Hon. Tracy Muggli: Minister, thank you for being with us today. I will like to ask a question in relation to your role as the minister responsible for PrairiesCan — to change the subject a little bit.

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative intake for applications has recently opened to help support businesses facing the impact of tariffs, including changes to their customer markets and supply chains. Can you share how PrairiesCan intends to ensure that this funding actually reaches affected Prairie businesses quickly enough to make a difference? What is the expected timeline for reviewing applications and getting funding out the door?

For businesses that do receive funding, what indicators will be collected to measure whether this initiative is actually working, such as identifying if businesses were able to maintain jobs, diversify or become more resilient to current and future trade disruptions?

Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, P.C., M.P., Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada: Thank you for the question. I think the government made a very wise decision having tariff relief — at least some portions of it — dealt with through regional development agencies such as PrairiesCan.

PrairiesCan is nimble. It is very much aware of businesses across the Prairie provinces. It has a very strong presence on the ground. Of course, we want to get to as many small- and medium-sized tariff-impacted businesses as possible.

Since tariff relief came into being, which was March 2025, PrairiesCan has approved more than $450 million for over 300 projects. The investments have supported 9,400 businesses across the Prairies alone and contributed to the creation of more than 15,000 jobs. That is an incredible success story. With this recent round of tariffs, we’ve added a liquidity measure.

To your question about timing, it used to take a number of weeks, and sometimes a couple of months, to process requests that went to PrairiesCan. In terms of tariff relief, liquidity measures are being done in under a week. The other types, like support for businesses that want to pivot, are being done expeditiously as well. Thank you.

Senator Muggli: As a follow-up, what is PrairiesCan doing to help businesses, municipalities and NGOs become aware of programs to help adapt to the current environment and assist them in applying for the proper programs for which they may qualify?

Ms. Olszewski: That’s a really important question because we need to get to as many small- and medium-sized enterprises as possible. Not only through PrairiesCan but through my office, we are engaging with chambers of commerce and various business groups across the Prairies. We are holding round tables and making sure we have literature available so that as many businesses as possible are aware of the tariff relief that’s available.

The other thing we’ve done — and I think this is important, too — is that we have created a one-stop window. Someone may contact PrairiesCan first, but PrairiesCan may not have the right type of tariff relief. A bigger company may need help through a different strategic —

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, minister.