The Peterborough Tariff Toolkit was developed in 2025 through a local collaboration to provide businesses with clear, practical information on tariffs, international trade and market diversification. It brings together guidance, tools and resources relevant to local entrepreneurs and manufacturers.
Tariff Support
Changes in Canada - U.S. trade policy and tariffs continue to affect businesses, workers and supply chains. The City of Peterborough Economic Development team is monitoring developments and connecting local businesses with current information, funding programs, trade resources and government partners.
This page brings together practical resources to help Peterborough businesses understand current tariff measures, assess Canada - United States - Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) compliance, access financial support, explore new markets and identify alternative suppliers.
Trade rules can change quickly. Businesses should confirm product-specific requirements with their customs broker, legal or trade adviser and the appropriate government agency before making shipping, sourcing or investment decisions.
Latest Trade Updates
- September 8, 2026: Canadian counter-tariffs of 15, 25 and 50 per cent on selected U.S. goods took effect, covering approximately $27.6 billion in imports from the United States.
- September 8, 2026: FedDev Ontario opened applications for the enhanced Regional Tariff Response Initiative in southern Ontario, including up to $3 million in combined non-repayable support for eligible businesses.
- September 1, 2026: Export Development Canada (EDC) expanded its Trade Impact Program to support a greater number of businesses and introduced a $700 million direct-financing envelope.
- August 31, 2026: The Government of Canada published an updated process for requesting remission of tariffs on certain U.S. goods and confirmed that Canada's tariff remission framework remains available to assess requests for exceptional relief.
- August 25, 2026: Following new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 per cent on $27.6 billion in Canadian goods that took effect on August 22, the Government of Canada announced matching counter-tariffs effective September 8 and $7.5 billion in new and expanded supports for Canadian businesses and workers.
- August 24, 2026: Ontario Expanding Protections for Tariff-Impacted Workers.
- Official sources to monitor:
Key Business Resources
The Government of Canada provides an online tool that helps businesses identify federal programs and resources based on their needs, region, annual revenue and sector. Answer four questions to receive a tailored list of available supports.
Current Canada - U.S. Tariff Information
For the latest official information on U.S. tariff measures, Canadian countermeasures and federal support for exporters, businesses should use the Government of Canada and Trade Commissioner Service resources.
Startup Canada provides practical tariff and trade resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses navigating changes in the Canada - U.S. trade environment.
Funding and Financing
CANtrade™ - Community Futures Peterborough
CANtrade™ provides flexible financing to eligible existing for-profit businesses located and operating in the City of Peterborough or Peterborough County. Loans from $5,000 to $150,000 can support activities such as supply-chain diversification, expansion into new markets, increased production capacity, technology investments and working capital. Applications are open until January 31, 2027, or until all funds are deployed.
Regional Tariff Response Initiative - FedDev Ontario
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) provides support to businesses facing tariff-related pressures. As of September 8, 2026, applications are open for the enhanced initiative in southern Ontario. Eligible businesses may access up to $3 million in combined non-repayable support, including up to $2 million for demonstrated liquidity needs and up to $1 million for eligible pivot projects. Repayable funding also remains available for larger-scale projects. FedDev Ontario recognizes both direct and indirect tariff exposure, including export and supply-chain impacts, significant cost increases, supply-chain disruption, or loss of revenue or customers. For southern Ontario businesses, the program is delivered through FedDev Ontario.
Businesses should review current FedDev Ontario eligibility and application requirements before applying.
Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario
FedDev Ontario is hosting online information sessions to help businesses and organizations learn about the RTRI. Get answers on eligibility, funding and the application process. Visit the FedDev Ontario website for details.
Protect Ontario Financing Program
The Protect Ontario Financing Program provides term loans to eligible Ontario businesses facing significant working-capital challenges related to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and autos or Section 338 tariffs. Businesses should review the current program guidelines for eligibility and application requirements.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Pivot to Grow
BDC's Pivot to Grow financing supports businesses affected by U.S. tariffs and related trade disruption with financing for liquidity needs, business pivot initiatives and equipment investments. Eligible businesses may access flexible repayment terms, including interest-only periods that vary by financing stream. Businesses should review current BDC eligibility and program terms before applying.
Export Development Canada (EDC) Trade Impact Program
The EDC Trade Impact Program provides financing, insurance and other commercial support to Canadian companies facing tariff pressures and changing global trade conditions. Effective September 1, 2026, EDC expanded the program to support a greater number of businesses, including small and medium-sized businesses anticipated to be most affected by the new U.S. tariffs, and introduced a $700 million direct-financing envelope.
