People adversely affected by tariffs imposed by the United States will benefit from expanded supports through two new initiatives delivered by the Province in partnership with the Government of Canada.

Originally focused on forestry, the Build Your Own Future (BYOF) program is being expanded to support workers across all industries affected by U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs. The program offers five-day business bootcamps, with one-on-one coaching and mentorship to help displaced workers transition into entrepreneurship. Participants who complete the program are eligible for a $5,000 grant to help cover startup costs.

“We know that people have been impacted by Trump’s unjust tariffs, so we are taking action to support them,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Whether it’s supporting new career training or helping communities adapt to changing economic conditions, these new projects are about putting people first. We’re investing in their ideas and their futures.”

Funded through a $2.95-million investment, the BYOF program is delivered by the Northern Innovation Network. The funding supports a three-year initiative to develop and deliver entrepreneurship training tailored to skilled tradespeople and technicians.

“This program has been some of the best training that I’ve ever had,” said Adrian Bealing, a BYOF participant. “Many people I know are affected by mill closures, so to be able to provide a service to your community as an entrepreneur is a no-brainer. This program has opened so many doors for me that I wouldn’t have had without it. It’s been a great way to connect with other tradespeople and businesspeople.”

The Province is also launching the Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund (RREIF), which is a $5-million investment to support communities in northern and remote regions. Delivered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), RREIF will fund labour-market studies to help communities address the effects of tariffs and respond to local employment needs. RREIF will also fund business advisory services so organizations can diversify and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

“At NDIT, our focus is on building strong, resilient communities across northern B.C., and the Rural and Remote Employment Initiative Fund is a tangible way of achieving that goal,” said Ben Campbell, chief executive officer, NDIT. “We are proud to be a partner supporting local governments with the tools to clearly understand their unique labour dynamics, and ensuring businesses have the resources they need to address both current and emerging economic gaps."

RREIF will support local governments and businesses in regions such as the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Prince George, northeastern and northwestern B.C. Phase 1 of RREIF will launch this fall with two funding streams: the Labour Market Research Plans stream, which will help communities in planning for long-term economic resilience; and the Business Advisory Supports stream for professional services, which will help businesses respond to tariff impacts by diversifying and creating jobs.

These two programs align with broader efforts by the Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, to provide targeted support for tariffic-affected workers, businesses and communities. These initiatives are funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quotes:

Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages –

“When Canadians face challenges, we face them together. By strengthening programs like Build Your Own Future and launching the Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund, we’re helping Canadians navigate the impacts of tariffs and seize new opportunities. This investment is about more than today’s obstacles, it’s about building a resilient future where every Canadian can succeed.”

Mary Mytting, executive director, Northern Innovation Network  –

“What we consistently hear from Build Your Own Future participants is that receiving the foundational business skills training gives them the confidence to start their own business, as starting a business can feel scary. They learn what to plan for, how to price out jobs and how to budget and market their business. We then take them deeper and work on the soft skills of how to lead their business, customer service and project management, exposing them to ideas and concepts that help make their business sustainable.”

Quick Facts:

• The BYOF curriculum includes skills such as finance, marketing, operations and project management, along with training in health and safety, customer service, leadership and diversity.
  • Programs are offered both in-person and online to ensure accessibility throughout the province.
• Funding intakes for the RREIF are as follows:
  • Labour Market Research Plans stream: from Oct. 1 until Nov. 15, 2025. Local governments can apply. 
  • Business Advisory Supports: continuous intake starting Oct. 1, 2025.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/training-agreements/lmda.html

For more information about the Northern Innovation Network, visit: https://northerninnovation.ca/

To learn more about Northern Development Initiative Trust, visit: https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/

To learn more about B.C.’s response to tariffs, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/tariffs