Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Resources for Canadian Resiliency and Competitiveness
NCFA | March 4, 2025
Image: Freepik
Resources for Canadian SME Businesses to Improve Resiliency and Competitiveness
In the face of economic uncertainty and the challenges posed by tariffs and trade tensions, Canadian businesses must adapt, innovate, and strengthen their resilience. The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA) is committed to equipping entrepreneurs, small businesses, industry leaders and individuals with the tools, strategies, and insights to build and improve resiliency and competitiveness.
See: Fintech reports and research
This resource hub provides access to expert guides, financial strategies, actionable frameworks and insights to help you stay competitive and sustainable. Whether you need support in managing cash flow, re-evaluating supply chains, or understanding new trade regulations, our curated growing list of select resources to keep you informed and prepared.
1. A Guide for Canadian Businesses on Tariffs and Trade Challenges - Weathering the Storm
This guide is packed with practical steps to help small and medium-sized businesses in Canada deal with the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainty. It covers ways to manage cash flow, adjust pricing, strengthen supply chains, and improve operations to stay competitive. The strategies are designed to be easy to apply and cost-effective, helping businesses adapt and thrive in a changing trade environment.
🔷Source: TRBOT World Trade Centre
📖 Length: 32 pages
🔗Download Here: Weathering the Storm Guide (32 pages)
2. A Blueprint for Canada’s Economic Future – Complacency to Competitiveness
This report looks at the challenges holding back Canada’s economy and lays out steps to boost competitiveness. It focuses on improving tax policies, expanding trade beyond the U.S., and making smart investments in infrastructure and talent. The goal is to help businesses and policymakers create a stronger, more resilient economy for the future.
🔷Source: Toronto Region Board of Trade
📖 Length: 12 pages
🔗Download Here: Complacency to Competitiveness Report
3. How Businesses Can Handle Tariffs and Trade Policies
This guide explains four key ways businesses can deal with tariffs and trade restrictions. It walks through how to figure out where your company might be affected, how to adjust your pricing, and how to change your supply chain if needed. It also looks at the bigger picture, including how tariffs could impact your suppliers and what to do to stay ahead of competitors who might be facing the same issues.
🔷 Source: Oliver Wyman
📖 Length: 5-minute read
🔗 Read Here: Four Ways to Navigate Tariffs and Trade Policies
4. Fintech Companies That Are Changing How Businesses Handle Trade
Many businesses struggle with the high costs and complex processes of international trade. This article introduces six fintech companies that are creating digital solutions to make trade easier. These companies help businesses track payments, manage their cash flow, and reduce paperwork when trading across borders. Some of them are also working with banks to make financing more accessible for small and medium-sized businesses that need better payment options for global trade.
🔷 Source: Trade Finance Global
📖 Length: 7-minute read
🔗 Read Here: 6 Interesting Trade Finance Fintechs and What They Are Doing
5. Business Resources on Trade and Tariffs
This resource center is designed for businesses that need current information on tariffs and trade policies. It includes reports, analysis, and guides on how businesses can adjust their pricing, find new suppliers, and reduce risks from tariffs. It also provides insights into how different industries are being affected by changing trade rules, so businesses can prepare for what’s ahead.
🔷 Source: PwC
📖 Length: Various articles available
🔗 Explore Here: Tariffs and Trade Policy Resource Centre
6. Export Resources for Canadian Fintech Companies
Fintech businesses looking to expand into international markets can access a range of helpful tools and guides. FintechCanada.io resource hub provides information on how to successfully enter new markets, navigate regulations, and grow a business beyond Canada. It includes insights from experts, case studies from companies that have expanded globally, and the latest news on international fintech trends. The platform also offers detailed overviews of key global fintech markets, such as the United Kingdom, helping businesses understand where and how to expand.
🔷 Source: FintechCanada.io
📖 Length: Multiple articles and reports
🔗 Explore Here: Export Resources for Canadian Fintechs
7. Exporting Resources for Canadian Businesses
Businesses looking to expand into international markets can access a range of tools and guides to help them navigate the exporting process. BDC's export resource hub includes step-by-step guides, financing options, and tools to calculate costs and manage risks. It covers key topics like how to create an export plan, understand trade regulations, and find new opportunities in global markets. Businesses can also access tools like the Canada Tariff Finder to estimate costs and a checklist to ensure they are ready to start exporting.
🔷 Source: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
📖 Length: Multiple guides and tools
🔗 Explore Here: BDC Exporting Resources
8. Toolkit: Trading Internationally and Winning with Fintech
This toolkit helps businesses understand how financial technology (fintech) can make international trade easier. It explains how fintech solutions can simplify processes like finding new markets, checking overseas partners, calculating import taxes, and reducing risks in global trade. The toolkit offers resources and fintech options tailored to different stages of a business's export journey. It also discusses new trends in global trade finance and what they mean for businesses aiming to grow internationally.
🔷 Source: Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
📖 Length: Approximately 2-minute read
🔗 Access Here: Toolkit: Trading Internationally and Winning with Fintech
9. Supporting Canadian Exporters Through U.S. Tariff Challenges
The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) offers assistance to Canadian businesses dealing with recent U.S. tariffs, which include a 10% duty on energy products and a 25% duty on other goods from Canada. The TCS provides support in understanding the impact of these tariffs, identifying new markets, and connecting with relevant contacts to address challenges. Additionally, they offer resources for export diversification and self-serve tools to help businesses navigate these disruptions. The Government of Canada has also implemented a remission framework to support affected businesses and workers.
🔷 Source: Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
📖 Length: Approximately 5-minute read
🔗 Access Here: Supporting Canadian Exporters Through U.S. Tariff Challenges
10. Tariff-Proofing Canadian Businesses with Intellectual Property
This article explains why Canadian businesses should protect their ideas, brands, and inventions, especially with possible U.S. tariffs. It recommends that companies review their intellectual property (IP) to see what needs protection and secure patents not just in Canada, but also in the U.S. and other countries. Doing this helps businesses stay competitive even when trade rules change. It also covers the benefits of registering trademarks internationally through systems like the Madrid Protocol, which makes it easier to protect brands in multiple countries.
🔷 Source: Gowling WLG
📖 Length: Approximately 5-minute read
🔗 Access Here: Tariff-Proofing Canadian Business: The Role of Intellectual Property
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This is a growing list. Be sure to check again in the future if looking for helpful resources!
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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