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  • Chamber and Board of Trade members, 

    Below are resources for you to share with your membership. We will continue to add as they become available.

     

  • Federal Government Tariff Supports

    The federal government is introducing a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures to protect Canadian workers and businesses, building on the nearly $25 billion in supports the government has implemented over the past 18 months. This targeted and proportionate package focuses on workers and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in sectors most affected by the new tariffs announced by the United States.

    Regional Tariff Response Initiative

    Effective September 2026, the government will bolster the Regional Tariff Response Initiative delivered by Canada's seven Regional Development Agencies by $1.5 billion. This will help small and medium-sized enterprises respond to tariff pressures.

    • The cap on non-repayable contributions will be increased from $1 million to $3 million, which will now include support for demonstrated liquidity needs in addition to existing support for pivot or capital investment plans.
    • Liquidity support available will be up to $2 million.

    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

    The government will introduce a second $500 million liquidity stream through BDC's Pivot to Grow program, to provide working capital to businesses facing cash-flow shortfalls as a result of U.S. tariffs. This new liquidity stream will be added to provide working capital support for small and medium-sized businesses facing immediate cashflow pressures.

    • This program will be available to companies directly impacted by tariffs, regardless of sector.
    • Companies will be eligible for loans ranging from $250,000 to $5 million. Interest only-payments over 36 months.
    • The application process will be simplified.

    Eligibility for BDC's direct tariff-related support programs will be expanded by lowering annual revenue requirements for applicants to $1 million. This includes Pivot to Grow as well as targeted support programs for the steel, aluminum and forestry sectors.

    Canada Strong Diversification Fund

    Effective immediately, the government is creating the Canada Strong Diversification Fund—a new stream of the Strategic Response Fund (SRF). With an additional $2 billion in funding, this Fund will have expanded flexibility to support tariff-impacted companies with shovel-ready projects that support ongoing capital maintenance, including medium-sized firms.

    This new initiative will work closely with Regional Development Agency programming for project intake and triage. A fast-track, one-step project review and approval process will also be implemented to get projects moving faster.

    Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers

    The government is introducing a new suite of $3.5 billion Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers to help Canadians affected by tariffs.

    Workers

    This will enable workers to access income support when they need it by:

    • Extending by one year the temporary Employment Insurance (EI) measure to waive the 1-week waiting period.
    • Extending by one year the temporary EI measure that allows workers to receive EI benefits without first using up their separation payments (such as severance or vacation pay).
    • Extending by 8 months the temporary EI measure that provides an extra 20 weeks of EI regular benefits for long-tenured workers.
    • Introducing a new temporary measure for one year so that workers who have voluntarily left jobs in recent months are no longer penalized when they want to access EI, as long as their most recent job loss is through no fault of their own.

    This will also help them move quickly into new opportunities by:

    • Increasing supports to match workers with jobs on JobBank.gc.ca, including highlighting opportunities made available through investments in major projects, Build Canada Homes, and defence procurement.

    Employers

    This will also assist employers in keeping their workforce through a difficult period.

    • A new Workforce Retention and Retraining Program will be established, combining the existing EI Work-Sharing program and Worker Retention Grant into a single, streamlined program designed to be more accessible and generous.
    • Under this single-offering, new and existing Work-Sharing flexibilities will be supported and employers will be eligible for additional funds to cover training and administrative costs (up to $1,000 per participant).

    Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility

    The government is providing new flexibilities to the $10 billion Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility, administered by the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC) to provide the flexible liquidity needed to bridge large employers through this period of uncertainty, by:

    • increasing the size of liquidity supports from 24 to 36 months of company liquidity needs; and,
    • increasing the maximum loan term from 10 to 15 years.

    Learn more click here

    Sample social media post 

     

  • Atlantic Provinces Government Support Programs & Services for Business

  • Nova Scotia Business & Worker Support

    The Government of Nova Scotia offers a range of programs and services to help businesses and workers respond to changing trade conditions, tariff impacts and evolving workforce needs.

     

    Key supports include:

    • Tariff remission and duty relief – Potential relief from Canadian counter-tariffs and duties, including programs for re-exported goods.
    • Market expansion – Support through Invest Nova Scotia to help businesses explore new markets, strengthen supply chains and connect with customers and partners.
    • Nova Scotia Loyal – Encourages consumers to support Nova Scotia businesses and locally made products.
    • Workforce Tariff Response Program – Funding to help tariff-affected employers train, retrain, reskill and upskill workers.
    • Skills Development and START – Programs to help unemployed Nova Scotians build skills, gain work experience and connect with employers.
    • Tariff Response Hotline – Business navigators can help businesses and individuals identify relevant provincial and federal programs and services.

     

    Explore the Government of Nova Scotia’s tariff support programs and services:
    Nova Scotia Tariff Support

     

     

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    New Brunswick Support

    The Government of New Brunswick has introduced a range of measures to help businesses and workers respond to the impacts of tariffs, strengthen the provincial economy and expand opportunities within Canada and beyond.

     

    Key supports and initiatives include:

    • Support for workers – Resources and programs for New Brunswickers affected by tariffs and changing economic conditions.
    • Business support and relief – Resources to help New Brunswick businesses manage the impacts of tariffs and changing trade conditions.
    • Interprovincial trade – Efforts to reduce trade barriers and improve the movement of goods, services and workers between provinces.
    • NB Made – Promoting New Brunswick products and services and encouraging consumers to support local businesses.
    • New market opportunities – Collaboration with Atlantic provinces to identify new markets for products traditionally exported to the United States, including seafood and lumber.

     

    The province is also working with the federal government and other provinces on measures to protect New Brunswick's economy and strengthen internal trade.

    Explore New Brunswick's tariff resources

     

     

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    Prince Edward Island Support

    The Government of Prince Edward Island has introduced the PEI Tariff Impact Relief Fund to help businesses respond to U.S. tariffs, Canadian counter-tariffs and related trade disruptions.

     

    Key support includes:

    • Market diversification – Support for entering new export markets, developing new customers and supply chains, and exploring market opportunities.
    • Interprovincial trade – Assistance for identifying and pursuing opportunities within Canadian markets and developing new supplier and customer relationships across Canada.
    • Productivity and competitiveness – Support for process improvements, technology adoption, automation, digitization and AI.
    • Project funding – Eligible businesses may receive a conditionally non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $50,000.
    • Eligibility – The Fund is intended for PEI businesses that can demonstrate significant economic impacts from tariffs or related trade disruptions.

     

    The temporary program is expected to remain open until March 31, 2027, subject to available funding. Businesses are encouraged to consult Innovation PEI before applying.

    Explore the PEI Tariff Impact Relief Fund

     

     

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Support

    The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador offers support to help employers and workers affected by tariffs, global market shifts and related supply-chain disruptions.

     

    Key support includes:

    • Workforce training and upskilling – Funding to help tariff-affected employers train workers who may be at risk of job loss.
    • Reskilling and diversification – Support for workers to develop new skills that can help businesses adapt, diversify and maintain employment.
    • Business continuity – Assistance with workforce adjustments and human-resource needs in sectors experiencing tariff-related disruptions.
    • Eligible sectors – Priority includes steel, softwood lumber and other sectors directly or indirectly affected by tariffs and global market shifts.
    • Continuous intake – Applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to available funding.

     

    The Labour Market Partnerships Tariff Response (LMPTR) program is available to eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employers, including private businesses, not-for-profits, municipalities, cooperatives and certain public institutions.

    Explore Newfoundland and Labrador's Tariff Response Program

     

     

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    Truth and Reconciliation

    Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect. Learn more click here. 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                 Marcus Gosse (ᒪᕒᐠᑲᐢ ᐧᑲᐢ) is a Newfoundland Mi’kmaq Artist