PacifiCan Funding Programs 2026: RAII Closes November 23, RTRI and BCSF Open

Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) is the federal regional development agency for British Columbia. It funds incorporated businesses, not-for-profits, municipal and regional governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, and Lytton homeowners across the province. Seven programs were open on November 8, 2026. The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative pays $200,000 to $5 million per project, interest-free and repayable. The expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative pays up to $2 million in non-repayable liquidity assistance, within a $20 million cap on total RTRI funding. The Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream pays $125,000 to $1 million, non-repayable. The Regional Quantum Initiative pays $500,000 to $5 million. Community Economic Development and Diversification and two Lytton rebuild programs complete the list. The soonest deadline is the RAII business intake, which closes at 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026, 15 days from today. Every date and figure in this guide was read from the agency's official pages on November 8, 2026, and the sources are linked at the end.

This guide covers every program on PacifiCan's funding page: what each one pays, who it rules out, the official deadline wording, and the documents the portal asks for. It also records which programs are closed and what their last intake looked like, so you can plan for the next one. If you want someone to carry the application, GrantOps builds and files it from your own records.

PacifiCan Funding at a Glance

PacifiCan describes itself as "the dedicated federal economic development agency for British Columbians." It was created in 2021 and operates under the Western Economic Diversification Act. It serves the province from its headquarters in Surrey, with offices in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert and Campbell River, plus a liaison office in Ottawa. The Vancouver address at 300 West Georgia Street is the mailing address, not the head office. Its 2026 to 2028 priorities are "Invest in B.C.'s Strengths", "Supply Canada" and "Grow Exports". If you are looking for the wider provincial picture, our British Columbia grants hub lists the provincial and federal programs side by side.

The table below reflects the status labels on PacifiCan's funding page, last modified October 30, 2026, and the program pages read on November 8, 2026.

Deadlines as of November 8, 2026

Only four PacifiCan programs carry a dated closing point. The rest are continuous or closed.

Continuous-intake programs with no closing date on their pages:

• Regional Tariff Response Initiative: "Accepting applications."
• Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream: "Apply as soon as possible. Applications will be assessed as they are received and funding decisions made on an ongoing basis."
• Community Economic Development and Diversification: "We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis"
• Regional Quantum Initiative: "We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis."

Cost windows that shape your project plan, even without an application deadline:

• RAII: costs between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2031.
• RTRI liquidity assistance: costs no earlier than August 22, 2026, incurred before March 31, 2028.
• RTRI pivot projects: costs no earlier than April 1, 2026, completed by March 31, 2029.
• BCSF Local Impact: costs between April 30, 2026 and March 31, 2030.

Two 2026 intakes have already closed and are covered in the closed-programs section: RDII accepted applications until April 15, 2026, and RIE closed at 12:00pm PT on September 11, 2026.

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII): Business Intake Closes November 23, 2026

RAII is a national program. The Government of Canada "is investing an additional $500 million over five years in the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), bringing the total investment to $700 million", and PacifiCan delivers it in British Columbia. The agency says it "is focusing early investments on businesses." The BC overview page was last modified on November 5, 2026, so re-read it on the day you submit.

Who can apply

PacifiCan runs two kinds of business project with two different thresholds:

• Adoption projects: "incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees."
• Commercialization projects: "incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least one year with 1 to 500 full-time equivalent employees."

The national AI strategy names five priority sectors: health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing and robotics. PacifiCan adds projects that use made-in-Canada AI, strengthen Canadian AI capabilities and sovereignty, or promote adoption among Indigenous peoples and youth. The agency's own priority sectors also apply: oceans and agriculture products and technologies, digital, AI and quantum technologies, advanced materials and manufacturing, clean technologies, critical minerals, energy, trade and logistics, life sciences and biomanufacturing, and shipbuilding and aerospace.

Who should not apply now: not-for-profits, and SMEs whose investment starts after April 1, 2027. The page states that "Future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments starting after April 1, 2027." Interested not-for-profits can email PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca in the meantime. A company that simply wants to buy a subscription should also hold off. The page says funding "is not intended to support routine purchases of off-the-shelf AI software without significant customization and integration to address specific operational needs."

How much and on what terms

• Amount: "$200,000 to $5 million in PacifiCan contributions per project."
• Type: interest-free repayable contributions. Repayment "Begins one year after project completion", is "Repaid in monthly installments over five years", with "No collateral required or penalty for early repayment". Indigenous businesses "may be eligible for more flexible funding terms".
• Share of costs: "Up to 50% of eligible project costs incurred". "At least 50% of project funding must come from non-government sources and be confirmed at time of application", and confirmed again before project approval.
• Stacking: any government assistance applied to project costs "may reduce RAII funding to keep total government support at no more than 50%". That assistance explicitly includes SR&ED credits and other federal or provincial tax credits. PacifiCan adds: "Exclude SR&ED eligible costs from your application when possible."
• Cost window: "Costs must be incurred between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2031. Retroactive costs may be covered up to 12 months prior to receipt of application."

