Accelerating the local climate transition - Component 2

• Financial assistance covers up to 80% of eligible project expenses for most beneficiaries.
• For the Maritime Community of Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the Kativik Regional Administration, funding can reach 90% of eligible costs.
• A minimum beneficiary contribution of 5% of eligible expenses is required, which can be provided through material, human, or financial resources of the beneficiary or its partners.
• Total public grants for a project cannot exceed 95% of eligible costs.
• Financial aid is paid in two installments: an initial payment (up to 80% of the announced amount) following the signing of the funding agreement, and the final balance (maximum 20%) upon submission and approval of all final project financial documentation.

• The applicant must be a regional county municipality (MRC), a municipality or agglomeration with certain MRC powers, the Baie-James Regional Administration, or the Kativik Regional Administration in Quebec.
• The applicant's climate plan must be approved by the MELCCFP (Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs).
• The proposed projects must be directly derived from actions outlined in the approved climate plan and implemented within the territory covered by the plan.
• The projects must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Who is eligible?

• Regional County Municipalities (MRCs)
• Municipalities and agglomerations exercising certain MRC powers
• Baie-James Regional Administration
• Kativik Regional Administration

Who is not eligible

• Direct grants to private companies and non-profit organizations are not eligible.
• Projects aiming primarily at supporting private businesses or individuals are not eligible.
• Companies listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) cannot participate.
• Projects involving the acquisition of rolling stock (except bikes for shared-use services) are not eligible.
• Companies whose activities are related to fossil fuel supply and those involved in the construction or acquisition of buildings are excluded.

Eligible expenses

• Project planning costs, including needs assessments, project team setup, required consultations, obtaining authorizations, preliminary studies, and cost estimates by professionals or consultants (if incurred after the climate plan approval).
• Expenses related to the development of the project implementation plan, such as identifying resource needs, stakeholder consultations, project prioritization, and defining eligible projects.
• Direct costs necessary for executing eligible projects, including acquisitions, preliminary studies, and execution of works.
• Salaries and social benefits for personnel working on eligible projects.
• Purchase of materials and rental fees for tools, equipment, and machinery required for project implementation.
• Fees for professional or technical services provided by external firms or individuals directly linked to eligible projects.
• Connected works for building decarbonization (e.g., structural reinforcement, civil works, site decontamination), limited to 5% of eligible expenses for the decarbonization project.
• Soil decontamination necessary for installing green infrastructure, up to 5% of the project's eligible costs.
• Expenses for fixed complementary developments required for project completion, up to 15% of the project’s eligible costs.
• Costs for land or easement acquisition essential for eligible projects, up to 50% of the assessed value and not exceeding 25% of the project’s eligible expenses.
• Purchase of datasets (e.g., greenhouse gas emission data, climate projections, historical data) directly linked to projects.
• Expenses for communication activities directly connected to project realization.
• Software acquisition or IT development costs necessary for project delivery.
• Professional fees for an external auditor preparing an audit report.
• Transportation, meal, and accommodation expenses within Quebec when required for project delivery, in accordance with government reimbursement rules.
• Fees for obtaining required government authorizations.

Eligible geographic areas

• Regional County Municipalities (MRCs) in Quebec
• Municipalities and agglomerations in Quebec with certain MRC powers (including: Gatineau, Laval, Lévis, Mirabel, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Shawinigan, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, agglomerations of La Tuque, Longueuil, Montréal, Québec, Communauté maritime des Îles-de-la-Madeleine)
• Administration régionale Baie-James (Quebec)
• Administration régionale Kativik (Quebec)

• The projects must be directly derived from actions listed in an approved climate plan and must fall within eligible categories.
• Each project must be implemented within the territory covered by the approved climate plan.
• Submission of a fully completed project application form for each project, with enough information to assess eligibility, relevance, and costs.
• Provision of all required supporting documents and attestations at the time of application.
• Conformity of the proposed projects with the objectives and requirements established for eligible project categories.

• The program will end on March 31, 2029.
• Approved projects are subject to follow-up based on predetermined indicators.
• A final account of project completion and expenses must be submitted within six months after all projects are finished.
• Applicants are required to use the most recent version of the guide available at the time of submission.