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.

Program to support research and development of products made from reused and recycled end-of-life tires
Recyc-Québec- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Workplace first aid training
The Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST)- Up to 5% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Construction

Plug-In NB Charging Rebates for Business
NB Power- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)

Indigenous Initiatives Fund IV
Gouvernement du Québec- Up to 50% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

CFIN Food Innovation Challenge
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)- From $20,000 to $2,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
Funding charitable organizations — Local Grants
Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Operating Grant : Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Through Research
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- Maximum amount : 700,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Laurentides Tourism — Regional Partnership and Digital Transformation Agreement in Tourism (EPRTNT) – Studies and consulting services
Laurentides Tourism- From $10,000 to $25,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Research in priority areas
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- Up to 25% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

PADAAR — Measure 4075 – On-farm or indoor demonstrations
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Rail Transportation Infrastructure and Modal Integration Support Program — Part 3 — Studies
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 66.67% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

MRC des Chenaux — Chenaux Local Social Economy Fund (FLÉS)
MRC des Chenaux- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

SODEXPORT — Component 1: Strategic development of companies abroad
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 160,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- Up to 30% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

Summer Company
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- All industries

Tourism Innovation Program — Stream 2 - Support for projects and the development of innovative businesses
MT Lab- Maximum amount : 90,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

APCHQ — Co-op Housing Development Program
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- No Condition
- Real estate and rental and leasing

MRC Les Appalaches — FRR Part 3
MRC des Appalaches- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Public administration

The Quantum Technologies innovation funding program
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Rail Transport Infrastructure and Modal Integration Support Program – Maintenance and improvement of rail transport infrastructure - Part 1 - Maintenance and improvement of rail transport infrastructure
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- Maximum amount : 4,500,000 $
- Up to 66.67% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Indigenous Arts Projects
Toronto Arts Council (TAO)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Financial assistance for nonprofit tenants
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Innovation in Quantum Technologies — Stream 2
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Financial Assistance to Support Rental Housing
MRC Charlevoix-Est- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Construction

ÉcoPerformance — Implementation of large industrial projects
Environnement Québec (MELCC)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
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MRC Domaine-du-Roy — Economic Development Fund
MRC Domaine-du-Roy- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Taxi Industry Modernization Support Program (PSMITT)
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Laurentides Tourism — Regional Partnership and Digital Transformation Agreement in Tourism (EPRTNT) – Festivals and events
Laurentides Tourism- From $15,000 to $25,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Financial assistance for tourism festivals and events — Stream 2
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

AgriInvest — Quebec
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- From $250 to $10,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC de Mékinac — FRR Stream 2
MRC de Mékinac- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 67% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Renewable Natural Gas Production Support Program — Stream 2
Gouvernement du Québec- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities

Ambition-Compétences — Green Economy and Digital Transformation
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Rail Transportation Infrastructure and Modal Integration Support Program – Part 2 – Modal Integration
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC Lac-Saint-Jean-Est — Rural Region Fund - Signature Innovation
MRC Lac-Saint-Jean-Est- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PSO-Biofood II – 144th call for projects
Consortium de recherche et d'innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 27% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Marketing support project for kitchen furniture and cabinets
PACMAC- Maximum amount : 99,000 $
- Manufacturing

Accès-Loisirs
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Charlevoix — Support Fund for the Emergence of Business Projects
MRC Charlevoix- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PADAAR — Measure 4074 – Targeted individual skills development plan
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 1,500 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Défi-Québec, Commercial City
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

Îles-de-la-madeleine — Vitalization frame - Component 2
Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Building Optimization
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Laurentides Tourism — Regional Partnership and Digital Transformation Agreement in Tourism (EPRTNT) – Accommodation
Laurentides Tourism- From $30,000 to $95,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Business Growth — Growth support vouchers
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Supporting community development corporations
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Ville de La Tuque — RRF stream 1 - Regional outreach support
Ville de La Tuque- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Program to help Québec tourism activities, attractions and events go digital — Incoming and fixed-price agencies
Gouvernement du Québec- From $10,000 to $60
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Parliamentary District Policing Program
Public Safety Canada (PSC)- Maximum amount : 50,000,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Public administration