What it pays for

Two activities qualify. "Commercializing AI technology: developing late-stage products (normally Technology Readiness Level 7-9) and demonstrating technology", and "Adopting AI technology: integrating AI into business processes or products". By exception, a commercialization project at TRL 6 may be considered if it shows strong economic benefits or aligns with the program priorities.

Eligible costs must be "incremental and essential to the implementation of the project":

• direct labour costs
• equipment and machinery
• supplies, inputs and materials
• contractor costs
• professional, advisory and technical service fees
• travel essential to the project
• other costs related to technology development and commercial demonstration, marketing, intellectual property, or AI-related infrastructure, hardware, software and facility upgrades

Ineligible costs include land and buildings, salary bonuses and dividends, hospitality and entertainment, refinancing of existing debts, and losses on investments. Also excluded are amortization or depreciation, taxes, lobbying and advocacy, membership fees and donations, and costs incurred before the project funding start date. The list ends with "ongoing operating costs (e.g., routine software subscriptions and license renewals)".

Deadline and how to apply

The official status line reads: "Currently accepting applications from businesses seeking funding beginning in 2026-27. Intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026." That is 15 days after November 8, 2026. Submit through the PacifiCan application portal at pacifican.prairiescan.gc.ca and attach:

1. A completed RAII Supplemental Form (PDF).
2. A completed Detailed Budget Worksheet (XLSX).
3. A completed Technology Questionnaire (PDF), for technology commercialization projects only.
4. Externally prepared financial statements for the past two complete financial years plus current interim statements. Commercialization applicants operating for less than two years may submit one year.
5. Confirmation of funding from all other sources.

Two warnings from the how-to-apply page matter here. "Applications that are started but not submitted will not be assessed." And "Automated systems and/or artificial intelligence may be used to assist review and assessment of applications." Questions go to PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca or 1-888-338-9378. The GrantOps listing for this stream is at PacifiCan RAII for businesses, and our FedDev Ontario RAII guide covers the southern Ontario version of the same initiative.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

The RTRI is the largest of the national initiatives PacifiCan delivers. "Together, RDAs are delivering $3.45 billion to help businesses affected by tariffs address liquidity pressures, strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets, and build resilience in the face of global trade disruptions." On September 8, 2026 PacifiCan announced that BC businesses "can now apply for the enhanced RTRI program". The release described "up to $3 million in non-repayable support, including up to $2 million for liquidity support and up to $1 million for pivot projects." The home-page banner on November 8, 2026 still read: "PacifiCan is now accepting applications for the expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) to help more businesses operating in British Columbia impacted by tariffs, including those facing liquidity pressures."

PacifiCan has already published results. On August 10, 2026 it announced "over $30.5 million in RTRI funding for 24 businesses and organizations across B.C.", including $1 million each for Mahler Machining in Coquitlam and COTA Aviation in Parksville. On October 28, 2026 it announced "an $11 million investment through the RTRI for Conifex Timber Inc." in Mackenzie, made up of "a repayable investment of $10 million and a non-repayable investment of $1 million". Our cross-agency Regional Tariff Response Initiative guide covers the national rules.

Who can apply

A business must:

• "be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in British Columbia"
• "have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your company's last two fiscal years"
• "have been viable prior to tariffs"
• show tariff impact in one of three ways: it operates in a sector hit by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs, including indirect exposure as a supply chain partner, or it "has at least 25% or more revenue coming from goods that are ultimately exported to the U.S.", or it can demonstrate a negative effect such as cost increases, supply chain disruption or loss of revenue

Transportation businesses may qualify if their core activities are tied to forestry exporters. Professional, scientific and technical services, and warehousing and logistics businesses may qualify if they play a critical role in a manufacturing exporter's tariff-impacted supply chain. "Support is also available for not-for-profit organizations in British Columbia whose primary focus is to support businesses."

Who should not apply: "retail businesses, businesses providing local consumer services (e.g., hotels, restaurants, utilities, healthcare, recreation), and oil and gas extraction and construction services generally are not eligible", and neither are not-for-profits or governments seeking liquidity for their own operating expenses. Businesses under $1 million in revenue are not formally eligible, but PacifiCan says it "will continue to work with businesses to understand their circumstances and needs", focusing on those critical to a value chain, sector or local economy.

How much and on what terms

Two caps sit over the table. "A business may receive up to a maximum of $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, consisting of up to $2 million in liquidity assistance and up to $1 million for a non-repayable pivot project." And "A business may receive up to a maximum of $20 million in total RTRI funding."

