Small Business Month: BDC Week, Federal Loans and 3 Cards
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October is Small Business Month in Canada, and BDC Small Business Week runs from October 19 to 25, 2026, online and in person. You can attend many events for free, and you don't need to be a BDC client. It's also a good time to review your financing and your business credit cards.
Here we walk you through the month's calendar, the two federal programs that make borrowing easier and three cards that keep business spending separate from household spending. Each card comes with its year-one value worked out.
BDC Small Business Week: dates and registration
BDC Small Business Week gives you access to more than 100 events from October 19 to 25, 2026. BDC reports more than 11,000 participants and a mix of virtual events and in-person gatherings in communities across Canada.
The 2026 theme, "It's a two-speed world now: fast or finished," covers artificial intelligence, business acquisitions and major projects. Three BDC webinars set the tone, all at 12:00 p.m. (ET):
- October 20: Finding growth in a faster world
- October 21: Smart AI investments that pay off
- October 22: Using acquisitions to accelerate growth
You register from the official BDC Small Business Week page. No client status is required: events are open to every business owner in the country.
Canada's small businesses in 3 numbers
You belong to the group that carries the Canadian economy. According to Key Small Business Statistics 2025 from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:
- 1.08 million small employer businesses as of December 2024, or 98.2% of all businesses with employees
- 5.8 million people employed by these small businesses in 2024, or 46.6% of the private-sector labour force
- 33.2% of private-sector GDP, in 2022
Financing: 2 federal programs to know
Two federal programs help you borrow to start or grow your business. The first works through your usual financial institution, and the second is built for young entrepreneurs.
Canada Small Business Financing Program
This program makes it easier for you to get a loan, because the federal government shares the risk with the lender. You discuss it directly with an advisor at your bank, caisse populaire or credit union.
According to the program page, the amounts break down as follows:
- Maximum per borrower: $1.15 million
- Term loan: up to $1,000,000, including up to $500,000 for leasehold improvements and equipment, and up to $150,000 for intangible assets and working capital
- Line of credit: up to $150,000
- Registration fee: 2% of the amount loaned on a term loan, and 2% of the authorized amount on a line of credit
The program covers businesses with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less. Farming businesses fall under a separate program.
Futurpreneur for ages 18 to 39
If you're between 18 and 39 and your business has been operating for less than two years, Futurpreneur offers you up to $75,000 to get started. The loan comes with mentorship and access to a network of entrepreneurs.
Keep spending separate with a business card
A business card gives your accountant a clean statement and gives you a credit limit separate from your household's. Many owners still skip this step: according to Zensurance's 2026 survey of 1,000 small business owners, 39% funded their business this year with a personal credit card or home equity.
With a card dedicated to your business, you gain three things:
- A separate statement: your business expenses sit in one place, which simplifies bookkeeping and tax filing
- Employee cards: you track each person's spending on a single account
- Rewards on business purchases: cash back or points, depending on the card you choose
Points earned on a business card also carry tax implications, which we cover in a dedicated guide.
3 business cards for 3 profiles
We picked three cards for three profiles: no annual fee, foreign-currency purchases and high spending. Click a card name to open its full profile.
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | Net value, year 1 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack Business Mastercard | $0 | None; 1.5% cash back on gas, office supplies and telecom bills | $180 ($1,000 a month in those categories) | Small business that wants a no-fee card |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business | $199 | Up to 40,000 Scene+ points (accounts opened by October 31, 2026) | $1,101 ($60,000 in purchases over 12 months) | Business that buys in foreign currencies or travels |
| Business Platinum Card from American Express | $799 | Up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points (80,000 in year one) | $388.50 minimum ($15,000 in purchases in 3 months) | Business that puts $5,000 or more a month on its card |
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $199 | |||
| $799 |
No annual fee: BMO CashBack Business
With the BMO CashBack® Business Mastercard®*, you pay a $0 annual fee. Gas, office supplies and cellphone and internet bills earn you 1.5% cash back on the first $1,000 per category each month, and all other purchases earn 0.75%.
