What government grants are available in Canada?

Canada offers many grants including: CESG for education (up to $7,200), First Home Savings Account, Climate Action Incentive, GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit, and various provincial programs. Eligibility varies by program.

How do I apply for government grants in Canada?

Most federal grants are automatic when you file your tax return (GST credit, CCB, CWB). Others require applications: CESG through your RESP provider, FHSA through banks, and business grants through specific programs. Provincial grants vary by province.

Are government grants taxable in Canada?

It depends on the grant. Child benefits and GST credits are not taxable. CESG is taxable when withdrawn (to the student). Business grants may be taxable. Disability benefits vary. Check each program''s specific rules.

Government Grants for Canadians 2026: Complete List of Free Money

Canadians leave billions in government grants unclaimed every year, mostly because people don’t realize they’re eligible or don’t file the paperwork to trigger automatic payments. The CESG alone provides $7,200 in free money per child over the lifetime of an RESP — all you need to do is contribute $2,500 per year and the government matches 20%. Low-income families can get the Canada Learning Bond ($2,000 per child) without contributing a single dollar, just by opening an RESP.

For homebuyers, the FHSA is the most powerful new grant vehicle — $8,000 per year in tax-deductible contributions that grow and withdraw tax-free for a first home purchase, essentially combining the best features of an RRSP and TFSA. Add the Home Buyers’ Plan ($60,000 per person from your RRSP) and the GST/HST New Housing Rebate (up to $6,300), and a first-time buyer couple can access over $170,000 in tax-advantaged funds. The common thread across almost every program is the same: file your tax return every year, even with zero income.

Grants for Families

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to $7,787/year per child under 6, $6,570 per child 6-17
Income tested	Reduces at higher incomes
Taxable?	No
Application	Automatic with tax return + birth registration

Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

Feature	Details
Amount	20% on first $2,500 contributed to RESP
Maximum	$500/year, $7,200 lifetime
Extra for low income	Additional 10-20%
Application	Through RESP provider

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

Feature	Details
Amount	$500 initial + $100/year up to $2,000
Eligibility	Low-income families
No contribution needed	Just open RESP
Application	Through RESP provider

Canada Disability Benefit (Coming)

Feature	Details
Status	Implementation ongoing
Target	Working-age people with disabilities
Amount	TBD
Application	TBD

Grants for Home Buyers

First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Feature	Details
Contribution room	$8,000/year, $40,000 lifetime
Tax benefit	Deductible + tax-free growth + tax-free withdrawal
For	First home purchase
Application	Open account at bank/brokerage

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

Feature	Details
Amount	$60,000 from RRSP per person
Requirements	First-time buyer (or not in 4+ years)
Repayment	Over 15 years
Application	Through RRSP provider

GST/HST New Housing Rebate

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to $6,300 federal + provincial portion
For	New or substantially renovated homes
Price limit	Reduced over $350K, nil over $450K
Application	Form GST190

Grants for Low/Moderate Income

GST/HST Credit

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to $519 single, $680 couple + $179/child
Income tested	Reduces at higher income
Taxable?	No
Application	Automatic with tax return

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to ~$1,500 single, ~$2,600 family
For	Low-income workers
Income range	Working income $3,000-$23,000+ (varies)
Application	Claim on tax return

Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)

Feature	Details
Amount	Varies by province (~$400-800/year family)
Provinces	ON, MB, SK, AB, NB, NS, NL, PEI
Taxable?	No
Application	Automatic with tax return

Grants for Seniors

Old Age Security (OAS)

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to ~$727/month (2024)
Start age	65
Clawback	Starts at $90,997 income
Application	May be automatic or apply

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to ~$1,065/month single
For	Low-income seniors on OAS
Income tested	Reduces as income increases
Application	Apply through Service Canada

Grants for Education

Canada Student Grants

Grant Type	Amount
Full-time students (low income)	Up to $4,200/year
Part-time students	Up to $1,200/year
Students with dependants	Up to $3,000/year per child
Students with disabilities	Up to $4,000/year

Application: Through provincial student aid

Provincial Student Grants

Province	Program
Ontario	OSAP Grants
BC	BC Student Grants
Alberta	Alberta Student Aid
Quebec	AFE Grants

Grants for Business

Canada Small Business Financing Program

Feature	Details
Type	Government-backed loans
Maximum	$1,150,000
For	Equipment, property, leasehold
Application	Through participating lenders

Regional Development Grants

Agency	Region
FedDev Ontario	Ontario
Western Economic Diversification	Western Canada
ACOA	Atlantic Canada
Canada Economic Development	Quebec
FedNor	Northern Ontario

SR&ED Tax Credit

Feature	Details
Type	Tax credit for R&D
Rate	15-35% of eligible expenses
Refundable	For certain corporations
Application	T661 Form

Provincial Grants

Ontario

Program	Amount
Ontario Trillium Benefit	Up to $1,500+/year
Ontario Electricity Support	$35-75/month
LIFT Tax Credit	Up to $875

British Columbia

Program	Amount
BC Training and Education Savings Grant	$1,200 one-time (RESP)
BC Climate Action Tax Credit	~$504/family
BC Family Benefit	Up to $1,750/child

Alberta

Program	Amount
Alberta Child and Family Benefit	Up to $1,473/child
Alberta Seniors Benefit	Up to $3,552/year
Rent Supplement	Income-based

Quebec

Program	Amount
Quebec Education Savings Incentive	10% on RESP (~$250/year)
Solidarity Tax Credit	~$1,000+/year
Work Premium	Income-based

Grants for Energy Efficiency

Canada Greener Homes Grant (Status Varies)

Feature	Details
Amount	Up to $5,000 historical
For	Home energy upgrades
Status	Check current availability
Application	Through program portal

Provincial Programs

Province	Energy Grants
BC	Better Homes BC
Ontario	Save on Energy
Quebec	Rénoclimat
Alberta	Energy Efficiency Alberta

How to Find Grants

Resources

Resource	What It Offers
Benefits Finder (Canada.ca)	Find federal benefits
Provincial websites	Provincial grants
Your tax return	Many grants automatic
Settlement agencies	For newcomers

Benefits Finder Tool

Step	Action
1	Visit canada.ca/benefits-finder
2	Answer questions
3	Get personalized list
4	Apply for eligible programs

Quick Eligibility Check

If you are…	Check these grants
Parent	CCB, CESG, CLB
Low income	GIS, GIS, CWB, provincial credits
First-time buyer	FHSA, HBP
Student	Canada Student Grants
Senior	OAS, GIS
Business owner	Regional development, SR&ED
Low-income worker	CWB, CAIP

The Bottom Line

The highest-return grants require the least effort: file your taxes (unlocks GST/HST credit, CCB, CWB, and CAIP automatically), open an RESP and contribute $2,500/year ($500 free per child), and open an FHSA if you’re saving for a first home ($8,000/year in tax-deductible, tax-free-growth savings). For low-income families, the Canada Learning Bond provides $2,000 per child with zero contribution required — just opening the RESP account is enough. Use the Benefits Finder tool at canada.ca to check what you’re missing.