Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is currently implementing the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), a $1.4-billion initiative to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accelerate their digital transformation, over a four-year period (2021-22 through 2021-25), as announced in Budget 2021.
The program has two streams:
- Stream 1 of the CDAP implementation, which will be delivered by third-party organizations, will provide SMEs with micro-grants to support the costs associated with the adoption of digital technologies related to e-commerce capabilities as well as access to a network of well-trained young Canadians to assist business owners in building their e-commerce capabilities.
- Stream 2 focuses on providing more comprehensive digital transformation support to SMEs through funding to pay for digital advisory services, zero-interest loans from BDC to finance technology implementation, and subsidize student placements to assist with digital adoption.
Overall, the CDAP will target up to 160,000 businesses and include training opportunities for up to 28,000 young people. ISED has received Treasury Board approval for both streams of the program.