistance; costs already reimbursed through another wage or operating program cannot be claimed under RTRI
Notes
The national RTRI envelope is $1.95B (topped up $500M in May 2026), delivered as $3.45B across Canada's regional development agencies; territorial share not published
About $1.5M in additional support is being stood up for businesses below the $1M revenue threshold
As of Sep 15, 2026 CanNor had announced ~$1.9M for four Yukon firms (Solvest, Cobalt Construction, Northern Vision Development, Ketza Construction)
Program spans three fiscal years (2025-26 to 2027-28)
Liquidity recipients must attest they will maintain operations and employment in Canada
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
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