Business Financing in Canada
Funding is a crucial element for any business looking to start, grow, or innovate. In addition to traditional options such as bank loans or relying on investors, there is a frequently underestimated alternative: grants. This detailed guide explores the various sources of grants available, as well as the financial services and sustainable funding strategies for businesses in Canada. By following the outlined steps, entrepreneurs can identify grants suited to their projects, whether they are government programs, innovation funds, or initiatives specifically targeting certain sectors. Grants are an advantageous solution, often non-repayable, allowing businesses to fund their projects without resorting to debt.

MRC Abitibi-Ouest — Emergence Fund
MRC Abitibi-Ouest- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

MRC de Rivière-du-Loup — FRR – Stream 3: Signature innovation - renewable energies
MRC Rivière-du-Loup- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC L'Islet — Financial assistance program for the restoration of buildings of heritage interest
MRC de L'Islet- From $3,000 to $30,000
- Up to 60% of project cost
- All industries

Community Organization Assistance Program (PAOC) – Support for projects
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Maximum amount : 80,000 $
- Up to 95% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE)
MRC de Sept-Rivières- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Collines-de-l'Outaouais — Festivals and Events Support Fund (FSÉF) – Component 1
MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Quebec Affordable Housing Program (QAHP)
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Up to 80% of project cost
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program (TIRAP)
Gouvernement du Québec- From $500,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Paid Sick Leave Rebate
Government of Yukon- No Condition
- All industries

Call for Projects on the Procurement & Conditioning of Forest Biomass for Bioenergy Production
Consortium de recherche et d'innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 - Produce a bid book or business plan
Gouvernement du Québec- From $5,000 to $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC de Rivière-du-Loup — FRR – Stream 2: Support for structuring projects to improve living environments
MRC Rivière-du-Loup- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC Pontiac — FRR Stream 1
MRC Pontiac- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Support for mobilising projects
Investissement Québec (IQ)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Impulse-Skills program
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

SODEC — Assistance for businesses in the arts and crafts sector — Stream 2
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- From $5,000 to $10,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Black Arts Projects
Toronto Arts Council (TAO)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies
City of Montreal (MTL)- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Accommodation and food services

Support for food processing companies
Productique Québec- Maximum amount : 12,800 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Manufacturing

MRC de Mékinac — FRR Stream 4
MRC de Mékinac- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Nicolet-Yamaska — Regional development fund (FRR volet 2)
MRC Nicolet-Yamaska- No Condition
- All industries

MRC de D’Autray — Business Development Program
MRC de D'Autray- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Rio Tinto Alcan Diversification Fund
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- All industries

Digital Museums Canada — Digital Projects
Digital Museums Canada (DMC)- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC L'Islet — Support fund for creative caravans
MRC de L'Islet- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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Policy Dialogue Program
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada- No Condition
- Public administration

First Nations Child and Family Services Program
Indigenous Services Canada- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Indigenous Justice Program - The Capacity-Building Fund
Department of Justice Canada- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Canadian Semiconductor R&D Partnering Delegation to France
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants
innovÉÉ- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Short-Term Projects
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Supporting youth employment centers
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

PME MTL — Subsidies to support social economy initiatives
PME MTL- From $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — Business Support Fund – Stream 3
MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

Musicaction — Title production and promotion
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Portneuf — Young Leaders Fund of the Portneuf Region
MRC Portneuf- Maximum amount : 500 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Grants for women entrepreneurs
J. Armand Bombardier Foundation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance

MRC L'Islet — Support for self-employed workers (SSEW)
MRC de L'Islet- No Condition
- All industries

MRC La Haute-Côte-Nord — Support for structuring projects (PSPS)
MRC La Haute-Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC Papineau — Digital Transformation and Development Fund (FADN)
MRC Papineau- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Call for projects showcasing Sherbrooke’s intangible heritage
Ville de Sherbrooke- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Minganie — Local Investment and Solidarity Funds (FLI-FLS)
MRC de Minganie- No Condition
- All industries

MRC Brome-Missisquoi — The Brome-Missisquoi Pact 2025
MRC Brome-Missisquoi- Up to 90% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

MRC Arthabaska — Social Economy Business Development Fund (FDEÉS)
MRC Arthabaska- No Condition
- Manufacturing

