On March 3, 2022, the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) was launched and opened for application. This $4 billion program provides funding through two initiatives.

Grow Your Business Online Initiative

This initiative provides $2,400 micro-grants and access to e-commerce advisors to help applicants adopt digital technology. Grants can cover costs such as website development, search engine optimization, subscription fees for e-commerce platforms and social media advertising. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives), be registered or incorporated, have at least one employee, commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months after participation and partake in post-program surveys, share information with the government
(e.g. Statistics Canada) and allow the business’ name to be published as a recipient of funding. Corporate chains, franchises or registered charities, representatives of multi-level marketing companies and real estate brokerages are ineligible.

Boost Your Business Technology Initiative

This initiative provides Canadian-owned small and medium-sized enterprises grants to develop a digital plan and leverage funded work placements to help applicants with their digital transformation. The grant can cover up to 90% (to a maximum of $15,000) of the cost of developing a digital adoption plan. Businesses can also apply for an interest-free loan of up to $100,000 from the Business Development Bank of Canada. Eligible businesses must be a Canadian sole proprietor or corporation, be a for-profit privately owned business, have between 1 and 499 full-time employees and have had an annual revenue of at least $500,000 in one of the three previous tax years.