Registered organizations (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), including social enterprises, businesses, other levels of government and non-federal entities, public or private, interested in economic development in the North
Services
CanNor IDEANorth
CanNor program promoting economic development in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut through four streams: Sector and Capacity Development; Business Scale-Up and Productivity (market development, commercialization, technology adoption); Small Scale Economic Infrastructure; and Economic Infrastructure Studies. For-profit recipients receive up to 50% of eligible costs (repayable contributions); not-for-profit, government and Indigenous economic development organizations up to 80%. Maximum contribution per project $6M.
Overview
CanNor program promoting economic development in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut through four streams: Sector and Capacity Development; Business Scale-Up and Productivity (market development, commercialization, technology adoption); Small Scale Economic Infrastructure; and Economic Infrastructure Studies. For-profit recipients receive up to 50% of eligible costs (repayable contributions); not-for-profit, government and Indigenous economic development organizations up to 80%. Maximum contribution per project $6M.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant (non-repayable + repayable contributions) |
| Level | territorial |
| Region | Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
| Administrator | Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Max per project | $6,000,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 75% |
| Intake status | Open - continuous intake of project EOIs and applications year-round, plus targeted calls for expressions of interest |
| Non-US bias | Market development and expansion stream supports diversification to new markets; no explicit US bias |
Eligibility
Priority to applicants with proven capacity to deliver projects in the North and engagement in territorial economic development
For-profit recipients must provide their own equity towards the project
What it covers
Stream 1 (Sector and Capacity Development)
sector strategies, research and planning, certification standards, training materials, expert advice/training for economic and business development
Stream 2 (Business Scale-Up and Productivity)
product commercialization, market development and expansion, innovative products/services incl. clean technologies, patents/standards/certification, technology clusters, technology demonstration and adoption
Stream 3 (Small Scale Economic Infrastructure)
construction or improvement of multi-user economic infrastructure (visitor centres, incubator space, fish-harvesting/processing infrastructure)
Stream 4 (Economic Infrastructure Studies)
pre-construction readiness for large-scale infrastructure (roads, ports, telecommunications, electrical grids), feasibility studies and engineering
Eligible expenditures
professional fees, incremental salaries, space/equipment rentals or purchases, feasibility studies, research fees, capital purchases, travel, shipping, translation
Market and diversification rules
Cost sharing
up to 80% for not-for-profit organizations, other levels of government and Indigenous economic development organizations; up to 50% for for-profit/SME recipients
Stacking limit
for for-profit projects where total government assistance is under $100,000, total government assistance capped at 75% of eligible costs; 100% for NFP/government/Indigenous projects
Maximum contribution per project under IDEANorth is $6M
Contributions to for-profit entities are repayable; low-value contributions may be exempt, and Indigenous-controlled for-profits that cannot pay dividends may be exempt
Multi-year applications and approvals are encouraged
How to apply
Submit a project expression of interest or application on an ongoing basis by email to cannor.operations.cannor@canada.ca
Contact the CanNor regional office nearest you to discuss the proposal
Proposals are assessed on economic benefit and impact (35%), alignment with program and government priorities (20%), organizational capacity (15%), budget (15%) and work plan (15%)
Stacking notes
CanNor considers all other sources of funding, including total government assistance (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal)
Recipients must inform CanNor of financial assistance received or expected from any government source prior to approval
Notes
IDEANorth replaces the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program
The maximum federal contribution includes any funding sourced from the Gas Tax Fund
Consultants not at arm's length are ineligible; competitive process required for professional services over $25,000
Guidelines document dated 2018-2019 (program framework); verify current intake terms with CanNor
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
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