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.

MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry
Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing

Museum Assistance Program - Exhibition Circulation Fund
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Up to 90% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration

Regions and Rurality Fund — convenience stores
Gouvernement du Québec- From $10,000 to $150,000
- Up to 85% of project cost
- Retail trade

Capitale-Innovation
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance

REGI — Jobs and Growth Fund — CED (QC) — For profit
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Acting to support growth
City of Montreal (MTL)- Maximum amount : 270,000 $
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Greater Montreal Climate Fund — 2025-2026 Call for projects
Greater Montreal Climate Fund- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program Component 3 — Food quality and safety management
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $7,500 to $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Capitale-Commerce
Quebec City- From $5,000 to $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

CELTIC-NEXT – Next Generation Communications Autumn 2025 call for proposals
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Private sector support program for the deployment of public fast charging stations
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 2
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Hosting Program - International Single Sport Events (ISSE)
Canadian Heritage- Up to 35% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project grants
Government of Ontario- From $200,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- All industries

Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Southern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- From $125,000 to $10,000,000
- Public administration

CQRDA — INNOV-R SME
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 450,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)

FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Development program — Black and People of Colour stream
Telefilm Canada- From $15,000 to $37,500
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund - Regulatory Policy Dialogue
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Public administration

Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund - Engagement and Collaboration Support
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)- No Condition
- Utilities

Collaborative Industrial Research and Support to Innovative Entrepreneurship — 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
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

REGI — Business Scale-up and Productivity — CED (QC) — Not-for-profit
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
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Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Expansion and Diversification
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Aquaculture Development
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec
Government of Canada- From $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy (CAS) - Union Training and Innovation (UTIP))
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

Social Economy Support Fund
Social Economy Mauricie- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Wood Innovation Program — Component 2
Gouvernement du Québec- From $200,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Wood Innovation Program - component 1
Gouvernement du Québec- From $200,000 to $2,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Magazine — Aid to Publishers
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Dairy Direct Payment Program
Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

International Promotion Program
Telefilm Canada- From $2,500 to $40,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Ontario Creates Magazine Fund — Diversity Enhancement Stream
Government of Ontario- From $5,000 to $15,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Rapid Housing Initiative — Projects Stream
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)- Minimum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance

Global Market Development Fund — Film and Television
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Production program — French market budgets $3.5M+
Telefilm Canada- Maximum amount : 3,500,000 $
- Up to 49% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Digital Citizen Contribution Program (DCCP)
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 380,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program — Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting
Canadian Heritage- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Global Market Development — IDM Fund
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous Forestry Initiative
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Global Market Development for Music Managers
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Canada Periodical Fund — Business Innovation
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Production program — Indigenous stream
Telefilm Canada- Up to 30% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Global Market Development Fund – Book
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Universal Broadband Fund (UBF)
Innovation Canada- Up to 90% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
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Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP)
Public Safety Canada (PSC)- No Condition
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.2 - Regional, sectoral and environmental challenges facing slaughterhouses and cheese dairies
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $7,500 to $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Accelerating to Zero Grant Program
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3)- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing

FAQDD — Écoemballage+ Stream 2
Fonds d'action Québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD)- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services

Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF)
Canadian Heritage- Up to 100% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PADAAR — Measure 4051 – Innovation and testing
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Support program for economic development projects (PAPDE) — Component 2 : Support for the development of strategic sectors and regions
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Development program — General stream
Telefilm Canada- From $15,000 to $37,500
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Youth Employment and Skills Program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- Maximum amount : 14,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- From $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Celebrate Canada Funding Program
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Canada Media Fund (CMF) - Changing Narratives Fund (CNF)
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

Agricultural Clean Technology Program - Adoption Stream
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- From $25,000 to $2,000,000
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Tourism Growth Program in Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

FedDev Ontario — Economic Development Initiative (Southern Ontario) — Not-For-Profit
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Anti-Racism Action Program
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 100,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

Abandoned Boats Program - Education, Awareness, and Research (EA&R) component
Transport Canada (TC)- No Condition
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services

On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- From $500,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

DEL — Expertise Financing Grant
Développement économique de l'agglomération de Longueuil (DEL)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $5,000 to $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Musicaction - Global Funding Envelope – Support Program
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PADAAR — Measure 4074 – Relief group
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MT Lab — Project Financing Program — Component 2
MT Lab- Maximum amount : 90,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component
Hydro-Québec- Minimum amount : 500 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- All industries
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Music management and publishing assistance
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 120,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Innovative Solutions Canada — Challenge Stream for innovators
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- All industries

Airport Critical Infrastructure Program (ACIP)
Transport Canada (TC)- No Condition
- Transportation and warehousing

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement for tourism 2022-2025 – Digital development of a company
Tourisme Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean- From $5,000 to $25,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Ecocamionnage Program — Technology acquisition component
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- No Condition
- Transportation and warehousing

Movable Cultural Property Grants
Canadian Heritage- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC)- Up to 40% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program
Canada Media Fund (CMF)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

SODEC — Support for book and publishing companies – Component 1
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Information and cultural industries

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 50,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

Aboriginal Funds For Species At Risk (AFSAR)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Ecocamionnage Program — Acquisition of used heavy vehicles component
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- No Condition
- Transportation and warehousing

Sport Support Program - Canadian Sport Centre (CSC))
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant (2025-26)
Government of Ontario- From $5,000 to $10,000
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Financial assistance for infrastructure projects supporting the mining sector (ENIAM)
Gouvernement du Québec- From $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

Doing business in French
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MT Lab — Project financing program — Component 1: Strategic support
MT Lab- From $5,000 to $12,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Hosting Program - International Multisport Games for Aboriginal Peoples and Persons with a Disability (IMGAPPD)
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Hosting Program - Canada Games
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Enabling large-scale sovereign AI data centres
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Ambition-Compétences — Training for resilience and competitiveness in employment
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)- Up to 85% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Promotional assistance for music and entertainment companies
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Age Well at Home (AWAH) - Scaling Up for Seniors Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- From $100,000 to $2,000,000
- Health care and social assistance