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.

Purple Leash Project

Canada Music Fund - Collective Initiatives

Productivity-Skills
- Up to 85% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Educational services

EPRTNT — Studies and consulting services
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 30.000002% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

ACOA — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund in Atlantic Canada

Support program for Quebec sports federations

Strategic sectors


Harnessing Agriculture for Research, Value-add Environmental Solutions, and Technology (HARVEST)

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario

Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative — Light-Duty Vehicle — For-profit

The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR)

Sports Support Program - National Multisport Services Organization

Canada Book Fund - Support for Organizations

Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (IFIT) — Business projects

Future Fuels Challenge

CRIAQ International

REGI — Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario

Financial support program for community daycare activities – Component 2: Financial assistance for one-time projects

Implementation projects: Adaptation in Action

Feasibility study – Adaptation in Action

Tourism Sprint Program

Hosting Program - International Major Multisport Games (IMMG)

Financial support program for government initiatives in community and volunteer action

Environmental Damages Fund
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Digital Citizen Research Program - Digital Citizen Contribution Program

Call for projects in social innovation

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Canada

RNA Entrepreneurship initiative

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces

Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund

Exchanges Canada - Youth Exchanges Canada

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 - Support for regional outreach

Water reduction program for paper mills

Innovation continuum

Aero Montreal — Eco-Responsibility

Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada

PrairiesCan — Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund in the Prairie provinces

Strategic Response Fund (SRF)

ÉcoPerformance — Energy management stream

Call for projects Genium360

Ontario Creates Book Fund

Healthy Eating Program Stream 1 – Support for the implementation of diagnostic studies

Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Social Initiatives Component

Translation and Interpretation Reimbursement Fund for Municipalities

Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 3 – Support for Family Partners

Research Training and Talent Development

Call for projects – Technology showcase
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Support, modernization, and alignment program with needs and markets for construction, renovation, demolition, and deconstruction waste

CRIBIQ — PARTENAR-IA — Industry

Gaspésie Tourism — EPRTNT 2025-2027 – Structuring the regional tourism offering

QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC)

CRTC — Broadband Fund


Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 4 – One-time Support for Innovative Projects

Indigenous Languages Program - Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting

Eco-design incentive bonus

Rénoclimat

Project Grant Program

Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) in the Prairie provinces

AcceleratiON Program

PRIMA — Call for Projects


LogisVert Program — Financial assistance for builders

National Capacity Building Grants

Startup in residence

Recyc-Québec — Beverage Container Recycling — Stream 2

Recyc-Québec — Beverage Container Recycling — Stream 1

Recyc-Québec — Beverage Container Recycling — Stream 3

VRQ call for projects

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 4 – Soutien à la vitalisation et à la coopération intermunicipale : Axe Vitalisation

Celebration and Commemoration Program

MTL + ECOMMERCE — Digital Accelerator
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Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure (ZEVIP) — owners and operators

Research Support Fund

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure (ZEVIP) — Indigenous organizations

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 1 – Support for the overall mission of community family organizations (CFOs)

EcoAction - Community-led freshwater action across Canada Stream

Grains Innovation Fund

Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk

New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) - Community-Based Projects

Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Community Action and Volunteerism Component

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement in tourism

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario

PME MTL — Innovation, productivity, and sustainable development fund


Trois-Rivières — Real Estate Heritage Restoration Program

CALQ — Exploration and Research

Trois-Rivières — Redevelopment of the first neighborhoods – Stream 2: Renovation of heritage buildings

Trois-Rivières — Redevelopment of the first neighborhoods – Stream 3: Management and disposal of contaminated soil and dry materials

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 2 – Support for National and Regional Groups

METHANE REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

Trois-Rivières — Revitalization of commercial arteries in the city's oldest neighborhoods – Stream 3: Revitalization and development of local businesses

Virage techno – shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown

Study: Community Energy Systems

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 3 - MRC ‘Signature innovation’ projects

Scientific and Innovative Venture Program (SIVP)
