A detailed table outlining the various programs available in Quebec are listed below. If you would like to discuss your eligibility for any of these programs, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team.

Concerted Temporary Action Program for Businesses (PACTE)

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Eligible businesses operating in Quebec can receive a minimum of $50,000 in emergency financing in the form of a loan or a loan guarantee 
  • Clients of Investissement Québec should contact their account or project manager 
  • Those who are not clients will need to get in touch with their financial institution, which will then contact Investissement Québec  
  • Eligible businesses include cooperatives, non-profit organizations, and social economy businesses engaged in commercial activities that have experienced cash flow shortages related to COVID-19 due to: (1) a supply problem for raw materials or products or (2) the inability to deliver or a reduction in delivery capacity for products and services
     
  • Eligible companies that want more information or to avail themselves of this funding can call 1-844-474-6367 or the phone number for their regional office 

Continued Employment (PACME)

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Support for businesses and self-employed workers whose activities are reduced during the pandemic (in French only) 
  • N/A
  • N/A

Emergency aid for small and medium sized businesses

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Eligible businesses operating in Quebec can receive up to $50,000 in emergency financing
  • Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria: be operating in Quebec for at least one year; be temporarily closed, likely to close or show the warning signs of closing; be maintaining, consolidating or resuming activities 
  • The lack of cash flow must be caused by: an inability or substantial reduction in the ability to deliver products or merchandise, or  a procurement problem for raw materials or products.             
  • The program expires on March 31, 2022

Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • CQDM has launched a call for solutions to all members of its network, including academic researchers and private enterprises. If you have solutions to the current crisis in the following areas, please CQDM as soon as possible:
    • Treatment, prevention or diagnostic tools
    • Enabling technologies that accelerate the development of vaccines, drugs or diagnostic tests
    • Methods to accelerate or improve clinical trials
    • Methods for monitoring and controlling the evolution of the virus
    • Improving production and supply methods
    • Any other technology or approach that provides solutions to the most pressing issues associated with COVID-19
  • All submitted proposals will be forwarded to the Quebec Ministry of the Economy and Innovation (MEI) and to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). 
  • All submissions will be treated on a case-by-case basis given the current state of emergency
  • To submit your solution to the Government of Québec, please complete the form available at https://cqdm.org/en/covid-19/ and send it to Nadia Dubé
     
 

City of Montreal supports NPOs 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Montreal is launching a call for proposals totalling $1M, aiming to fund projects initiated by non profit organizations (NPO's) who wish to lend technical support to Montreal's small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • It aims to support projects that will meet the immediate needs of small businesses that are facing hardship due to the COVID-19 situation 
  • Non-profit organizations based in Montreal are eligible for this program 
  • Submit your proposal here

 

 

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) Emergency Aid for Artists and Organizations

Description Eligibility Application details
  • The CALQ has made available special support drawn from existing program budgets to address situations in the short term, such as cash flow problems to deliver essential services for the next month and difficulties faced by artists abroad who are incurring additional expenses to return to Quebec
  • For questions on eligibility, contact CALQ

 

 

 
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
  • Submit your application here
 

Financial Aid for Festivals and Tourist Event Businesses

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Tourisme Québec announced relief for businesses that have had major festivals and tourists events, which normally attract a significant amount of tourists to Quebec, cancelled due to COVID-19
  • To be eligible, your festival or tourist events business must have attracted a significant number of tourists to Quebec in other years,  must have a proven economic impact, and must have eligible costs of $6 million or more
  • To submit an application, click here

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation Local Investment Fund (LIF)

Description Eligibility Application details
  • If you are starting or expanding a business, you could be eligible for financing in the form of various types of loans or loan guarantees
  • Loans can cover eligible expenses such as: capital expenditures, technology acquisition, and working capital for operations
  • You could get an interest-free loan to help you acquire at least 25% of an existing rural business that you plan to take over
  • For more information about eligibility requirements, speak with your financial institution
  • To apply, submit an application through your financial institution

SADC de Papineau-Collines Exceptional Support Measures for Small Businesses

Description Eligibility Application details
  • SMEs in the RCM of Papineau, the RCM of Collines-de-l’Outaouais and Basse-Lièvre affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can benefit from measures introduced by the Société d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) de Papineau-Collines
  • Support measures for businesses could include:
    • a support loan of up to $25,000 with the possibility of a 6-month moratorium on capital and interest, repayable over a maximum of 48 months, or
    • flexible loans of up to $300,000 adapted to the needs of businesses
  

Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC): Line of Credit

Description Eligibility Application details
  • A 12-month line of credit for Quebec businesses that ae affected by COVID-19 and operating in a SODEC-supported sector
  • This program aims to provide support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 virus. SODEC is offering companies a 12-month revolving line of credit of $10,000 to $2,000,000 to finance working capital
  • Companies must show that their financial troubles are temporary and that their lack of liquidity is caused by not being able to produce, market or distribute a Quebec cultural product due to the repercussions of COVID-19
  • The application deadline for this program is May 25 2020

Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC): Term Loan 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • This program aims to provide support to arts and culture businesses affected by the COVID-19
  • The term loan offered by SODEC can be a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $2,000,000
  • Funds are to be used to finance working capital 
  • Companies must show that their financial troubles are temporary and that their lack of liquidity is caused by not being able to produce, market or distribute a Quebec cultural product due to the repercussions of COVID-19
  • The application deadline for this program is May 25 2020

Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) – Loan Guarantee

Description Eligibility Application details
  • SODEC is offering a loan guarantee that covers 70% of the net loss relating to a loan or line of credit made by a lender for the benefit of a business 
  • Companies must show that their financial troubles are temporary and that their lack of liquidity is caused by not being able to produce, market or distribute a Quebec cultural product due to the repercussions of COVID-19
  • The application deadline for this program is May 25 2020

Revenu Québec

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Individuals and businesses have until August 31, 2020 to pay their income tax due for the 2019 taxation year
  • Businesses have until June 30 to make GST/QST remittances and customs duty payments
  • All individuals and businesses filing taxes in Quebec are eligible
  • N/A              

Hydro-Québec

Description Eligibility Application details
  • On March 22, 2020, Hydro-Québec announced that it will stop applying administration charges to unpaid bills for all customers until further notice and will not cut o power to anyone for non-payment   
  • All Hydro-Québec customers are eligible
  • N/A

Financière agricole du Québec

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Offering a six-month moratorium on loan repayments to all La Financière agricole clients who request it
  • The enrolment date for the Crop Insurance Program is extended from April 30 to May 21, 2020, and notices of assessment are extended from June 1 to July 1, 2020
  • Interim AgriStability payments are available
  • For the Farm Income Stabilization Insurance Program, notice of assessments will not be sent before July 1 
  • All clients of La Financière agricole are eligible 
  • N/A   

CNESST

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Employers have until August 31 to pay CNESST premiums 
  • During this period the CNESST will not apply interests or fees 
  • Employers have until June 1, 2020 to file the 2019 Wages Return (Déclaration des salaires 2019) 
  • All Quebec employers are eligible
  • N/A

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Making available approximately $4 billion to support Quebec businesses whose operations are temporarily disrupted by COVID-19 
  • These funds are intended to meet the particular cash needs of companies that fulfil specific criteria. Under these criteria, a company must: be seeking financing of over $5 million, have been profitable before the COVID-19 outbreak, and have a promising growth outlook in its industry sector 
  • For more information, click here       

New Placement Service for Employers and Employees in Priority Sectors 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Businesses offering priority services and activities can publish information regarding their urgent labour needs which, following review, will be posted in a new section of the website Québec.ca 
  • The free platform will provide such businesses with a fast and easy way to post positions they need filled 
  • It will replace the current placement system available on the website of Emploi-Québec, which was already being overhauled, in particular because it cannot meet the high demand
  • Quebec-based usinesses offering priority services and activities are eligible
  • A more comprehensive, platform will be unveiled in the next few weeks 
  • N/A              

City of Montreal Relief 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Owners and businesses will have an additional month to pay their tax bills that are due on June 1, 2020. The new deadline is July 2, 2020 
  • Private and social economy businesses that have loans received through the PME MTL fund, Fonds Locaux de Solidarité and Fonds de commercialisation des innovations will have a six-month moratorium on capital and interest 
  • Urban delivery: The project provides merchants located on the territory of an SDC (Sociétés de développement commercial de Montréal) or near one, with a local delivery infrastructure, to meet the demand of their clientele 
  • Digital transition: The city is taking measures to help Montréal merchants who want to go digital or improve their online business practices. Applications are due April 17, 2020 through the montreal.ca website 
  • Support for Small Businesses: Montreal has announced the launch and enhancement of the government of Quebec’s emergency assistance program for small businesses in the city 
    • In total, the Montreal agglomeration will receive a $40 million loan from the government, through which it can give eligible Montreal companies a maximum loan of $50,000 
    • The city will assume interest charges incurred during the loan’s 6-month moratorium 
  • Financial Support for Taxi Industry 
    • Montreal, in collaboration with the Bureau du taxi de Montréal (BTWM), is granting $260,000 in special financial support for the taxi industry 
    • As of April 16, the BTM will be contacting various taxi industry stakeholders to determine the amount of the subsidy they will receive 
    • The amount is established proportionally to the number of operational vehicles held, as well as according to their respective needs and services 
    • Considerations will be given for the need to install protective partitions in taxis, the need to purchase sanitation cleaning products and prevention equipment, and the need to steam clean vehicles 
  • To learn more about eligibility criteria for the various Montreal-based programs, click here 
  • N/A          

Quebec City Relief 

Description Eligibility Application details
Postponements of municipal tax payments (for individuals and businesses) as follows: 
  • Payments due May 4 are deferred until August 4
  • Payments due July 3 are deferred until September 3
  • Payments due September 3 are deferred until November 3 
  • All businesses filing taxes in Quebec are eligible
  • N/A              

City of Montreal: Free Support for Merchants to Bring their Businesses Online

Description Eligibility Application details
  • The City of Montreal offers small businesses and merchants free personalized support from experts
  • These professionals can guide local merchants in developing a crisis action plan, choosing suppliers, implementing an e-commerce platform and more
  • Businesses interested in the service can apply here          

Quebec Credit for Contributions to the Health Services Fund

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Quebec announced that it will grant employers a credit on contributions to the Health Services Fund for employees on forced leaved. This additional assistance, which offsets costs not covered by the federal government measure, will be in force for the entire duration of the 12-week wage subsidy 
  • The credit will have an estimated impact of $113 million for the Quebec government for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. For additional information about the credit, click here to read the bulletin released by Quebec’s Minister of Finance 
  • For more information about eligibility, click here
  • To take advantage of this program, click here             

Montreal Subsidies for Merchants Fund 

Description Eligibility Application details
  • Montreal announced a $5 million subsidy fund dedicated to Montreal merchants.
  • It is managed by the PME MTL network.
  • Financial contributions of up to $10,000 are available, but may not exceed 75% of the cost of the project
  • Demonstrate that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the place of business where the business project is being carried out is closed or has been temporarily closed to clientele.
  • Provide a down payment of at least 10% of the total cost of the project. 
  • Open until September 30, 2020
  • Apply here

Subsidies to support social economy initiatives

Description Eligibility Application details
  • The Fonds de développement de l’économie sociale (FDÉS) (social economy development fund) supports social economy projects
  • Subsidy between $5,000 and $50,000 for the enterprise or organization
  • Must be a social enterprise or non-profit with a social mission
  • Be headquartered in Montreal
  • Generated at least 20% of your gross revenue from the sale of goods or services
  • Apply here          


Contacts

Vanessa Grant
Vanessa Grant
Senior Partner
Email
vanessa.grant@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 416 216 4056
Mathieu Deschamps
Mathieu Deschamps
Partner, Canadian Co-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions
Email
mathieu.deschamps@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 514 847 4344
Peter Riddell
Peter Riddell
Partner
Email
peter.riddell@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 514 847 4536
Maya Medeiros
Maya Medeiros
Partner
Email
maya.medeiros@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 604 641 4846
Paul Amirault
Paul Amirault
Partner
Email
paul.amirault@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 613 780 8601
Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe
Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe
Partner
Email
brigitte.leblanc-lapointe@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 613 780 8638
Elizabeth Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Managing Partner, Calgary Office
Email
elizabeth.williams@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 403 267 8383
Pierre Nicol
Pierre Nicol
Senior Partner
Email
pierre.nicol@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 418 640 5013

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