Who Can Apply to MAPAQ’s Food Processing Program (Component 2)
The MAPAQ Food Processing Program — Component 2 (Workforce Productivity) provides Quebec food processors with provincial funding to increase workforce productivity through automation, robotization, and integrated management systems. As of 2025-12-01, applications are accepted on a continuous basis until September 30, 2025 or until funds are exhausted. This article explains who can apply, the size and financial thresholds, project and activity requirements, and which organizations are not eligible.
If you are assessing eligibility for a Quebec food processing grant that supports automation and digital transformation, use this guide to confirm whether your organization, its establishment, and your planned project align with MAPAQ Component 2 eligibility rules.
Program Overview
MAPAQ’s Food Processing Program — Component 2 (often referred to as PTA Component 2 or “Volet 2 — Productivité de la main-d’œuvre”) is a provincial contribution program designed to help Quebec food processors improve workforce productivity. It targets projects that automate, robotize, or digitize production and that implement integrated management systems such as ERP or MES.
Key points (verify details before applying, as parameters can change):
Continuous intake in Quebec through September 30, 2025 or until budget is fully allocated.
Typical funding model is cost-sharing, commonly up to 50% of eligible costs, with program caps that apply per establishment and per related group of applicants.
Projects must demonstrate a productivity gain supported by a workforce productivity diagnosis.
Applicants must submit CPA-prepared financial statements and meet minimum size and financial health thresholds.
This guide focuses on eligibility — who can apply and under what conditions — so you can determine fit before preparing an application.
Applicant Type Requirements
To be eligible for MAPAQ Component 2, the applicant must be an “enterprise” operating in Quebec and meet specific registration and operational criteria. In practice, eligible applicants are businesses involved in food processing or in other recognized activities as defined by MAPAQ.
Core requirements:
Registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register (Registraire des entreprises du Québec).
Operates an establishment in Quebec and files an application for that Quebec establishment.
Has at least one complete year (12 months) of operation as of the most recent fiscal year-end.
Establishment profile aligns with one of the following:
Conducts food processing activities, or
Conducts at least two other activities recognized by MAPAQ, with food products offered on the wholesale market or via online sales at the time of application, or
Operates a central kitchen (only the central kitchen can be the subject of a Component 2 project; satellite establishments it serves are excluded for this component).
Notes on organization types:
For‑profit corporations and cooperatives commonly apply. Non-profits and associations may be eligible if they meet the definition of an enterprise and all program requirements. Public sector entities and certain financial institutions are explicitly excluded (see “Ineligible Applicants”).
Applications are submitted per establishment; eligibility is assessed at the establishment level together with the business’s overall qualifications.
Size & Scale Criteria
MAPAQ Component 2 includes size and financial thresholds to ensure projects are led by organizations with sufficient capacity to execute.
As indicated by program rules, applicants must show in their most recent fiscal year-end financial statements (prepared by an external CPA, either compiled, reviewed, or audited):
Minimum revenue of $300,000 tied to food processing or other activities recognized by MAPAQ.
Minimum shareholders’ equity (equity) of $100,000.
Maximum total revenue of $200,000,000 (cap applies at the enterprise level).
Additional operational thresholds:
At least 12 months of operating history.
The application must be tied to an establishment in Quebec.
Practical implications:
Startups under 12 months of operations do not meet the history requirement.
Micro or very small processors may be ineligible if they do not meet the $300,000 revenue threshold or $100,000 equity requirement.
Large processors may apply, provided total revenue does not exceed $200 million and other criteria are met.
Geographic Eligibility
Geography is central to eligibility:
The establishment for which financial assistance is requested must be located in Quebec and operated by the applicant.
Products must be available on the Quebec market as wholesale offerings or through online sales at the time of application (unless the establishment is a central kitchen, which is treated as its own case).
Organizations operating outside Quebec are not eligible unless the project concerns a Quebec establishment they operate.
Project & Activity Requirements
Eligibility is twofold: the applicant and the project must both qualify. Even if your organization meets all applicant criteria, your proposed project must also satisfy Component 2 requirements.
To be eligible, the project must:
Incur eligible expenses of at least $50,000.
Have a maximum duration of 36 months from the date the financial assistance is granted.
Demonstrate a workforce productivity gain supported by a formal productivity diagnosis tied to the project.
Concern food processing activities or other activities recognized by MAPAQ that are performed by the applicant.
Fall within at least one of these activity types:
Automation, robotization, or digitization of processes or systems.
Implementation or adaptation of an integrated management system (e.g., ERP, MES), including software and enabling technologies.
Central kitchens:
For applicants that operate a central kitchen, only the central kitchen itself can be the subject of a Component 2 project; establishments it serves are excluded from this component.
Important alignment considerations:
The narrative of your project must match the diagnosis findings and quantify the expected productivity gains (e.g., labour hours saved per unit, throughput improvements, OEE impacts).
Projects must be feasible, viable, and appropriately resourced with technical, organizational, and administrative capacity.
Financial & Operational Criteria
Program assessors will evaluate financial and operational capacity using the most recent 12‑month CPA external financial statements. Beyond the minimum thresholds noted above, the analysis typically considers:
Equity (minimum $100,000).
Revenue (minimum $300,000; and total revenue not exceeding $200,000,000).
Liquidity.
Cumulative return after dividends.
Profitability of assets.
Efficiency of asset management.
Level of self-financing.