The liquidity amount is formula-driven. The FAQ says the maximum "will equal the lesser of" the projected 12-month cash flow need, or "50% of payroll, up to a maximum of $2 million", with certain essential operating costs considered if necessary. The applicant guide, last modified November 4, 2026, puts it as "50% of their average eligible monthly payroll, for a period of up to 12 months but no later than March 31, 2028, to a maximum non-repayable contribution of $2 million." Payroll already covered by another government program, including Employment Insurance Work-Sharing, is excluded.

The dates are specific. "If you are only requesting liquidity assistance, your proposed start date must be on or after August 22, 2026." Liquidity costs "may be retroactively eligible up to 12 months prior to the receipt of a project application but no earlier than August 22, 2026", and "All liquidity assistance costs must be incurred before March 31, 2028." For pivot projects, costs may be retroactive up to 12 months "but no earlier than April 1, 2026", and "All pivot project costs must be incurred before March 31, 2029." Existing RTRI recipients may also apply for liquidity support "beginning no earlier than August 22, 2026 and for up to 12 months".

Not-for-profit amounts are set out in a separate PDF applicant guide that we did not read, so this guide does not state them.

What it pays for

Liquidity assistance covers "employee salary and wages" and "essential recurring operating expenses related to rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance and property taxes". Pivot projects cover productivity and process modernization, "equipment and technology adoption, including automation and digitization", "market diversification and export development", and "supply chain resilience".

Conditions attach to liquidity funding. Recipients are "restricted from declaring or paying dividends, while receiving liquidity assistance". Recipients must also attest that the money will be used to maintain Canadian operations and retain employees, and report on employment and payroll levels during and after the project. "Adjustments will be made should other government supports be received."

Deadline and how to apply

There is no closing date on any RTRI page. The status is "Accepting applications." PacifiCan hosted an information session on September 21, 2026, and the video is linked from the program page.

In the portal, "select BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Business" or "BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Not-for-profit-NFP". A liquidity request must include:

• forecast income statements and cash flows for the 12-month assistance period, using your own model or PacifiCan's XLSX template
• payroll records for the last 12 months
• two years of financial statements plus current interim statements
• evidence of liquidity need and tariff impact
• incorporation documents
• confirmation of other funding

"Applications submitted without all required documents will be considered incomplete and cannot be processed."

Business questions go to PacifiCan.RTRI-SME_IRRT-PME@pacifican.gc.ca, and not-for-profit questions to PacifiCan.RTRI-NFP_IRRT-OSBL@pacifican.gc.ca. GrantOps carries two program listings for this initiative: RTRI in British Columbia and RTRI in British Columbia, second listing.

Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream (BCSF)

The Build Communities Strong Fund was announced in Budget 2025 and "will provide $51 billion over 10 years". Regional development agencies deliver the Local Impact Stream, "$1 billion over 4 years", and "PacifiCan is investing $136.3 million through the Local Impact Stream in communities across B.C. over 4 years, beginning in 2026–27." The first BC investment announced under it was $500,000 to the Island Corridor Foundation on September 16, 2026 for rail feasibility studies between Victoria West and Langford. Our Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact guide covers the stream across the country.

Who can apply

Three kinds of applicant: a "municipal or regional government", an "Indigenous community or organization", or a "not-for-profit organization". The applicant guide adds that the organization must be "based in British Columbia and legally incorporated in Canada". PacifiCan encourages Indigenous applicants, and "At least 10% of available funding through the BCSF Local Impact Stream delivered by regional development agencies across Canada will be dedicated to projects with Indigenous communities and organizations."

Who should not apply: businesses, and any applicant whose project needs more than $1 million. "Projects requesting more than $1 million should visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada's Build Communities Strong Fund website", because HICC delivers the Direct Delivery Stream and the other BCSF streams nationally.

How much and on what terms

• Amount: "Normally $125,000 to $1 million per project".
• Type: non-repayable contributions.
• Share of costs: "Normally up to 50% of eligible project costs". "PacifiCan may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous communities and organizations, where a strong justification exists for doing so." Combined government assistance from municipal, provincial and federal sources "may be up to 100% of eligible project costs".
• Matching funds: proof of confirmed funding from other sources, normally at least 50%, at the time of application. Priority may go to projects that "leverage greater funding from other partners (i.e., more than 50% of total project costs)".
• Cost window: "All eligible project costs must be incurred between April 30, 2026 and March 31, 2030." Costs may be retroactive up to 12 months before the application, but no earlier than April 30, 2026.

What it pays for

The project must involve "building or improving community infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access is not primarily limited to paid membership) and has economic, social, or environmental benefits for the broader community or region". Examples on the pages include community buildings, shared economic assets such as downtown improvements and innovation hubs, recreation facilities and cultural facilities. Signage promoting the federal contribution is an eligible cost and a requirement. Ineligible: "acquisition or leasing of land, buildings, or other facilities", "recurring operations and maintenance", and "motorized vehicles".

Deadline and how to apply

There is no closing date. The status is "Status Open", with the instruction "Apply as soon as possible. Applications will be assessed as they are received and funding decisions made on an ongoing basis." The pages also state: "PacifiCan is currently accepting application for projects beginning in 2027-28. Priority will be given to shovel-ready projects." Shovel-ready means permits and inputs secured and construction complete before March 31, 2030.

One clarification. A third-party listing claims a BCSF "2026–27 intake closed September 14, 2026". That statement appears on no official PacifiCan page we read. The BCSF pages carry a "Date modified" of September 14, 2026, which is consistent with a change on that day but does not say what changed.

Apply in the portal: "When you create a submission, select PacifiCan - Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF)". A complete application includes the online form, a copy of the ownership or lease agreement, financial statements for the past two years, proof of confirmed funding, and proof of permission to renovate where applicable. "Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible and will not be assessed." Questions go to info@pacifican.gc.ca.

Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI)

RQI "is part of the Government of Canada's National Quantum Strategy and Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program". It funds organizations commercializing quantum computing, sensors, communications technology and materials for domestic and global markets.

Who can apply

"Incorporated businesses and not-for-profit organizations" commercializing quantum products and solutions. Who should not apply: anyone whose project is still basic or applied research, because "basic and applied research and development (Technology Readiness Level 1-6)" is an ineligible cost.

How much and on what terms

• Amount: "$500,000 to $5 million".
• Businesses: "Interest-free repayable contributions". Repayment "Begins two years after project completion", is "Repaid in monthly installments over eight years", with "No collateral required or penalty for early repayment". Up to 50% of eligible costs, and at least 50% from non-government sources identified at application.
• Not-for-profits: "Non-repayable contributions for non-commercial projects" and "Interest-free repayable contributions for commercial projects". The share is "Up to 50% of project funding", and "in exceptional cases, up to 90%" of eligible costs.
• Stacking: "Total funding from all levels of government is limited to 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% of other eligible costs".

What it pays for

Wages, equipment, marketing, "technology development and commercial demonstration costs (Technology Readiness Level 7-9)", intellectual property and professional services. Ineligible: TRL 1-6 research, land and buildings, and "management fees or working capital".

Deadline and how to apply

"Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis until March 31, 2028 or until the funding is fully allocated (whichever happens first)." There is no portal stream named on the page. Instead: "Contact us to discuss your proposed project with one of our business officers." Reach PacifiCan at 604-666-6256, 1-888-338-9378 or info@pacifican.gc.ca. The RQI pages we read did not give a program-specific email address.

Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD)

CEDD is PacifiCan's standing program for not-for-profits that build local economies.

Who can apply

"Not-for-profit organizations including local, regional and Indigenous economic development organizations or governments". Who should not apply: for-profit businesses, which have no stream here.

How much and on what terms

Funding "Varies by project". Contributions are non-repayable, "Typically up to 50% of eligible project costs". The page adds that "in exceptional circumstances, PacifiCan may fund a higher proportion of a project's costs". "At least 50% of project funding should come from private organizations or other public organizations, including municipal and provincial governments", and with a strong rationale PacifiCan could accept more than 50% from government sources.

What it pays for

Wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, contractor and expert services, rents and leasehold improvements, information management and IT, transportation, and "capital improvement to shared-use infrastructure".

Deadline and how to apply

"We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis." The process has two stages: "After discussing your project with PacifiCan, the first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to submit a full application." Start with info@pacifican.gc.ca.

Lytton Business Restart and Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Programs

Both programs help Lytton, B.C. rebuild after the wildfire that destroyed much of the village. Both carry the same wording: "Accepting applications until December 31, 2026, or until program funds are fully committed, whichever comes first". No time zone or clock time is stated, so do not wait for the last day.

Who can apply

The Business Restart Program is for "Businesses that are new or returning to Lytton, B.C.", with priority for "core businesses including grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and gathering places such as coffee shops". The Homeowner program is for "Eligible Lytton homeowners who wish to rebuild fire-resilient, fire-resilient and Net Zero, or fire-resilient and Net Zero Ready homes". Who should not apply: anyone outside Lytton.

How much and on what terms

• Business Restart, Rapid Restart stream: "up to $20,000", non-repayable contributions.
• Business Restart, Small Business Recovery stream: "up to $1M", "repayable and non-repayable contributions".
• Homeowner Resilient Rebuild: grants of "$27,000" for fire-resilient homes, "$24 per square foot + $77,000" for fire-resilient and Net Zero homes, and "$24 per square foot + $44,500" for fire-resilient and Net Zero Ready homes.

Deadline and how to apply

The deadline is December 31, 2026, 53 days from November 8, 2026, or earlier if funds run out. We did not read the sub-pages for either program, so the application steps and contact details are on PacifiCan's Lytton pages linked in the Sources section.

