Six federal agencies fund business growth in their own regions. Most of what they provide is a repayable contribution at zero interest rather than a grant, which is the most common misunderstanding about this money.
Regional agency funding is widely described as grants. In most cases it is a contribution that must be repaid, with no interest charged. That is still cheaper than any commercial loan and often cheaper than a government-backed one, but it is debt on your balance sheet rather than free money. Read whether a specific program is repayable before you build it into a plan.
| FedDev Ontario | Southern Ontario, including the GTA and southwestern, central and eastern Ontario. |
| FedNor | Northern Ontario. A separate agency from FedDev with its own priorities and application process. |
| PrairiesCan | Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. |
| PacifiCan | British Columbia. |
| ACOA | Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. |
| CED | Quebec, as Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. |
| CanNor | Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. |
| What they fund | Expansion, equipment, productivity improvement and export development, with priorities that shift between intakes. |
| Apply through | The agency covering the region where your business operates. |
Varies by agency and program. Most contributions are repayable but interest-free.
Which agency applies depends on where the business operates. Priorities shift with federal mandates, so current program lists must be checked with the relevant agency.
| Program | Type | Maximum | Apply through | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Development Agencies | Multiple streams | Multiple streams | The regional agency covering your province | |
| BDC Financing | Loan, repayable | $350,000 | BDC directly | 2 to 6 weeks |
| CSBFP | Loan guarantee, repayable | $1,150,000 | Your bank or credit union | 4 to 8 weeks |
Agency list and mandates: ised-isde.canada.ca
Facts on this page last checked 7 August 2026.
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