The Supplier Diversity Certification Program (SDCP) is now open.
Applications for SDCP will be accepted from April 14, 2026, to February 26, 2027.
You can download the Guidelines & FAQ by clicking the link on the sidebar under Related Documents.
Get fully reimbursed for your Supplier Diversity Certification and gain access to exclusive supply chains.
The Supplier Diversity Certification Program (SDCP) offers diverse-owned businesses* financial support to obtain supplier diversity certification through the five following certifying bodies in Canada:
- CAMSC (Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council)
- IWSCC (Inclusive Workplace & Supply Council of Canada)
- CQCC (Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce)
- WEConnect International Canada
- WBE Canada (Women Business Enterprises Canada)
*A business of diversity is 51% owned, operated, and controlled by 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Women, Veterans, People living with Disabilities, Black Nova Scotians, African Nova Scotians, and other Racialized People.
SDCP helps Nova Scotia businesses elevate their national and international competitiveness through certification as a diverse-owned business which can provide access to specific supplier diversity procurement programs.
The program provides financial support to offset the costs of a maximum of three certifications. Businesses that have successfully obtained supplier diversity certification through the above-listed certifying organizations will be reimbursed 100% of the fee paid by the business.
The program reimburses 100% of the certification fee paid by the business to obtain a first-time certification, up to $1,000 (excluding taxes) per certification, with a maximum total of $3,000 (excluding taxes) per company (for three new certifications).
Eligibility
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have an approved first-time certification from any of the five above noted agencies (to a maximum of three) dated between February 28, 2026, to February 26, 2027.
- Be a diverse-owned Nova Scotia registered business in good standing (current registration on the Registry of Joint Stock Companies). Federally registered businesses must also hold extra-provincial incorporation, including Nova Scotia.
- Have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
- Have a product/service with the potential to be sold outside of Nova Scotia.
- Have most of its workforce currently residing in Nova Scotia (some exceptions may apply where it can be demonstrated that the economic benefit can be accrued to Nova Scotia).
- Have no outstanding or pending claims/litigation, injunctions, judgements, orders, legal or administrative actions or similar proceedings against the business, its principals and/or any related business(es).
- The business, principals and/or any related business(es) shall not be in default of any obligations under any form of financial assistance and/or incentive program from Invest NS, the Province of Nova Scotia, or by any agency of the Province of Nova Scotia. For the purpose of these criteria, the Credit Union Small Business Loan Guarantee Program is considered a form of financial assistance provided by the Province of Nova Scotia.
For complete program details, please refer to the SDCP Guidelines.
Important dates
Applications for SDCP will be accepted from April 14, 2026, to February 26, 2027.
Certifications must be approved by one of the five certifying organizations (to a maximum of three) in Canada no later than 5:00pm AST on February 26, 2027.
How to Apply
All documentation, including a completed application form, must be submitted through the link on the webpage.
If this is your first time applying to a program with Invest Nova Scotia, please contact Tamasha Fernando to request your Customer Number. You will need this number to submit your application online.
Please note, all documentation noted in Section 4 of the SDCP Guidelines, including a completed application form, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.
Questions about why you should apply? Check out the Supplier Diversity FAQ.
You can download the Guidelines & FAQ by clicking the link on the sidebar under Related Documents.