Programs That Are Paused or Closed

PacifiCan's funding page listed six programs as "Currently closed" on November 8, 2026 and nine under "Past programs". The ones below are the ones a BC applicant is most likely to ask about, with the facts of their last intake so you can plan for the next one.

Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE): closed, next intake date not published

Status: "Not currently accepting applications". The last intake was announced on June 24, 2026 with the words "The intake will close at 12:00pm (PT) on September 11th, 2026." The same release said "The RIE program intake will open twice a year, with a streamlined application process". PacifiCan has not published the next date on any page we read.

Terms from the last intake: non-repayable contributions "Not normally exceeding $3 million, with 50% matching funding", project duration "normally three years", for projects "typically undertaken by industry associations, ecosystem organizations or other not-for-profits". Applicants wanting more than $3 million must contact PacifiCan before applying. Because of the Business Acceleration Pilot, "applications focused on accelerator programs are not being considered in this intake." The portal stream is "BC (PacifiCan) - Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)".

Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII): closed since April 15, 2026

Status: "Status Not currently accepting applications". Two 2026 news releases carried the deadline: "Applications are being accepted until April 15, 2026." No clock time appears on the pages we read. RDII "is a $379.2 million initiative delivered by Canada's regional development agencies", and "PacifiCan is delivering $67.5 million under this initiative in British Columbia over three years, starting in 2025-26."

Terms: "Interest-free repayable contributions of $100,000 to $10 million per commercial project" for incorporated businesses, "PacifiCan may contribute up to 75% of eligible costs", and combined government assistance may reach 100%. "All project costs must be incurred and services rendered or goods received between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2028." Repayment normally begins one year after completion over five years. Announced BC results include over $46.6 million for eight projects on February 20, 2026. Of that, over $40.6 million went to five test-facility and research projects at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. A further $13.8 million for five AI and aerospace projects followed on March 31, 2026. Contact: pacifican.RDII-IRID@pacifican.gc.ca. Our cross-agency Regional Defence Investment Initiative guide tracks the other agencies.

Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP): closed, next intake not published

Status: "Not currently accepting applications". BSP funds "Incorporated high-growth businesses" with "Interest-free repayable contributions of $200,000 to $5 million per project" and a "Lifetime maximum of $10 million per recipient", at "Up to 50% of eligible project costs reimbursed up to four times per year". Total government support is kept at no more than 50%, with SR&ED credits counted. The page warns: "The BSP program is highly competitive and not all applicants will receive funding." PacifiCan has not published a reopening date.

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII): closed

Status: "Not currently accepting applications". PacifiCan is "delivering $7.1 million in funding to support local innovative housing solutions across British Columbia" under a national initiative that "will invest $50 million over 2 years". Funding per recipient and type of funding both read "Varies". Eligible applicants included businesses, not-for-profits, Indigenous-led organizations and governments working on modular, mass timber, prefabricated, 3D-printed, net-zero and climate-resilient housing.

Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund (BEP): closed

Status: "Status Not currently accepting applications". The fund delivers "$3.8 million in funding to strengthen the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem in B.C." through non-repayable contributions of "Variable. Up to $3 million may be requested." to "Incorporated Black-led not-for-profit support organizations", where at least two-thirds of leadership self-identify as Black. GrantOps lists it at PacifiCan BEP Ecosystem Fund.

PacifiCan Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP): closed

Status: "Not currently accepting applications". The historic expression-of-interest deadline on the page was "12:00 PM (noon) on December 14, 2023." BizAP offered "funding for up to three years of activities" to accelerators, angel networks, industry associations, municipalities, post-secondary institutions and similar organizations that help high-growth firms scale. Not-for-profits received non-repayable contributions, for-profits repayable contributions at 0% interest over five years. The page is also where PacifiCan states its service standard: a funding decision "within 90 business days (90% of the time) of receiving a complete funding proposal".

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF): past program

"This program is now closed." PacifiCan invested "$85.4 million in British Columbia" from a "$700 million nationally over 3 years" envelope. Businesses received interest-free repayable funding for up to 50% of costs, not-for-profits non-repayable funding for up to 90%, with a maximum of $10 million per project. The historic stacking limit was 75% of eligible costs for businesses.

Tourism Growth Program (TGP): past program

"Applications for the Tourism Growth Program are no longer being accepted. Submitted applications are under assessment." The $108 million national program offered interest-free repayable contributions of up to $250,000 to businesses, and all costs had to be incurred by March 31, 2026. The Canadian Experiences Fund is not listed on PacifiCan's funding page as an open, closed or past program. The only tourism programs listed are the Tourism Growth Program and the Tourism Relief Fund, both past.

Regional Development Fund for the forest sector: not yet open

PacifiCan has published a placeholder page that reads, in full: "The $100 million Regional Development Fund was recently announced to support the transformation of the forest sector. PacifiCan will be delivering this fund in British Columbia. Check back soon for more details." It is not yet on the funding page, and no amounts, eligibility rules or dates are published. Keep it separate from the RTRI forest-sector money: on June 3, 2026 the Government announced "an additional $300 million through the RTRI to support the transformation of Canada's forest sector", which flows through the RTRI rules above.

