Construction Grants Ontario: 45 Funding Programs Currently Available

The Technology Access Program provides Ontario SMEs with no cost access to the CIT Technology
Development Sites (TDSs) to support the development and commercialization of Ontario made products and services that integrate/adopt Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, cybersecurity) related to four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction and Mining. At these sites SMEs can develop, test, validate and showcase their products and services, helping disruptive innovations hit the market faster.

The Talent Development – Internship Program (TDI) provides support for recent undergraduate or Master’s graduates, to work on industry- driven projects related to the six CIT Critical Technology areas: 5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Robotics, in any one of the four key sector areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction, Mining. Companies can tap into world-class talent coming out of Ontario’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions and strengthen their capacity to develop new products, services and processes, while interns receive hands-on industry experience in areas such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

The Start-up and Office Tenant Attraction (SOTA) Program is intended to provide
low-interest Loans or Forgivable Loans that will facilitate the undertaking of eligible leasehold
improvements to office space by property owners or authorized tenants in order to support the
creation of new office space and improve the marketability and attractiveness of existing office
space. This Program will serve as a tool to reduce office vacancy rates in Downtown Hamilton
and other eligible commercial areas and serve as a means of attracting new and expanding office
uses and businesses to Hamilton.

Since its inception in 2012, the Social Impact Fund has unlocked the Foundation’s assets in order to create positive change in the community by providing loans to social enterprises and affordable housing projects.

Financial assistance to help community housing providers with the costs of early development activities related to the predevelopment costs of building a new affordable housing project or renovating an existing affordable housing project.

As part of the broader Critical Industrial Technologies initiative, the Sector Adoption (SA) Program is a challenge based multi-partner program that drives significant impact and advancement of a whole sector.

The Savings by Design Commercial and Multi-Residential program gives project team free access to industry experts, technical tools and financial incentives to help build high-performance, resilient and sustainable buildings.

The Save on Energy Retrofit program offers businesses in Ontario incentives to upgrade equipment, reduce energy bills, lower their carbon footprint and increase productivity. The incentives are designed to help businesses speed up their payback on energy-efficiency equipment upgrades. The program offers incentives in two streams:
– Custom stream for larger, more complex retrofit projects to capture greater energy savings;
– Prescriptive stream for targeted retrofit projects focusing on commonly used products and technologies.

The IESO’s Save on Energy Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (IEEP) has been extended until June 30, 2025. It supports customers across Ontario in improving their industrial processes and implementing system optimization projects. The program offers organizations up to $5 million in financial incentives for each large, industrial energy-efficiency project accepted into the program. Eligible projects will deliver electricity savings using proven commercial technologies to lower energy consumption and reduce electricity bills.

The Energy Performance Program (EPP) rewards customers who are able to make behavioural and operational changes that support capital investment projects, enabling them to grow their energy savings year over year.

The Revitalizing Hamilton Tax Increment Grant Program (the Program) is intended to provide a Grantto incentivize property owners within strategic commercial districts to develop,redevelop or otherwise improve properties and/or buildings (including designated heritage buildings) in a mannerthat will supportthe broader revitalization ofthe commercial district as well as generate new municipal property tax revenue through increased property assessments.

The Residential Development Charges Grant program is designed to encourage private sector investment in residential property development in the Downtown and Old East Village areas. A grant, equal to a rebate of residential Development Charges (DCs), is offered for each new residential unit constructed.

The Research and Knowledge Initiative (RKI) is a competitive, merit-based contributions funding program that supports data and research on issues related to public infrastructure and communities. The purpose of the Research and Knowledge Initiative is to advance the understanding of public infrastructure needs, challenges, and opportunities relevant to Canadians. The program also aims facilitate collaboration among key public infrastructure actors and stakeholders, and support data, research, and knowledge-sharing activities.

The Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative provides support to pursue new approaches for building houses, including designing and upscaling modular homes, the use of 3D printing, mass timber construction, panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate resilient homebuilding practices.

Reduced rates for a new industrial building or an enlargement of more than 50 per cent of the gross floor area of an existing industrial building, as defined in the Regional Development Charge By-law 14-046.

