Finance the implementation of safety or quality control standards

Canada Small Business Financing Program

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

This program could help you secure up to $1 million from a financial institution by sharing the risk with your lender.

The loans can be used to:

Purchase or improve land or buildings
Purchase leasehold improvements or improve leased property
Purchase new or used equipment

Eligible small businesses should have annual gross revenues of no more than $10 million.

Discuss your business needs with a financial officer at any bank, caisse populaire, or credit union in Canada. Find a lender near you.

Emergency Processing Fund (EPF)

Government of Canada

The EPF can provide financial assistance of up to $5 million to help for-profit organizations that are incorporated in Canada with two objectives:

Objective 1 – Emergency COVID-19 Response (activities funded with non-repayable contributions)
Objective 2 – Strategic Investments (activities funded with repayable contributions)

All activities must be completed by September 30, 2020 and will be funded retroactively to March 15, 2020.

To file an application:

Requests for less than $100,000:

Contact the Quebec Food Processing Council (CTAQ)

Phone: 1-888-984-2251
Email: fondsurgencecovid@conseiltaq.com

Requests for $100,000 or more:

Contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and complete the following steps:

Complete the checklist
Complete the AAFC application forms and provide the supporting documents
Submit your application to AAFC

Note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 31, 2020, and that the funding may have been fully allocated by this date.

Conditions apply.

ESSOR — Funding support for development projects

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation

Is your business involved in manufacturing, software publishing, research, environmental services, or tourism? If so, you could get a loan guarantee covering up to 70% of a net loss for investments or a loan covering up to 50% of the cost of your growth projects, such as:

Business creation
Business expansion or modernization

The project must help maintain or create jobs.

Other conditions apply.

Relief measures for Indigenous businesses

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada, through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, will provide financing in the form of short-term, interest-free and non-repayable contributions to First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses.

Assistance of up to $40,000 will be available as:

an interest-free loan of up to $30,000;
a non-repayable contribution of up to $10,000.

For more information, contact your Aboriginal Financial Institution.

Some conditions apply.

BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan

Business Development Bank of Canada

As an Indigenous entrepreneur, you could get up to $150,000 to start a business, or up to $250,000 to grow your existing business.

Operations can be on or off reserve.

You can use the loan to:

Acquire fixed assets
Finance franchise fees
Cover start-up costs
Start exporting
Replenish working capital to support your company's growth

Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Is your Indigenous corporation, co-operative, organization or partner organization (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) participating in the conservation and recovery of species at risk? Funding is available through two streams:

Species at Risk – focusing on the recovery of species at risk on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act
Prevention – focusing on other species to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern

Eligible activities include:

Habitat protection
Habitat improvement
Program planning and development
Surveys, inventories and monitoring

A minimum of 20% of matching contributions is required. For every $1 you are provided you must raise $0.20 through financial or in-kind resources.

Other conditions apply.

AgriAssurance Program: National Industry Association Component

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

If your not-for-profit organization operates in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, including fish and seafood, you could receive funding in the form of a non-repayable contribution of up to 75% of eligible program costs.

Assistance will be provided to help you develop and adopt assurance systems, standards and tools to support health and safety claims regarding your agricultural and agri-food products.

Conditions apply.

AgriAssurance: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

If your business operates in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, including fish and seafood, you can apply for funding in the form of a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of project costs to help you implement assurance projects that address market and regulatory requirements.

You will receive assistance implementing third-party assurance certification projects that address international market requirements, thereby increasing export opportunities for Canadian agricultural and agri-food products.

Other conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only)

Appui pour la conversion à l'agriculture biologique

Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec

You could receive financial assistance of up to $40,000 to stimulate production and adopt organic farming practices.

The program is divided into two parts:

Support for converting plant, maple, and honey production
Support for constructing or modifying livestock facilities to meet organic standards

Companies who have discontinued their certification or whose certification has been revoked during the past 5 years are not eligible.

Other conditions apply.

Business Assistance — Immigrant Investor Program

Investissement Québec

You could benefit from a non-repayable financial contribution of up to $250,000 to help pay for most growth projects, such as:

Increasing, modernizing or improving production
Getting certified for conforming to a standard
Technological innovation or design
Marketing products outside Québec

You must:

Obtain the recommendation of an accredited financial intermediary that is recognized by Investissement Québec
Have less than $35 million in total assets
Submit a project with a cost of at least $300,000

Other conditions apply.

Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Your not-for-profit organization can apply for a non-repayable contribution of up to $1 million towards the costs of an industry-led project that helps the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. The project must focus on national or sector-wide priorities that help industry address emerging issues and capitalize on opportunities.

In order to be eligible for funding, applicants must clearly demonstrate the issue that is facing the sector, how the project results will benefit it, and how it aligns with 1 or more of the 4 priority areas identified:

Adaptation to new technology
Environmental sustainability
Strategic planning and capacity building
Emerging issues

Eligible applicants are:

Not-for-profit organizations and associations, cooperatives, marketing boards
Indigenous groups

Emergency Processing Fund (EPF)

Government of Canada

The EPF can provide financial assistance of up to $5 million to help for-profit organizations that are incorporated in Canada with two objectives:

Objective 1 – Emergency COVID-19 Response (activities funded with non-repayable contributions)
Objective 2 – Strategic Investments (activities funded with repayable contributions)

All activities must be completed by September 30, 2020 and will be funded retroactively to March 15, 2020.

To file an application:

Requests for less than $100,000:

Contact the Quebec Food Processing Council (CTAQ)

Phone: 1-888-984-2251
Email: fondsurgencecovid@conseiltaq.com

Requests for $100,000 or more:

Contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and complete the following steps:

Complete the checklist
Complete the AAFC application forms and provide the supporting documents
Submit your application to AAFC

Note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 31, 2020, and that the funding may have been fully allocated by this date.

Conditions apply.

ESSOR — Funding support for development projects

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation

Is your business involved in manufacturing, software publishing, research, environmental services, or tourism? If so, you could get a loan guarantee covering up to 70% of a net loss for investments or a loan covering up to 50% of the cost of your growth projects, such as:

Business creation
Business expansion or modernization

The project must help maintain or create jobs.

Other conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only) Form(s) (in French only)

Fonds de relance O2 (O2 recovery fund) – component 1: Support for implementing health measures

The first part of the Fonds de relance O2 supports businesses in adapting to new health norms required by the COVID-19 crisis.

The financial aid will be paid in the form of a non-repayable, non-recurrent amount and will represent 50% of eligible expenses.Businesses can take advantage of each of the components, but the total amount of aid will be between $2,500 and $15,000 per business.

Eligibility criteria for businesses:

Operate within the territory of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean;
Be legally constituted in Québec;
Have 100 or fewer employees.

Eligible expenses:

Expenses for putting in place health measures* (ref. CNESST);
Expenses to reorganize facilities to respect new health standards.

* Excluding the purchase of masks, gloves, and soap.

Expenses incurred before the application date are not eligible.

Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2020.

Some conditions apply.

Growth Investment Program

La Financière agricole

Farm business owners can receive an investment grant for an agricultural project, regardless of production sector or point in the business life cycle.

The financial assistance is conditional on a loan guarantee from La Financière agricole.

The Growth Investment Program includes four components:

This program replaces the Support for Diversification and Regional Development Program and the Support for Québec Farm Business Development Program.

Some conditions apply.

Growth Investment Program – Component 1: Growth Support

La Financière agricole

Farm business owners can receive an investment grant for an agricultural project, regardless of production sector or point in the business life cycle.

The financial assistance is conditional on a loan guarantee from La Financière agricole.

Component 1: Growth Support is available to all agricultural and agri-food businesses to finance projects related to maple syrup production. The maximum financial assistance is $30,000 on loan capital of up to $300,000.

This program replaces the Support for Diversification and Regional Development Program and the Support for Québec Farm Business Development Program.

Some conditions apply.

Growth Investment Program – Component 2: Growth Support Plus

La Financière agricole

Farm business owners can receive an investment grant for an agricultural project, regardless of production sector or point in the business life cycle.

The financial assistance is conditional on a loan guarantee from La Financière agricole.

Component 2: Growth Support Plus is available to all agricultural and agri-food businesses to finance projects related to productions other than those under supply management and maple syrup production. The maximum financial assistance is $60,000 on loan capital of up to $600,000.

This program replaces the Support for Diversification and Regional Development Program and the Support for Québec Farm Business Development Program.

