BC business grants this fall: what reopened and who qualifies
The federal tariff package of August 25 opened new intakes for BC firms. Most of the money depends on proof of tariff impact, and some of it must be repaid.
Photo by Daulet Turubayev on Unsplash
If your business sells into the United States, the funding open to you changed in late August. A new federal tariff package came first, and new intakes for BC business grants and loans opened within weeks. Most of this money asks you to show tariff impact. Some of it must be repaid, and some of it closes on a fixed date.
This post sorts the new and reopened programs by three questions. Is it a grant or a loan? What evidence of impact does it ask for? When does it close? It covers only what changed in the last 60 days. We have written separately about combining programs and preparing a grant application.
What the August 25 package changed
On August 25, 2026, the Department of Finance announced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures. It builds on nearly $25 billion in supports over the previous 18 months. It is aimed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises in the hardest-hit sectors.
Two parts matter most to BC owners. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) received an extra $1.5 billion, effective September 2026. A new Canada Strong Diversification Fund was created for larger projects. Both run through the regional development agencies. In BC, that means Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan).
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative through PacifiCan
Of everything in the package, the RTRI comes closest to a grant. BC businesses have been able to apply for the enhanced RTRI through PacifiCan since September 8, 2026.
Grant or loan. Both. Eligible businesses can receive up to $3 million in non-repayable support. That is made up of up to $2 million for liquidity and up to $1 million for pivot projects. Repayable support above $1 million is available for larger transformation projects.
Evidence of impact. The program is for businesses affected by tariffs. The August changes raised the non-repayable cap from $1 million to $3 million. They also added support for demonstrated liquidity needs on top of the existing support for pivot and capital investment plans. “Demonstrated” is the word to watch. Expect to show the cash flow strain in numbers, not just describe it.
Deadline. The RTRI provides $3.45 billion over four years. That is a fixed envelope. Whatever is committed early is no longer there for later applicants.
BDC Pivot to Grow is a loan, not a grant
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) expanded its tariff program the same day. The new Pivot to Grow liquidity stream offers loans of $250,000 to $5 million. The loans carry 0% interest for the first 12 months and interest-only payments over 36 months. They amortize over 96 months.
Grant or loan. A loan. The terms are favourable, but every dollar is repaid.
Evidence of impact. The thresholds are specific. For the Liquidity Loan, at least 15% of sales must come from exports to the U.S., and tariffs must equal at least 5% of revenue. BDC also lowered the minimum annual revenue requirement to $1 million and simplified the application.
Deadline. The program runs until March 31, 2028, or until the envelope is fully used, whichever comes first.
Before you apply, ask your accountant to confirm how your U.S. sales and tariff costs are calculated. Those two percentages decide whether you qualify, so you need to be able to defend them.
Two federal funds for larger projects and workforce
The Canada Strong Diversification Fund is a new $2 billion stream of the Strategic Response Fund. It is meant to support tariff-affected firms, including medium-sized firms, with shovel-ready projects. The regional development agencies handle intake and triage, so a BC firm starts with PacifiCan. Shovel-ready means your planning, costing and approvals should already be done. Confirm the contribution terms before you build a project budget around this fund.
The Sectoral Workforce Innovation Fund (SWIF) is run by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It has had a continuous intake since August 25, 2026, running until funds are exhausted. It offers up to $10 million for projects of up to 36 months. Eligible applicants are not-for-profits, for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, training institutions, and provincial and territorial governments.
SWIF pays for workforce projects, not general business costs. “Until funds are exhausted” is still a deadline. You just won’t find it on a calendar.
BC business grants with short windows
Northern Development Initiative Trust delivers Phase 2 of the province’s Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund (RREIF). Applications opened September 2, 2026. Businesses can receive up to $200,000 and First Nations development corporations up to $75,000. For small and medium-sized businesses, grants cover up to 75% of project costs. The money comes through Canada-British Columbia labour market funding to support communities affected by tariffs. Windows like this one open and close on set dates. Check the current status with Northern Development before you plan around it.
Two federal deadlines fall in the next three weeks.
- October 31, 2026. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is running a call for proposals to support Indigenous entrepreneurship, under its Access to Business Opportunities stream. It closes at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, which is 8:59 pm in BC. The stream has an annual budget of $850,000. It funds group projects, so it suits organizations that support Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- November 9, 2026. The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund call closes at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Up to $80 million in non-repayable contributions is available, paid out over four years starting in 2027-28. Proposals come from eligible organizations. Read the eligibility rules before you assume your firm can apply directly.
Most of the new money asks you to prove tariff impact, so the file you build now decides how fast you can apply.
Document your tariff exposure now
Nearly every program above asks one question in different words: how have tariffs affected you? The firms that move quickly when an intake opens already have the answer on paper.
Build a short file this month. It should hold:
- U.S. sales as a share of total sales, by year, taken from your financial statements.
- Tariffs paid or absorbed, and their share of revenue.
- A 12-month cash flow forecast that shows any liquidity gap.
- Any pivot or capital project you are considering, with quotes and a timeline.
- Lost orders, cancelled contracts or margin changes you can tie to tariffs.
Update the file every quarter. Have your accountant review the figures, because BDC’s 15% and 5% tests and the RTRI’s liquidity test both depend on them. A complete file won’t guarantee approval or change the criteria. It does let you apply while the money is still there.
If you want a second view on which of these intakes fits your business, our Funding & Grants practice can help.
Sources
- “Support for Canadian workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs”, Department of Finance Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2026/08/support-for-canadian-workers-and-businesses-affected-by-us-tariffs.html
- “Government of Canada invests over $11 million to strengthen businesses, jobs and communities in Northern B.C.”, Pacific Economic Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/news/2026/09/government-of-canada-invests-over-11-million-to-strengthen-businesses-jobs-and-communities-in-northern-bc.html
- “B.C. businesses can now access expanded support through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative”, Pacific Economic Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/news/2026/09/bc-businesses-can-now-access-expanded-support-through-the-regional-tariff-response-initiative.html
- “New Tariffs, Tighter Cash Flow: BDC Expands Pivot to Grow”, Business Development Bank of Canada. https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/mediaroom/news-releases/new-tariffs-tighter-cash-flow-bdc-expands-pivot-to-grow
- “Pivot to Grow Program”, Business Development Bank of Canada. https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pivot-grow-loan
- “Sectoral Workforce Development Program – Sectoral Workforce Innovation Fund”, Employment and Social Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/sectoral-workforce-innovation-fund.html
- “Helping businesses adapt, grow, create jobs through new grants”, Province of British Columbia. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026SDPR0040-000992
- “Minister Valdez launches call for proposals for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund”, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2026/09/minister-valdez-launches-call-for-proposals-for-the-women-entrepreneurship-strategy-ecosystem-fund.html
- “Get funding for your group’s project to support Indigenous entrepreneurship”, Indigenous Services Canada. https://www.isc-sac.gc.ca/eng/1582037564226/1610797399865
