Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Also known as: CSBFP
The Canada Small Business Financing Program is not a grant: it is a federal loan guarantee that makes banks and credit unions more willing to lend. Businesses with revenue of $10 million or less can borrow up to $1.15 million for buildings, equipment, leasehold improvements, intangibles and working capital, at capped rates plus a 2% registration fee. Ask your own lender.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $1,150,000 Up to $1.15 million per borrower: term loans up to $1,000,000 (no more than $500,000 for leasehold improvements and equipment, of which up to $150,000 for intangible assets and working capital) plus lines of credit up to $150,000. A 2% registration fee applies.
Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $10,000,000, logarithmic.
ised-isde.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 29, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
The maximum loan amount for a borrower is $1.15 million.
- Instrument
- Loan (repayable)
- Status
- Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
- Who qualifies
- Businesses Other applicants
- small-business
- startup
- Gross annual revenues of $10 million or less
- Farming businesses are not eligible (they use the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program)
- The lender decides; the government shares the lender's risk
ised-isde.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 29, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Small businesses or start-ups operating in Canada, with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less.
- Where
- Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · District Municipality of Muskoka · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District
11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.
How do you apply?
Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.
- Talk to a financial officer at any bank, credit union or caisse populaire
- The lender reviews the proposal and decides
- The lender disburses and registers the loan with ISED
ised-isde.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 29, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan.
Common questions
Is CSBFP money free?
No. It is a loan from your bank or credit union, partly guaranteed by the federal government. You repay it with interest, and a 2% registration fee applies.
What can a CSBFP loan pay for?
Land and buildings used for commercial purposes, new or used equipment, leasehold improvements, intangible assets and working capital, plus a line of credit for day-to-day costs.
Where do I apply?
At any bank, caisse populaire or credit union in Canada. The lender alone approves the loan and registers it with ISED.
Where else could this money come from?
Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.
-
Mitacs Accelerate
Open, continuous intake both for small business, expansion and startups & new entrepreneurs; national, continuous intake · Varies; see program
-
CFDC Business Loans (Community Futures Program)
Open, continuous intake both for small business, expansion and startups & new entrepreneurs; loan · Up to $300,000
-
MVDF Business Financing
Open, continuous intake both for small business, expansion and startups & new entrepreneurs; loan · Up to $1,500,000
Notes on this record
Delivered by lenders, not by ISED. Not available to farming businesses.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: