Accompaniment and technical support for Québec forestry companies (MASTE)

The "Mesure d’accompagnement et de soutien technique" (MASTE) is a financial support program designed to assist Quebec's forestry companies in addressing the skilled workforce shortage by subsidizing the hiring of external specialists. This grant aims to enhance operational efficiency, integrate innovative technologies, and ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the forestry industry in Quebec.

The "Mesure d’accompagnement et de soutien technique" (MASTE) is a targeted financial support initiative by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF) in Quebec. This program is meticulously designed to provide substantial technical support to forestry companies facing challenges due to a shortage of skilled labor. It operates under the legal framework set by the paragraph 3° of the article 12 of the Loi sur le ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (chapter M-25.2). In this context, the grant aims to boost operational efficacy and integrate cutting-edge technologies within the forestry sector. The increasing demand for innovative technologies and processes in the forestry industry significantly exacerbates the need for qualified labor. The implementation of new procedures and technologies often requires specialized personnel, which many local companies lack. The MASTE grant addresses this gap by enabling companies to hire external specialists, thus ensuring continued competitiveness and job consolidation, particularly in regions where the forestry industry is a primary economic driver.

The MASTE grant’s primary objective is to support Quebec forestry companies in overcoming the challenges posed by a shortage of qualified workforce. By providing financial assistance for hiring external specialists, the program facilitates targeted technical interventions. These specialists can offer technical advice, improve operational procedures, enhance equipment, develop products, optimize transformation processes, and reinforce supply chains for current or planned uses. Moreover, the grant promotes technological transfer stemming from research and development, including necessary external lab tests to validate and implement innovative solutions in manufacturing settings.

To be eligible for the MASTE grant, applicants must be legally constituted and registered for-profit or non-profit organizations based in Quebec. The company should engage in forestry industry activities, particularly in sectors such as: - Wood harvesting - Wood transportation - Wood yards (including valorization and transit centers) - Pulp and paper production - Bioproducts - Panel manufacturing - Sawing - Wood construction - Bioenergy - Wood product manufacturing

Applicants are deemed ineligible if they: - Are under the protection of bankruptcy laws or the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. - Are listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts. - Have failed to fulfill obligations to the MRNF within two years preceding the application, resulting in a default notice.

Eligible projects must involve technical support provided by specialists to assist Quebec forestry companies. Key project criteria include: - Preference for Quebec-based specialists; if unavailable, justification, and limited usage of non-Quebec experts (no more than 5% of project hours without prior MRNF approval, with an exception allowing up to 8 hours for a 160-hour project). - Projects aimed at diagnostic services, technical services, or technological transfers that improve products, transformation processes, equipment, operations, or supply chains. - External lab tests for validating factory-applicable solutions and their technological transfer. - Maximum project duration of 12 months, extendable by six months upon reasonable request with substantial justification, but without increasing the initially granted subsidy. - A minimum of 30 hours for technical services or technological transfers; no minimum for diagnostic services.

Eligible activities under the MASTE grant include: - Diagnostic Technical: Identifying particular issues to provide solutions or recommendations (e.g., evaluating equipment productivity or detecting and rectifying inefficient operational methods). - Technical Services: Offering technical advice or innovative technological solutions (e.g., defining optimal equipment fleets or assisting in equipment modifications for new product manufacturing). - Technological Transfer: Transferring R&D-based information to enterprises (e.g., implementing new processes or educating staff on complex machinery operations). - External Lab Tests: Validating factory-applicable technical solutions and their technological transfer.

Eligible expenses include professional fees and project documentation costs within specified limits: - Professional Fees: Up to 160 hours per specialist and 500 hours per project; rates as authorized by MRNF. - Documentation Fees: Up to $2,000 for essential project-related documentation.

Applicants must submit a complete grant application through the MRNF’s website. Essential documents include: - A filled and signed application form. - CV(s) of the specialist(s) involved. - Service proposals or relevant documents.

Applications are processed on a "first-come, first-served" basis until the budget is exhausted. The MRNF evaluates applications based on criteria such as project relevance, feasibility, specialist expertise, and potential outcomes like cost reduction, productivity enhancement, product quality improvement, process optimization, new market development, and improvement of current or planned product uses.

The subsidy equates to the lesser of two amounts: - 75% of eligible expenses, capped at 160 hours per specialist, 500 hours per project, and a maximum of $2,000 for documentation fees. - A maximum of $50,000 per project.

The subsidy is disbursed in one installment after project completion upon MRNF approval of the final report, detailed invoices, and a "Project Outcomes" questionnaire. The MRNF reserves the right to proportionately adjust the subsidy amount based on actual eligible expenses or other received financial aids, ensuring that at least 25% of project costs come from private funding.

Recipients must provide a comprehensive final report within 30 days of project completion, detailing project activities, costs, financial setup, and outcomes, along with any received deliverables. Required documentation includes invoices detailing hours worked and completed online "Project Outcomes" forms. Recipients must also: - Allow public announcements by the MRNF regarding the grant recipients, amounts, and project nature. - Retain project documents for five years post-completion. - Inform the MRNF of any additional financial assistance for the project. - Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and MASTE guidelines. - Promptly notify the MRNF of any project modifications in writing.

The MRNF maintains the right to adjust or terminate the subsidy due to lower-than-expected project costs, unsatisfactory reports, additional financial assistance, or non-compliance. Additionally, it can demand repayment of subsidies if obligations are unmet. Moreover, the MRNF can end or suspend the MASTE without notice and is not liable for any damage resulting from the program’s administration.

The MASTE grant is effective from July 18, 2022, until the allocated budget is fully committed. Queries and further information can be directed to maste@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca. In summary, the MASTE grant is a crucial opportunity for Quebec’s forestry companies to leverage external expertise, enhance technological integration, and maintain industry sustainability. By addressing workforce shortages with financial backing for specialized interventions, the grant ensures ongoing competitiveness and economic vitality in the forestry sector.