Partner-Delivered Support: Community Futures and the Economic Development Initiative

Two PacifiCan-funded services are not PacifiCan application programs, so you apply to the partner, not to the agency.

Community Futures. "PacifiCan provides funding to Community Futures so they can support small- and medium-sized businesses in rural and remote communities." "Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC), along with 34 independent member offices, are non-profit organizations." They offer business loans, entrepreneurship training and workshops, business planning and financial forecasting support, and one-on-one coaching and mentorship. CFBC also delivers the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program and, with the Province of B.C., Export Navigator. Loan amounts and terms are set by each office and are not stated on canada.ca.

Economic Development Initiative (EDI). "PacifiCan delivers EDI through the Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDECB)." Nationally the program "provides $30.5 million in funding over five years (2023 to 2028)" for Francophone-led organizations and entrepreneurs in diversification and trade, economic immigration, the green economy, youth and tourism. Apply through SDECB's Fonds de développement économique francophone du Pacifique. GrantOps lists it at PacifiCan Economic Development Initiative.

National Initiatives Delivered by PacifiCan

How PacifiCan Compares with the Other Regional Development Agencies

PacifiCan was created in 2021 and serves a single province. It operates under the Western Economic Diversification Act, which came into force on June 28, 1988. Its application portal lives at pacifican.prairiescan.gc.ca, a prairiescan.gc.ca address. Our pillar guide to the regional development agencies explains how the national initiatives are split between the agencies.

The national initiatives have the same names everywhere but different intake calendars. In BC the RAII business intake closes at 12:00 pm Pacific on November 23, 2026, and PacifiCan has limited this round to businesses, with not-for-profits and SMEs told to wait for investments starting after April 1, 2027. The RTRI in BC has no closing date, and its liquidity assistance starts no earlier than August 22, 2026. The BCSF Local Impact Stream in BC is funding projects that begin in 2027-28. If you operate in another region, the agency guides for ACOA, CED Quebec, CanNor, FedDev Ontario, FedNor and PrairiesCan carry that region's dates.

What is particular to PacifiCan is the BC-only layer: the Regional Quantum Initiative with its eight-year repayment schedule, the two Lytton rebuild programs, the Business Acceleration Pilot, and Community Economic Development and Diversification. PacifiCan also publishes a service standard: "a funding decision to a client within 90 business days (90% of the time) of receiving a complete funding proposal". It tells applicants that automated systems or AI may assist in assessing applications. Both facts belong in your project timeline.

Stacking PacifiCan Funding with SR&ED and IRAP

PacifiCan states a stacking rule on most of its business programs, and the rules are not all the same.

• RAII (open): total government support is kept at "no more than 50%", and PacifiCan says that assistance "includes Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) credits and other federal or provincial tax credits." It adds a direct instruction: "Exclude SR&ED eligible costs from your application when possible." In practice, the experimental development that resolves technological uncertainty stays in your SR&ED claim, and the deployment, integration, infrastructure and commercial demonstration work goes into the RAII budget.
• BSP (closed): the same 50% total-government rule, with SR&ED credits counted, so the same split applies when it reopens.
• RQI (open): "Total funding from all levels of government is limited to 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% of other eligible costs". A quantum company can therefore carry more government support on labour and services than on equipment.
• RTRI (open): the pages do not state a percentage cap on total government assistance. They do exclude payroll "covered by another government program, including support provided through Employment Insurance (EI) Work-Sharing" from the liquidity calculation, and they state that "Adjustments will be made should other government supports be received."
• BCSF and RDII: combined government assistance from all sources may reach 100% of eligible costs.
• History: the Jobs and Growth Fund capped stacking at 75% of eligible costs for businesses. That program is closed and its cap no longer applies to anything.

