Government Programs & Financing

Reduce the Cost

of yourSMX CNC

Several provincial and federal programs can substantially reduce the acquisition cost of your CNC equipment — tax credit, interest-free loan, grant, or loan guarantee. Here is what applies to your situation.

See All Programs Get a Quote
Assistance available based on your profile
  • ✓ C3i Tax Credit — up to 40% (QC)
  • ✓ ESSOR — loan up to 10 years (IQ)
  • ✓ BDC — equipment loan up to 125%
  • ✓ CSBFP — up to $1.15M (Federal)
  • ✓ SMX Financing — approval in 72h
40%
MAX C3I TAX CREDIT
5
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
10 yr
MAX ESSOR AMORTIZATION
72h
SMX APPROVAL

Overview

How to finance your
CNC equipment.

The purchase of an SMX CNC router can be supported by several provincial and federal government programs. These programs can be combined in a single financing structure to maximize your assistance.

Important notice: Government programs change regularly. The information presented on this page is for reference only and is based on data available in 2025–2026. We recommend validating your eligibility directly with the relevant organization or consulting a financial advisor before submitting an application. SMX CNC is not responsible for final eligibility conditions.
Quebec Program

Investment and Innovation Tax Credit (C3i)

Government of Quebec · Revenu Québec
C3i Tax Credit
Tax Credit Refundable

The C3i tax credit (Investment and Innovation Tax Credit) is granted to an eligible corporation that acquires manufacturing or processing equipment — including SMX CNC routers, SMX lasers, and Mutoh wide-format printers.

The credit is refundable — meaning that even if your business does not pay income tax, you still receive the amount as a refund.

Applicable rates by zone (2023–2024)
Zone Rate 2023–2024
High economic vitality zone
Montreal and Quebec City metropolitan regions
10%
Intermediate zone
Other territories and regions of Quebec
15%
Low economic vitality zone
Designated regions (see list below)
20%

Antoine-Labelle
Appalaches
Argenteuil
Avignon
Basques
Bonaventure
Charlevoix-Est
Maritime Comm. of Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Côte-de-Gaspé
Etchemins
Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
Haute-Côte-Nord
Haute-Gaspésie
La Tuque
Maria-Chapdelaine
Matanie
Matapédia
Matawinie
Mékinac
Mitis
Pontiac
Rocher-Percé
Shawinigan
Sources
Temiscouata
Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
Eligibility Conditions
Corporation operating a business in Quebec
Purchase of manufacturing or processing equipment
Minimum investment of $12,500
New eligible equipment only
Eligible SMX Equipment
SMX CNC routers (all series)
Mutoh wide-format printers
Example: Purchase of a Hidalgo at $35,000 in Montreal → C3i credit of $3,500 refunded by Revenu Québec.
Revenu Québec — C3i →
Quebec Program — Investissement Québec

ESSOR Program — Stream 2 Productivity

Investissement Québec · Government Program · Active until March 31, 2027
ESSOR — Stream 2 Productivity
Loan Loan Guarantee

ESSOR is Investissement Québec's flagship program to support investment projects that enhance the productivity and expansion of Quebec businesses. It directly finances the acquisition and deployment of production equipment and software.

Type of Aid
Loan or loan guarantee

Advantageous-rate loan or repayment guarantee of up to 70% on net loss. Non-repayable contributions may be available in specific cases.

Term
Up to 10 years (20 in designated regions)

Maximum amortization period of 10 years, extendable to 20 years for certain designated MRCs. Management fees of at least 0.5% per year.

Eligible Expenses
Equipment, software, tech transition

Equipment acquisition, software deployment, and expenses related to a major technological transition including AI and automation.

Minimum Project
$100,000 in eligible expenses

The project must include at least $100,000 in eligible expenses and aim to increase production capacity, modernize operations, or achieve a technological transition.

Eligibility Conditions
Company established and operating in Quebec
Manufacturing or processing sector
Project of at least $100,000
Aims to increase productivity
Financing structure with leverage effect
Real example: Engrenages spécialisés (Richmond, 2025) received $675,000 via ESSOR to purchase automated machines, on a total project of $1.3M.
Investissement Québec — ESSOR →
Federal Program — Business Development Bank of Canada

BDC — Equipment Purchase Loan

Business Development Bank of Canada · National Program
BDC — Equipment Loan
Commercial Loan

The BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) offers specialized loans for the purchase of production equipment — new or used. Financing can cover up to 125% of the purchase cost to include related expenses (shipping, installation, training).

