How to find grants for a small business in Canada
A practical route through federal, regional and provincial funding for Canadian small businesses, using official finders and the programs most owners miss.
Canadian business funding is spread across federal departments, six regional development agencies, provinces, territories and Crown corporations. Nobody publishes one complete list, so the trick is to search in a sensible order and keep notes as you go.
1. Start with the official federal finder
Innovation Canada's Business Benefits Finder asks a few questions about your business and returns federal and provincial programs. It covers grants, loans, wage subsidies and advisory services, so read each result's type before you get excited: a loan still has to be repaid.
2. Check your regional development agency
Every region has a federal agency whose job is local economic growth: ACOA in Atlantic Canada, CED in Quebec, FedDev Ontario in southern Ontario, FedNor in northern Ontario, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan in British Columbia and CanNor in the territories. Their programs often favour projects that add jobs or productivity in the region, and many are repayable contributions rather than grants. Read the terms.
3. Look at research, hiring and export support
- Technology projects: NRC IRAP pairs advisory support with funding for innovation projects at small and medium firms.
- Hiring: Canada Summer Jobs and the Student Work Placement Program help employers pay for student and youth hires during set intake windows.
- Export: the Trade Commissioner Service and CanExport help with market entry costs.
- R&D tax credits: SR&ED is a tax incentive, not a grant, but for research-heavy firms it can matter more than any single grant. See our SR&ED guide.
4. Add provincial and municipal programs
Provinces run their own funds, usually through an economic development ministry or agency. Municipalities and community futures offices sometimes offer small grants or loans for local businesses.
5. Keep a shortlist with deadlines
Most federal programs open in intakes. Note the opening date, deadline and what each program needs from you, then work backwards. Our deadline calendar and eligibility checklist help, and you can browse Canadian programs or Canadian funders by sector and region.
One rule never changes: applying to a government program is free. Be careful with anyone who charges a fee to "unlock" government money.