Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
Federal - ISED · Up to $1,150,000 ($1M term loan + $150K line of credit)
Ongoing government-backed loan (not a grant) delivered by participating banks and credit unions. Covers equipment, leasehold improvements, real estate, working capital, intangibles, and a line of credit. ISED shares risk with the lender; apply at your bank, not on canada.ca. Published amount: Up to $1,150,000 ($1M term loan + $150K line of credit). Best for: Newcomers, new corporations, and existing SMEs needing a bank loan for equipment, leaseholds, a franchise, or working capital. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Official source: Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP).
Criteria
| Who qualifies |
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|---|---|
| Who does not |
|
| Amount | Up to $1,150,000 ($1M term loan + $150K line of credit) |
| Rate / repayable | Prime + 3% (term) or Prime + 5% (line of credit). Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant). |
| What it funds | Ongoing government-backed loan (not a grant) delivered by participating banks and credit unions. Covers equipment, leasehold improvements, real estate, working capital, intangibles, and a line of credit. ISED shares risk with the lender; apply at your bank, not on canada.ca. Highlights: Up to $1M term loan + $150K line of credit; Revenue $10M or less; Startups eligible; Not a grant — apply through a participating lender. |
| Intake window | Ongoing (stated in the program description). |
| Region | Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. |
| Administrator | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (Federal - ISED) |
Published highlights
- Up to $1M term loan + $150K line of credit
- Revenue $10M or less
- Startups eligible
- Not a grant — apply through a participating lender
FAQ
Is this a grant?
No. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) is catalogued as a loan / repayable contribution. Prime + 3% (term) or Prime + 5% (line of credit) Confirm terms on the official page.
Who qualifies in Markham?
Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. Qualifies where the published criteria fit: startups and existing businesses; revenue $10 million or less; Canadian citizens, permanent residents, work-permit holders; for-profit; available across Canada; newcomers, new corporations, and existing SMEs needing a bank loan for equipment, leaseholds, a franchise, or working capital.
Is there a minimum years in business or employee count?
No minimum years in business in this catalog; no minimum employee count in this catalog. See the official page if a rule is not listed here.
Can newcomers or work-permit holders apply?
The catalog lists work-permit (or all citizenships) among eligible statuses for this program. Still verify identity and ownership rules on the official page.
When is intake open?
Ongoing (stated in the program description).
Related programs
Eligibility is determined by the government administrator (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), not Markham Office. Amounts, rates, and windows change. Verify every detail on the official page before you apply. Markham Office is an assessment helper only. As of September 2026.