Trade & Tariff Resources for Manitoba Businesses
Ongoing trade uncertainty and U.S. tariffs are creating new challenges for Manitoba businesses, from rising costs and disrupted supply chains to changing export markets. To help businesses navigate these challenges, the following resources provide information and support to help businesses manage immediate pressures, adapt operations, strengthen the workforce, and explore new markets.
Financial & Business Support
The Business Development Bank of Canada’s expanded Pivot to Grow program provides financing to help Canadian businesses manage the impacts of U.S. tariffs and changing trade conditions. The program can help businesses manage immediate financial pressures, invest in productivity and explore new opportunities.
Best suited for: Businesses experiencing immediate tariff-related cash flow pressures.
Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility
The Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility provides financing to large Canadian enterprises affected by tariffs and trade disruptions. The federal government has expanded the program to provide greater flexibility for enterprises facing significant liquidity pressures.
Best suited for: Large Manitoba enterprises facing significant tariff-related financial pressures.
Manitoba Trade Resilience Loan Program
As part of Manitoba’s latest tariff response, the province is investing $50 million in a new Trade Resilience Loan Program providing low-interest, repayable working capital financing to Manitoba businesses affected by trade disruptions.
Best suited for: Manitoba businesses requiring working capital to manage tariff-related pressures.
Manitoba Tax Payment Deferrals
Manitoba businesses may defer certain provincially administered tax payments, including Retail Sales Tax and Health and Post Secondary Education Tax Levy payments from September 1 to December 31, 2026.
Adapt, Invest & Diversify
Canada Strong Diversification Fund
The federal government is investing an additional $2 billion through the Canada Strong Diversification Fund to support tariff-affected businesses with ready-to-proceed capital projects. The initiative is designed to help Canadian businesses adapt, invest, and strengthen their competitiveness as trade conditions change.
Best suited for: Tariff-affected businesses with capital projects ready to move forward.
Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Delivered in Manitoba by PrairiesCan, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative helps businesses respond to trade disruptions through investments in productivity, market diversification, supply chain resilience, and business adaptation. The federal government has committed an additional $1.5 billion to the initiative, expanding the support available to eligible businesses.
Best suited for: Manitoba businesses looking to adapt operations, diversify markets, improve productivity, or strengthen supply chains.
Manitoba Export Support Program
Manitoba is expanding support to help businesses identify new customers and markets, including additional funding for the Export Support Program and enhanced export advisory services.
Best suited for: Manitoba businesses looking to diversify their customer base and expand into new Canadian or international markets.
Workforce Support
Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program
Eligible tariff-affected Manitoba employers can receive up to 100% of eligible training costs, with wage subsidies potentially available where an employer is experiencing a significant tariff-related decline in revenue. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Best suited for: Manitoba employers in tariff-impacted industries looking to retain or retrain employees as they adapt to changing market conditions.
Tariff Workforce Stabilization and Youth Employment Program
Support to help Manitoba employers retain workers and adapt to trade-related disruptions, while creating employment opportunities for youth, students and recent graduates.
Best suited for: Manitoba employers looking to retain their workforce and support youth employment during a period of trade and economic uncertainty.
Workforce Retention and Retraining Program
The federal Workforce Retention and Retraining Program helps tariff-affected employers retain workers and invest in training as they adapt to changing market conditions. The program combines work-sharing and worker-retention supports, helping employers cover eligible training costs while providing income support to workers whose hours are reduced.
Trade Tools & Business Resources
Financial assistance is only one part of navigating changing trade conditions. Access to timely information, guidance and practical tools can also help businesses understand their options and plan their next steps. These tools and services can help Manitoba businesses understand tariffs, assess their exposure, explore new markets, and make informed decisions about their trade strategy.
Government of Canada Business and Worker Supports Guide
Access current information on U.S. tariffs affecting Canadian exports, including sector-specific measures, tariff rates, exemptions, and changes to Canada-U.S. trade conditions.
Determine whether your products qualify for preferential treatment under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and access guidance on rules of origin and compliance requirements.
Use the Canada Tariff Finder and other federal tools to identify tariffs and duties that may apply to your products based on destination and Harmonized System codes.
The Trade Commissioner Service can help eligible Canadian businesses identify potential markets, understand local business conditions, find qualified contacts, and pursue opportunities beyond existing export markets.
Find Business Programs & Services
Use the Government of Canada’s Business Benefits Finder to identify funding, financing, tax credits, advisory services, and other government programs that may be relevant to your organization.
Businesses affected by tariffs can access provincial information and assistance through Manitoba’s dedicated tariff support services. Support is available to help businesses understand available programs and navigate tariff-related challenges.
Has your Manitoba business been impacted by the recent tariffs?
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is collecting concrete examples of how the new tariffs could affect Manitoba businesses and jobs. If you’re able, please take the time to share how your business has been impacted.