Limited grants to offset Regional Development Charges (RDC) for rental and supportive housing project priorities that proceed to building permit stage on a first-come, first-served basis. Only applicable for projects that have received a capital grant through the Affordable Housing Strategy Program.

Brownfield sites may be eligible for Regional Development Charge (RDC) Exemptions to help cover the cost of remediation. The value of the RDC Exemption is based on the sum of direct costs of remediation at 50% reimbursement to a maximum of $1,000,000, less any additional financial assistance previously received. This exemption applies to all of Waterloo Region, except where development charges are waived for developments. Please refer to the Regional Development Charges Bylaw 19-037 (specifically, Schedule C) for more information.

Financial assistance to help community housing providers complete preservation activities related to the sustainability of existing community housing projects.

Section 40 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13 (the “Planning Act”) allows the council of a municipality to exempt the owner of a property from the requirement to provide parking, subject to an agreement being registered on title to the lands. Subsection 40(2) states that the agreement shall provide for the making of one or more payments of money to the municipality as consideration for the granting of the exception but does not specify a monetary amount. Subsection 40(2) is typically applied where cash-in-lieu of parking is deemed appropriate by the municipality, to off-set the expense of providing municipal parking to meet demands that cannot be accommodated on site. In this instance, cashin-lieu of parking will not be necessary, as the parking reduction for affordable housing

The Office-to-Residential (OTR) Construction Conversion Grant offers a per-unit incentive grant, functioning as a forgivable loan, for eligible office-to-residential conversion projects.

New multi-residential developments with a building permit issued after April 11, 2001 with six units or more are automatically provided with the optional property tax class at the time of assessment.

Through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF), the Government of Canada is investing $200 million to support projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the natural environment, support healthy and resilient communities, and contribute to economic growth. Natural infrastructure, particularly in urban areas, creates a connection to nature that contributes to wellness and mental health, and increased access to green spaces promote recreation and social connection.

Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund provides funding for infrastructure projects in Canada, including work to airports, ports, rail yards, transportation facilities and access roads.

The National Housing Strategy Demonstrations Initiative funds the demonstration of solutions that support housing affordability in real environments. Solutions support National Housing Supply priority areas and groups and outcomes, focusing on solutions with evidence of positive impact. The initiative intends to increase adoption of high-quality solutions for greater sector impact, Demonstrations support active scaling/replication with solutions adopters.

The intent of the LEED Grant Program is to provide an economic catalyst for the construction and or redevelopment of sustainable industrial, commercial, mixed-use and multi-unit residential (as defined in Part 3 (Group C) of the National Building Code) buildings and land development in the urban area. This program applies to the Hamilton LEEDING the Way Community Improvement Project Area (as such boundaries are presently defined).

Through the IEI, our investment team looks to lend to Indigenous communities to provide them with access to capital to purchase equity stakes in infrastructure projects in which the CIB is also investing. Economic returns from these projects can be reinvested in the community, narrowing the economic and infrastructure gap among Indigenous communities.

The ICII is a collaborative financing solution that offers low-cost and long-term loans to Indigenous infrastructure projects and combines public funding and/or private and institutional investment to get more infrastructure built.

Through the ICII, our investment team looks to provide affordable, long-term financing to Indigenous projects that provide a direct benefit to an Indigenous community or communities.

The Housing Supply Challenge invites citizens, stakeholders, and experts to propose solutions to the barriers to new housing supply. The challenge will distribute $300 million in funding over 5 years.

Successful submissions that address barriers to supply will receive funding to prototype or incubate their proposal. Following the prototype stage, a number of selected finalists will share a pool of additional funding to implement their proposed solutions.

Each round awards proposals that address housing supply barriers such as building timelines, construction productivity, and improving data on land availability.

The Hamilton Heritage Property Grant (HHPG) Program is intended to provide financial assistance in the form of a grant for structural / stability work required to conserve and restore heritage features of properties used for commercial, institutional, industrial or multi-residential purposes; the conservation and restoration of heritage features of properties; and for heritage studies/reports/assessments for properties that are designated under Parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Hamilton Heritage Conservation Grant Program (HHCGP) is intended to provide financial assistance in the form of matching grants between $1,000 to $5,000 for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage resources. The objective of the Hamilton Heritage Conservation Grant Program is to assist in the on-going conservation of heritage properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act that are not eligible for the Hamilton Heritage Property Grant Program (HHPGP).