FAQDD — Sustainable destination and concerted action — Component 2 - Support for the implementation of projects arising from a participative and concerted approach within the destination to promote responsible, sustainable tourism adapted to the context of climate change
Fonds d'action Québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD)- No Condition
- All industries

Sustainable Growth Investment — Agri-Environmental Enhancement of Cultivated Land
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC L'Islet — Fund to help architectural design companies conquer new markets
MRC de L'Islet- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Subsidy for companies to install electric charging stations
City of Montreal (MTL)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

innovÉÉ — PSO
innovÉÉ- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Productivity - Small commercial companies
Quebec City- From $15,000 to $25,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
- All industries
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PME MTL — Business Diversity Support Program for the Southwest
PME MTL- From $10,000 to $20,000
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Bellechasse — Support for initiatives from rural areas (AIMR)
MRC de Bellechasse- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Transportez vert — Eco-driving Training
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC de Montcalm — New Entrepreneur Fund
MRC Montcalm- Maximum amount : 14,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC L'Islet — Local Services Development Fund
MRC de L'Islet- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges — Fonds de développement des communautés (FDC)
MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges- Up to 70% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

MRC La Matanie — Community Development Program - Special Collaborations Stream
MRC La Matanie- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 2 - Support for local and regional development skills
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- All industries

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — FRR – Stream 2
MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Innovation in Quantum Technologies — Stream 1
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Financial assistance for workforce training in northern communities
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

AgriInvest
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Assistance program for venues
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- From $500 to $1,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Biofood market development program — Component 1
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC Bécancour — Social Economy Fund (SEF)
MRC Bécancour- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Bioenergies Program
Environnement Québec (MELCC)- From $10,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Business Support
MRC Charlevoix-Est- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Arthabaska — Futurpreneur Canada
MRC Arthabaska- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- All industries

Musicaction — Canvassing
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funding program for cybersecurity innovation projects in Quebec – Innovation stream
PROMPT- Up to 25% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

PME MTL — New Community Businesses
PME MTL- From $23,000 to $23,000
- All industries

Ministerial Initiative Agri-Environmental Compensation
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- From $1,500 to $50,000
- All industries

Indigenous Justice Program - Indigenous Engagement Fund
Department of Justice Canada- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Nicolet-Yamaska — Signature project (FRR part 3)
MRC Nicolet-Yamaska- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
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Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Feasibility study
Enbridge Gas Quebec- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Real estate and rental and leasing

Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) — Alberta
Genome Alberta- From $100,000 to $2,000,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Employment stabilization
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 6,500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC Deux-Montagnes — Regional and Rural Fund (FRR) – Stream 3
MRC Deux-Montagnes- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Support Program for Isolated Communities
Recyc-Québec- Maximum amount : 950,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

PME MTL — Funds for Retail businesses
PME MTL- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Retail trade

Beauce-Centre MRC — Optimization Assistance Program
MRC Beauce-Centre- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — Business Support Fund – Stream 4
MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Kamouraska — Bas-Saint-Laurent Territorial Partnership Program
MRC Kamouraska- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Signature Innovation Project (PSI)
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 1,584,870 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges — FSTE
Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges- From $25,000 to $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Green Alleyway Support Program
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Collines-de-l'Outaouais — Festivals and Events Support Fund (FSÉF) – Component 2
MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC L'Islet — Support Fund for Structural Projects (FSPS)
MRC de L'Islet- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 95% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC La Matapédia — Regions and Rurality Fund of La Matapédia - Structuring Projects Support Policy
MRC La Matapédia- From $5,001 to $25,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous Justice Program - The Community-Based Justice Fund
Department of Justice Canada- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC La Nouvelle-Beauce — Créavenir
MRC de La Nouvelle-Beauce- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Program to help Québec tourism activities, attractions and events go digital — Activities, attractions and events
Gouvernement du Québec- From $10,000 to $60,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC de Rivière-du-Loup — FRR – Stream 1: Regional outreach fund / Territorial projects
MRC Rivière-du-Loup- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
- Utilities
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Rio Tinto Aluminium Valley Fund
Société de la Vallée de l’Aluminium (SVA)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Musicaction — Support for emerging artists – Production assistance
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Génome Québec — Genomics Integration Program – Human Health
Génome Québec- From $50,000 to $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

MRC Rivière-du-Loup — Business Succession
MRC Rivière-du-Loup- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence
Protein Industries Canada- Up to 45% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing