Purolator Inc. is one of Canada’s leading courier and logistics companies, with a history spanning more than six decades. Founded in 1960 as Trans Canadian Couriers Ltd., the company later adopted the Purolator name before returning to majority Canadian ownership in 1987 when Canada Post acquired control. Today, Purolator operates one of the most extensive parcel and freight networks in the country, serving even remote areas and connecting communities and businesses nationwide. With a workforce of thousands of employees, Purolator has consistently upheld its mission to deliver reliable service and to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of the communities it serves.
In addition to its role as a transportation provider, Purolator serves as an administrator of financial support programs designed to foster local economic development. Each year, the company runs a grant contest for Canadian small businesses. Through this initiative, entrepreneurs receive direct financial support in the form of cash grants and in-kind benefits such as shipping credits. The purpose of these contests is to help small businesses grow and thrive by improving their operations, gaining access to new markets, and enhancing their visibility, thereby increasing their impact within local communities.
The structure of the program reflects inclusiveness and community participation: businesses can apply themselves, or community members can nominate local enterprises they believe deserve recognition. Eligibility requirements ensure the focus remains on genuine small businesses based in Canada, with limited staff and a stable financial standing. Since its inception, the initiative has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and prizes to small businesses and their supporters. By managing this grant contest, Purolator strengthens grassroots entrepreneurship and contributes to community vitality across the country, aligning its role as a funding program administrator with its broader corporate mission of community engagement.
