Business Resources for Navigating Changing Trade Conditions
Business Resources for Navigating Changing Trade Conditions
Businesses across Central Alberta are navigating a changing trade environment, with new information, programs and supports being announced regularly.
While the Chamber continues to monitor developments through its policy and advocacy work, there are practical resources available to help businesses understand available supports, assess their options and plan for changing market conditions.
We have pulled together several current resources that may be useful to businesses across Central Alberta.
New PrairiesCan support now available
Prairies Economic Development Canada recently announced an expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), with applications now open to eligible businesses and organizations in the Prairie provinces.
The expanded program is designed to help tariff affected businesses address short-term pressures while also investing in longer-term competitiveness and resilience.
Eligible incorporated businesses may receive up to $3 million in non-repayable support, including:
- Up to $2 million for eligible liquidity assistance
- Up to $1 million for eligible pivot projects
- Support for productivity improvements, technology and automation
- Market expansion and diversification
- Supply-chain resilience and trade related risk reduction
Learn more: PrairiesCan – Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Canada Strong Diversification Fund
Larger businesses facing significant impacts from U.S. tariffs may also be eligible for support through the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, a new tariff-response stream delivered through the federal government's Strategic Response Fund.
The fund is intended to help Canadian businesses maintain operations, strengthen supply chains, protect jobs and build resilience in response to ongoing trade disruptions. Support can include projects related to maintaining and growing existing industrial capabilities, developing new products and technologies, and pursuing new market opportunities.
Eligibility requirements are more targeted than programs such as the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Current criteria include a minimum of 10 full-time equivalent employees, at least $20 million in annual revenue and an average of at least $5 million in annual capital expenditures over the previous three fiscal years. Eligible projects must generally address direct or indirect impacts from U.S. tariffs and involve $5 million to $30 million in funding requests.
Learn more: Strategic Response Fund – Canada Strong Diversification Fund
Share how tariffs are affecting your business
The Government of Alberta has launched an online portal for Alberta businesses to share information about how U.S. tariffs, Canadian counter tariffs and other international trade measures are affecting their operations.
Businesses can provide details about specific products, tariffs and the direct impacts they are experiencing, including increased costs, reduced sales, lost contracts or supply chain disruptions. The information collected will help inform Alberta’s response and advocacy as the province works to understand the real world impacts across sectors.
If your business is being affected by tariffs or changing trade conditions, you can share your experience with the Government of Alberta through its online tariff feedback portal.
Share how tariffs are affecting your business
Understand Canada-U.S. trade
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab has developed a Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker to help businesses and decision makers better understand the economic relationship between Canada and the United States.
The interactive tool provides information on Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S., including provincial connections, key trade flows and the importance of cross-border supply chains. It can be a useful resource for businesses looking to better understand how closely their industry or region may be tied to the U.S. market.
Explore the Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Explore Canada's broader business supports
The federal government's Canada Strong resource brings together current programs and supports for businesses, workers and employers.
For businesses, the site includes information on funding, financing and other supports designed to help organizations adapt, grow and reach new markets. Current measures include the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, BDC's Pivot to Grow liquidity support and the new Canada Strong Diversification Fund.
Learn more: Canada Strong – Business and Industry Supports
Looking at new markets?
For businesses considering export opportunities or market diversification, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service offers webinars, market information and tools to help Canadian companies explore international markets.
Its current webinar library includes topics such as selecting a new market, working with U.S. customers and brokers, CUSMA compliance and using CETA to diversify into Europe.
Upcoming webinars: Canadian Trade Commissioner Service – Webinars
Workforce supports
Trade conditions can also affect staffing, training and workforce planning.
The Government of Canada has introduced Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, a $3.5-billion suite of measures intended to help workers and employers manage the effects of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
For workers, supports include temporary Employment Insurance measures, skills training and employment services. For employers, the new Workforce Retention and Retraining Program is designed to help businesses retain and retrain workers during periods of reduced activity. The program can provide employers with up to $1,000 per participating employee to support training costs.
Learn more: Government of Canada – Support for workers impacted by tariffs
For Alberta employers and organizations, the Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience Initiative also provides support for training and workforce planning in sectors affected by changing global trade conditions. Its Employer-led Training Grant is currently accepting applications until September 30, 2026, or until funding is fully allocated.
Learn more: Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience Initiative
Business outlook
For businesses looking beyond individual programs, BDC's September 2026 Monthly Economic Letter provides a current look at Canada's economic outlook, including the impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses and the outlook for Alberta.
BDC notes that while trade uncertainty is creating challenges, businesses can take practical steps such as assessing exposure to U.S. customers and tariff sensitive inputs, stress-testing cash flow and costs, and considering opportunities to diversify customers and suppliers.
Read more: BDC – September 2026 Monthly Economic Letter
Staying informed matters
Trade conditions can change quickly, and not every program will apply to every business. Before making decisions or applying for funding, businesses should review the full eligibility requirements and, where appropriate, consult their financial or professional advisors.
The Chamber will continue to share relevant business information, resources and opportunities as they become available. For businesses, staying informed is one more tool for navigating change and planning for what comes next.