MRC de Mékinac — Support fund for cultural initiatives
MRC de Mékinac- Maximum amount : 1,500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
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Sustainable Development Support Program for Mining Sector Companies — Stream A
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - Métis Nation Language Funding Model
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services

Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole — MADEES
MRC des Maskoutains- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Attractions, activities and facilities
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Recyc-Québec — Beverage Container Recycling — Stream 2
Recyc-Québec- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Laurentides Tourism — Regional Partnership and Digital Transformation Agreement in Tourism (EPRTNT) – Structuring the regional tourism offering
Laurentides Tourism- From $20,000 to $95,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Arthabaska - Self-employment support (STA)
MRC Arthabaska- No Condition
- All industries

MRC Beauce-Sartigan — New Tourist Attractions Fund (FNAT)
MRC Beauce-Sartigan- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Home Renovation Savings Program
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- Maximum amount : 12,000 $
- All industries

MRC Coaticook — Vitality Entrepreneurship Fund
MRC de Coaticook- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Community Organization Assistance Program (PAOC) – Support for the Overall Mission
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

EPRTNT — Attractions, activities and facilities
Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est- From $50,000 to $100,000
- Up to 30% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Group Entrepreneurship Capital Program
Investissement Québec (IQ)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Finance and insurance
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Papineau —Sustainable Development Fund (SDF)
MRC Papineau- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC De la Côte-de-Gaspé - Investment support fund
MRC de La Côte-de-Gaspé- From $10,000 to $10,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

Financial assistance for large-scale northern projects
Gouvernement du Québec- Minimum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole — MADE
MRC des Maskoutains- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Podium Manufacturier
Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ)- From $40,000 to $70,000
- Manufacturing

Peak Perks
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- Maximum amount : 75 $
- Utilities
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

APCHQ — Affordable Housing Fund: New Construction - Community Housing Sub-Stream
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- Up to 95% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

MRC La Matapédia — Regions and Rurality Fund of La Matapédia - 2024 Business Support Policy
MRC La Matapédia- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

CACHE Challenges
Conscience- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

CoolSaver Program
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- Utilities
- Construction

Recreational access for people with functional limitations
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Caniapiscau — Signature innovation
MRC de Caniapiscau- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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IP financing - Associate members of CAI
Innovation asset collective (IAC)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants
City of Vancouver- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Musicaction — Musical Showcases – Stream 4 - Event in song in French Canada
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 85,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Prix innovation en alimentation
Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

APCHQ — Affordable Housing Fund: New Construction - Rapid Housing Sub-Stream
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

FedDev Ontario — Funding for organizations that help businesses grow
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- From $125,000 to $10,000,000
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

MRC Portneuf — Heritage and Culture Fund
MRC Portneuf- From $1,000 to $7,500
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Environmentally responsible production, dissemination, promotion and consolidation or resource-pooling
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

HomeEnergySaver Program
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS)
MRC du Golfe du Saint Laurent- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Visées program — Training
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)- Maximum amount : 8,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC Kamouraska — Project Emergence Program (PEP)
MRC Kamouraska- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services

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

Trois-Rivières — Universal accessibility to commercial and service establishments
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC de D’Autray — Support program for emerging business projects
MRC de D'Autray- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Musicaction — Musical Showcases – Stream 1 - National Showcase
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Eco-Roof Incentive Program
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Supporting the fight against poverty and social exclusion
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Abitibi-Ouest — CRÉAVENIR Program
MRC Abitibi-Ouest- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- All industries

MRC La Côte-de-Beaupré — Event Fund
MRC La Côte-de-Beaupré- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Papineau — New Entrepreneur Fund (FNE)
MRC Papineau- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

MTRIC — PSO Large companies
Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)- From $200,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Manufacturing

MRC L’Île-d’Orléans — Support for Structuring Projects
MRC L'Île-d'Orléans- Up to 70% of project cost
- All industries

Small Business Program
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- All industries

MRC Témiscouata — Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands (TAD)
MRC Témiscouata- Maximum amount : 12,500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries