Government Financing for Small Business

One of the most difficult results of the financial recession has been the drastically reduced amount of credit available to small businesses. Banks have become highly selective in granting loans – the lifeblood of many a business.

An important program in Canada's Economic Action Plan is the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP). This program is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses access financing. For-profit enterprises with gross annual revenues of $5 million or less may be eligible for loan amounts up to $350,000 and $500,000 for real property.

The CSBFP is administered by Industry Canada in partnership with private sector lending institutions across all the provinces and territories. In total, more than 1200 service locations have been established to facilitate business owners seeking loans. The government does not participate in the lending process, nor does it make the decisions. The final decision is solely at the discretion of the financial institution. However, in order to encourage lenders to make loans that they otherwise might not, the federal government will cover a portion of losses due to default. A lending institution with a portfolio greater than $500,000 will be eligible for reimbursement of losses up to 12 percent of its portfolio's value.

Loans to small and medium-sized businesses are not guaranteed under the CSBFP. Business owners should discuss their needs with a financial officer at a participating financial institution. Upon approval, the loan will be registered with Industry Canada.

This program is not available for farming businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or charitable and religious organizations.

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