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Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP), administered by Ulnooweg, offers non-repayable business contributions to individual Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community owned businesses. Some of the eligible expenses for ABDP support are: business planning, establishment and operating costs, business acquisitions and expansions, local, domestic or export oriented marketing initiatives, new product or process development, adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness, financial services, business support, business-related training and mentoring services.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a non-repayable business contribution as following:

1
up to 75% for development of business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies,
2
up to 40% for establishment, expansion or acquisition,
3
up to 60% for marketing initiatives,
4
up to 90% for business support and project related management.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

entrepreneurs of Canadian Aboriginal status or non-status, Metis or Inuit Heritage (on or off reserve, living and operating their businesses within the Atlantic provinces,
community owned businesses,
Aboriginal financial organizations,
development corporations.

Application Steps:

Applicants must contact Ulnooweg for further details by submitting the Client Inquiry Form.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified

Other Things to Note:

The majority of ABFP funding goes towards small and medium-sized businesses.

Program Contact:

Aboriginal Business Financing Program - Ulnooweg

Additional Resources:

As an Indigenous entrepreneur, you have access to a range of resources to help you succeed. Here are some additional resources that can help you grow your business and take it to the next level.

Business Development Support

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) provides a range of business development support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs. These services include business planning, financial management, marketing, and more. NADF also offers a range of financing options, including the Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP). For more information, visit the NADF website.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is an important part of building a successful business. The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) provides networking opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs through its Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP). The AEP offers a range of services, including business planning, financing, and more. For more information, visit the NACCA website.

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants & Loan

Description:

The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of:

interest-free repayable contributions for up to 50% of eligible costs for eligible businesses;
non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of eligible costs for not-for profit organizations.
Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

The JGF has a continuous intake process, meaning that applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. However, the program is set to run for three years, with an expected end date of March 31, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing and evaluation.

Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Under the initiative, RDAs may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous clients.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

businesses, including co-operatives,
not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners.

Successful applicants for the JGF will be selected based on a range of criteria, including:

The ability of the project to create jobs and support economic growth in the region
The degree to which the project aligns with the objectives of the JGF, including transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs across Canada
The extent to which the project demonstrates innovation, collaboration, and community engagement
The feasibility and sustainability of the project, including the capacity of the applicant to manage and deliver the project effectively

Among the program's eligible activities are activities that foster an inclusive recovery, including those that support businesses owned or majority-led by under-represented groups, such as Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, women, youth, LGBTQ2, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and members of official language minority communities.

Application Steps:

Applicant must consult the applicant guide

Applicant must fill out the Jobs and Growth Fund application form online

Applicant must send the form through the application for financial assistance page or by mail to the ACOA regional office in your province.

Documentation Needed:

For-profit applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
incorporation documents and information on ownership (names and percentage of ownership),
2
financial statements (current and last two years),
3
research and development (r&d) project plan, business plan and/or marketing plan,
4
supplier quotes,
5
copies of relevant permits and licences,
6
other relevant documents (specify).

Not-for-profit applicants and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
constituting / incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
2
financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
3
description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
4
HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
5
one of the following two items is required: research and development (r&d) project plan or detailed project description, including milestones, costs, financing, key partnerships established and evidence of support from the community,
6
supplier quotes,
7
copies of relevant permits and license's,
8
other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

1
The JGF will provide $700 million over three years (2021-2022 to 2023-2024) across Canada to support business financing. This support for regional recovery and stimulus will position local economies for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
2
Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis until such time as the funding is fully allocated.
3
The fund, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs), provides $700 million nationally over three years, which includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria.
4
In Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is investing $70 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
5
Date modified: 2022-03-15.

Program Contact:

Jobs and Growth Fund

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE JOBS AND GROWTH FUND

JOBS AND GROWTH FUND APPLICANT GUIDE

Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF)

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

$3,000,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants & Loan

Description:

The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) is helping Atlantic Canada compete at home and abroad by supporting the development of innovative products and services that lead to commercial success. AIF helps researchers and innovative businesses team up to develop new products and services and put them on the market.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 80% of total eligible costs for projects led by not-for-profit organizations. Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable

Funding is up to 75% of total eligible costs for private-sector-led projects. Contributions to the private sector are conditionally repayable based on the commercial success of a project.