An NRC IRAP contribution is federal government assistance, so it counts toward the RAII 50% cap and the RQI 50% and 75% caps in the same way SR&ED credits do. The clean structure is to keep IRAP and SR&ED on the research phase and PacifiCan on the commercialization or adoption phase, with no cost claimed twice. Where a cost sits in both budgets, the program officer will reduce the PacifiCan share, so settle the split before you apply.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Match your organization to an open program. Businesses with an AI project go to RAII before 12:00 pm Pacific on November 23, 2026. Tariff-hit businesses with $1 million or more in revenue go to RTRI. Governments, Indigenous organizations and not-for-profits go to the BCSF Local Impact Stream or CEDD. Quantum companies go to RQI.
2. Run the disqualifying tests first. For RAII, three years and 5 to 500 FTEs for adoption, or one year and 1 to 500 FTEs for commercialization. For RTRI, $1 million in revenue in one of the last two fiscal years, viability before tariffs, a tariff-impact test, and none of the excluded sectors. For BCSF, public access and a request of $1 million or less.
3. Confirm your matching funding. PacifiCan normally funds up to 50%, and RAII and BCSF require proof of confirmed funding from other sources at the time of application. Gather bank statements, loan commitments or partner letters now, because RAII asks for the confirmation twice.
4. Build the budget inside the cost window. Date every cost. RAII costs fall between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2031. RTRI liquidity costs start no earlier than August 22, 2026 and end before March 31, 2028. RTRI pivot costs start no earlier than April 1, 2026 and finish by March 31, 2029. BCSF costs fall between April 30, 2026 and March 31, 2030.
5. Create the submission in the portal under the right stream. Sign in at pacifican.prairiescan.gc.ca and select the exact stream name: "PacifiCan - Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF)", "BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Business", or "BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Not-for-profit-NFP". For RQI and CEDD, contact a PacifiCan business officer first, because CEDD starts with an expression of interest.
6. Attach every mandatory document. For RAII: the Supplemental Form, the Detailed Budget Worksheet, the Technology Questionnaire for commercialization projects, two years of externally prepared financial statements plus interim statements, and confirmation of funding. For RTRI liquidity: the 12-month cash flow forecast, 12 months of payroll records, financial statements, evidence of tariff impact and incorporation documents. Incomplete applications are not assessed.
7. Submit before the clock time and keep the record. "Applications that are started but not submitted will not be assessed." Keep the portal confirmation, and expect a decision within PacifiCan's 90 business day service standard for complete proposals.

How GrantOps Handles a PacifiCan Application

A PacifiCan file is won or lost on evidence. The incorporation date and FTE count prove you fit a stream. The payroll records set an RTRI liquidity amount. The dated cost schedule has to fit the window, and PacifiCan asks for the matching-funds confirmation twice. GrantOps connects to the engineering, finance and project tools your company already runs. It pulls the eligibility evidence, budget tables and technical narrative from those records, and it keeps every number traceable to its source for the program officer and for any later audit.

For a RAII application, that means the Detailed Budget Worksheet is built from your general ledger and timesheets by federal fiscal year. The Technology Questionnaire draws on your repositories and test records to show TRL 7 to 9. SR&ED-eligible costs are kept out of the RAII budget so both claims stay clean. For an RTRI liquidity request, the 12-month cash flow forecast, the average monthly payroll and the tariff-impact evidence come from your accounting and sales data, not from a spreadsheet rebuilt the night before. GrantOps also tracks the intake dates: the November 23, 2026 RAII close, the December 31, 2026 Lytton deadlines and the March 31, 2028 RQI end date. It watches for the RIE and BSP reopenings that PacifiCan has not yet dated.

You approve every submission before it goes out. Start free, or book 30 minutes and we will map your project to the right stream.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PacifiCan and who does it fund?

Pacific Economic Development Canada, known as PacifiCan, is the federal government's dedicated economic development agency for British Columbia. It was created in 2021 and operates under the Western Economic Diversification Act, with headquarters in Surrey and offices in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert and Campbell River. It funds incorporated businesses through repayable, interest-free contributions, and not-for-profits, municipalities and Indigenous communities and organizations through non-repayable contributions. Its open programs on November 8, 2026 were RAII, RTRI, the BCSF Local Impact Stream, the Regional Quantum Initiative, CEDD and two Lytton rebuild programs.

When does the PacifiCan RAII intake close?

PacifiCan's page says the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative is currently accepting applications from businesses seeking funding beginning in 2026-27, and that the intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026. That is 15 days after November 8, 2026. Applications that are started in the portal but not submitted will not be assessed. Future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations and SMEs for investments starting after April 1, 2027, and no date has been published for those. The page was last modified on November 5, 2026, so re-read it on the day you submit.

Is PacifiCan funding a grant or a loan?

It depends on who you are. Businesses almost always receive repayable contributions that are interest-free, with no collateral and no penalty for early repayment. Under RAII and BSP repayment begins one year after project completion and runs monthly over five years. Under the Regional Quantum Initiative it begins two years after completion and runs over eight years. The exceptions for businesses are RTRI liquidity assistance and RTRI pivot projects up to $1 million, which are non-repayable. Not-for-profits, municipalities and Indigenous organizations receive non-repayable contributions under BCSF, CEDD and RIE. The Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program pays grants.

Who qualifies for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia?

An incorporated for-profit business located and operating in British Columbia, with at least $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of its last two fiscal years, that was viable before the tariffs and can show tariff impact. Impact means operating in a sector hit by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs, earning 25% or more of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or demonstrating a negative effect such as cost increases, supply chain disruption or lost revenue. Retail, local consumer services, oil and gas extraction and construction services are generally not eligible. Not-for-profits whose primary focus is supporting businesses can also apply.

Can a municipality or not-for-profit get PacifiCan funding?

