Province to provide tariff relief supports for businesses and workers
The Government of Prince Edward Island is providing targeted financial supports to help Island businesses and workers respond to the impacts of U.S. tariffs.
Building on the province’s tariff response plan announced in March 2025, the new and expanded supports will provide businesses with access to working capital and non-repayable grants, while helping workers access training and employment supports. The provincial programs will complement recently announced federal supports and help Island businesses manage immediate pressures while adapting to changing trade conditions.
Finance PEI will deliver a $10 million Tariff Working Capital Assistance Program, providing businesses with immediate access to up to $500,000 in working capital at an interest rate of four per cent over seven years. Interest-only repayments will be expected for the first two years.
Through the PEI Tariff Impact Relief Fund, Innovation PEI will allocate $2.5 million to support impacted businesses with non-repayable grants of up to $50,000 to explore new markets, develop new supply chains, enhance participation in trade activities, and increase productivity to help them navigate this new economic landscape.
Since March 2025, the province has provided $3 million in non-repayable grants to help Island businesses pursue new markets, access market intelligence, and improve operational productivity.
In addition to supports for businesses, the Canada-Prince Edward Island Workforce Tariff Response announced in April 2026 will provide targeted training and employment services, to help Island workers adapt, upskill and remain competitive in a changing labour market. The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are investing $3.1 million over three years for supports for workers and employers in tariff-affected sectors, as well as industries that may be impacted by broader global market shifts here on Prince Edward Island. Delivered through SkillsPEI, these enhancements build on existing employment and training programs, ensuring Islanders can access support when and where they need it most.
All Island businesses affected by, or at risk from, U.S. tariffs are encouraged to complete the Innovation PEI survey. Feedback from businesses will help shape the province’s response as the Canada-US trade conditions evolve.
Find the latest provincial information on trade and available supports here.
Quotes:
“Island businesses and workers are facing real uncertainty because of these tariffs, and our government will be there to support them. We’re acting now, alongside our federal partners, to help businesses manage the immediate impacts, protect Island jobs and give them the tools they need to adapt. As the situation changes, we’ll keep listening, responding and standing up for Prince Edward Island.”
- Premier of Prince Edward Island Rob Lantz
“Small businesses and exporters across Island communities have in-demand, high-quality goods and services from agricultural and fisheries products to aerospace and defence solutions. Market diversification, both domestically and internationally, is essential to building a strong PEI economy for today and future generations. The financial supports we have been providing these past 18 months have helped strengthen this important groundwork for our province and our country.”
- Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Artificial Intelligence Jenn Redmond
“Tariffs and trade disruptions may create uncertainty, but they do not define who we are as Islanders. Our greatest strength has always been our people and their ability to adapt, innovate and move forward together. By supporting Island workers and employers through changing economic conditions, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient province for the future.”
- Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning Zack Bell
Media contacts:
Emily Blue
Office of the Premier
emilyblue@gov.pe.ca
Vicki Tse
Department of Economic Development, Trade and AI
vickitse@gov.pe.ca
April Gallant
Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca