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.

Canada Periodical Fund — Aid to Publishers
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

LogisVert Program — Financial assistance for builders
Hydro-Québec- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Construction

Support for commercial arteries — Component 3 – Support for the operations and projects of a business association and commercial streets
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 65% of project cost
- All industries

Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP)
Government of Alberta- Up to 12% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing

MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 3.1
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 107,950 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 4 – Soutien à la vitalisation et à la coopération intermunicipale : Axe Vitalisation
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

VRQ call for projects
Axelys- From $20,000 to $50,000
- Up to 27% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure (ZEVIP) — owners and operators
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

Research Support Fund
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure (ZEVIP) — Indigenous organizations
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 1 – Support for the overall mission of community family organizations (CFOs)
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- Maximum amount : 850,000 $
- Construction

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Healthy Eating Program Stream 1 – Support for the implementation of diagnostic studies
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $10,000 to $100,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Alberta Innovates — Agriculture & Environment (AE) Program
Alberta Innovates- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration

EcoAction - Community-led freshwater action across Canada Stream
Canada Water Agency (CWA)- From $25,000 to $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Grains Innovation Fund
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO)- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

EcoAction - Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada Stream
Canada Water Agency (CWA)- From $25,000 to $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Public administration

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 3 – Support for Family Partners
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) in the Prairie provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant for a circular economy assessment
City of Montreal (MTL)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Other services (except public administration)

Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)

National Adaptation Strategy & Hydrologic prediction and innovation
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Youth Initiative to Combat Climate Change - Entrepreneurship and Green Economy
Quebec International Youth Offices (LOJIQ)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
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Work-Sharing program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

New Horizons for Seniors Program – Pan-Canadian Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- From $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) - Community-Based Projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 3.2
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Community Action and Volunteerism Component
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP) - Critical Regional Priorities (CRP) Stream
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Public administration

Innovation continuum
Axelys- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

EDC Trade Impact Program
Export Development Canada (EDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement in tourism
Quebec Ministry of Tourism (MTO)- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Canada
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)- Up to 25% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- Up to 25% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario
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

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- From $125,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing

PME MTL — Innovation, productivity, and sustainable development fund
PME MTL- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

APCHQ — Programme de formation Fiers et compétents
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- No Condition
- Construction

AI Compute Access Fund
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- From $67,000 to $3,350,000
- Up to 67% of project cost
- All industries

Roulez Vert — Used vehicle rebate
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 3,500 $
- Retail trade

FAQDD — Reducing air and noise pollution – Component 1
Fonds d'action Québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Idea to Innovation Grants
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Sports Support Program - National Multisport Services Organization
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative for the development of greenhouses and large tunnels
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- From $10,000 to $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CALQ — Exploration and Research
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Trois-Rivières — Real Estate Heritage Restoration Program
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing

Trois-Rivières — Affordable Housing Development Support Program
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance

Trois-Rivières — Redevelopment of the first neighborhoods – Stream 2: Renovation of heritage buildings
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
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Supporting Artistic Practice — Literary Publishers
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Trois-Rivières — Redevelopment of the first neighborhoods – Stream 3: Management and disposal of contaminated soil and dry materials
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Public administration

Petits établissements accessibles
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 2 – Support for National and Regional Groups
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

METHANE REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF)- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities

Trois-Rivières — Revitalization of commercial arteries in the city's oldest neighborhoods – Stream 3: Revitalization and development of local businesses
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Digital Citizen Research Program - Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research
Canadian Heritage- From $7,000 to $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration

Youth Initiative to Combat Climate Change - Education and Awareness
Quebec International Youth Offices (LOJIQ)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

CRIAQ International
Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia
Government of Canada- From $200,000 to $10,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Justice Partnership and Innovation Program
Department of Justice Canada- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

Innovation Scouting Fund
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)- From $12,000 to $75,000
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

International Technology Pilot and Demonstration Program — Cleantech (Global Markets)
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- From $75,000 to $700,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development
Indigenous Services Canada- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Virage techno – shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- Maximum amount : 37,500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

FAQDD — Reducing air and noise pollution – Component 2
Fonds d'action Québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

AcceleratiON Program
Ontario Creates- From $2,500 to $20,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Hosting Program - International Major Multisport Games (IMMG)
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

PRIMA — Call for Projects
Advanced Materials Research and Innovation Hub (PRIMA)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Health care and social assistance

Study: Community Energy Systems
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration

Community Action Support Program for Families – Component 4 – One-time Support for Innovative Projects
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

RNA Entrepreneurship initiative
Axelys- Maximum amount : 80,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Scientific and Innovative Venture Program (SIVP)
Québec Research Fund- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 3 - MRC ‘Signature innovation’ projects
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
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Feasibility study – Adaptation in Action
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)- Maximum amount : 70,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Public administration

Organic Waste Management Support Program for Industry, Commerce, and Institutions (PMOICI)
Recyc-Québec- From $75,000 to $500,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services

Aero Montreal — Eco-Responsibility
Aéro Montreal- No Condition
- Manufacturing

Support, modernization, and alignment program with needs and markets for construction, renovation, demolition, and deconstruction waste
Recyc-Québec- From $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Construction
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

The Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT)
Strix- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

BC Agriculture and Food Export Program
Government of Canada- From $5,000 to $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Digital Health Innovation Fund
Digital Health & Discovery Platform (dhdp)- Minimum amount : 1 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Startup in residence
Desjardins- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Participation and Inclusion Component
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Roulez Vert — New vehicle rebate
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- All industries

Support program for Quebec sports federations
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Future Fuels Challenge
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Implementation projects: Adaptation in Action
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Public administration

Financial Support Program for Community Daycare Activities – Component 1: Financial Assistance for CDCA Activities
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Call for projects SOVAR
Axelys- From $15,000 to $20,000
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Financial support program for community daycare activities – Component 2: Financial assistance for one-time projects
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Valorization in RNA
Axelys- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Apply for funding for Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families – Financial Empowerment of Low-Income People
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

Epic MegaGrants
Epic Games- From $5,000 to $150,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Financial assistance for a standard project to implement GHG emission reduction measures
Gouvernement du Québec- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Funding for Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families – Social Inclusion of Vulnerable Children and Youth
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

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

Purple Leash Project
Women's Shelters Canada (EndVAW)- From $4,500 to $23,850
- Health care and social assistance
National Capacity Building Grants
Canadian Women's Foundation- From $100,000 to $600,000
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration