Grants and Programs to Help Quebec Businesses Go Digital (2026)

The funding landscape has changed

A few years ago, many small businesses could get a quick grant to build a website or start selling online. That is no longer the case. Several popular programs have closed, others have tightened their criteria, and many “grant” offers you see in ads are actually loans or require a minimum revenue. This guide summarizes what we could verify as of October 2026. Programs change often and budgets run out, so treat this as a starting point and confirm every detail with the program itself before you sign a contract or spend money.

Federal programs

Closed: Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

CDAP was the best-known federal program for small business digitization. It is now closed:

• Grow Your Business Online, the micro-grant stream for e-commerce and online presence, stopped taking new applications on September 30, 2024.
• Boost Your Business Technology, which funded a digital adoption plan, was fully subscribed and closed to new applications in February 2024.

If someone offers to get you “CDAP funding” today, be cautious. No new CDAP applications are being accepted, and no equivalent federal website grant has replaced it.

Federal: BDC LIFT (loans, not grants)

In April 2026, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) launched LIFT, a financing program to help Canadian SMEs adopt digital tools, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced equipment. It offers loans with advisory support, and BDC announced flexible repayment options. It is financing that must be repaid, not a grant, and conditions apply, including requirements that may exclude very small businesses. It is mainly relevant for established companies with a larger technology project than a simple website.

Quebec government programs

Quebec: the ESSOR program (Investissement Québec)

ESSOR is Quebec’s main business investment support program, managed by the Ministère de l’Économie and Investissement Québec, with a framework running until March 31, 2027. Two parts are relevant to digital projects:

• Volet 1B covers a digital diagnosis, digital plan, implementation plan and system selection, including AI-related elements.
• Volet 1C supports carrying out a recently completed digital plan.

According to Investissement Québec’s application guide, sub-volet 1B targets businesses with 250 employees or fewer and annual revenue of at least $2.5 million. Expenses committed before you apply are not eligible, so do not sign with a supplier first. The guide also sets French-language conditions: documents in French, a French version of your website, service offers in French from a Quebec supplier, and proof of francization compliance from the OQLF for businesses with 25 or more employees. Contact Investissement Québec for current aid rates and limits, since intake can be suspended when budgets are used up.

Quebec: Offensive de transformation numérique

The Quebec government’s Offensive de transformation numérique (OTN) has funded non-profit organizations that offer digital transformation support to businesses at a reduced cost, often by sector (manufacturing, construction, tourism, agriculture and others). The list of supported organizations is published on Québec.ca. Availability depends on each organization’s project. For example, the ADRIQ “Offensive Tr@ns Num” program was listed as closed to new applications in October 2026. Check with the organizations for your sector to see what they currently offer.

Startup and local support

Young entrepreneurs: Futurpreneur

If you are between 18 and 39 and starting or recently launched a business, Futurpreneur offers startup financing combined with a mentor. Its startup loans can reach $75,000 in total when its own financing is combined with BDC’s, and there are also programs for side businesses, Indigenous entrepreneurs, Black entrepreneurs and newcomers. These are loans, but they can be used for launch costs such as a website and online store as part of a business plan.

Local help: PME MTL, MRCs and municipalities

In Montreal, the PME MTL network offers business advice and local financing to entrepreneurs, and its programs and calls for projects change over time. Outside Montreal, your MRC or local economic development office (often under the Accès entreprise Québec network) is the place to ask. Some cities and regions periodically offer support for commerce, innovation or the digital shift of local businesses. Ask your local advisor directly what is open for a website or e-commerce project, and when the next intake is.

Don’t forget tax deductions

Even without a grant, website costs reduce your taxes. Canada has no specific rule for website costs, but the CRA has published guidance: some costs, such as hosting, maintenance and many marketing expenses, are generally deductible in the year they are incurred, while the development of a new website or software may need to be treated as a capital expense and depreciated through capital cost allowance. Talk to your accountant about how to classify your project before year end.

Summary as of October 2026

How to approach funding

1. Define your project first: a basic site, an online store, or a broader digital plan.
2. Check eligibility criteria (revenue, employees, sector, location) on the official program page.
3. Apply before committing any spending, since early expenses are often excluded.
4. Prepare French versions of your documents and website, which Quebec programs often require.
5. Ask for written confirmation of what is covered before starting work.

The bottom line

In 2026, there is no easy federal grant for a small business website, and CDAP is gone. Established Quebec companies may qualify for ESSOR or BDC LIFT, young founders can look at Futurpreneur, and local offices may have targeted help. Confirm eligibility directly with each program, and plan with your accountant to take advantage of tax deductions. Loubane can provide detailed quotes in French and plan your website project to fit the program you choose.

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