Compliance requirements that may affect eligibility:
Francization compliance: Enterprises with at least 50 employees (threshold lowers to 25 employees as of June 1, 2025), over a period of at least six months, must comply with the francization process under Quebec’s Charter of the French Language. Being listed as non-compliant can render the applicant ineligible.
Equal access to employment program: For‑profit enterprises with more than 100 employees requesting $100,000 or more must be able to meet the requirements of the Programme d’accès à l’égalité en emploi.
Legal and ethical standing: Applicants must not be under creditor protection or bankruptcy proceedings, subject to certain ministerial or judicial orders (e.g., under animal welfare legislation), or listed on Quebec’s registry of ineligible enterprises for public contracts. Prior failure to meet obligations under MAPAQ funding after formal notice can also disqualify applicants.
Documentation standards:
Financial statements must be prepared by an external CPA (compiled, reviewed, or audited).
The application package must be complete in French to receive a “receivability” confirmation that sets the eligibility date for expenses.
Ineligible Applicants
The program lists explicit exclusions. Applicants are not eligible if:
The establishment holds any of the following:
A proximity abattoir permit or a permanent inspection abattoir permit under Quebec’s Food Products Act.
A federal license to slaughter animals for human consumption under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (i.e., federally inspected abattoirs).
A dairy plant operating permit; cheese factories covered by this permit are excluded.
The establishment transforms exclusively feed for livestock.
The targeted aquatic products processing establishment is located in a maritime region and its main activity is the preparation and canning of aquatic products (NAICS 3117).
The enterprise has at least 50 employees (25 as of June 1, 2025), for at least six months, and is not compliant with the francization process or is listed as non-compliant under the Charter of the French Language.
The enterprise is a for‑profit with more than 100 employees seeking $100,000 or more and cannot meet the Equal Access to Employment Program requirements.
The applicant is a ministry, budgetary or non-budgetary public body, a Crown corporation, an entity controlled directly or indirectly by a government or a Crown corporation, or a municipal entity.
The applicant is a financial cooperative or a banking institution.
The applicant or its subcontractor is listed on the Quebec registry of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
The applicant defaulted on obligations related to previous MAPAQ financial assistance within the two years before applying, after formal notice from the Minister.
The applicant is under an order from the Minister or a judge under the Animal Welfare and Safety Act.
The applicant is under protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Important definition note:
Products intended for livestock, nutraceuticals, natural health products, and products identified by a Drug Identification Number (DIN) are not considered “food” for this program. Restaurant activities are not recognized as food processing.
Special Cases & Exceptions
Related applicants (groups): Where control exists (e.g., 50% + 1 of shares), related enterprises are treated as a group for certain program caps. Caps may apply per establishment and per group of related applicants across the program. Only one financial assistance may be granted to a given applicant or related group within Component 2, and it must target a single establishment.
Multiple establishments: You submit per establishment. The establishment must be in Quebec and meet the activity conditions stated above. For central kitchen operators, only the central kitchen is eligible under Component 2.
Non-profits and associations: May be eligible if they qualify as an enterprise that meets all criteria (Quebec registration, operational thresholds, recognized activities, CPA financials). Public bodies and municipal entities are not eligible.
Sector nuances: Certain sub-sectors are excluded (e.g., abattoirs with specified permits, certain dairy plants). Aquatic processing in maritime regions with NAICS 3117 as the main activity is not eligible under this component.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Use this quick yes/no checklist to assess MAPAQ Component 2 eligibility before preparing a full application:
Is your organization registered at the Quebec Enterprise Register and operating an establishment in Quebec?
Have you completed at least 12 months of operations as of your most recent fiscal year-end?
Do your latest external CPA financial statements show:
Minimum $300,000 in revenue from food processing or other MAPAQ-recognized activities?
Minimum $100,000 in shareholders’ equity?
Total revenue not exceeding $200,000,000?
Does the establishment either perform food processing, perform at least two other recognized activities with products sold wholesale or online, or operate as a central kitchen?
Does your planned project focus on automation, robotization, digitization, or implementation/adaptation of an integrated management system (e.g., ERP/MES)?
Can you demonstrate a workforce productivity gain with a diagnosis tied to the project?
Will your project incur at least $50,000 in eligible expenses and be completed within 36 months of approval?
Are you compliant with the francization obligations if you have 50+ employees (25+ as of June 1, 2025)?
If you have more than 100 employees and seek $100,000 or more in funding, can you meet equal access to employment program requirements?
Are you free of disqualifying factors (e.g., excluded permits, RENA listing, creditor protection/bankruptcy, prior defaults after notice, excluded sectors)?
If you answered “Yes” to all applicable questions and none of the ineligibility conditions apply, your organization is likely eligible to apply, subject to final program assessment and budget availability.
Conclusion
MAPAQ’s Food Processing Program — Component 2 targets Quebec organizations that can demonstrate clear workforce productivity gains through automation, robotization, or integrated management systems. Eligibility is determined by your organizational profile (Quebec registration and operations), financial capacity (CPA statements meeting defined thresholds), establishment activities (food processing or recognized activities/central kitchen), and a qualified project backed by a productivity diagnosis.
Before applying, validate your size and financial metrics, confirm establishment activities meet program definitions, and ensure compliance with francization and equal access obligations where relevant. When ready, prepare your complete French-language application package and consult regional advisors for pre-application guidance. As of 2025-12-01, intake is continuous until September 30, 2025 or until funds are exhausted.
