Baie-James Tourism — EPRTNT 2025-2027 – Studies and Consulting Services

• Completed and signed application form submitted in Excel format.
• Copy of the call for tenders document describing issues, objectives, methodology, timeline and deliverables.
• Two professional service offers (consultant proposals).
• Board resolution authorizing the signatory and supporting the funding request.
• OQLF attestation or certification for organizations with 25 or more employees, if applicable.

• Applicant must be a legally constituted organization under Quebec or Canadian law and conduct business in Quebec.
• Applicant must operate in the tourism sector or be an eligible municipal, Indigenous or tourism association entity.
• Project and promoter must be located in the Baie-James tourist region (Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Matagami, or Eeyou Istchee Baie-James).
• Applicant must have honoured commitments linked to any previous subsidy from the program partners.
• Tourist accommodation operators must comply with applicable laws and hold a valid establishment registration number.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit tourism enterprises.
• Non-profit tourism organizations.
• Tourism cooperatives.
• Municipal entities in the Baie-James region.
• Recognized Indigenous communities, nations and Indigenous tourism enterprises, and regional tourism associations with financial partners.

Who is not eligible

• Crown corporations and ministries or agencies of the Quebec and Canadian governments.
• Organizations listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
• Enterprises not compliant with the francization process of the Office québécois de la langue française.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees of specialized firms or consultants to carry out eligible studies, diagnostics, individual business support or advisory services.
• Net taxes (non-refundable portion) related to eligible direct project costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Salaries, operating expenses and management fees of the promoter.
• Working capital, debt service, operating losses, capital losses and capital buyback costs.
• Costs related to regulatory compliance, asset maintenance or upgrading to standards.
• Reimbursable portions of sales taxes and any costs eligible for tax refunds.
• Donations, in-kind or service contributions, usual maintenance, operating expenses, financing costs, lobbyist fees, marketing and promotion, cost overruns, legal fees, and costs contracted before application (except project design fees).

Eligible geographic areas

• Tourism region of Baie-James, including Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Matagami.
• Territory of the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James Regional Government.

• Alignment with the objectives of the EPRTNT 2025-2027 agreement.
• Structuring impact, including attractiveness, reach, spin-offs, partnerships, job creation and season extension.
• Innovative character and quality of concept, products and services.
• Financial structure and project feasibility, including schedule, market strategy and promoter expertise.
• Consideration of sustainable development principles, regional priorities and tourism relevance.

• Step 1: Initial Contact
  • Contact the project officer at Tourisme Baie-James by phone or email to discuss the project.
  • Request the self-assessment and financial assistance application forms.
• Step 2: Mandatory Meeting
  • Hold a mandatory meeting with the Tourisme Baie-James team before submitting the project.
  • Confirm project admissibility and required documentation during this meeting.
• Step 3: Prepare Application
  • Complete the self-assessment and financial assistance application forms in Excel format.
  • Gather all required supporting documents listed by the program.
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Email the completed forms and required documents to the designated program email address.
  • Ensure the file is complete, as incomplete applications will not be analyzed.

• Projects are received on a continuous basis by the regional tourism association.
• Project analysis is carried out during specific assessment periods indicated on the program website.
• Applications are only analyzed if the file is complete with all required documents.

• Projects can be submitted on an ongoing basis until 31 October 2026 or until funds are exhausted.
• A mandatory meeting with Tourisme Baie-James must be held before submitting the project.
• Incomplete applications will not be analyzed by the managing organization.
• The program emphasizes responsible, sustainable and regenerative tourism development.