GarageShops.ca = National Scale + Local Impact
The Garage Conversion Program:
Turn your unused garage into a productive workspace.
The Garage Conversion Program (GCP) helps homeowners retrofit their garages into fully functional micro-workshops, supported by public funding and technical assistance.
Program Highlights:
Funding for retrofits and electrical upgrades
Access to approved contractors and design standards
Equipment installation support (starting with freeze dryers, 3D printers, and tool kits)
Municipal permit and inspection guidance
Safety and ventilation compliance assistance
Who It’s For:
Homeowners or renters with garage access
Retired tradespeople, makers, and food entrepreneurs
Communities seeking local production and economic renewal
Building Canada’s Next Economy — One Garage at a Time
GarageShops.ca was founded by the team behind Makers Connect — a national initiative dedicated to empowering Canadians to start, grow, and share in the success of local business.
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At GarageShops.ca, our purpose is to rebuild Canada’s foundation for local entrepreneurship.
We convert underused residential garages into modern, government-supported micro-production hubs, helping everyday Canadians create, innovate, and thrive from their own homes.
By connecting public funding, technology, and training, we make it possible for individuals to participate directly in Canada’s next wave of local economic growth.
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To enable every Canadian household to become a centre of innovation, production, and economic self-reliance.
We’re building a national network of GarageShops that support food preservation, clean manufacturing, and creative production — making entrepreneurship accessible to everyone.
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Innovation – We believe small spaces can spark big ideas.
Community – Collaboration and connection are at the core of every GarageShop.
Sustainability – We retrofit, reuse, and reimagine Canada’s existing infrastructure.
Equity – Every person deserves access to the tools and training needed to succeed.
Resilience – We empower individuals and communities to build lasting local economies.
Pilot & Expansion Initiatives
We’re currently rolling out pilot communities across Ontario, with planned expansion to British Columbia, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces.
Each pilot site tests:
Retrofit standards and cost efficiencies
Local permitting and funding workflows
Digital connectivity through Makers Connect
Community response and economic outcomes
The Community Investment Program.
GarageShops.ca welcomes participation from municipalities, corporations, and private investors who want to fund the next generation of Canadian creators.
Partnership Benefits:
Visibility in national economic renewal efforts
Impact measurement through local employment data
ESG reporting alignment and certification
Recognition through the GarageShops Impact Partner Network
Funding Pathways to Success
GarageShops.ca aligns with key federal and provincial funding programs, including:
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
Canadian Innovation and Investment Program
Local Food Infrastructure Fund
Clean Technology and Manufacturing Support Programs
Our team assists participants in identifying and applying for grants, tax credits, and cost-sharing options.
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
GarageShops.ca integrates ESG principles at every level:
🌱 Environmental:
Promotes green retrofitting and reuse of existing structures
Reduces carbon emissions by enabling local work and production
👥 Social:
Increases access to entrepreneurship and training
Strengthens community ties and local food systems
⚖️ Governance:
Transparent program reporting and partnership oversight
Compliance with public funding and sustainability standards
Each GarageShop contributes to a national ESG index, tracking measurable progress across sustainability and inclusion goals.
Transform your garage. Transform your future.
GarageShops.ca is helping Canadians redefine what’s possible — from side businesses to national innovation.