Government loans and loan guarantees in Canada

Ranked programs

35 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

1. BDC Small Business Loan

   Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

   Online-assessed term loan of up to $350,000 for upcoming projects or expenses, with interest-only periods.

   OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $350K
   55

   Top pick

2. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

   Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, delivered by banks and credit unions

   Government-backed loans through financial institutions to help small businesses finance equipment, leasehold improvements, intangibles and working capital. The lender...

   OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $1.1M
   53

   Top pick

3. Advance Payments Program (APP)

   Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

   A federal loan guarantee program giving agricultural producers low-cost cash advances against products they will produce or have in storage, with an interest-free...

   OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $1M
   42

   Strong

4. BDC Pivot to Grow (tariff support loans)

   Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

   Liquidity, working capital and equipment financing for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, with long interest-only periods and no prepayment penalty.

   OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $10M
   37

   Worth a look

5. EDC Export Guarantee Program (EGP)

   Export Development Canada (EDC)

   Guarantees to your lender to secure flexible working capital, optimize an operating line or secure a new loan.

   OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $25M
   37

   Worth a look

6. Farm Credit Canada - Young Farmer Loan

   Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

   Preferential-rate financing to purchase agriculture-related assets for qualified producers under 40.

   OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $2M
   37

   Worth a look

7. Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program

   Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

   A federal loan guarantee that makes it easier for farmers and agricultural co-operatives to get loans from lenders to establish, improve and develop farms.

   OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $500K
   36

   Worth a look

8. Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (Loan Fund, Ecosystem Fund, Knowledge Hub)

   Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and regional development agencies (FedDev Ontario in southern Ontario)

   The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) funds supports for women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (loans up to $50,000 via selected delivery...

   OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $6M
   36

   Worth a look

9. EDC Trade Expansion Lending Program (TELP)

   Export Development Canada (EDC), delivered by partner lenders

   EDC guarantees part of a loan or line of credit so your financial institution can offer more working capital to exporters.

   OngoingFederalLoans
   35

   Worth a look

10. BDC Loan for Tech Companies

    Business Development Bank of Canada

    Flexible loans for revenue-generating technology companies that want to scale without giving up shares.

    OngoingFederalLoans
    34

    Worth a look

11. Community Futures Program (Northern Ontario)

    FedNor via Community Futures Development Corporations

    CFDCs provide community planning, business information and planning services, and access to capital for SMEs and social enterprises in Northern Ontario.

    OngoingFederalLoans
    34

    Worth a look

12. Community Futures Program (southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario-funded CFDCs)

    FedDev Ontario via local Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)

    FedDev Ontario funds Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in rural southern Ontario that provide business loans, business services and community economic...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    34

    Worth a look

13. Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

    ISED, delivered by WEOC, NACCA, Nventure and Evol

    Microloans of up to $50,000 for women entrepreneurs to start or grow businesses, delivered by partner organizations.

    OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $50K
    32

    Worth a look

14. FedNor - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

    FedNor

    Helps Northern Ontario SMEs, not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations and municipalities commercialize and adopt AI. For-profits normally receive repayable...

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $700M
    30

    Worth a look

15. London Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Loan

    City of London

    Loan helping owner-occupying homeowners in London pay for creating an additional residential unit on their property.

    OngoingOntarioLoansLoans up to $45K
    29

    Worth a look

16. London Façade Improvement Loan (Community Improvement Plan)

    City of London (Planning and Development)

    Low-cost loan for exterior building improvements such as windows, doors, brick repair, painting, lighting and attached signage within London's Community Improvement...

    OngoingOntarioLoansLoans up to $50K
    29

    Worth a look

17. CMHC MLI Select (multi-unit mortgage loan insurance)

    CMHC

    Multi-unit mortgage loan insurance with higher loan-to-value or loan-to-cost, longer amortization and lower premiums for projects earning points for affordability...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    28

    Worth a look

18. Black Entrepreneurship Program (Loan Fund, Ecosystem Fund, Knowledge Hub)

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) with Business Development Bank of Canada; regional development agencies

    Supports Black entrepreneurs with loans of up to $250,000 through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, and funds Black-led business organizations through the Ecosystem...

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $250K
    25

    Worth a look

19. Protect Ontario Financing Program

    Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

    Term loans giving working-capital relief to Ontario businesses hurt by U.S. section 232 / 338 tariffs.

