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 businesses facing tariff-related liquidity pressures and challenges accessing traditional financing. The expanded program can support up to 36 months of liquidity needs, with loan terms of up to 15 years.
Best suited for: Large Canadian businesses with significant operations or employment in Canada experiencing 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.
Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Delivered in Manitoba by PrairiesCan, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) supports SMEs affected by recent trade actions to diversify markets, create new export revenue sources, adopt innovative technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness, and build more resilient supply chains.
Best suited for: Businesses affected by recent trade actions seeking liquidity support or funding to diversify markets, adopt new technologies, improve competitiveness, or strengthen supply chains.
Adapt, Invest & Diversify
Canada Strong Diversification Fund
The Canada Strong Diversification Fund supports tariff-affected businesses making significant investments to adapt operations, improve productivity, develop new products, diversify into new markets, or maintain critical capital assets. Funding is available through two streams, with support targeted toward larger projects and businesses experiencing significant trade-related impacts.
Best suited for: Larger tariff-affected businesses investing in long-term adaptation, diversification, competitiveness, or maintaining critical capital assets.
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
The Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program helps eligible Manitoba employers retrain and upskill employees affected by tariffs and changing market conditions. Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible training costs, with wage support also available for qualifying employers experiencing significant tariff-related revenue declines.
Best suited for: Manitoba employers in tariff-impacted industries looking to retain, retrain, or redeploy employees as they adapt to new business 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 will help tariff-affected employers retain workers, reduce layoffs, and invest in training as they adapt to changing market conditions. Until the new program launches, enhanced Work-Sharing and Worker Retention Grant measures remain available, including added flexibility for businesses transforming, retooling, or diversifying.
Best suited for: Tariff-affected employers looking to retain workers, manage reduced activity, or retrain employees as their business adapts.
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.
Advocating for Manitoba Businesses
As tariffs and trade uncertainty continue to affect Manitoba businesses, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is advocating for timely, practical supports that reflect the challenges businesses are facing. As part of this work, MCC joined provincial and territorial chambers across Canada in calling on the federal government to strengthen collaboration with chambers so business realities directly inform tariff relief and support programs.
Our advocacy doesn’t stop there. Share how tariffs are affecting your business and what support you need most to help us continue advocating for measures that will make a meaningful difference for Manitoba businesses.
Has your 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.
Trade & Economic Insights
Understanding the broader trade and economic environment can help businesses make informed decisions and prepare for changing conditions. We’ve selected research, analysis and data from trusted Canadian organizations to provide additional context on tariffs, trade, economic trends and their potential impacts on Manitoba businesses.
Explore the resources below for insights and information that can help you better understand the issues shaping Canada’s trade and economic landscape.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for a much closer relationship between Canada and the European Union as Ottawa looks to reduce its economic dependence on the United States.
Read more.
- Canada is facing growing pressure to diversify its economy and attract investment from sources beyond the United States. With uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade and investment policies, the country is looking to strengthen its position as a destination for global capital by highlighting its natural resources, skilled workforce, and access to international markets.
Read more.
- Canada is facing renewed trade pressure as changing U.S. tariffs create uncertainty for Canadian businesses and the economy. In its September 2026 economic letter, the Business Development Bank of Canada examines the potential effects of these tariffs and explains why the situation may be serious without necessarily causing an economy-wide crisis.
Read more.