Atlantic Canada Business Grants

no fixed amount

Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)

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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. 1
    up to 75% for development of business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies,
  2. 2
    up to 40% for establishment, expansion or acquisition,
  3. 3
    up to 60% for marketing initiatives,
  4. 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:

1

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.

Farm Land Identification Program (FLIP)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Tax Defferal

Description:

The Farm Land Identification Program provides for the deferral of provincial property taxes on eligible farmland and outbuildings to encourage the preservation of real property for agricultural use. It is open to all owners of real property. 

Benefits of the FLIP Program:

Tax Deferral: The FLIP program allows eligible farmland and outbuildings to defer provincial property taxes, which can help reduce the financial burden on farmers and landowners. This can be especially helpful during times when the agricultural industry is facing challenges.

Preservation of Farmland: By participating in the FLIP program, landowners are committing to preserving their land for agricultural use. This helps to protect farmland from being converted to non-agricultural uses, which can threaten the sustainability of the agricultural industry.

Access to Funding: Some funding programs require that land be registered under the FLIP program to be eligible for funding. By participating in the program, landowners can access these funding opportunities and receive financial support for their agricultural activities.

Recognition: Registered FLIP properties are recognized as agricultural properties, which can help to increase the visibility and recognition of the agricultural industry in New Brunswick.

Comments on Funding:

The program provides for the deferral of applicable provincial real property tax on the assessed value of registered farmland and farm outbuildings. The portion of the local or municipal tax rate that is above the average LSD rate for the province is also deferred.

When a property registered in the Farm Land Identification Program is deregistered or withdrawn from the program by the assessed owner, the deferred taxes to a maximum of 15 previous years together with associated interest becomes due and payable.

The total amount of interest added to the deferred taxes payable upon deregistration or withdrawal on or after September 1, 2007 from the Farm Land Identification Program is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total taxes deferred.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be farmland and outbuilding New Brunswick owners.
  • Land must be registered in the Registry of Agricultural Land under the Agricultural Land Protection and Development Act.
  • Farm outbuildings must be located on land registered in the Registry of Agricultural Land under the Agricultural Land Protection and Development Act.
  • The property (land and farm outbuildings where applicable) must be in use by an agricultural operation, or the owner must be willing to make the property available for use by rent or lease, given a reasonable offer, and must allow such property to be advertised as being available for rent or lease, to be eligible for registration in FLIP.
  • The land does not have a subdivision plan registered in the Provincial Land Registry which will result in the removal of the property from agricultural use.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit an application to be considered for registration. Registration is a long term commitment to maintain land in agricultural use. There may be substantial financial costs to exiting the program.


Applications for registration of agricultural land in both the Registry of Agricultural Land and the Farm Land Identification Program should be made together, on the form provided.


Application forms are available from any office of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries or online.


Applications must be signed by the registered owner(s) of the property.

Program Contact:

Farm Land Identification Program

Application Form

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)

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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:

1

Applicant must consult the applicant guide

2

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

3

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

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

  1. 1
    constituting / incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
  2. 2
    financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
  3. 3
    description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
  4. 4
    HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
  5. 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. 6
    supplier quotes,
  7. 7
    copies of relevant permits and license's,
  8. 8
    other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

  1. 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. 2
    Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis until such time as the funding is fully allocated.
  3. 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. 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. 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

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

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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. 1
    JobsNL- 42 that provides a wage subsidy for 28 weeks of a minimum 42-week period of employment
  2. 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:

1

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

2

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,

3

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 Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

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Amount:

$500,000

Type of Program:

Loan Guarantee

Description:

The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program delivers better financial assistance for the start-up and expansion of small businesses in Nova Scotia by providing them loan guarantees.


Credit unions are the only financial provider to offer access to the financing program and they can provide financing up to $500,000 in the form of term loans, working capital and lines of credit . No other financing programs provide access to working capital or lines of credit to individuals who would like to start or purchase a small business and/or grow and expand an existing business.

Benefits of the NS Small Business Loan Guarantee Program:

  • Access to capital: The program provides financing up to $500,000 in the form of term loans, working capital and lines of credit. This can help small businesses with big ideas get the funding they need to start and grow their enterprise.
  • Lower interest rates: The program offers lower interest rates than traditional loans, which can help small businesses save money on interest payments.
  • Flexible repayment terms: The program offers flexible repayment terms, which can help small businesses manage their cash flow and repay the loan on their own terms.
  • No collateral required: The program does not require collateral, which can make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need without putting up their assets as collateral.
  • Fast approval process: The program has a relatively fast approval process, which can help small businesses get the funding they need quickly and efficiently.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of a guaranteed loan or line of credit, subordinated debt, equity, revenue sharing or royalty agreement. A maximum investment of $500,000 will be granted to successful applicants, until the funds are all invested.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • be start-ups and/or growth and expansions;
  • be not-for-profit, co-operatives or private businesses that have a positive impact on a social or environmental issue that meets a community need or maximize a community opportunity;
  • be registered and based in Nova Scotia;
  • be in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must contact their local credit union branch for details.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit a formal application.

Program Contact:

Small Business Loan Guarantee Program