The Hamilton Community Heritage Fund will be the source of funding for this loan program. The purpose of the loan is to act as a catalyst for stimulating the rejuvenation of designated heritage properties within the City of Hamilton.
Acting as a lender, the City provides financial support for the program and ensures that conservation and development activity arising from the program within the City is consistent with sound principles of managing and protecting designated heritage properties.

The Grid Innovation Fund (GIF) advances innovative opportunities to achieve electricity bill savings for Ontario ratepayers by funding projects that either enable customers to better manage their energy consumption or that reduce the costs associated with maintaining reliable operation of the province’s grid. The GIF makes investments in specific projects – not companies – with clear objectives. It supports projects that validate the performance and business case of promising new technologies, practices, and services. The GIF also supports projects that identify and mitigate market barriers, or otherwise accelerate the adoption of competitive cost-effective energy solutions.

The Future Ready (FR) program provides support for Ontario-based SMEs working in CIT’s four key sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food and Mining) to upskill/reskill current employees on Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum,
and Robotics) to support the company’s adoption of Critical Technologies and commercialization of new products and services. Under this program eligible SMEs receive support to hire an external third-party consultant to train their employees in the adoption and implementation of these Critical Technologies.

The Federal Lands Initiative is a $316.9-million fund designed to support the transfer or leasing of surplus federal lands and buildings to eligible applicants. These properties are available at discounted or no cost, intended for development or renovation into affordable housing.

The discount on the property purchase or lease depends on the level of social outcomes achieved by the approved proposal. Once transferred or leased, the properties will be developed or renovated into affordable, sustainable, accessible and socially inclusive housing.

The ERASE Tax Assistance (ETA) Program is intended to reduce the tax increase resulting from the remediation and redevelopment of a brownfield site in order to mitigate costs required to remediate historical environmental contamination on brownfield sites in support of their redevelopment/reuse. The tax cancellation provided under this Program enables brownfield sites to be viable candidates for redevelopment relative to non-contaminated sites, supports the intensification/infill of existing vacant and underutilized sites, reduces the need for greenfield lands to accommodate future population and employment growth, and generates new property tax revenue through increased property assessments.

The ERASE Redevelopment Grant (ERG) Program is intended to provide tax increment-based Grants towards costs required to remediate historical environmental contamination on brownfield sites in support of their redevelopment/reuse. By providing Grants to mitigate these financial impediments, the Program enables brownfield sites to be viable candidates for redevelopment relative to non-contaminated sites, supports the intensification/infill of existing vacant and underutilized sites, reduces the need for greenfield lands to accommodate future population and employment growth, and generates new municipal property tax revenue through increased property assessments.

The ERASE Commercial District Remediation Loan (ECDRL) Program provides low-interest Loans which are intended to overcome barriers owners may face obtaining traditional financing for costs required to remediate historical environmental contamination on brownfield sites in support of their redevelopment/reuse. Specifically, this Program is intended to work in concert with broader efforts to support the revitalization of strategic commercial districts and corridors, including those programs and initiatives established under the Revitalizing Hamilton’s Commercial Districts Community Improvement Plan.

The Savings by Design Residential program gives production builders free access to industry experts and energy modelling to build a Net Zero Energy Ready discovery home plus qualify for incentives to build to ENERGY STAR© for New Homes standards.

The Affordable Multi-Family Housing New Construction is designed to provide incentives to builders or energy modelling company making capital improvement projects that will help save energy and money, and keep their building running optimally. Also, this provides incentives to eligible customers who are implementing high-efficiency equipment.

Through their Equipment Upgrades: Multi-Unit Residential In-Suite Fixed Incentive Program, Enbridge Gas offers financial incentives to all their eligible customers who will take advantage of energy-saving technologies such as heat-recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy-recovery ventilators (ERV). These technologies save energy by decreasing the load on the building’s heating system.

