U.S. Tariffs: Grants and Assistance Programs for Businesses

For SMEs with $1M to $2M in revenue experiencing at least a 20% revenue decline linked to U.S. tariffs, or expecting such a decline from 2026 onward. The business must be registered in Québec for at least two years, show that at least 25% of its 2024 revenue came from U.S. exports (directly or as a supplier), and have been profitable in at least one of the last two years. Loan of up to $150,000 (75% of 12 month liquidity needs), interest free for 12 months, capital moratorium, maximum amortization of 60 months.

Applications go directly through your MRC, not the provincial government. In effect until March 31, 2028.

For manufacturing or primary sector businesses (agriculture, mining, forestry, excluding softwood lumber, which falls under the FORET program), revenue of $2M or more, registered in Québec for at least two years, exporting to the U.S. and subject to a tariff of at least 25% since March 4, 2025. For assistance of $10M or less, at least 25% of revenue must come from U.S. exports.

For assistance above $10M, the business must be recognized as strategic by the ministère de l'Économie. Loan of up to $50M, interest free in year one then stepped rates, 7 year term, moratorium of up to 24 months. Apply through your Investissement Québec account manager or at 1 844 474-6367. In effect until March 31, 2028.

Loan or loan guarantee (up to 70% coverage on net loss) for productivity focused investment projects of at least $100,000, including equipment or technology purchases. A non repayable contribution is possible for standout productivity projects. Combined government assistance cannot exceed 50% of total project cost. Management and guarantee fees of at least 0.5% apply.

Financing of $250,000 to over $1,000,000 for mature exporting businesses looking to diversify sales outside the U.S. For needs of $250,000 to $1,000,000: term loan, capital moratorium of up to 24 months, no security required in most cases. For needs above $1,000,000: combined financing solutions in partnership with Export Development Canada. Covers business development costs, opening a foreign office, and costs tied to a contract with a buyer outside Québec.

Accelerates the shift toward innovation and sustainable productivity, combining financing and technology support.

$20M envelope administered by the CPMT. Reimburses up to 85% of training costs for manufacturing, transportation, and natural resources workers.

Non repayable contribution covering up to 60% of eligible expenses (up to 80% combined with other government aid), between $15,000 and $125,000 per project. Targets SMEs with 250 employees or fewer located in the hardest hit MRCs: those in the bottom quintile of the economic vitality index, Gaspésie and the Îles de la Madeleine, Les Appalaches, Le Granit (Lac-Mégantic), Maskinongé and Charlevoix-Est, and Indigenous communities in these territories. Covers feasibility studies, investment projects, and innovation projects. Projects must end by December 31, 2028.

Six-month deferral of capital and interest repayments on financing obtained under the Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI). Applications are made directly through your MRC, municipal office, or the organization responsible for managing the FLI in your territory.

Supports Québec businesses in projects aimed at maintaining and growing their activities in Québec and abroad, by supporting the marketing of their products and services in new markets.

Aims to make softwood lumber sawmills more resilient by helping them make strategic investments to diversify their production and markets and bring new products to market.

Interest bearing term loans covering a 36 month liquidity shortfall, once all other capital sources are exhausted. For large Canadian businesses with Canadian revenue of about $150M or more, minimum loan $30M. The business must demonstrate it was solvent as of December 31, 2024, and commit to minimizing job losses. Not intended for businesses restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. Active since April 2025, with several Québec loans in 2026, including Arbec in July 2026.

National envelope of $1.5B (raised from $1B to $1.5B in May 2026), delivered by the regional development agencies. In Québec, delivered by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED). Targets manufacturing SMEs affected by tariffs for structuring projects: equipment purchases, digitization, automation, or market diversification. Non repayable contributions of up to $1M. Projects over $1M are accepted on an ongoing basis; smaller projects depend on CED's open intake periods. Dozens of Québec businesses have already received funding in 2026.

$1B envelope for Canadian businesses in the steel, aluminum, or copper value chain (copper producers are eligible), established in Canada for at least 3 years, with annual revenue of $5M or more, exporting to the U.S., and demonstrating significant tariff exposure (direct exports or tariffed components in their products). Working capital loans of $1M to $50M at preferential rates, to cover operating expenses and debt payments during the disruption. The business must have been viable before the tariffs were imposed. Compatible with other BDC or government support programs. Available until December 31, 2026, or until the $1B envelope is exhausted, whichever comes first.

For strategic sectors hit hardest, including steel, aluminum, and automotive: investments in market diversification, domestic sourcing, value added products, and supply chains.

$500M envelope for SMEs with a viable business model, selling directly to the U.S. or part of an exposed supply chain. Annual sales of $2M or more, at least 25% of sales tied to U.S. exports, positive cash flow. Loans of $100,000 to $5M at preferential rates (BDC prime rate minus 2%), plus payment deferrals on existing loans.

$5B envelope over two years (launched March 2025, $2.1B already deployed to about 800 Canadian businesses as of April 2026). Trade credit insurance, foreign exchange risk management, working capital guarantees, and financing to help exporters diversify markets outside the U.S. Priority given to steel, aluminum, softwood lumber, manufacturing, and agri-food.

$1B in new loans for the agriculture and agri-food sector, including an additional $500,000 line of credit and a capital repayment deferral of up to 12 months for existing loans.

$1.2B to guarantee loans and lines of credit for softwood lumber businesses affected by tariffs ($700M in term loans or letters of credit announced in October 2025, expanded since).

The Government of Canada has established a remission process in the context of Canada's countermeasure tariffs on certain products imported from the United States. Under certain conditions, this allows for relief from, or reimbursement of, these tariffs.

Allows a business to be exempted from Canadian customs duties on goods imported into Canada that are subsequently modified or processed, and then exported.

Allows for a full or partial refund of customs duties already paid on goods imported into Canada for export, whether in their original condition or after being modified or processed.

Allows businesses to defer duty payments on goods imported into Canada until the goods are released for sale. If the goods are exported directly from the warehouse, no customs duties are payable.

Six month moratorium on capital and interest repayments for businesses in the PME MTL Funds portfolio affected by tariffs, with a possible exceptional extension of the repayment period beyond 84 months. The PME MTL Fund, with eased access criteria, also remains available for new liquidity. This page also centralizes other relevant levers (financing, market diversification, local sourcing, customs relief).