Yes. The Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream pays non-repayable contributions of normally $125,000 to $1 million to municipal and regional governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, and not-for-profits for public community infrastructure, normally at up to 50% of costs and up to 100% for Indigenous projects with strong justification. Community Economic Development and Diversification funds not-for-profits, including Indigenous economic development organizations and governments, typically at up to 50%, through a two-stage expression of interest. Regional Innovation Ecosystems, for industry associations and ecosystem organizations, is currently closed, and its last intake ended on September 11, 2026.

Can I stack PacifiCan funding with SR&ED or IRAP?

Within limits that differ by program. RAII keeps total government support at no more than 50% of project costs, and PacifiCan counts SR&ED credits and other federal or provincial tax credits as government assistance. It asks you to exclude SR&ED eligible costs from your RAII application when possible. The Regional Quantum Initiative limits total funding from all levels of government to 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% of other eligible costs. An NRC IRAP contribution is federal assistance and counts toward the same caps. The practical approach is to keep SR&ED and IRAP on the research phase and PacifiCan on commercialization and adoption costs.

Which PacifiCan programs are closed, and when do they reopen?

On November 8, 2026 PacifiCan's funding page listed six programs as currently closed: the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, Business Scale-up and Productivity, the Business Acceleration Pilot, the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative and Regional Innovation Ecosystems. The RIE intake closed at 12:00pm PT on September 11, 2026, and PacifiCan has said the intake will open twice a year, but it has not published the next date. RDII accepted applications until April 15, 2026. No reopening date is published for BSP or the others. The Jobs and Growth Fund and the Tourism Growth Program are past programs.

How do I apply for PacifiCan funding?

Most programs use PacifiCan's online application portal at pacifican.prairiescan.gc.ca, where you create a submission and select the program stream, for example PacifiCan - Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) or BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Business. RAII and RTRI require specific forms: a supplemental form, a detailed budget worksheet and, for AI commercialization projects, a technology questionnaire, plus two years of financial statements and confirmation of other funding. The Regional Quantum Initiative and CEDD start with a conversation with a PacifiCan business officer, and CEDD then uses an expression of interest. Incomplete applications are not assessed.

Sources

All program facts above were read on November 8, 2026 from the agency's official pages.

• PacifiCan home page (RTRI and national-initiatives banner)
• PacifiCan funding programs list (open, closed and past status labels)
• PacifiCan contact page (Surrey headquarters, offices, phone, email)
• PacifiCan role and structure (mandate, Act, priorities)
• Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative overview (status, November 23 deadline)
• RAII funding overview (amounts, repayment, costs, stacking)
• RAII who can apply (streams, FTE thresholds, TRL)
• RAII how to apply (forms and documents)
• RAII contact us
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative overview (status, $3.45 billion)
• RTRI types of support (amounts, caps, periods)
• RTRI eligible applicants (revenue test, exclusions)
• RTRI how to apply (portal streams, documents)
• RTRI frequently asked questions (liquidity formula, conditions)
• RTRI business applicant guide (August 22, 2026 start date, cost windows)
• RTRI contact us
• Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream overview (status, 2027-28 projects)
• BCSF who can apply
• BCSF funding overview (amounts, cost window)
• BCSF how to apply
• BCSF applicant guide
• Regional Quantum Initiative overview
• RQI funding overview (amounts, repayment, stacking)
• RQI how to apply (March 31, 2028 intake end)
• Community Economic Development and Diversification overview
• CEDD funding overview
• CEDD how to apply (two-stage EOI)
• Lytton Business Restart Program
• Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program
• Regional Innovation Ecosystems overview
• RIE funding overview
• RIE how to apply
• Regional Defence Investment Initiative overview ($67.5 million BC envelope)
• RDII funding overview
• RDII how to apply
• RDII contact us
• Business Scale-up and Productivity overview
• BSP funding overview
• Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative
• Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund
• PacifiCan Business Acceleration Pilot (service standard)
• Jobs and Growth Fund
• Tourism Growth Program
• Regional Development Fund placeholder page
• Support for rural and remote entrepreneurs (Community Futures)
• Support for Francophone communities (Economic Development Initiative)
• PacifiCan funding application portal
• News release, June 24, 2026: RIE intake (September 11, 2026 close, twice-yearly intake)
• News release, August 10, 2026: $30.5 million RTRI (24 recipients, RTRI history)
• News release, September 8, 2026: expanded RTRI (liquidity support, $3.45 billion)
• News release, September 16, 2026: BCSF rail study ($136.3 million BC envelope)
• News release, October 28, 2026: Conifex RTRI ($11 million investment)
• News release, February 20, 2026: RDII defence projects (April 15, 2026 deadline, $46.6 million)
• News release, March 31, 2026: RDII AI and aerospace ($13.8 million)
• News release, May 11, 2026: AI and quantum investments (PacifiCan created in 2021)