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Canada’s home healthcare market is growing quickly as more Canadians prefer care at home. For entrepreneurs, that means strong demand—but investment, licensing, and day-to-day operations vary by province and city. This guide explains initial investment and ongoing costs, Canadian financing paths (CSBFP, BDC, wage subsidies), and licence/permit steps so you can move forward with clarity. For ComForCare-specific details in Canada, see our franchising hub and available territories. 

The Canadian market opportunity

Analysts estimate the Canada home healthcare market at ~USD 14.5–17.7B in 2024–2025, with continued growth through 2030—driven by demographics and care-at-home preferences. Private home care complements publicly funded programs, which differ by province in scope and eligibility. 

Initial Investment & Startup Budget (Canada)

Important currency note: Unless noted otherwise, franchise cost figures shown on our global pages reference the U.S. system (USD). Canadian fees/amounts may differ and are disclosed in the Canadian Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD); request the Canadian FDD for exact figures. (See “Request Info” on our Canada site.) 

Typical startup cost buckets for a Canadian, non-medical home care franchise include:

• Business registration, municipal permits/licences (use BizPaL to check your city)
• Office lease or home office setup; IT and communications
• Insurance (e.g., CGL, professional liability), bonding
• Recruiting, screening, training (incl. background checks)
• Local marketing launch (website, listings, media)
• Professional fees (legal, accounting)
• Working capital (payroll/cash buffer in early months)

Special Notes for Ontario – 

• Staffing/Assignment: If you will supply or assign caregivers as a temporary help agency/recruiter, Ontario requires a licence under the Employment Standards Act. This is separate from retirement-home licensing.
• Retirement homes vs. private home care: Retirement homes must be licensed by the RHRA; most private, non-medical home care agencies serve clients in their own homes and are not retirement homes. 

Financing your Canadian franchise (what owners actually use)

1) Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP/CSBFL)
Government-backed program delivered by banks/credit unions that helps eligible small businesses secure loans (risk shared with lenders). Current program pages outline eligible uses, maximums, and guidelines. Talk to your lender about fit. 

2) BDC small business loans (and franchise financing content)
BDC offers online small-business loans (commonly up to $350k) and advisory content on financing a franchise purchase, including the importance of adequate working capital. 

3) Wage subsidies to stretch early payroll
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) can offset eligible student wages (via ESDC and delivery partners). You may also explore Canada Summer Jobs if you meet the employer criteria. 

4) Provincial/municipal programs
Use BizPaL and your province’s small-business portal to find local support and permits in one place. 

Tip: In your financial model, include working capital (first 3–6 months). This is a common pitfall first-time franchisees underestimate. 

Provincial Quick-Start: Licences & Compliance (Non-Medical Home Care)

* Table is for private, non-medical home care (companionship, personal support, homemaking). Medical/home health services can trigger different rules and oversight. Always confirm locally. 

What ComForCare looks like in Canada

• Canada hub & territories: Explore ComForCare Canada franchising, with up-to-date available territories across provinces.
• Investment and next steps (Canada pages): Learn about startup costs, earnings, and request the Canadian FDD.
• Training, support & playbooks: From launch to growth, our team helps you stand up operations, recruit caregivers, build referral networks, and scale responsibly.

FAQs about Financing a Home Care Business

How much does it cost to start a home care franchise in Canada?
Total investment depends on territory, staffing model, local permitting, and working capital. Our global pages show ranges from the U.S. system; Canada-specific figures are in the Canadian FDD—request it here. (We’ll also model a city-specific startup budget with you.) 

Do I need a provincial licence to provide non-medical home care?
Often no provincial licence is required for private, non-medical home care, but you’ll still handle business registration, insurance, background checks, and municipal permits (check BizPaL). Rules differ if you operate facilities or provide medical services. 

Ontario seems complex—what’s the difference between RHRA and THA/Recruiter?
RHRA licenses retirement homes (residences). THA/Recruiter licensing is for temporary help agencies/recruiters that supply or assign workers—this regime is in force as of July 1, 2024. Many private home-care operators aren’t retirement homes, but some will meet the THA/Recruiter definition. 

What financing options are common for Canadian franchise buyers?
Owners frequently combine a CSBFP-backed bank loan with BDC small business financing; some also use wage subsidies (e.g., SWPP) to stretch early payroll. Your advisor and lender can validate fit and eligibility. 

Resources

• BizPaL (permits/licences finder): Government service overview and FAQ.
• Ontario THA/Recruiter licensing: Ontario guidance & regs.
• RHRA licensing (retirement homes): Applying for a licence.
• CSBFP (ISED): Program overview & recent parameters.
• BDC financing (small business loan; franchise guidance)
• SWPP wage subsidies (ESDC): Program overview and wage subsidy page.
• Canadian market sizing/trajectory: Grand View Research and Mordor Intelligence.
• Public program variability example: Manitoba Health—Home Care Services overview.
• ComForCare Canada: Canada franchising hub; available territories; startup costs; request info.