Test your knowledge
This is a loan program in collaboration with financial institutions. If you are looking for other government financial incentives including grants or general information for small businesses, please access the innovation.canada.ca.
What can loans be used for under this program?
Term loans can be used to finance the cost of:
- purchasing or improving land and buildings used for commercial purposes
- purchasing new or existing renovations to premises occupied by the business as a tenant
- purchasing or improving new or used equipment (including commercial vehicles)
- intangible assets and working capital
What are the maximum term loan amounts?
Lines of credit can be used to finance working capital costs, that is, day-to-day operating expenses of the business.
What is the maximum line of credit amount?
Who is eligible?
Small businesses or start-ups operating in Canada, with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less.
Not eligible under this program are farming businesses (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a similar program for the farming industry — for information, visit the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act program).
For more information, visit the business eligibility section of our guidelines.
How do I apply?
Present your business plan directly to any bank, credit union or caisse populaire. Your financial institution is responsible for making the decision to approve your loan.
For more information, download the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) PDF pamphlet.
Legal and regulatory
- Canada Small Business Financing Act
(Department of Justice Canada) - Canada Small Business Financing Regulations
(Department of Justice Canada)
Please consult PDF document for updated content.
To access all documents, please visit our Documentation centre.
Questions and answers
Top 6 Frequently asked questions
- Where can I apply for a CSBFP loan?
- Do I need to communicate with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for a loan?
- Why do some financial institutions choose not to participate in this program?
- What businesses are eligible to apply under the CSBFP ?
- What is eligible for financing under the CSBFP ?
- What is not eligible for financing under the CSBFP ?
View all Frequently asked questions
To access all documents, please visit our Documentation centre.
Reports and statistics
CSBFP documents
- CSBFP Evaluation, October 2019
- CSBFP : Cost-Benefit Analysis, May 2019
- CSBFP Awareness and Satisfaction Study Final Report, August 2018
- Incrementality Study of the CSBFP, March 2018
- SME Profile: CSBFP Program Borrowers, March 2016
- Updated and Extended Economic Impact Analysis of the CSBFP, November 2014
- CSBFP Lender Awareness and Satisfaction Study, August 2014
- Key Risk Factors in the CSBF Portfolio, July 2013
Other documents
To access all documents, please visit our Documentation centre.
Overview and Highlights
- Overview and Highlights 2021–22
- Overview and Highlights 2020–21
- Overview and Highlights 2019–20
- Overview and Highlights 2018–19
- Overview and Highlights 2017–18
If you require a previous version of the Annual Report, please contact us.
To access all documents, please visit our Documentation centre.
Comprehensive reviews
- Comprehensive Review Report (2014-2019), October 2020
To access all documents, please visit our Documentation centre.
The CSBFP is committed to its service standards.
For more information on other government programs and services:
- Check out the interactive business benefits finder at innovation.canada.ca.
- Check out the resources to help manage your business during COVID-19.
- Check out the Canada Digital Adoption Program: Support for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt new digital technologies.