Top 6 Canadian Small Business Grants for Hiring

By Ryan Weaver
Marketing Analyst
Many Canadian small businesses make the mistake of assuming that they do not qualify for any kind of non-repayable grants from Canadian Provincial or Federal governments. While they may not be eligible for all available funding programs, small business grants for hiring with payouts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 or more (per hire) are very widely accessible. In fact, we have routinely seen firms large and small access $20K, $100K and even $250K in non-repayable grants from the provincial and federal levels in one year towards their upcoming hiring initiatives. It is clear that the Canadian government is focused on job creations; please ensure that you benefit from their support resources towards your upcoming hires when possible.
- Amount: A maximum of $20/hour or $20,000 total per intern.
- Eligibility Factors: Incorporated firms and not-for-profits. Participating companies must agree to offer mentorship as well as career-related experience.
- Timeline: Open; the review process takes up to 21 business days to be accepted.
- Example Positions: Engineer, Financial Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Admin, Software Developer, Graphic Designer, Business Development Personnel, etc.
- Amount: Up to 50% or $17,000 for a minimum 4 month term.
- Eligibility Factors: Employment must be for a minimum of 30hrs per week in a company that operates in, or serves the aerospace & aviation industry. For more information, please visit CCAA Canadian business grants eligibility blog.
- Timeline: While the CCAA Career Focus Program ends in March 2014 funding often runs out beforehand.
- Example Positions: Any high demand position within the industry.
- Amount: The maximum amount of support is $8/hour (minimum wage must be $16/ hour).
- Eligibility Factors: Must be a for-profit firm operating within Canada (since at least 2 years prior to application). Participating firms must have a minimum of 5 full-time employees and have a minimum of $2 million in general liability insurance.
- Timeline: The YMCA HD-YIP Program is now accepting applications from businesses across Canada. All internships end by March 10, 2014. Applications must be received by November 11th, 2013.
- Example Positions: Knowledge-based technology, manufacturing, construction, retail trade, accounting, & more.
- Amount: Up to 50% or $40,000 per year for 2 years ($80,000 maximum).
- Eligibility Factors: SMEs must have between $1M and $20M in revenue, with 10-50% coming from export sales.
- Timeline: Open.
- Eligible Positions: Export Manager, International Business Development Manager.
The Career Start program is funded by the Federal Government of Canada through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) as a part of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES Initiatives).
- Amount: Up to 50% of salary, up to $20,000 for a 4-12 month term.
- Eligibility Factors: Interns must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, be unemployed or underemployed at the time of hiring, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Company must operate in, or serve the agricultural and/or agri-food industry.
- Timeline: Applications will be received mid-October while interns may begin in April.
- Example Positions: Jr. Agronomist, service technician, food scientist
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Ryan has a BA in economics, an MSc in management, and several published works including two books. Ryan enjoys communicating with business owners & executives about small business grants and loans available to help overcome obstacles to growth.
You can visit Mentor Works at http://www.mentorworks.ca