Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) (

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

: Programme Canadien Adoption Numérique, PCAN) was a Canadian government initiative aimed at helping

small and medium-sized businesses Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are businesses whose personnel and revenue numbers fall below certain limits. The abbreviation "SME" is used by many national agencies and international organizat ...

(SMBs) adopting digital technologies.

History

The CA$4 billion CDAP initiative was first announced in

2021 Canadian federal budget The Canadian federal budget for the fiscal years of 2020–21 and 2021–22 was presented to the House of Commons by finance minister Chrystia Freeland on 19 April 2021. The Canadian government did not produce a budget in 2020 due to the COVID-19 ...

, and subsequently launched in 2022 to help SMBs adopt digital technologies. It is administered by

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED; ; )''Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada'' is the applied title under the Federal Identity Program; the legal title is Department of Industry (). is a Ministry (government ...

(ISED). It is based on the "Digital Main Street" concept, which was launched in 2014 by the

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in partnership with local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). CDAP provides eligible businesses with financial grants up to CA$ 15,000 and expert advice to support their digital transformation. Grants help cover the costs of developing and implementing a digital adoption plan (DAP), including purchasing new software and hiring digital consultants. Expert guidance assists businesses in selecting appropriate digital tools, hiring skilled talent, and navigating general digital transformation. Once the DAP is approved, the qualified businesses can apply for a no-interest loan of up to CA$100,000. To qualify, businesses must be for-profit SMBs with at least one employee, committed to digital adoption, and incorporated in Canada. In February 2024, ISED stopped the program by calling it "fully subscribed".

Limitations

Businesses faced a rigid application process and government-hosted marketplace, requiring them to navigate new accounts and platforms and choose from government-approved consultants. Each DAP had to follow a standard template, regardless of the business's size or type. Also, there was a shortage of consultants as applications closed early due to the pandemic. Many consultants aimed to provide services at the CA$15,000 maximum, but others were deterred by the program's limitations or missed the deadline. This left prospective clients with a limited selection of consultants, particularly those familiar with their sector. On the other hand, it has been reported that the maximum subsidies of CA$15,000 grants to hire consultants led to a cottage industry of questionably credentialed advisers bombarding small-business owners with $15,000 plan offers. Some even proposed splitting the grant with owners, regardless of whether the plans were implemented.

References

Government of Canada

History

Limitations

References

Further reading