Coverage
Up to 125% of cost

Includes the equipment price plus related expenses: shipping, installation, training, and initial setup.

Flexibility
Interest only up to 24 months

Capital grace period of up to 24 months at the start of the loan — ideal for businesses that want to begin producing before repaying principal.

Interest Rate
Variable by profile

Variable base rate + spread based on your business profile. Indicative example: approximately 8% depending on market conditions (varies by application).

Terms
Matched to your cash flow

Weekly or monthly repayments configured to match your cash flow. Typical amortization of 5 years for production equipment.

Eligibility
Canadian business of any size
New or used equipment
Minimum loan: $10,000
Business plan and financial statements required
Available across Canada
Example: BDC loan of $90,000 over 5 years at ~8% = monthly payment of approximately $1,825 (principal + interest).
BDC — Equipment Loan →
Federal Program — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

Government of Canada · Via Private Financial Institutions
CSBFP — Canada Small Business
Government-Backed Loan

The CSBFP facilitates access to financing for small businesses looking to start, expand, or modernize. The federal government guarantees a portion of the loan with your regular financial institution — making credit accessible that might otherwise be unavailable or available only on less favourable terms.

Maximum Amount
Up to $1,150,000

Maximum of $1,000,000 in term loans + $150,000 in lines of credit. Equipment financing included (up to $350,000 per equipment loan).

Eligibility
Gross revenue ≤ $10M/year

Canadian for-profit and not-for-profit businesses with annual gross revenue of $10 million or less. All sectors except agriculture.

Through Your Bank
Network of financial institutions

Apply for the CSBFP directly at your regular bank or credit union. The institution submits the application on behalf of the business.

Eligible Uses
Equipment, software, assets

Acquisition of production equipment, software, leasehold improvements, intangible assets, and initial working capital.

Key Advantages
Federal guarantee — better access to credit
Often more favourable interest rates
Combinable with other programs
Available across Canada
In 2024–2025, Quebec represented 20.5% of CSBFP loans in Canada — a very active program in the province.
CSBFP — Government of Canada →
Quebec Program — Government of Quebec

SME Plan 2025–2028 — Local Investment Funds (LIF)

Government of Quebec · MRCs · Réseau accès PME
SME Plan 2025–2028 / LIF
Local Loan Advisory Support

The Quebec government's SME Plan 2025–2028 deploys nearly $500 million in financial interventions for SMEs. Local Investment Funds (LIF), administered by MRCs, provide complementary financing for growth, transformation, and equipment purchase projects.

Envelope
~$500M over 4 years

Provincial financial interventions deployed throughout Quebec's entrepreneurial network via 500+ professionals across the province.

LIF — Through your MRC
Complementary local loan

Financing offered by your MRC for start-up, growth, transformation, and business succession projects. Terms adapted to regional realities.

Réseau accès PME
Free advisory support

500+ professionals across Quebec offer personalized guidance to identify the right programs and prepare your financing application.

Stacking
Usable with ESSOR and BDC

The LIF is designed to complement other programs — it often fills the gap that banks alone won't finance.

How to Access
Contact your MRC or local organization
Or via Réseau accès PME (1 844 474-6367)
Free support for application preparation
Available in all regions of Quebec
SME Plan — Government of Quebec →

Recommended Strategy

Stack the programs to
maximize your savings.

Most businesses use multiple programs simultaneously in a single financing structure. Here is a typical example for the purchase of a Hidalgo CNC router at $35,000 in the Montreal metropolitan region:

Bank Financing
70%
CSBFP or BDC — ~$24,500
Company Down Payment
20%
Own funds — ~$7,000
C3i Tax Credit
10%
Refundable — ~$3,500
Net Real Cost
$31,500
After C3i refund
SMX Tip: Our team can help you identify which programs you qualify for and prepare your application. Many clients combine SMX financing (72h), the C3i credit, and a BDC loan to minimize their initial down payment. Talk to our team →

Need Help Structuring
Your Financing?

Our team can direct you to the right programs based on your region, your sector, and your project. Talk to us before submitting your application.

Get a Free Quote 514 644-3177 See the Machines