Canada is making significant investments in artificial intelligence, but for CEOs and business leaders, understanding where the opportunities are, which programs apply and how to turn government strategy into practical business investment can be challenging.
MacKay CEO Forums recently brought together Nicholas Ning, CEO of Farpoint Technologies and a MacKay Member in Stuart Turnbull’s Forum, and Nancy MacKay, Founder & CEO of MacKay CEO Forums, for a timely conversation about Canada’s evolving AI landscape.
Nicholas and the Farpoint Technologies team worked alongside the Government of Canada on the development of its national AI strategy, giving him a unique perspective on both the policy direction and the practical opportunities available to Canadian businesses.
Watch the Highlights
Hear some of the key insights from Nicholas and Nancy’s conversation about Canada’s AI strategy, where funding is available and what CEOs should be considering as they make decisions about AI investment and adoption.
Explore the AI Funding Landscape
Nicholas shared a comprehensive collection of resources for Canadian CEOs and business leaders exploring AI investment, adoption and growth.
The opportunities extend well beyond traditional grants. Depending on your organization and project, support may be available through government contributions, financing, training programs, compute support, tax incentives and regional economic development programs.
Start with the Strategy
AI for All — Canada’s National AI Strategy
Explore the six pillars, five priority sectors and commitments shaping Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence.
View Canada’s National AI StrategyGrants & Contributions
Regional Opportunities: British Columbia and PacifiCan
Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)
PacifiCan provides $200,000–$5 million in interest-free, repayable funding to support scaling and technology adoption.
Explore the BSP ProgramRegional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)
PacifiCan offers $500,000–$3 million in repayable funding for eligible businesses.
Explore the RAII ProgramRegional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)
Funding supporting defence and dual-use technologies in British Columbia.
Explore the RDII ProgramInnovate BC Early-Stage Demonstration Call
Up to $500,000 per pilot to help B.C. technology companies demonstrate new technologies.
Explore the Demonstration CallInnovate BC Integrated Marketplace
A testbed program supporting the demonstration and adoption of innovative technologies.
Explore Innovate BC ProgramsNational Opportunities
Scale AI
Eligible collaborative AI projects may receive up to 40% non-repayable funding, with additional opportunities for AI training and upskilling.
Explore Scale AI ProjectsNRC IRAP
Funding and advisory support for Canadian SMEs pursuing technology innovation.
Explore NRC IRAPFinancing AI Investment
Not every AI investment needs to be funded through a grant. Financing programs are also emerging to help Canadian companies accelerate adoption.
BDC LIFT
Launched in April 2026, BDC LIFT is a $500 million program offering loans from $25,000 to $2 million for software-led AI projects and up to $5 million for physical AI projects.
BDC advisors are included, and qualifying businesses using Canadian AI vendors or integrators may be eligible for a preferential interest rate.
Explore BDC LIFTPeople, Skills and Compute
AI adoption isn’t only a technology investment. Organizations may also be able to access support for the people, skills and computing resources required to put AI to work.
BC Employer Training Grant
Provides support for 80% of eligible third-party training costs, up to $10,000 per employee.
Explore the BC Employer Training Grant
AI Compute Access Fund
Designed for companies whose core business involves developing AI products, the fund supports access to Canadian cloud compute.
Explore the AI Compute Access FundTax Incentives
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Canadian businesses conducting eligible research and development activities may qualify for SR&ED tax incentives.
Learn more about SR&EDProductivity Super-Deduction & Productivity Mega Deduction
New measures designed to encourage investment in productivity-enhancing assets, including software, computer equipment and research and development.
Read the Government of Canada announcementProductivity Super-Deduction & Productivity Mega Deduction
For an independent perspective on the implications of the Productivity Mega Deduction:
Read TD Economics’ analysisWho Writes the Cheques?
One of the most useful ways to navigate Canada’s funding ecosystem is to understand the organizations responsible for delivering programs.
Regional Development Agencies
Canada’s regional development agencies include PacifiCan, PrairiesCan, FedDev Ontario, FedNor, CED Quebec, ACOA and CanNor.
Explore Canada’s Regional Development Agencies
Global Innovation Clusters
Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters include Scale AI, DIGITAL, NGen, Protein Industries Canada and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.
Explore Canada’s Global Innovation ClustersHave an AI Project in Mind?
If you’re trying to determine which programs could apply to a specific AI investment or project, Nicholas has offered to provide MacKay community members and session attendees with a second set of eyes on potential opportunities.
Reach out to Nicholas Ning
