The federal government has announced new counter-tariffs on select U.S. products, effective September 8, along with a $7.5 billion support package for businesses and workers affected by trade disruptions. Businesses with U.S. supply chain exposure are encouraged to review potential impacts and available supports. Find out more and review the list of supports available:

Check your exposure

• Canada Tariff Finder Free lookup by product keyword or HS code.
• Canada’s September 8 counter tariff list Full tariff-item-level list of affected U.S. goods.
• Trade Commissioner Service tariff hub Current U.S. measures by sector, CUSMA compliance guidance, and a support line at 1-833-760-1167.

Find Supports

• Alberta tariff portal and concierge service: A reporting portal and concierge service where businesses can flag tariff impacts and be matched to available supports.
• Business Benefits Finder A short questionnaire that matches your business to federal, provincial and municipal funding, tax credits, wage subsidies and advisory services, including supports beyond the tariff response.

When you need cash flow

• BDC Pivot to Grow The new liquidity stream launched August 25. Financing from $250,000 to $5 million, interest-only payments for up to 36 months, simplified application. The minimum revenue requirement is now $1 million. Available until March 31, 2028.
• Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility For large employers. Liquidity support now covers up to 36 months and loan terms extend to 15 years.

If you are investing, pivoting or diversifying

• Regional Tariff Response Initiative, via PrairiesCan Non-repayable contributions covering up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, including labour, materials, equipment, consultancy and training. Applications accepted until December 31, 2027 or until funds are committed. Projects must be complete by March 31, 2028. The announced increase to a $3 million cap, including up to $2 million for liquidity, is not yet reflected in the program terms, and PrairiesCan has said details will follow.
• Canada Strong Diversification Fund $2 billion stream of the Strategic Response Fund for shovel-ready capital maintenance projects, including medium-sized firms, announced August 25 and not yet open for applications.
• Alberta Export Expansion Program Grants of up to $15,000 per fiscal year toward travel and registration costs for outbound international trade events, for SMEs entering new markets. Intake is continuous and closes once the annual budget is committed, so apply early.
• Alberta Food Processors Association trade and productivity advice Federally funded advisory services for tariff-impacted food and beverage businesses, covering productivity, technology adoption, scaling and market expansion. Delivered at no cost to participating companies.

If you are trying to keep your people

• Work-Sharing Program Special tariff measures are in effect, expanding eligibility and extending the benefit period. Lets you reduce hours instead of laying off, with EI covering lost wages.
• Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience Initiative Two streams for trade-exposed sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture. The Employer-led Training Grant funds training for employed workers and closes September 30, 2026 or once funding is allocated. The Workforce Planning Grant supports sector and regional workforce strategies and is open on a continuous basis.
• Worker Retention and Retraining Program Will consolidate work-sharing and worker-retention supports into one program, with up to $1,000 per employee for training and administration, announced August 25 and not yet open for applications. Until it launches, the Work-Sharing program above is the route.

If a tariff hits an input you cannot source in Canada

• Tariff remission Request relief or a refund of counter tariffs where a critical input is unavailable domestically or where contractual obligations apply. This is the most important tool for members facing higher input costs on September 8, and the one we are pressing Ottawa hardest to keep responsive.
• Duties Relief Program Import goods without paying duties if they are eventually exported.
• Drawback Program Recover duties already paid on goods you have since exported.

View our Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce News Release and Response from August 26.