Grants & Programs

Digital Transformation Grant, business financing, funding for hiring, and municipal grants and funding.

DIGITAL MAINSTREET

FINANCING

BDC Equipment Purchasing Financing

BDC helps Canadian businesses invest in equipment to expand and modernize operations, or replace outdated machinery so that they can increase production and fuel their growth.

Learn More Here.

FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT UPGRADES

Save on Energy Small Business Program

Drive your business forward with Save on Energy incentives of up to $2,000 for eligible lighting equipment and up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting equipment.

The Save on Energy Small Business program is designed to help small businesses across Ontario make equipment improvements to reduce their energy consumption, at no cost. Leveraging the success of the former Small Business Lighting program, this new and improved program offers small businesses direct-install incentives on an expanded range of equipment – both lighting and non-lighting. An investment in energy-efficient equipment upgrades is an investment in enhancing your customers’ experience, employee satisfaction and your bottom line. Save time and money when you participate in the Small Business program.

Learn More Here.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ISO 50001 IN COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS

The call for proposals under Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) financial assistance for ISO 50001 in commercial and institutional buildings is now open and will be accepting applications from September 16, 2024, to October 21, 2024.

ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is an internationally recognized voluntary standard that gives organizations a structured framework to improve energy performance by making better use of energy-intensive assets.

Organizations that have implemented ISO 50001 have reduced energy costs and increased competitiveness while minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental impacts. According to the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), energy management systems have the potential to save up to 40 percent in energy in commercial buildings. Implementing ISO 50001 globally could cumulatively cut energy use by 62 exajoules by 2030 – saving more than $600 billion in energy costs and avoiding 6,500 megatonnes of CO2 emissions (equal to taking 215 million passenger vehicles off the road).

For example, Hilton Hotels achieved portfolio-wide ISO 50001 certification across all hotel buildings. From 2008 to 2016, Hilton saved over $783 million on cumulative energy costs, and improved energy performance by 18.6%.

Financial assistance to help implement ISO 50001

To help implement ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems in commercial and institutional buildings in 2025-26, NRCan provides financial assistance up to 60% of eligible costs for for-profit organizations (commercial buildings) and up to 75% of eligible costs for not-for-profit organizations (institutional buildings) to a maximum of $40,000 per building. The implementation of the project must be completed by March 31, 2026.

The maximum contribution to an organization’s building portfolio is $200,000. For a multi-building project proposal, the parent organization is responsible for allocating NRCan’s proposed contribution among qualifying buildings up to the maximum allowable combined funding limit. This financial assistance can be combined with other funding sources. When combined, NRCan may adjust its level of funding, if appropriate.

Learn More Here.

FUNDING FOR HIRING

Hire A Young Person

Hire a young person through Employment Service, Youth Job Connection or Youth Job Connection Summer – see how these programs can benefit you as an employer and learn more about new financial incentives for small businesses.

Learn More Here.

Workforce Development Stream

The intent of the Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce through business partnerships by offering internships.

Learn More Here.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

Canada-Ontario Job Grant (the Job Grant) provides an opportunity for employers to invest in their workforce, with help from the government.

The Job Grant will provide direct financial support to individual employers who wish to purchase training for their employees. It will be available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees, and will:

• Provide up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.

• Require employers to contribute one-third of the total costs. There will be additional flexibility for small businesses to provide an in-kind contribution towards their share of the costs.

• Require training to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.

Learn More Here.

MUNICIPAL GRANTS AND FUNDING