I caught up with my business banker yesterday and talked about the Canada Small Business Financing Loan program (CSBFL). Wanted to share an overview and details here.

It's not a good fit for share acquisitions but could be useful for smaller asset acquisitions or start-ups. It's a complex program with many requirements and restrictions so you'll want a banker who knows what they're doing/has done it before.
Government loan requirements for a CSBFL (from TD’s website): • Your business operates or is about to operate in Canada • Your business’ annual gross revenue is less than $10 million in the year you apply • Your business is for profit, and is not a farm, charity, or religious enterprise • The assets purchased or improved must be used in your business
Overview of program (also from TD’s website): • Total loan of up to $1,000,000 with the following subcategories: • Up to $1,000,000 in financing to buy or improve real property • Up to $500,000 in financing for equipment and/or leasehold improvement of which up to $150,000 can be used to finance intangible assets and/or working capital • Financing available for up to 90% of the "Eligible Costs" of assets financed • Amortization on loans for equipment, leasehold improvements, intangible assets, working capital and real property secured or owner-occupied real property improvements up to 15 years. A repayment schedule reflecting an amortization of up to 25 years may be available for real property loans • Personal guarantee required, starting at 25% of the loan amount • One-time Federal Government registration fee of 2% of the loan amount. You can pay the fee upfront or include it in your loan amount, provided you do not exceed the maximum limit of the corresponding loan category