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CDEM — Microcredit - Quebec - Canada
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CDEM — Microcredit

Supports eligible businesses with competitive loans and microfinancing
Corporation de développement économique montagnaise (CDEM)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
Côte-Nord, Quebec, Canada

Overview

The CDEM — Microcredit program provides up to $20,000 in financing for businesses primarily owned by members of the nine Innu communities and the Naskapi community in Quebec. This program, in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, supports commercial endeavors by offering competitive interest rates.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 20,000 $
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Côte-Nord
  • Quebec
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

The CDEM Microcredit program is designed to support community-driven business projects for the Innu and Naskapi communities of Quebec. It aims to facilitate the growth and development of commercial enterprises that are majority-owned by these communities.

  • Support for incorporated commercial businesses following provincial or federal laws with majority Innu or Naskapi ownership.
  • Support for partnerships or cooperatives operating commercial enterprises controlled by Innu or Naskapi members.
  • Funding for businesses located both on and off the reserves of the specified Innu and Naskapi communities.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

The CDEM — Microcredit program is available to businesses and individuals primarily owned by members of the nine Innu communities of Quebec or the Naskapi community. These eligible applicants include:- All registered members of the Innu and Naskapi band lists, residing on or off their communities in Quebec.- Incorporated commercial entities under provincial or federal laws, where 51% or more of voting shares are owned by Innu or Naskapi individuals.- Partnerships or cooperatives operating commercial enterprises, with 51% or more of partners or members being Innu or Naskapi.Eligible communities include:- Mashteuiatsh, Première Nation des Pekuakamiulnuatsh- Essipit, Innue Essipit- Pessamit, Bande des Innus de Pessamit- Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam- Ekuanitshit, Les Innus de Ekuanitshit- Nutashkuan, Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan- Unamen Shipu, Montagnais de Unamen Shipu- Pakua Shipu, Montagnais de Pakua Shipu- Matimekush-Lac John, La Nation innue Matimekush–Lac-John- Kawawachikamach, Naskapi Nation of KawawachikamachIt's important to note that businesses must not be insolvent, under unresolved claims that may jeopardize financial health, be unable to show sufficient equity for the project, or lack sufficient business competence. Personal loans, unsecured loans, or those for non-commercial real estate or socio-community projects are ineligible.

Who is not eligible

Certain companies and business activities are not eligible for the CDEM Microcredit grant, mainly due to their financial status and the nature of their operations. The exclusions are meant to safeguard the financial integrity and strategic objectives of the grant.

  • Individuals or entities that are insolvent or undischarged bankrupts.
  • Businesses involved in legal claims or lawsuits posing potential financial liabilities.
  • Entities unable to demonstrate sufficient equity (funding) in their projects.
  • Individuals whose business competence is deemed insufficient.
  • Situations negatively impacting the success of the business project or operations.
  • Personal loans and loans without tangible security.
  • Real estate loans, including those for residential buildings, condominiums, or speculative real estate ventures.
  • Loans for community-purpose buildings.
  • Variable credit facilities such as lines of credit or operating credit.
  • Socio-community projects lacking a clear commercial objective.
  • Debt refinancing purposes.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is targeted toward businesses located within specific Indigenous communities in Quebec. These geographical locations align with the funding body's focus on supporting Innus and Naskapis enterprises.

  • Mashteuiatsh - Première Nation des Pekuakamiulnuatsh
  • Essipit - Innue Essipit
  • Pessamit - Bande des Innus de Pessamit
  • Uashat mak Mani-Utenam - Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam
  • Ekuanitshit - Les Innus de Ekuanitshit
  • Nutashkuan - Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan
  • Unamen Shipu - Montagnais de Unamen Shipu
  • Pakua Shipu - Montagnais de Pakua Shipu
  • Matimekush-Lac John - La Nation innue Matimekush–Lac-John
  • Kawawachikamach - Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

  • The Microcredit program is offered in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
  • The loan analysis fee is set at 1/2 of 1% of the loan amount granted, with a minimum charge of $150.
  • Borrowers must pay a loan processing fee of $150 in advance.

Contacts

info@cdem.ca
4189681246

Frequently Asked Questions about the CDEM — Microcredit Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the CDEM — Microcredit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the CDEM — Microcredit?

The CDEM — Microcredit program provides up to $20,000 in financing for businesses primarily owned by members of the nine Innu communities and the Naskapi community in Quebec. This program, in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, supports commercial endeavors by offering competitive interest rates.

How much funding can be received?

CDEM — Microcredit Funds up to $20,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the CDEM — Microcredit program?

To be eligible for the CDEM — Microcredit program, you must: The majority (51%) of the business's voting shares must be owned by members of the Innu or Naskapi communities. The business must be a commercial entity incorporated under provincial or federal law, or a partnership/coop with a majority of Indigenous members. The entity can be located on or off the community.

What expenses are eligible under CDEM — Microcredit?

The CDEM Microcredit program is designed to support community-driven business projects for the Innu and Naskapi communities of Quebec. It aims to facilitate the growth and development of commercial enterprises that are majority-owned by these communities. Support for incorporated commercial businesses following provincial or federal laws with majority Innu or Naskapi ownership. Support for partnerships or cooperatives operating commercial enterprises controlled by Innu or Naskapi members. Funding for businesses located both on and off the reserves of the specified Innu and Naskapi communities.

Who can I contact for more information about the CDEM — Microcredit?

You can contact Corporation de développement économique montagnaise (CDEM) by email at info@cdem.ca or by phone at 4189681246.

Where is the CDEM — Microcredit available?

The CDEM — Microcredit program is available Côte-Nord, Quebec.

Is the CDEM — Microcredit a grant, loan, or tax credit?

CDEM — Microcredit is a Loans and Capital investments

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