Some conditions apply.

Growth Investment Program – Component 3: Agri-Environmental Enhancement of Cultivated Land

La Financière agricole

Farm business owners can receive an investment grant for an agricultural project, regardless of production sector or point in the business life cycle.

The financial assistance is conditional on a loan guarantee from La Financière agricole.

Component 3: Agri-Environmental Enhancement of Cultivated Land is available to all agricultural and agri-food businesses to finance projects that will enhance the value of cultivated land or on-farm agri-environmental projects. The maximum financial assistance is $20,000 on loan capital of up to $200,000.

This program replaces the Support for Diversification and Regional Development Program and the Support for Québec Farm Business Development Program.

Some conditions apply.

Growth Investment Program – Component 4: Young Entrepreneurs

La Financière agricole

Farm business owners can receive an investment grant for an agricultural project, regardless of production sector or point in the business life cycle.

The financial assistance is conditional on a loan guarantee from La Financière agricole.

Component 4: Young Entrepreneurs is available to all farm and agri-food businesses wholly owned by persons between the ages of 18 and 40. In addition, one of these persons must have qualified for the Financial Support Program for Aspiring Farmers within the past five years. The maximum financial assistance is $45,000 on loan capital of up to $300,000.

This program replaces the Support for Diversification and Regional Development Program and the Support for Québec Farm Business Development Program.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only)

Programme d'appui aux fromageries

Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec

Is your cheese factory registered in Quebec? Does it process less than 5 million litres of milk annually? If yes, you could receive financial assistance to optimize the production capacity of your cheese factory and enhance its profitability.

The financial assistance covers 50% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $100,000 for projects identified as priority in the diagnostic, and $45,000 for the implementation of a basic quality control system.

To be eligible, your business must also:

Have a licence to produce dairy products
Provide a complete diagnostic approved by the Ministère

Other conditions apply.

Programme de valorisation, d'aménagement et de restauration des habitats du saumon atlantique

Fondation de la faune du Québec

You could obtain financial assistance to fund your initiatives to conserve, improve or restore Atlantic salmon habitat.

With this financial support, you may be able to cover up to 80% of the eligible costs for:

Pre-project studies or monitoring enhancements (maximum amount of $40,000 per project)
Habitat enhancements (maximum amount of $150,000 per project)

You must sign a memorandum of understanding with the Fondation de la faune and obtain all required permits and permissions prior to starting this project.

Other conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only)

Programme PME en action — Appui à la productivité des PME

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation

If your for-profit business or social enterprise is part of the manufacturing or major services sector, you could receive a non-repayable contribution of up to 40% of eligible expenses, including:

Professional fees
Purchase of specialized information

Eligible projects include:

Supply chain optimization
Implementation of an integrated management system or a customer relationship management system
Bring your operations into compliance with production standards
Implementation of a cost accounting system

Other conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only)

Recovery Fund for LaSalle Businesses

PME MTL

Managed by PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest, the fund offers eligible businesses a maximum of $10,000 in non-repayable contributions.

Eligibility requirements for businesses:

Be a legally constituted business
Be located on the territory of the Borough of LaSalle
Have a street store front
Be considered a business destination

Eligible expenses:

Needing working capital
Rehiring employees
Setting up or optimizing an online sales platform
Adapting the business in compliance with public health guidelines
Hiring new employees

Some conditions apply.

Relief measures for Indigenous businesses

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada, through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, will provide financing in the form of short-term, interest-free and non-repayable contributions to First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses.

Assistance of up to $40,000 will be available as:

an interest-free loan of up to $30,000;
a non-repayable contribution of up to $10,000.

For more information, contact your Aboriginal Financial Institution.

Some conditions apply.

Retail Business Consolidation Fund

City of Montreal

Through PME MTL, the Ville de Montréal is providing eligible commercial enterprises with grants of up to $10,000, or 75% of the total cost of their business project.

Eligibility requirements (non-exhaustive):

Be a business establishment in Montréal.
Demonstrate that access to your business is closed due to COVID-19.
Provide at least 10% in the total project cost.
Be majority-owned by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Have a business project that falls under NAICS sectors 44 or 45 or sub-sectors 722 or 812.

Specific documents are required for the review of the funding request.

Conditions apply.