A plain-language list of Canadian federal and provincial programs. Pick your province and what you need, and see what may fit.
Wage subsidy for summer jobs (up to 100% of minimum wage for non-profits, up to 50% for businesses)
Helps employers create summer jobs for young people aged 15 to 30. Applications usually open in the winter for the coming summer.
Who: Private businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees, non-profits and public employers.
Official page →Wage subsidies for paid student placements
Employers that hire post-secondary students for work-integrated learning can get part of the wages covered through industry partners.
Who: Canadian employers hiring college or university students.
Official page →Loans up to $1,150,000 through your bank
The government shares the risk with your bank, making it easier to borrow for equipment, leasehold improvements, real estate and intangible assets.
Who: Small businesses with revenue of $10 million or less.
Official page →Advice plus funding for innovation projects
Industrial technology advisors help you develop new products, services or processes, and may fund part of the project.
Who: Incorporated small and medium businesses (usually under 500 employees) doing technology innovation.
Official page →Refundable tax credits of up to 35% for qualifying Canadian-controlled private corporations
Get money back on wages, materials and contracts spent on research and experimental development in Canada.
Who: Businesses doing scientific research or technological development in Canada.
Official page →Up to 50% of eligible costs, up to $50,000 per project
Funding to market your products or services in new international markets: trade shows, translation, market research, travel.
Who: Canadian businesses with 1 to 500 employees and $100,000 to $100 million in revenue.
Official page →Export financing, insurance and guarantees
Loans, credit insurance and working capital guarantees for businesses selling to customers outside Canada.
Who: Canadian businesses that export or plan to.
Official page →Online loans for small businesses, plus larger loans and advice
The Business Development Bank of Canada lends to entrepreneurs for working capital, equipment, technology and growth.
Who: Canadian businesses, including early-stage ones.
Official page →Start-up loans up to $75,000 with BDC, plus a 2-year mentor
Financing and mentoring for young entrepreneurs starting or buying a business, with programs for newcomers too.
Who: Entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.
Official page →Loans up to $50,000 through partner lenders
Part of the federal Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, with loans and support through regional partner organizations.
Who: Women business owners and entrepreneurs.
Official page →Loans through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, plus mentoring
Loans, advice and a knowledge hub for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada.
Who: Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs.
Official page →Loans and non-repayable contributions through Indigenous lenders
More than 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions offer business loans, equity contributions and advice to First Nations, Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs.
Who: First Nations, Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs and businesses.
Official page →Incentives for small and medium employers that hire first-year apprentices in Red Seal trades
Federal funding through intermediary organizations to help businesses hire and train apprentices. Check if your region's intake is open.
Who: Small and medium employers in Red Seal trades.
Official page →Mitacs and government funding cover part of a research intern's pay
Bring a graduate student or postdoc into your business for a research project, with costs shared.
Who: Businesses and non-profits with a research or innovation project.
Official page →EI benefits for staff who work reduced hours
Avoid layoffs in a temporary slowdown: employees work fewer hours and EI tops up their pay.
Who: Employers facing a temporary drop in business of 10% or more.
Official page →Repayable and non-repayable contributions for growth projects
Each region has a federal agency (FedDev Ontario, FedNor, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan, ACOA, CED Québec, CanNor) that funds business growth, productivity and community projects.
Who: Businesses with a growth or productivity project in that region.
Official page →Small business loans and advice in rural communities
Local Community Futures offices (SADC in Quebec, CBDC in Atlantic Canada) lend to rural businesses and offer free advice.
Who: Small businesses in rural and smaller communities.
Official page →Training, mentoring and a grant of up to $5,000
Run by local Small Business Enterprise Centres. Includes business training, a mentor and a chance at a grant to start or grow.
Who: Ontario residents 18 or older starting, buying or growing a small business.
Official page →Up to $3,000 and mentoring for a summer business
Students run their own business over the summer with coaching and start-up money.
Who: Ontario students aged 15 to 29 returning to school in the fall.
Official page →Loans, loan guarantees and investments for Quebec businesses
Quebec's economic development agency finances growth, productivity, digital and export projects.
Who: Businesses operating in Quebec.
Official page →Financial help for growth and job creation
Support for New Brunswick businesses that expand, export or create jobs.
Who: Businesses in New Brunswick.
Official page →Grants, loans and wage programs for Island businesses
Prince Edward Island's business development agency offers programs for start-ups, growth and productivity.
Who: Businesses in Prince Edward Island.
Official page →Vouchers and funding for technology development
Programs that help Alberta small businesses build and test new technology with service providers.
Who: Alberta businesses developing technology.
Official page →Employers can get a large share of third-party training costs covered
Funding to train new or current employees through an eligible training provider. The employer contributes part of the cost.
Who: Employers in Ontario training their staff.
Official page →Employers can get a large share of third-party training costs covered
Funding to train new or current employees through an eligible training provider. The employer contributes part of the cost.
Who: Employers in British Columbia training their staff.
Official page →Employers can get a large share of third-party training costs covered
Funding to train new or current employees through an eligible training provider. The employer contributes part of the cost.
Who: Employers in Alberta training their staff.
Official page →Employers can get a large share of third-party training costs covered
Funding to train new or current employees through an eligible training provider. The employer contributes part of the cost.
Who: Employers in Saskatchewan training their staff.
Official page →Employers can get a large share of third-party training costs covered
Funding to train new or current employees through an eligible training provider. The employer contributes part of the cost.
Who: Employers in Manitoba training their staff.
Official page →Try fewer options. Many programs run through local partners, so also ask your Small Business Enterprise Centre or Community Futures office.
Last checked November 2026. Programs open, close and change their rules often, and money is limited. Always read the official page before you apply. OENOD is not connected to these programs and doesn't charge for this list.
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