CANtrade

Flexible financing to help your business adapt, invest and grow

Trade conditions are changing quickly. For many local businesses, tariffs and economic uncertainty are increasing costs, disrupting established supply chains and changing plans for growth in the U.S. market.

At the same time, new opportunities are emerging to find Canadian suppliers, reach customers in other provinces, enter new export markets, increase domestic production and build more resilient businesses.

Valley Heartland’s CANtrade financing provides $5,000 to $150,000 in flexible, reduced-rate financing to help local businesses respond.

Whether you need to stabilize your supply chain, invest in equipment, increase production, find new customers or enter a new market, CANtrade can provide the capital to move forward.

CANtrade Loan Features:

• Loans from $5,000 to $150,000
• Interest rates from Prime to Prime +2%
• Repayment terms up to 60 months
• Interest-only payments for the first 6 months
• No penalties or fees for early repayment
• Flexible security requirements based on the size and circumstances of the loan
• 1% loan administration fee on approved loans
• Other terms and conditions may apply

What can CANtrade financing be used for?

CANtrade is designed to help businesses respond to changing trade conditions and invest in their future.

Eligible activities may include:

• Finding new Canadian suppliers or diversifying your supply chain
• Expanding into new markets in Ontario, elsewhere in Canada or internationally
• Responding to new interprovincial or domestic customer demand
• Increasing production capacity
• Purchasing equipment or investing in technology
• Improving productivity and operational efficiency
• Hiring employees needed to support expansion
• Developing new products, services or processes with near-term commercial potential
• Reducing exposure to U.S. suppliers or markets
• Adapting products for new markets, including certification, testing, labelling, legal or regulatory requirements
• Business development and marketing associated with entering new markets
• Working capital to support business stabilization or growth
• Professional services that support eligible activities
• Other investments that diversify revenue or strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of your business

Who is eligible?

CANtrade is available to qualifying existing, viable, for-profit businesses located and operating in Valley Heartland’s service area.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how the proposed investment will help their business respond to the current trade environment, pursue new opportunities, strengthen competitiveness or reduce exposure to trade disruption.

Businesses do not necessarily need to demonstrate that they have already suffered a financial loss because of tariffs. CANtrade is intended to help businesses take action — including adapting supply chains, pursuing new markets and investing in future growth.

Normal Community Futures eligibility requirements and lending due diligence apply.

A limited-time opportunity

CANtrade financing will be available to qualifying businesses for applications received by December 15, 2026, or until available funds are fully deployed.

Existing Valley Heartland clients in good standing are also encouraged to contact us to discuss whether CANtrade or other financing options could support their plans.

Why CANtrade?

Canada’s changing trade relationship with the United States is creating immediate challenges for businesses, but it is also increasing the importance of building new customers, suppliers and business relationships within Canada and in other markets.

For local businesses, that can mean replacing a U.S. supplier, expanding east–west into other Canadian provinces, increasing production to meet new domestic demand, investing in technology to become more competitive, or pursuing an entirely new market.

CANtrade is designed to provide businesses with the capital and flexibility to make those moves.

Ready to talk?

If changing trade conditions are affecting your business — or creating an opportunity for you to grow — talk to the Valley Heartland team.

We can discuss your plans, determine whether CANtrade is a good fit, and help identify the financing and other supports available to your business.

Apply for CANtrade financing: https://secure.valleycfdc.ca/account/login

Talk to a Business Advisor: Email  vhadmin@valleycfdc.com