Federal funding for innovation and business growth in Manitoba

“Our investment today will support both Manitoba’s economy and businesses helping to continue to make Manitoba a great place to invest, do business and create good jobs people can count on. Our partnership with Manitoba businesses will help them in acquiring the tools, capital and support they need to thrive as significant contributors to the Prairie and Canadian economies.”
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan

"ComIT is thrilled to partner with PrairiesCan in a new 3-year project to bring free training to Indigenous peoples, Newcomers and other underrepresented communities across the Prairies who are interested in Digital Skills to join the tech talent pool. We look forward to continuing working together with the Government of Canada to accommodate as many applicants as possible to grow the tech sector ecosystem."
–Pablo Linstingart, Executive Director, ComIT

“Innovation in the interactive digital media industry is driven by big ideas, the newest technologies and talented professionals. However, with the rate of change moving faster than ever, preparing a modern workforce with the right skills is an ongoing challenge. StudioLab xR facility is designed from the ground up to provide solutions to these challenges. By providing certified expertise, industry-leading tools, and a space to learn, explore and create, we can ensure the Manitobans are ready for jobs of the future”
–Louie Ghiz, Executive Director New Media Manitoba

“Canadian companies in the Prairies are relying on drones more and more to assist with everything from bridge inspections to precision farming and water sampling. Dr. Phil Ferguson’s research at the Price Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba is advancing these applications by developing intelligent control systems that enable companies to adopt these mobile robotic technologies safely and reliably. A new DroneZone facility, made possible by funding from Prairies Canada, will accelerate this critical research by providing an indoor proving ground for the next generation of drones and mobile robotics.”
–Dr. Marcia Friesen, Dean, Price Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba

• The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program advances PrairiesCan’s strategic priorities. It supports high-growth businesses that are seeking to improve productivity, scale-up and commercialize technology. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses.

• The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. The fund, delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), provides $700 million nationally over 3 years. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria.

• As part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the COVID-19 Relief Fund assisted businesses to mitigate financial pressures caused by the pandemic. It supported eligible operating costs up to a maximum of 12 consecutive months.

• Through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program, the Government of Canada makes targeted investments in not-for-profit organizations that support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. RIE is open to not-for-profit organizations that support businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs, for start-up, growth, productivity, technology commercialization, technology adoption, export, and investment attraction.

• The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) helps the Canadian aerospace sector emerge from the pandemic with the capacity to compete on the global stage. This Initiative supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to green their operations and adopt environmentally sustainable practices, to improve productivity, and to strengthen commercialization while furthering integration into regional and global supply chains.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Federal investment supporting innovation and business growth in Manitoba

Associated links

• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
• Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)
• Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)
• Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)
• Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (AARI)

Kyle Allen
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Kyle.Allen@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Amanda Houssin
A/Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations
Prairies Economic Development Canada
Amanda.Houssin@prairiescan.gc.ca

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