Canada Strong Diversification Fund
The Canada Strong Diversification Fund is a $2 billion federal fund under the Strategic Response Fund that supports tariff-impacted businesses. Current capital-maintenance support is available to eligible businesses demonstrating direct or indirect impacts from U.S. Section 338 tariffs, with funding requests from $5 million to $30 million for projects of up to two years. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until available funding is fully committed.
Canada Strong Diversification Fund eligibility and application information
Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility
The federal Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility provides financing support to large Canadian employers affected by tariff-related uncertainty. Recent changes have increased the period of support from 24 to 36 months and extended maximum loan terms from 10 to 15 years.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Supports
Federal programs are available to help agriculture producers and agri-food businesses manage risk, maintain cash flow and access financing. Programs identified by the federal government include AgriStability, AgriInvest, the Advance Payments Program and the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program.
CanExport SMEs provides competitive funding to help eligible Canadian small and medium-sized businesses expand into new international markets. The 2026-27 application intake closed at 12:00 p.m. ET on August 31, 2026, and applications are not being accepted at this time. Information regarding future application intake periods will be posted by the Trade Commissioner Service when available.
Support for Agriculture and Food Businesses
Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) Trade Disruption Customer Support Program provides financing options for agriculture and food businesses managing cash flow and adapting to trade disruption.
Understand Tariffs and CUSMA
CUSMA Rules of Origin and Certification
CUSMA compliance can significantly affect the tariff treatment of Canadian goods entering the United States. Businesses should confirm that their products meet applicable rules of origin and that required certification and documentation are in place.
CUSMA compliance does not automatically exempt a product from every U.S. tariff measure. Some sector-specific tariffs apply separately.
The Canada Tariff Finder allows businesses to review tariff information for products and compare treatment in markets covered by Canada's free trade agreements. Businesses importing goods into Canada can also consult the Canada Border Services Agency's Canadian Customs Tariff for current Canadian tariff schedules and tariff treatment information.
Diversify Your Markets
The Trade Commissioner Service provides market intelligence, international business contacts, trade missions and in-market assistance to eligible Canadian companies.
Export Development Canada (EDC) provides market intelligence, financing, insurance and business connection services for companies expanding internationally or managing export risk.
Trade Agreements and Market Access
Canada has a network of free trade agreements that can provide preferential market access for qualifying Canadian goods and services. Businesses considering new markets should review applicable agreements and market-entry requirements.
Strengthen Your Supply Chain
Canadian supplier directories and industry networks can help businesses identify domestic manufacturers, service providers and potential supply-chain partners.
Ontario Made helps businesses and consumers identify products manufactured in Ontario and can support local sourcing efforts.
Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council
The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council connects Indigenous and minority owned businesses to procurement opportunities with companies and governments.
Workforce Supports
Employment Insurance (EI) Work-Sharing Program
The EI Work-Sharing Program can help eligible employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in normal business activity that is beyond the employer’s control. Temporary tariff-related special measures are currently available to provide additional flexibility for affected employers.
Temporary federal measures are available to support workers affected by tariff-related layoffs or disruptions. These include changes to EI provisions, additional support for certain long-tenured workers and enhanced job-matching services through Job Bank. Businesses and affected workers should consult the Government of Canada for current eligibility requirements.
Worker Retention and Retraining Supports
The Government of Canada has announced a proposed Workforce Retention and Retraining Program that will combine the EI Work-Sharing Program and the Worker Retention Grant. The proposed program would provide additional Work-Sharing flexibilities and up to $1,000 per participant for training and administrative costs. Current Work-Sharing agreements remain in effect while the new program is being developed.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Current Trade and Export Events
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) Information Sessions - September 21, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; and September 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
FedDev Ontario is hosting virtual bilingual information sessions for businesses and organizations interested in the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Sessions will provide information on eligibility, funding and the application process.
Register for an RTRI information session
Startup Canada Tariff Roundtable: 2026 Updates - September 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
Startup Canada is hosting a virtual roundtable on recent Canada-U.S. tariff developments, business impacts and strategies to navigate ongoing trade uncertainty.
Register for Startup Canada's Tariff Roundtable
New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) - September 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET
The Government of Ontario, in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service, is hosting a free webinar for Ontario businesses entering or growing in the U.S. market. Topics include CUSMA compliance, U.S. customs documentation, tax, immigration, logistics and market-entry considerations.
Register for New Exporters to Border States
Do's and Don'ts when crossing the U.S. border - October 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ET
The Government of Ontario, in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is hosting a free webinar for Ontario small and medium-sized businesses on documentation and requirements for moving goods into the United States.
Check upcoming webinars, trade missions and business events from federal and provincial partners. City staff can also add local sessions here when available.