It should be noted that the AIF assistance for eligible building and major renovation costs would not normally exceed 30% of the costs.

Eligible costs could include wages, salaries, capital costs and other operating expenses directly related to the project. The AIF assistance for eligible building and major renovation costs would not normally exceed 30% of the costs.

Funding for innovation project ranges from $500,000 to $3 million. Innovation projects of less than $500,000 may be eligible under ACOA’s Business Development Program.

Types of Projects Eligible for Atlantic Innovation Fund:

The AIF provides funding for a wide range of projects that support innovation and economic growth in Atlantic Canada. Eligible projects may include:

Research and development of new products, services, and technologies
Commercialization of innovative products, services, and technologies
Development of new or improved processes, systems, and technologies
Creation of research and commercialization partnerships among businesses, universities, and research institutions

Evaluation Criteria for Atlantic Innovation Fund:

The AIF evaluates applications based on several criteria. According to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), projects must meet the following essential criteria to be considered for funding:

- Be compatible with AIF objectives
- Be scientifically and/or technically sound
- Demonstrate management capability to successfully undertake the project
- Demonstrate significant economic benefits for Atlantic Canada

In addition to the essential criteria, the AIF also considers the following desirable criteria:

- Includes private sector participation (for institutional proposals)
- Fills a gap in the Atlantic system of innovation
- Improves innovation capacity of the private sector
- Is pan-Atlantic in scope

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicant must be:

private-sector businesses,
universities, colleges,
non-government research institutions,
provincial Crown corporations operating in Atlantic Canada.

Application Steps:

Applicant must complete a Project Concept Template and submit it to the ACOA office nearest to them. ACOA will contact them to confirm receipt and to discuss their project.

Applicant must complete and submit the Application for Financial Assistance form, once they have discussed their project with ACOA.

Documentation Needed:

For-profit applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
incorporation documents and information on ownership names and percentage of ownership
2
fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs
3
R&D project plan, business plan and/or marketing plan,
4
supplier quotes,
5
copies of relevant permits and licenses,
6
other relevant documents (specify).

Not-for-profit applicants and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
constituting/ incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
2
financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
3
description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
4
HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
5
one of the following two items is required: (R&D) project plan or detailed project description, including milestones, costs, financing, key partnerships, established evidence of support from the community,
6
supplier quotes,
7
copies of relevant permits and licenses,
8
other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

Date modified: 2022-08-16

Program Contact:

Atlantic Innovation Fund

Application for financial assistance

Atlantic Innovation Fund: Frequently Asked Questions

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The JobsNL Wage Subsidy program supports employers to create sustainable long-term employment or seasonal / short term employment. The subsidy is intended to offset salary costs to create new positions.

There are two subsidy options:

1
JobsNL- 42 that provides a wage subsidy for 28 weeks of a minimum 42-week period of employment
2
JobsNL- 28 that provides a wage subsidy for a period of 10 – 28 weeks, allowing funding for seasonal / short term employment.

Comments on Funding:

For the JobsNL- 42 option the subsidy is as follows:

first 14 weeks, 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate,
second 14 weeks, 0% subsidy towards wages,
third 14 weeks, 80% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy, meaning 52 weeks of continuous employment.

For the JobsNL- 28 option the subsidy is 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid to employers approved for a subsidy of 28 weeks, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy period, meaning 38 weeks of continuous employment.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

be private or not-for-profit sector employers that are incorporated or sole proprietorship
have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number,
be in good standing with Registry of Companies and Deeds,
have an office location/base in Newfoundland and Labrador,
adhere to the all relevant Terms and Conditions of the JobsNL program

Federal and provincial government departments, crown agencies and corporations, boards and commissions, municipalities and political parties are not eligible for funding

Participants must:

be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador
unemployed or underemployed (underemployed being someone who has been employed on average less than 20 hours per week or in a field not related to their training),
be recent post-secondary graduates who have not obtained employment in their field of study,
be international graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland, or College of the North Atlantic with a Post-graduate Work Permit, and individuals with an Open Work Permit who are residents of the province,
not receive a federal or provincial pension, Workplace NL benefits or another benefit prescribed by the Minister,
not be an individual hired prior to the date an application is submitted.

Application Steps:

register and create an account in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills LaMPSS payment system to apply on-line,

complete and submit an online application and wait to be notified by email after a decision is made on the application – within 20 business days of receipt of a complete application,

submit the Consent Form after hiring an individual. When approval is granted, an individual must be hired within 30 business days.

Documentation Needed:

The applicant must submit:

an online application form,
the most recent annual or general meeting minutes and financial statement to demonstrate the organization has an executive structure, decision making process and financial accountability, if the employer is a not-for-profit organization.

Other Things to Note:

Employment Standards

Employers who participate in the JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program are required to comply with all relevant employment standards laws and regulations. This includes minimum wage requirements, hours of work, vacation pay, statutory holidays, and other applicable standards. Employers must also provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees.

Reporting Requirements

Employers are required to submit regular reports to JobsNL regarding their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program. These reports must include information on the number of employees hired, the duration of employment, and the amount of wage subsidy received. Employers must also provide evidence of compliance with employment standards laws and regulations.

If an employer fails to comply with employment standards laws and regulations or fails to meet reporting requirements, JobsNL may terminate their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program and require repayment of any subsidy funds received.

Program Contact:

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program Guidelines

Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

$ 30,000,000.00

Type of Program:

Tax Credit

Description:

The Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC) is a 15% refundable corporate income tax credit claimed by eligible corporations for capital equipment acquired for use in Nova Scotia on or after January 1, 2015. The capital equipment must be acquired as part of an "approved project".

The CITC is aligned, but not harmonized with, the federal government’s Atlantic Investment Tax Credit (AITC).

Comments on Funding:

Funding is 15% of the capital cost of "qualified property" acquired in a taxation year, with a maximum tax credit of $30 million per "approved project."

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

be a taxable Canadian corporation,
have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia,
with certain exceptions, be corporations in the manufacturing, processing, fishing, farming, logging, storing grain and harvesting peat sectors,
have acquired capital equipment as part of an "approved project".

Application Steps:

Applicant must submit a mandatory Part A application and receive an "eligibility certificate" before an application for the tax credit can be made.

Applicant must submit a Part B application for a tax credit certificate once he obtained the eligibility certificate and no later than 18 months following the end of the taxation year in which the qualified property was acquired. Multiple Part B application for tax credit certificates can be made since projects can run over a period of up to 5 years.

Documentation Needed:

The applicant must submit the following documentation in support of his Part A application form:

proof that the corporation is an "eligible corporation" and that its corporate registration is in good standing,
financial statements (projected financial statements for taxation years during project period and financial statements for the preceding taxation year),
a business plan for the project,
the T2 corporate tax return and notice of assessment if the project is underway and qualified property has already been acquired,
the loan agreements for all loans provided by public authorities,
any additional information deemed necessary by the Minister.

The applicant must submit the following documentation in support of his Part B application form:

proof of the capital cost of each qualified property,
a statement identifying the qualified property that was acquired in respect of and that matches the business plan submitted in support of the eligibility certificate,
a statement detailing any government assistance with respect to the qualified property,
a status report of the project and explanation for any deviation from the business plan submitted in support of the eligibility certificate,
the T2 corporate tax return and notice of assessment for the taxation year immediately preceding the taxation year for which a tax credit certificate is sought,
a draft copy of the corporation's Schedule 31 for the T2 corporate return in the taxation year for which the tax credit is being applied for,
a copy of the corporation's CITC eligibility certificate,
any additional information deemed necessary by the Minister.

Other Things to Note:

New Guidelines were published in March 2022.

Program Contact:

Capital Investment Tax Credit - Nova Scotia Department of Finance

CITC Guidelines.pdf

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