The Building Automation program provides funding for building automation systems (BAS). BAS is an efficient way to increase a building’s flexibility to respond to a variety of operating conditions. Monitoring, managing and adjusting key energy systems from a single touchpoint is an effective way to optimize energy use automatically. Building owners and energy managers need to reassess control of indoor spaces as there are challenges on fluctuating occupancy levels, increased ventilation requirements and tighter budgets whether they run a large office building or affordable housing.
This program offers incentives through the following:
1. Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program;
2. Commercial Custom Retrofit Program;
3. Industrial Custom Engineering Program.

The Boilers program is designed to provide system upgrade, expert help and incentives to improve boiler energy efficiency and saves money. Without proper system design, boilers can waste energy and increase operational costs. Enbridge Gas’ Energy Solutions Advisors can help eligible customers identify projects and take advantage of incentives through the following programs:
1. Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program;
2. Commercial Custom Retrofit Program;
3. Industrial Custom Engineering Program.

The Industrial Studies & Assessments program is offered to customers that uncover energy-saving opportunities in their facilities. From equipment and processes to complex systems, evaluating the facility’s energy performance can help determine the financial benefits of investing in energy-efficient improvements.

The Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program supports new construction or major renovation of buildings in targeted employment sectors. The program provides tax increment equivalent grants, whereby the City refunds a portion of the increase in property taxes that results from new development or redevelopments.

The Downtown and Barton/Kenilworth Housing Opportunities Program (the Program) is
intended to provide financial assistance in the form of a low-interest Loan to promote the
development of multiple dwelling units that will create new housing opportunities and support
robust local commercial district populations that add vibrancy and support demand for local
commercial businesses/services. Activities supported by this program include:
– The creation of at least 10 new dwelling units through the development of a multiple
dwelling on vacant land, surface parking areas or the redevelopment of existing
buildings;
– A building addition containing at least 10 new dwelling units; and/or,
– The conversion of existing non-residential space into housing consisting of at least 10
new dwelling units

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a national, competitive, merit-based contribution program. The DMAF is aimed at strengthening the resilience of Canadian communities through investments in infrastructure projects, including natural infrastructure projects, enabling them to better manage the risk associated with current and future natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires and droughts.

If development includes the enlargement of the gross floor area of an existing industrial building, the amount of the development charge that is payable in respect of the enlargement is determined in accordance with Section 4 and Regulations of the Ontario Development Charge Act, 1997, c. 27.

The Development and Commercialization (DC) Program supports the development and commercialization of Ontario made products and services that integrate/adopt Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, cybersecurity) related to four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction and Mining.

The Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Forgivable Loans offer financial assistance to property owners to help offset the costs of creating new detached additional residential units.

The Commercial Vacancy Assistance (CVA) Program will provide financial assistance in the
form of a Grant to new permanent or ‘pop­up’ commercial tenants of a presently vacant at, or
below grade, commercial space so as to make permanent interior improvements for the
purposes of improving the attractiveness and usability of the space for the intended
commercial use. To be eligible, the intended commercial use must be accessible to the public/
customers and may include, but not be limited to, retail uses, artists studios/galleries
containing a retail component, personal service businesses, microbreweries, commercial
entertainment uses, commercial recreation uses and/or dine-in or take-out restaurants

The Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program is intended to provide
Grants that will support long-lasting and predominantly exterior physical improvements to the
appearance, accessibility and environmental sustainability of commercial or mixed-use
commercial properties located within strategic commercial districts, including Business
Improvement Areas (BIA), whose visibility and long-term success contributes to Hamilton’s
image for both residents and visitors. Activities supported by this program include:
• Exterior building façade improvements;
• Exterior/interior improvements that achieve Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act (AODA) standards;
• Exterior building/property improvements which improve appearance or functionality
including those that enhance environmental sustainability of the building/property; and
• Limited interior mechanical/ventilation improvements for restaurant uses

The Commercial District Housing Opportunities Program (the Program) is intended to provide
financial assistance in the form of a low-interest Loan and Grant to promote the improvement
or development of dwelling units that will create new/improved housing opportunities support
robust local commercial district populations that add vibrancy and support demand for local
commercial businesses/services. Activities supported by this program include:
– Converting existing non-residential spaces into dwelling units where permitted in accordance with the applicable City zoning by-law;
– Undertaking renovations to existing dwelling units;
– Creation of new dwelling units, including accessory Dwelling Units, via building additions or new detached accessory buildings, including laneway housing; and/or
– Creation of new dwelling units through development of vacant land, surface parking lots or redevelopment of existing buildings.

The Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative (CHRI) aims to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the private sector’s rollout of large-scale ZEV chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations, helping to spur the market for private investment.

The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) is a $6 billion fund that aims to accelerate new construction, rehabilitation and expansion of housing-enabling drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure, directly supporting the creation of new housing supply and improved densification.

We operate on the frontier of innovation where tomorrow’s technologies are born. With deep expertise and agility, we manage $300 million in capital — investing in Canada’s most innovative technology companies, firms that are redefining how the world works by bringing digital transformation to a wide range of industries. We’re often the first institutional investor in, because we recognize opportunity when we see it.

BDC provides commercial real estate financing that can be utilized to increase capacity, purchase land and buildings, or cover construction costs for new projects. It also serves to upgrade facilities by supporting the expansion or renovation of existing premises. Additionally, this financing option can complement one’s line of credit by replenishing working capital depleted by real estate costs.

The Barton/Kenilworth Tax Increment Grant Program is intended to provide a Grant to incentivize property owners located along the Barton Street East and Kenilworth Avenue North commercial corridors to develop, redevelop or otherwise improve properties and/or buildings (including designated heritage buildings) in a manner that will support the broader revitalization of these districts as well as generate new municipal property tax revenue through increased property assessments.

The Barton / Kenilworth Revitalization Grant Program is intended to support the development
of properties as well as the maintenance, functionality, viability, accessibility and aesthetics of
existing commercial, mixed use commercial, multi-residential or institutional use buildings
within the Barton Street and Kenilworth Avenue North commercial corridors which were the
subject of the Barton and Kenilworth Commercial Corridors Study.

The Barton/Kenilworth Planning and Building Fees Rebate (BKPBFR) Program is intended to provide grants that will serve as a rebate of specific Planning and Building application fees for
approved development-related applications which will support the redevelopment of underutilized properties as well as further facilitate the undertaking of works that will improve the
maintenance, functionality, viability, accessibility and aesthetics of existing commercial, mixed
use commercial, multi-residential or institutional use buildings within the Barton Street East and
Kenilworth Avenue North commercial corridors which were the subject of the Barton and
Kenilworth Commercial Corridors Study.

The Apartment Construction Loan Program provides low-cost financing to support the construction of student housing. It also supports the conversion of non-residential to student housing.

The Apartment Construction Loan Program provides low-cost financing to support the construction of standard rental housing. It also supports the conversion of non-residential to standard rental housing.

The Apartment Construction Loan Program provides low-cost financing to support the construction of seniors housing. It also supports conversion of non-residential to seniors housing.

The Affordable Housing Multi-Residential program offers incentives* to help you upgrade to high-efficiency equipment. Working with you at every step, our Energy Solutions Advisors are here to help you make capital improvement projects that will help you save energy and money and keep your building running optimally.

The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund supports new ideas that will drive change and disrupt the industry — ideas and approaches that will evolve the affordable housing sector and create the next generation of housing in Canada.

This option of the Affordable Housing Fund provides low-interest repayable loans, forgivable loans, and contributions to renovate and repair affordable and community housing. The Fund prioritizes partnerships between governments, non-profits, private sector and other partners.

To qualify, you need to partner with a level of government to ensure a coordination of investments.

The Affordable Housing Fund focuses on developing and repairing affordable and socially inclusive housing that is mixed-income and mixed-use.

The Community Housing Sub-Stream supports the construction of new affordable housing supply. Eligible projects include mixed-income and mixed-use developments that integrate supports and services. CMHC requires projects to meet specific affordability, energy efficiency and accessibility outcomes.

The Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Loan offers financial assistance to property owners to help offset the costs of creating new additional residential units.