‘The world has changed’: Federal funding helping small Alberta businesses tackle tariffs

The emergency management and community resilience minister has announced more than $5.8 million in funding, through the regional tariff response initiative.

The federal government is spending nearly $5.9 million in southern Alberta through a tariff response program aimed at helping exporters and manufacturers adapt to shifting global trade conditions.

Prairies Economic Development Canada Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced the funding Tuesday in Calgary through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, a national program designed to help businesses facing rising costs, supply chain disruptions and market uncertainty tied to tariffs.

The investment supports five projects, including industry groups, post secondary programming and several Alberta companies working to expand production and reach new markets.

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Nearly $4.5 million will go to three not for profit organizations focused on improving export readiness and collaboration.

Mount Royal University is receiving $1.5 million to launch an Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence aimed at helping companies test and commercialize transportation and logistics technologies.

“Alberta businesses are navigating a rapidly changing trade landscape,” said Dr. Chad London, provost and vice-president academic at Mount Royal University.

“The Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence will provide thought leadership, skills and talent development, and applied programming that helps companies test, refine and commercialize innovative transportation and logistics solutions,” London said.

The Alberta Food Processors Association will receive nearly $1.5 million to help food and beverage companies adopt new technology, improve productivity and scale up operations, including upgrades to an AI powered industry platform called AB Food Connect.

“This investment comes at a critical time for Alberta’s food and beverage industry,” said executive director Bianca Parsons.

“Rising tariffs, global uncertainty, and increasing production costs are putting pressure on the very businesses that turn Alberta’s world class agriculture into the food Canadians enjoy every day,” Parsons said.

“This $1.4-million dollar investment gives our processors the tools to adapt and compete through expert trade and productivity support, direct funding for tariff impacted businesses, and smarter technology through an upgraded, AI powered AB Food Connect platform,” she added.

Parsons said the funding will help Alberta companies expand processing and innovation at home, strengthen supply chains, protect jobs and keep locally made products on Canadian shelves.

Two southern Alberta companies are also receiving direct funding to grow production and pursue new markets. Canadian Heritage Roasting Company is receiving $384,000 to strengthen coffee bean supply chains and expand its roasting and instant coffee production capacity.

Columbia Seed Co. Ltd. and XPT Grain Inc. will share $1 million to add a second production line aimed at doubling output of plant based food ingredients and expanding exports.

Foresight Canada will also receive $1.5 million to support late stage cleantech companies looking to expand into new markets despite tariff pressures.

In order to qualify for he federal grants, companies must demonstrate they have been adversely affected by tariffs. The grants are paid out only after the companies make investments to strengthen their operations.

Olszewski said the federal plan is intended to help businesses adjust as trade conditions evolve.

“The world has changed. In a more uncertain global trade environment, businesses and not for profit organizations across Alberta are working hard to adapt and compete,” Olszewski said in a statement.

“Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, our government is supporting their shift from reliance to resilience. That means strengthening domestic capacity, securing supply chains, and opening new markets,” she said.

“Together, we are building a more secure and competitive economy that will help Alberta and Canada succeed in a changing world,” Olszewski added.

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a $1 billion federal program aimed at helping Canadian businesses respond to tariff disruptions, scale innovation and diversify export markets.

PrairiesCan says applications remain open for eligible organizations across the Prairie provinces.