Targets Manitoba businesses, workers and producers affected by U.S. tariffs
Services
Manitoba Tariff Response Package
Package of more than $100 million in provincial supports announced August 28, 2026 in response to U.S. tariffs, covering workers, businesses and producers. Includes a $50 million low-interest working-capital loan program, top-ups to export programs, enhanced export advisory services, interprovincial trade missions for alcohol producers, Made-in-Manitoba support, a $13.7 million workforce stabilization and youth employment program, retail sales and payroll tax deferrals, and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC) loan-guarantee enhancements.
Overview
Package of more than $100 million in provincial supports announced August 28, 2026 in response to U.S. tariffs, covering workers, businesses and producers. Includes a $50 million low-interest working-capital loan program, top-ups to export programs, enhanced export advisory services, interprovincial trade missions for alcohol producers, Made-in-Manitoba support, a $13.7 million workforce stabilization and youth employment program, retail sales and payroll tax deferrals, and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC) loan-guarantee enhancements.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | multiple (loan, grant, tax deferral, loan guarantee) |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | Manitoba |
| Administrator | Government of Manitoba (Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources; Agriculture; Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp.) |
| Budget | $100,000,000 |
| Intake status | Announced Aug 28, 2026; components delivered through existing programs and agencies (details rolling out) |
| Non-US bias | Response to US tariffs; supports market and trade diversification for affected businesses |
Eligibility
Affected sectors include manufacturing, agri-food, transportation, construction, wholesale trade, aerospace, forestry, steel, machinery, beverages and related supply chains
Provincially administered retail sales tax and payroll tax payment deferral applies to tariff-affected businesses
Working-capital loan program provides repayable financing at low interest rates (terms via program rollout)
What it covers
$50,000,000 Manitoba Trade Resilience Loan Program (low-interest, repayable working-capital loans of $100K-$1M, with up to a 1-year principal deferral; for payroll, lease/utilities, tariff fees, and bridge financing)
$500,000 increase to the Export Support Program
$250,000 to enhance export advisory services (export planning, market research, building internal capacity)
$500,000 to support interprovincial trade missions for Manitoba alcohol producers and craft breweries
$500,000 to Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to expand the Made-in-Manitoba initiative
$13,700,000 tariff workforce stabilization and youth employment program providing wage subsidy supports to employers
Deferral of provincially administered retail sales tax and payroll tax payments from September 1 to December 31
MASC
operating credit guarantee program increased to $3 million; guaranteed portion of loans raised to 33.33% from 25% in both the operating credit guarantee and diversification loan guarantee programs
MASC
diversification loan guarantee eligibility expanded to grain and oilseed operations and investment in primary agricultural infrastructure; maximum loan guarantee increased to $5 million from $1.5 million
Market and diversification rules
Focused on helping businesses manage cash flow, retain workers, and explore new export opportunities and diversified markets
Deferred taxes are still due after the deferral window
How to apply
Working-capital loans and export program top-ups are delivered through existing Manitoba programs and agencies
contact the relevant program administrator for intake details
Export support and advisory enhancements
contact the Economic Programs and Initiatives Branch (ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca, 204-945-7343)
MASC loan guarantees
contact the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp.
Tax deferral
consult Manitoba Finance for the September 1 - December 31 deferral window procedures
Stacking notes
Province works with the federal government so supports bridge gaps in federal and provincial programs
Keystone Agricultural Producers engaged to ensure producer supports roll out in a timely way
Notes
US imposed 50% tariffs on $27.6 billion of Canadian exports effective Aug 22, 2026; Canada announced retaliatory tariffs starting Sept 8, 2026
Honey producers hit by 50% US tariffs receiving targeted supports to manage excess supply and diversify markets
Opposition criticized the package as late and lacking detail; Canadian Federation of Independent Business noted loans must be repaid and tax deferrals still come due
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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