    OngoingOntarioLoans
    25

    Worth a look

20. Canada Apprentice Loan

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Interest-free loans for apprentices in Red Seal trades to cover tuition, tools, equipment and living costs during technical training.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $4K
    24

    Long shot

21. Futurpreneur Core Startup Program (also Black and Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Programs)

    Futurpreneur Canada with BDC

    Equity-free start-up loan for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39, with up to two years of one-to-one mentorship. Black and Indigenous streams offer tailored mentorship.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $75K
    24

    Long shot

22. Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

    ISED, administered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) with BDC

    Loans of up to $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada. The Black Entrepreneurship Program was extended with $189 million over five years.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $250K
    23

    Long shot

23. FedNor - Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

    FedNor

    Supports Northern Ontario business growth (Targeted Manufacturing Initiative) and regional innovation ecosystems (not-for-profits).

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $500K
    23

    Long shot

24. Indigenous Growth Fund (NACCA)

    National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) via Indigenous Financial Institutions

    The Indigenous Growth Fund is an open-ended investment fund (limited partnership) that invests in Indigenous Financial Institutions, which in turn lend to Indigenous...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    22

    Long shot

25. CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP)

    Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

    Low-cost construction-to-stabilization loans for rental housing, including standard rental, seniors and student housing. Key financing for real estate developers.

    OpenFederalLoans
    21

    Long shot

26. EDC Direct Lending

    Export Development Canada (EDC)

    Commercial-rate loans for larger exporters investing in global expansion and export capacity.

    OngoingFederalLoans
    21

    Long shot

27. FedDev Ontario - Funding for businesses to innovate, grow and compete (REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity)

    Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

    Interest-free, unconditionally repayable contributions for southern Ontario businesses to innovate, scale up, adopt technology and commercialize. Covers new project...

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $10M
    19

    Long shot

28. FedNor - Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (Northern Ontario)

    FedNor

    Supports Northern Ontario businesses and organizations strengthening the housing supply chain and residential construction innovation. Commercial projects are generally...

    Intake-basedFederalLoansLoans up to $500K
    14

    Long shot

29. Build Canada Homes (BCH) - proposal portal and financing

    Build Canada Homes (Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada)

    Federal agency that finances and builds affordable housing with private developers, non-profits, Indigenous partners and governments; uses tools such as loans, loan...

    OpenFederalLoans
    13

    Long shot

30. Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP)

    Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

    Funds strategic investments by Ontario forest-sector manufacturers and collaborations that enhance competitiveness, open new markets and strengthen regional economies...

    Intake-basedOntarioLoansLoans up to $3M
    13

    Long shot

31. Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program (formerly Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program)

    Building Ontario Fund (previously Ontario Financing Authority)

    Provincial financial guarantees on loans or bonds that let Indigenous-owned entities buy equity stakes in eligible energy, critical minerals and resource development...

    OngoingOntarioLoans
    13

    Long shot

32. Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF)

    Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation (program of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming)

    Provides up-front working capital for the marketing and promotional costs of one-off, first-time or significantly expanded cultural events, festivals and exhibitions...

    Intake-basedOntarioLoans
    13

    Long shot

33. FedNor - Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)

    FedNor

    Supports Northern Ontario businesses, not-for-profits and Indigenous-led organizations meeting a specific military need in the defence supply chain.

    Intake-basedFederalLoans
    12

    Long shot

34. Strategic Response Fund (formerly Strategic Innovation Fund)

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

    Large-scale funding for projects that de-risk innovation, grow AI compute and support firms affected by tariffs. The SRF replaces the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    11

    Long shot

35. Canada Infrastructure Bank - Infrastructure for Housing Initiative

    Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)

    Low-cost, risk-sharing loans for public infrastructure that enables housing growth; repayments are linked to growth in housing units. The CIB finances enabling...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    10

    Long shot

Questions

How many government loan programs are open right now?

Of the 49 government loan programs in our database, 31 are open or ongoing and 4 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 4, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

FedNor - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Loans up to $700M". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which government loan programs rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are BDC Small Business Loan (55, Top pick), Canada Small Business Financing Program (53, Top pick), Advance Payments Program (42, Strong). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 31 open or ongoing programs here, 0 are in our Grants category, 31 are loans and 0 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Are these federal or Ontario programs?

27 of the 31 open or ongoing programs here come from the federal government and 4 from the Ontario government. Both levels can usually be combined, but many programs have stacking rules that cap total government funding for the same costs, so check them before you apply.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.