Canada Regional Economic Development Grants Guide
Access Canada's comprehensive regional economic development funding ecosystem with $2.8B+ available annually through 35+ federal and provincial programs. From Regional Development Agencies' targeted support to community-led initiatives - drive economic growth, diversification, and competitiveness across Canada's diverse regions and communities.
Canada as Regional Development Leader
Canada's regional economic development framework represents one of the world's most comprehensive approaches to place-based economic growth, with over $2.8 billion invested annually through 35+ specialized programs delivered by six federal Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and complementary provincial initiatives. From Atlantic Canada's innovation ecosystem to Western diversification and Northern development, Canada provides targeted support for regional competitiveness, community resilience, and inclusive economic growth across all provinces and territories.
Regional Policy Priorities
- • Community economic development and diversification
- • Regional innovation ecosystems and clusters
- • Rural and remote community resilience
- • Indigenous economic development and reconciliation
Strategic Regional Integration
- • Federal-provincial-municipal coordination
- • Community-led development approaches
- • Regional competitive advantage building
- • Inter-regional collaboration and knowledge transfer
Major Regional Development Programs
Atlantic Canada's federal development agency supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and community development across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
ACOA Program Streams:
- • Business Development Program: SME growth and productivity
- • Innovation Program: R&D commercialization support
- • Community Development Program: Infrastructure and capacity
- • Trade and Investment: Export and FDI facilitation
Regional Priorities:
- • Ocean technology and marine industries
- • Clean technology and renewable energy
- • Information technology and digital economy
- • Tourism and cultural industries
Funding Structure:
- • Repayable and non-repayable contributions
- • Up to $5M per project (major initiatives)
- • Flexible terms based on project type
- • Leveraged with private and other public funding
Federal agency driving economic growth and diversification in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta through business scale-up, innovation commercialization, and community economic development.
Major 2026 Programs:
- • Regional Economic Growth through Innovation: Business scale-up
- • Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative: Housing solutions
- • Community Economic Development: Diversification projects
- • Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative: AI adoption
Sector Focus Areas:
- • Agriculture value-added processing
- • Mining, oil & gas, and energy transition
- • Advanced manufacturing and logistics
- • Information technology and digital services
Federal agency promoting economic development across Canada's three territories (Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon) with $32.5M in 2026-26 funding for northern communities and businesses.
Core Programs:
- • Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI)
- • Northern Innovation and Community Infrastructure (NICI)
- • Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
- • Territorial Growth Program (TGP)
Northern Priorities:
- • Indigenous economic development and self-determination
- • Resource extraction and value-added processing
- • Tourism and cultural industries
- • Infrastructure and connectivity solutions
Eligible Recipients:
- • Individuals and businesses (including Indigenous)
- • Social enterprises and cooperatives
- • Municipal, provincial, and territorial governments
- • Not-for-profit and educational institutions
Federal agency supporting Southern Ontario's advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, and community economic development through targeted investments in high-growth sectors and regional ecosystems.
Investment Priorities:
- • Advanced manufacturing and automation
- • Clean technology and sustainability
- • Life sciences and health technology
- • Digital economy and artificial intelligence
Community Development:
- • Innovation districts and ecosystem building
- • Rural and small community diversification
- • Indigenous economic development
- • Francophone minority community support
Federal agency promoting British Columbia's economic growth through innovation, clean technology, Indigenous economic development, and Asia-Pacific trade relationships.
BC Regional Priorities:
- • Clean technology and renewable energy
- • Forest sector innovation and value-added
- • Ocean and marine technology
- • Digital technology and creative industries
Strategic Initiatives:
- • Asia-Pacific gateway and trade corridor
- • Indigenous economic reconciliation
- • Rural and remote community development
- • Innovation supercluster ecosystem support
Federal agency supporting Northern Ontario's economic diversification away from traditional resource industries through innovation, entrepreneurship, and community development initiatives.
Northern Ontario Focus:
- • Mining sector innovation and value-added processing
- • Forestry and bioproducts development
- • Tourism and outdoor recreation
- • Indigenous economic development and partnerships
Program Delivery:
- • Regional Economic Growth through Innovation
- • Community Future Development Corporations
- • Northern Ontario Development Program
- • Strategic initiatives and special projects
Regional Development Funding Strategy Framework
Multi-Agency Regional Approach:
- • Align with regional RDA priorities and mandates
- • Combine federal, provincial, and municipal funding
- • Leverage community partnerships and collaboration
- • Access sector-specific and thematic initiatives
Community Development Priorities:
- • Economic diversification and resilience building
- • Innovation ecosystem and cluster development
- • Infrastructure and capacity enhancement
- • Indigenous reconciliation and inclusive growth
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