The Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to fund initiatives that support people, businesses, communities and the workforce to navigate potential and realized impacts of tariffs and other economic impacts.
Theses programs have been designed with the goal of addressing current economic gaps and potential economic impacts created by tariffs, intending to help Northern B.C. communities. Funding has been made available through four programs:
– Business Diversification and Sustainability (opens Sept. 2, 2026)
– First Nation Business Development Capacity (opens Sept. 2, 2026)
-Business Advisory Supports (open)
-Labour Market Research Plans (closed)
The Business Diversification and Sustainability program is designed to enable businesses to make the necessary capital investments that allow them to diversify, expand their markets, offer new products/services, or be able to increase productivity due to new efficiencies created.
Learn MoreThe First Nation Business Development Capacity program (FNBDC) is designed to provide limited term, specialized capacity in the form of a consultant for First Nation Development Corporations (FNDC) to engage with and advance large economic development projects occurring in the area.
Learn MoreThe Business Advisory Supports program is designed to offset the costs associated with obtaining third-party professional supports for small businesses. The intent of the program is for applicants to be able to access professional supports for addressing specific tariff-related impacts and for sustaining and/or creating employment opportunities.
Learn MoreFunding program closed December 12, 2025
The program provided funding to local governments to conduct specific labour market research plans and identify the unique labour challenges and opportunities within their communities. The intent is to enable communities to obtain critical, timely and relevant information regarding their labour environment.
If you’d like to discuss your project in further detail with Northern Development staff, please contact us by email, phone, or filling out the form below. Also, we encourage you to reach out to us if you think you are eligible for funding for categories that are not specified here.