Example for $1,000 a month spent in those categories:
- Gas, office supplies, cellphone and internet, at 1.5%: $15 a month
- Year-one total: $180
The card also offers 0% on balance transfers for 9 months, with a 3% transfer fee.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Welcome offerPlus a 0.00% welcome interest rate on balance transfers for nine months, with a 3% balance transfer fee.
- Limited-time offer: 10% cash back for three months on gas, office supplies and mobile and internet bill payments.
Apply Now
on BMO's website
Foreign purchases: Scotiabank Passport Business
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Business* Card spares you foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies. You also get 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year.
The welcome offer is worth up to 40,000 Scene+ points, for accounts opened by October 31, 2026:
- 30,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- 10,000 points after $60,000 in purchases in the first 12 months
Year-one math:
- 40,000 welcome points, at the value Scotiabank states: $400 in travel rewards
- Points on the $60,000 in purchases, at 1.5 points per dollar: 90,000 points, or $900
- Annual fee: $199
- Net value: $1,101
- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$400Total$400Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $400
- Welcome offerAfter $60,000 in 12 months
- Up to 40,000 points
- Ends Oct 31, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
High spending: Amex Business Platinum
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express earns you 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on virtually all purchases. It suits businesses that put at least $5,000 a month on their card.
Its welcome offer reaches 120,000 Membership Rewards points:
- 80,000 points after $15,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- 40,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17
Year-one math, in statement credits (1,000 points = $10):
- Welcome bonus: 80,000 points, or $800
- Points on the $15,000 in purchases: 18,750 points, or $187.50
- Annual travel credit: $200
- Annual fee: $799
- Minimum net value: $388.50, and more if you transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,360Total$1,360Plus $680 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,360
- Welcome offerAfter $15,000 in 3 months
- Up to 120,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Self-employed? See the 3 business cards that require no personal income
Your October calendar
Keep these dates in mind to make the most of Small Business Month before it ends.
- October 19 to 25: BDC Small Business Week, online and in person
- October 20, 21 and 22, 12:00 p.m. (ET): free BDC webinars on growth, AI and acquisitions
- October 31: last day to open an account for the 40,000-point Scotiabank Passport Business offer
- Any time: ask your financial institution whether your loan project qualifies for the Canada Small Business Financing Program
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Small Business Month - Frequently Asked Questions
When is Small Business Month in Canada?
Small Business Month takes place every October. BDC Small Business Week, its highlight, runs during the third week of the month: from October 19 to 25 in 2026.
Do I need to be a BDC client to attend Small Business Week?
No. BDC Small Business Week events are open to all business owners and partners across Canada, whether or not they bank with BDC.
Are Small Business Week events free?
Many are, including BDC's own webinars. Some partner-led events charge a fee: each event listing states it clearly before you register.
Who can borrow under the Canada Small Business Financing Program?
Small businesses and start-ups operating in Canada with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less. Farming businesses fall under a separate program. Your financial institution approves the loan.
What does the Canada Small Business Financing Program cover?
Term loans finance the purchase or improvement of commercial property, new or used equipment, leasehold improvements, and intangible assets and working capital. The line of credit covers day-to-day operating expenses.
Who can get a Futurpreneur start-up loan?
Entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 whose business has been operating for less than two years. Futurpreneur offers up to $75,000, along with mentorship.
Does a business credit card require a minimum personal income?
Not always. The BMO CashBack Business Mastercard and the Business Platinum Card from American Express have no minimum personal income requirement. The issuer looks mainly at the business and at your credit history.
How long is the Scotiabank Passport Business offer available?
The 40,000 Scene+ points offer applies to accounts opened between May 1 and October 31, 2026, regardless of when you apply. The required spending is then counted over 3 and 12 months from the account opening date.