Business Development

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) supports the growth and expansion of northern businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), through training, advisory services, and through dynamic and flexible contribution programs for businesses and communities that build capacity. The objective is to encourage a competitive, diverse northern business sector with a strengthened capacity for innovation.

CanNor works with businesses, industry, communities, Aboriginal organizations and territorial governments through its programs and services to help encourage innovation, stimulate entrepreneurship and create sustainable economic development in sectors such as tourism, geosciences, renewable energy, fisheries, small and medium enterprises (SME), and cultural and traditional sectors.

CanNor brings knowledge and expertise of local and regional economies to help build the capacity of individuals, organizations and northern businesses and seeks to leverage the activities flowing from major resource projects to diversify and strengthen other sectors of local economies.

CanNor's contribution programs that support business development and capacity include:

• Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth)
• Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP)
• Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
• Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)
• Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)

The Agency serves as the federal managing partner for the Canada Business Service Centres providing local access to information and resources related to business development.