Business Advisory Services Program – Agriculture

The Business Advisory Services Program aims to enhance Nova Scotia farms and agri-businesses ability to be more competitive, manage transition, develop risk management strategies and respond to change. The business advisory services offered under this program will enable the agriculture sector to be proactive in business development decisions.

Business Benefits Finder

The Benefits Finder is a tool that can help you find Benefits and Services that you may be eligible to receive. It asks a few questions and uses your answers to search. It does not collect or track your information. The more questions you answer, the more customized and accurate your results will be.

Canada Digital Adoption Program

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the $4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business’s operations.

Canada Green Corps Program

If your business or non-profit organization is looking to reduce its environmental footprint or increase sustainability, you can apply for a wage subsidy to hire an eligible youth. Eligible employers must:   Offer meaningful work experience Offer a 4 to 6 month term Pay a portion of the youth’s salary   Eligible participants must: Be between 18 and 30 years of age Be legally entitled to work in Canada Not be a full-time student or co-op student

Canada Media Fund Programs (Excluding Export Programs)

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, promotes, develops and finances the production of Canadian content and relevant applications for all audiovisual media platforms. Streams of funding include: Convergent Steam – supports the creation of convergent television and digital media content for consumption by Canadians Development Program – allocates funding to projects at the development stage Experimental Stream – encourages the development of innovative, interactive digital media content and software application

Canada Small Business Financing Program

July 2022 update: The amendments to the Canada Small Business Financing Regulations and Canada Small Business Financing Act came into force on July 4, 2022. They provide lenders and small businesses with additional financing products, new class of loans, increased loan amounts and terms, improved loan conditions and decreased administrative burden. Financial institutions are currently in the process of rolling out these changes to start offering all of the enhanced features shortly. The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Term loans can be used to finance the following costs: purchase or improvement of land or buildings used for commercial purposes purchase or improvement of new or used equipment purchase of new or existing leasehold improvements, that is, renovations to a leased property by a tenant intangible assets and working capital costs Lines of credit can be used to pay for working capital costs, that is, day-to-day operating expenses of the business. The maximum loan amount for any one borrower is $1.15 million. Contact your nearest lending agency, or agency of choice to learn more: Credit Unions East Coast Credit Union Limited 1168 East Margaree Road Margaree NS St. Joseph’s Credit Union 3552 Highway 206 Petit De Grat NS New Waterford Credit Union 3462 Plummer Avenue New Waterford NS Sydney Credit Union 95 Townsend Street P.O. Box 1386 Sydney NS Bank of Montreal 37 Union Street Glace Bay NS Bank of Nova Scotia 765 Main Street Sydney Mines NS 299 Commercial Street P.O. Box 40 North Sydney Ns 125 Commercial Street Glace Bay NS 634 Reeves Street Unit 18 Port Hawkesbury NS Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 11 Keltic Drive Sydney River NS 15 Dorchester St. Sydney NS Toronto Dominion Bank 292 Charlotte Street Sydney NS

Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program

The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program is a loan guarantee program designed to increase the availability of loans to farmers and agricultural co-operatives. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms, while agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. Under the CALA, the federal government guarantees, to the lender, repayment of 95% of a net loss on an eligible loan issued. The maximum aggregate loan limit for any one farm operation is $500,000. Loans are limited to a maximum of:

$500,000 for the purchase of land and the construction or improvement of buildings
$350,000 for all other loan purposes, including consolidation/refinancing

Apply directly through your lending institution. Other conditions apply.

Canadian Digital Media Network – Soft Landing Program

The CDMN Soft Landing program offers qualified, mature start-ups and scale-ups exposure to business opportunities outside of Canada. Companies can utilize this program to open new markets, close international sales, secure investment and connect with new partners abroad. Successful candidates will receive up to $4,000 CAD in reimbursable expenses to help offset transportation and accommodation costs. Companies landing at a co-working space, accelerator or incubator may also have the costs associated with workspace covered for up to three months. Both the location and the specific landing facility are always determined by the company based on their business needs and market pull. Qualification criteria include:

Canadian Heritage – Creative Export Canada

Aims to heighten exposure of Canadian creative works in international markets and to increase export profitability for Canada’s creative industries. The CEC program provides visibility and funding to help Canadian creative works achieve financial success abroad. CEC aims to heighten exposure of Canadian creative works in international markets and to increase export profitability for Canada’s creative industries. You can apply for funding through the CEC program under 1 of the 2 streams: Export Ready Stream and Export Development Stream.

Canadian Heritage – Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

Your incorporated private business or non-profit organization may be eligible for a wage subsidy to hire a bilingual summer student. To be eligible you must:   Offer 30-40 hours a week of work for a period of 6-16 weeks Conduct activities in both official languages   Once enrolled, you will have access to a pool of talented and innovative youth.