ONTARIO INVESTING $5 MILLION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES ADOPT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
New investment will help nearly 450 businesses increase sales and revenue while
creating good-paying jobs
May 20, 2026
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and TradeMARKHAM — The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect
workers and support small and medium-sized businesses with an additional $5
million to expand the Digital Competence Centre(DCC). This provincewide initiative is delivered in partnership with the Ontario
Centre of Innovation(OCI) to help nearly 450 businesses adopt digital tools, modernize operations
and improve productivity so that they can continue to grow, create good-paying
jobs and stay competitive.
“Our government is making targeted investments to help small businesses succeed
in a rapidly evolving digital economy,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of
Small Business. “By expanding the Digital Competence Centre, we are giving
Ontario entrepreneurs the tools, resources and expertise they need to compete
and succeed in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Ontario businesses can access hands-on support and funding through the DCC’s
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), which provides a matched grant
of up to $15,000 that helps businesses plan for technology investments.
Companies that have completed a DMAP project are eligible for additional funding
through the Technology Demonstration Program, which includes a grant of up to
$50,000 to match private investment in purchasing and installing new
technologies that support business growth and create jobs.
Through the DCC’s Retail Modernization Project Grant, eligible small retailers
with 50 or fewer employees can also receive a matched grant of up to $5,000 to
adopt technologies such as point-of-sale systems, online payments, inventory
management software, customer relationship management solutions, cybersecurity
supports and artificial intelligence tools.
Since its launch in 2022, the DCC has provided more than 800 grants to Ontario
businesses that are expected to generate up to $600 million in increased sales
revenue and support approximately 3,000 new and existing jobs. Participating
companies also saw an average cost savings of 23 per cent and an average of 192
hours of labour saved per month, helping improve productivity and operational
efficiency.
“The Digital Competence Centre is helping Ontario businesses turn digital
adoption into measurable economic growth,” said Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President
and CEO, OCI. “Through investments in modernization, automation, AI adoption,
and digital transformation, Ontario companies are improving productivity,
increasing revenues, creating jobs and strengthening their long-term
competitiveness. OCI is proud to continue delivering programming that helps
businesses across the province scale, innovate and succeed.”
As part of the 2026 Ontario Budget,the government announced an additional $5 million investment that builds on the
$20 million invested in the program to date. This is part of the government’s
plan to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive
places to invest and do business in the G7, while building a more resilient and
self-reliant economy.
QUICK FACTS
* Included in the 2026 Ontario Budget, the government is cutting the small
business corporate income tax
rate by 31.25 per cent, from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, effective July 1st
2026.
* This tax cut would support more than 375,000 small businesses, delivering
$1.1 billion in additional tax relief over three years, with qualifying
businesses saving up to $5,000 annually.
QUOTES
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Markham–Thornhill and our
government is committed to helping them succeed in an increasingly digital
world. This additional $5 million investment in the Digital Competence Centre
will empower local businesses to adopt new technologies, modernize their
operations and boost productivity, supporting nearly 450 businesses across
Ontario.”
– Logan Kanapathi
MPP, Markham-Thornhill
“Ontario’s economy is built on small businesses, making it critical to support
entrepreneurs in adopting advanced digital technologies that will empower them
to keep pace with industry demands. This renewed investment in the Digital
Competence Centre will help more local companies embrace leading-edge digital
tools to improve operational efficiency, deliver impactful customer experiences
and catalyze long-term economic growth in communities across Ontario.”
– Raed Kadri
VP Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN, OCI
“With support from the DCC, we’ve brought real-time data into the shop floor and
connected it directly with our sales and planning systems. It’s made a real
difference, helping us move quicker, make better decisions and stay competitive
in a demanding global market.”
– Scott Harnett
Technical Director & Owner, Sable Metal Fabrication
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
* 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
* Ontario Centre of Innovation
