Build the economy of your community

ACOA programs can help create the right conditions for inclusive growth in Atlantic Canada's communities, and recognize that diversity makes for better business.

Business Development Program

Not-for-profit organizations can apply for BDP financing to undertake projects that help Atlantic Canadian SMEs to grow, become competitive and increase their productivity.

Community Business Development Corporations

Community Business Development Corporations are making a difference for small businesses located in rural communities throughout Atlantic Canada.

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation

Regional Innovation Ecosystems funding fosters entrepreneurship in regional economies, and increases the competitiveness of SMEs, women entrepreneurs, indigenous-led businesses and under-represented groups.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The pilot helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.

Canadian Experiences Fund

The Canadian Experiences Fund supports communities across Canada as they create, improve or enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences.

Innovative Communities Fund

Working in partnership with Atlantic communities and stakeholders, ICF builds on the strengths of communities and provides the tools needed to identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future

ACOA will provide funding to help support, strengthen and diversify the economic base of Atlantic Canada’s Francophone communities, which are the official language minority community in the region.

ACOA’s service standards

The Agency has set three service standards for the timely and accurate delivery of program-related services.

Forms and tools

Forms, templates, fact sheets, research studies and tools to help you with your project.

Useful links

Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership

The ACTP brings together ACOA, the four provinces and the provincial tourism industry associations to market Atlantic Canada with major consumer advertising campaigns, travel trade programs and media relations activities. It generated $217.5 million in tourism revenue for Atlantic Canada in 2015 and 2016.

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

The full and equal participation of women in the economy is not just the right thing to do, it's good for the bottom line. Canada's first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.

Atlantic Canada Study and Stay

Beginning every fall through to July in each respective Atlantic Canada province, this pre-employment program connects final year (graduating) international students to the labour market, helping them to build valuable employment skills, workplace knowledge, and build meaningful and professional connections through workshops, networking, mentorship, and events.

Business impact stories

Lennox Island Development Corporation

In the 1930s, the federal Department of Fisheries (as it was then known) operated a thriving oyster hatchery in Ellerslie, PEI. In the decades that followed, however, the marine centre fell into disrepair and the hatchery dried up.

Riverside Lobster International

In addition to enhancing productivity, Riverside is supporting workers in this rural area of Nova Scotia. The company is bringing in workers and their families to the community, so it has established accommodations for workers and created a subsidized daycare facility.

Shorefast Foundation

For Zita Cobb, growing up on Fogo Island in Newfoundland and Labrador was her entry into entrepreneurship and the world of business. The Fogo Island native is celebrated for her work in leading the creation of Fogo Island Inn and its role in helping to drive the economy of the tiny coastal island.

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