Calgary: Ottawa announces $17.6M to help 18 local businesses weather tariff fallout

The federal government will provide $17.6 million in non-repayable funding to 18 businesses in the Calgary area to help them weather the impact of US tariffs. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced the funding in Calgary on November 13.

Who gets the money, and for what?

The funding flows through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), with each of the 18 businesses in Calgary and Rocky View receiving up to $1 million. The recipients span advanced manufacturing, digital industries, value-added agriculture, clean technology, and health and biosciences, with advanced manufacturing accounting for the largest share.

The money can be used to buy new equipment and automation, expand production, bring more work in-house and pursue new markets, with the aim of reducing firms' reliance on the US market and withstanding the tariff shock.

Part of a $3.45-billion initiative

The federal government has committed $3.45 billion to the RTRI, part of a $7.5-billion package for workers and businesses affected by US tariffs. In its statement, the government said unjustified US tariffs are increasing costs, disrupting supply chains and creating new uncertainty for businesses. The RTRI is delivered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) across the Prairie provinces.

Budget 2026's Productivity Mega Deduction highlighted

Olszewski also used the Calgary visit to highlight the Productivity Mega Deduction in Budget 2026, which encourages businesses to invest in the equipment, technologies and capacity they need to boost productivity, expand production, create good jobs and seize new market opportunities.