The RTRI grant, and whether you qualify.
The federal government is funding B.C. businesses hit by tariffs — payroll relief to keep people employed, and project funding to pivot away from the exposure. Up to $3 million of it is non-repayable. PacifiCan administers the program in B.C.; we prepare and submit the application.
You may access
$—
Tick the criteria your business meets. All four are required.
Three streams. Two of them you never pay back.
| Stream | Maximum | Share of eligible costs | Repayable | Must end by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity assistancePayroll and, where required, specific essential operating expenses. Covers 12 months between 22 August 2026 and 31 March 2028. | $2M | 50% | No | 31 Mar 2028 |
| Pivot projectBoost productivity, diversify markets, or build more resilient supply chains. | $1M | 50% | No | 31 Mar 2029 |
| Pivot projectThe repayable tier, for pivot investments above the non-repayable ceiling. | $20M | 75% | Yes — interest-free | 31 Mar 2029 |
[ Caps and matching ]
- Total non-repayable funding per business: up to $3M.
- Total combined funding across all streams: up to $20M.
- Most commercial projects need at least 10% from non-government sources, and combined government assistance normally cannot exceed 90%. Indigenous projects may qualify for up to 100%.
Four bars. You clear all four, or you don't apply yet.
Incorporated in Canada, operating in B.C.
The applicant is a Canadian-incorporated business with B.C. operations.
[ What to show ]
Incorporation documents.
At least $1M in annual revenue
A minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the last two fiscal years.
[ What to show ]
Demonstrated through your financial statements.
Three years viable, up to 21 March 2025
Continuous and viable operation for at least three years leading up to 21 March 2025, with the capacity to meet your obligations at acceptable financial, operational and strategic risk.
[ What to show ]
Two complete years of externally reviewed financial statements, plus current interim statements.
Negatively affected by tariffs
At least 25% of sales in tariff-targeted markets, or demonstrated tariff-related impact on your business.
[ What to show ]
Evidence of the impact — see the list below for what PacifiCan accepts.
[ Then, per stream ]
- Liquidity assistanceA demonstrated liquidity need over the next 12 months.
- Pivot projectsA project with other confirmed sources of funding.
[ What counts as tariff impact ]
- Higher input or supplier costs
- Import or export taxes
- Higher finished-product costs
- Reduced purchase orders, sales or export volumes
- Lost customers, contracts or market access
- Employment effects — layoffs, hiring freezes, curtailments or Work-Sharing
Not-for-profit organizations
RTRI also funds not-for-profits whose projects support businesses impacted by tariffs. The revenue and viability bars above do not apply.
- Incorporated in Canada and operating in B.C.
- A project that will support businesses impacted by tariffs
Non-repayable contributions. The amount depends on the details of the project, so there is no published ceiling — PacifiCan assesses it case by case.
The evidence does the arguing.
[ Every application ]
- Recent and current financial statements
- Incorporation documents
- Evidence supporting your tariff-impact claims
- Proof of funding for costs PacifiCan won't cover
[ Liquidity applications ]
- 12-month cash-flow forecast and other evidence of liquidity need
- Payroll remittances for the past 12 months
- Evidence of other essential operating costs for the last 12 months
[ Pivot applications ]
- A project plan with major activities and milestones
- Attachments supporting feasibility — letters of support, business plans, staff bios
One application covers liquidity, pivot, or both. Applicants for liquidity assistance must attest that the funding will be used to maintain operations and employment in Canada.
From application to reimbursement.
Apply
One application through the portal, for liquidity, pivot, or both.
Assessment
Applications are assessed as they are received, with priority given to businesses seeking liquidity for immediate tariff-related impacts. A complete package moves faster.
Agreement
If approved, PacifiCan issues a contribution agreement — one each for repayable and non-repayable support, where both apply.
Claims
You implement the work, then claim costs you have already incurred. Claims may be submitted quarterly.
Reimbursement
PacifiCan processes a complete claim package within 15 business days. Advance payments may be available.
Repayment
Repayable contributions only. The principal is repaid within six years: a one-year grace period after the project ends, then 60 equal monthly payments.
Where we come in.
RTRI is decided on the strength of your evidence, not the strength of your pitch. We assemble the evidence.
Eligibility review
We check you against the four bars before you spend a day on paperwork, and tell you plainly if you do not clear them.
Financial pack
Financial statements, interim statements and the 12-month cash-flow forecast, assembled in the form PacifiCan asks for.
Tariff-impact file
The costs, orders, contracts and employment effects that substantiate your claim — gathered and documented as evidence, not assertion.
Project plan
For pivot applications: activities, milestones and the feasibility case, with the supporting letters and bios attached.
Claims after approval
Quarterly claim packages prepared completely, so your reimbursement is not held up by a missing document.
We prepare and submit applications. PacifiCan assesses them and decides funding.
Start with the eligibility review.
It takes a few minutes and tells you whether an application is worth your time. If you do not clear the bars, we will say so.
[ What happens next ]
- 01We check your revenue, financial history and tariff exposure against the four bars, and tell you plainly whether an application stands up.
- 02If it does, we scope it with you: which stream fits, what evidence you already hold, and what still has to be gathered.
- 03We assemble and submit the package, then prepare the quarterly claims once the funding is approved.
Check your RTRI eligibility
Tell us where your business stands and we will come back on whether you clear the bars — and which stream fits.