Waterloo Region & Guelph

MixedFederal program

Export Development Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service

Two federal options for businesses that sell, or want to sell, outside Canada. EDC is a Crown corporation that offers financing, guarantees and insurance, directly or through your bank. The Trade Commissioner Service helps export-ready businesses prepare for and find contacts in foreign markets.

Amount
No dollar amounts stated on the official pages. EDC's small business group covers businesses with revenue up to $10 million.
Status
Year-roundOngoing. EDC says smaller financing and insurance solutions can be approved in as little as a few days.
Type
Loans, guarantees, insurance and export advice
Run by
Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Where
All of Canada
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • EDC: micro and small businesses with revenue up to $10 million are one of its client groups
  • Trade Commissioner Service: Canadian businesses with established operations in Canada
  • Trade Commissioner Service: potential to grow Canadian exports, jobs, production or R&D
  • Trade Commissioner Service: market research, resources and a realistic international business plan

Not for

  • Trade Commissioner Service: businesses mainly selling equities or real estate abroad
  • Trade Commissioner Service: unregistered one-person businesses selling an idea abroad

What it covers

  • EDC: guarantees that help your bank lend you more working capital (Trade Expansion Lending Program, Export Guarantee Program)
  • EDC: Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee, direct lending and financing for your foreign buyers
  • EDC: credit insurance for occasional or regular exporters
  • EDC: online courses, webinars and tools with a MyEDC account
  • Trade Commissioner Service: preparing for markets, judging your chances, finding qualified contacts and solving problems abroad

How to apply

  1. EDC: call 1-800-229-0575 or use the Contact EDC form.
  2. For the Trade Expansion Lending Program, ask your own lender first. It's delivered by approved financial institutions.
  3. Trade Commissioner Service: contact a regional office through its contact page.

Good to know

  • EDC loans and guarantees are financing you repay, not grants.
  • The Trade Commissioner Service also runs CanExport SMEs funding, which is closed for 2026-27.

Questions

Does EDC work with small businesses?

Yes. EDC lists micro and small businesses with revenue up to $10 million as a client group, with financing, insurance and knowledge offered directly or through partners.

Can my bank use EDC to lend me more?

Possibly. EDC's Trade Expansion Lending Program guarantees part of a loan or line of credit from an approved lender. EDC says to ask your lender first.

Who can get Trade Commissioner help?

Canadian businesses with established operations here, export potential and a realistic international plan. Businesses mainly selling equities or real estate abroad aren't eligible.

Related programs

Open, closes Jan 19, 2027Mixed

Indigenous Economic Development Fund

Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)All of Ontario

Open, closes Jan 21, 2027Loan

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario