Top Western Canada Grant & Loan Funding Programs

Did you know that businesses located in Western Canadian provinces can access government funding programs to support a wide range of strategic growth and innovation projects?

Canadian grant, loan, and tax credit programs are open to businesses in the Western Canada regions including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon Territory.

By being proactive and applying for funding prior to the start of a project, Western Canada businesses can access government grants, loans, tax credits, and other funding incentives that provide an increase to company investments which can vastly improve the desired outcomes of a project.

Browse this blog and visit our Western Canada Funding Directory to learn more about which government funding programs are currently available for Western Canadian businesses.

Government Funding Programs for Western Canada

Western Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program

The Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program provides funding to businesses located in Western Canada for high growth potential projects focusing on adopting or adapting innovative technologies which support productivity, grow operations, and increase exports to global markets.

Eligible Western Canadian businesses can access up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $5M per project and $10M per applicant in repayable no-interest loans.

For all eligibility details, upcoming application deadlines, and how to apply, visit the Western BSP program page.

Alberta Innovates Programs

Alberta Innovates is a public corporation and economic development agency that provides access to research grants and other support options to offset the costs of performing research and development in collaboration with academic researchers, other businesses, and public institutions.

There are six targeted government funding program streams provided through Alberta Innovates. All of them are aimed at providing funding support to accelerate projects so that innovations can be commercialized faster.

For all specific program details, upcoming application deadlines, and how to apply, visit the Alberta Innovates program page.

Alberta Media Fund Grants

The Alberta Media Fund supports organizations and individuals developing screen-based media, scripts, books and magazines, and sound recordings. The program encompasses several different funding streams that support a variety of costs, including Albertan labour, so that media producers can create Alberta content and advance products towards a more successful market release.

Eligible applicants can receive up to 18%-50% of eligible costs covered to a maximum $55k-$200k, depending on the Alberta Media Fund program stream.

For all eligibility details, upcoming application deadlines, and how to apply, visit the Alberta Media Fund Grants program page.

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) is an effort to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products industries. The Canadian government, provincial government, and territorial government has signed a new 5-year agreement until 2028 known as the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Through the SCAP program, applicants may receive grants to offset a portion of eligible costs for a wide range of agricultural projects.

For all eligibility details, upcoming application deadlines, and how to apply, visit the main Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) program page.

Federal Grants and Loans for Western Canada Businesses

CanExport

The CanExport Program provides government grants to support Canadian export projects including international expansion initiatives such as developing marketing materials for international audiences and completing foreign market research. By accessing additional funding for these types of activities, businesses can de-risk export market expansion plans.

Eligible applicants can access up to 75% funding to a maximum $75,000 grant per project by utilizing the CanExport government funding program.

Although the current intakes for CanExport streams are closed, they are set to open in coming months. For all eligibility details, including how and when to apply, visit the CanExport program page.

Canada Small Business Financing Program

The Canada Small Business Financing Program is part of Canada’s Small Business Financing Act strategy and was established to help support business growth through business loans with competitive interest rates.

For-profit Canadian businesses with an annual gross revenue of under $10M can access up to $1M for business expansion activities, including the acquisition of a building, leasehold improvements, purchasing new or used equipment, and software components.

For all eligibility details, including how to apply, visit the Canada Small Business Financing Program page.

Canada Summer Jobs (CJG)

The Canada Summer Jobs (CJG) program is a government grant that provides support for employers offering supervised career-related work experience to youth employees. The experiences gained through student placements should further develop an applicant’s skills and knowledge, preparing them to make a transition into full-time career employment.

Public and private sector employers can receive hiring grants for up to 50% of an employee’s minimum hourly rate. Non-profits can receive grants for up to 100% of minimum wage plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs).

This amount is limited at a maximum $300,000 per employer/province or territory. Maximum 40 hours/week/employee can be included. For all eligibility details, including how to apply, visit the Canada Summer Jobs (CJG) program page.

Additional Funding Support for Canadian Businesses

If you are a Canadian business located in Western Canada and you are looking for government grants or loans to assist you in meeting your project goals, please contact the Mentor Works, a Ryan Company team of professional grant writers to help with program assessment and eligibility.

If you’re looking specifically for research and development support options, please visit our Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) page for targeted tax credits helping Canadian businesses overcome R&D challenges.