Closed
Cultural Infrastructure Development Program
Supports development and improvement of public cultural infrastructure
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 20,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Cultural Infrastructure Development Program provided up to $20 million in government funding for projects aimed at improving access to and the quality of cultural infrastructure in Quebec. Eligible activities included construction, renovation, restoration, and the acquisition of equipment for publicly accessible, non-commercial cultural facilities.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Construction, renovation, transformation, expansion, or redevelopment of cultural infrastructures such as libraries, museums, archives, and cultural or Indigenous community centers.
- Requalification or restoration of heritage buildings for cultural use.
- Relocation or acquisition of buildings for the establishment of cultural facilities.
- Implementation of specialized equipment and installations essential for cultural infrastructure operations.
- Projects aimed at enhancing universal accessibility, sustainability certification, or cultural infrastructure resilience to climate change.
Documents Needed
- Municipal resolution or equivalent authorization
- Complete pre-project document with annexes
- Project characteristics and performance indicators form
- Federal Indigenous consultation and environmental assessment form
- Proof of property rights or formal commitment to acquire them
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Municipal organizations governed by the Act respecting cities and towns or the Municipal Code of Québec
- First Nations or Inuit governments established under federal or provincial law with a governance structure, including band councils
Who is not eligible
- State-owned enterprises
- For-profit organizations
- Infrastructure located outside Quebec
Eligible expenses
- Costs for construction, renovation, transformation, expansion, redevelopment, or restoration of eligible cultural infrastructure.
- Reconstruction costs, including demolition of obsolete existing infrastructure.
- Restoration of characteristic elements in heritage cultural buildings, subject to required authorizations.
- Archaeological work (monitoring, inventory, excavations) related to construction projects, with required permits.
- Acquisition of a building for the development of eligible cultural infrastructure (up to its official or appraised value).
- Acquisition, replacement, and installation of specialized equipment or furniture essential to the project and directly related to its mission (excluding items for resale or non-essential furniture).
- Acquisition and installation of equipment or furniture to improve universal accessibility.
- Certification of sustainable buildings (registration and certification fees, if applicable).
- Organization of an architectural competition (where required or applicable).
- Interventions recommended to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience.
- Surveying costs for project planning or construction.
- Site quality control costs, including laboratory fees.
- Costs for installation of fire protection and suppression systems.
- Costs associated with integrating artwork pursuant to government public art policies.
- Manufacturing and installation of identification plaques.
- Professional fees for design, engineering, construction supervision, or preparatory studies required by the program (if contracted per government rules).
- Environmental evaluation costs (greenhouse gas and climate resilience assessments) when conducted by qualified third parties.
- Costs related to Indigenous or environmental consultations (when required).
- Net taxes related to admissible direct and incidental costs (excluding any recoverable portion).
Eligible geographic areas
- Province of Quebec
Selection criteria
- Project relevance, including integration in its environment and cultural benefits.
- Alignment with the identified problem and sustainable development principles.
- Benefits for vulnerable groups.
- Project feasibility, including the applicant’s delivery capacity and operational viability.
How to apply
- Step 1: Preliminary verification
- Contact the regional office of the Ministry for a preliminary eligibility check.
- Step 2: Complete the online form
- Fill out the electronic application form in the di@pason online service.
- Step 3: Prepare supporting documents
- Gather the required administrative, technical, and financial documents.
- Step 4: Submit the application
- Send the completed form and required documents through di@pason before the call for projects deadline.
- Step 5: Await review and approval
- The Ministry reviews the file, then Canada issues the final approval if the project is selected.
Processing and Agreement
- The Ministry reviews complete applications and may use external expertise.
- Only complete, clear, and accurate applications are assessed.
- The project is recommended by the Ministry and then approved by Canada.
- A financial assistance agreement is signed after the official announcement letter.
- Construction-related documents must be submitted for approval before tendering starts.
Additional information
- The program is now closed; the details provided are for reference only and may not be applicable for new applications.
- For projects with eligible costs of $10 million or more, independent evaluations on greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience must be submitted before final approval.
- The list of requirements for project visibility and acknowledgment can be found in the annex of the funding agreement.
- A full program evaluation was submitted to Quebec's Treasury Board Secretariat by October 31, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program Program
What is the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program?
The Cultural Infrastructure Development Program provided up to $20 million in government funding for projects aimed at improving access to and the quality of cultural infrastructure in Quebec. Eligible activities included construction, renovation, restoration, and the acquisition of equipment for publicly accessible, non-commercial cultural facilities.
How much funding can be received?
Cultural Infrastructure Development Program Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program program, you must:
For-profit businesses are not eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Infrastructure Development Program?
Construction, renovation, transformation, expansion, or redevelopment of cultural infrastructures such as libraries, museums, archives, and cultural or Indigenous community centers.
Requalification or restoration of heritage buildings for cultural use.
Relocation or acquisition of buildings for the establishment of cultural facilities.
Implementation of specialized equipment and installations essential for cultural infrastructure operations.
Projects aimed at enhancing universal accessibility, sustainability certification, or cultural infrastructure resilience to climate change.
Where is the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program available?
The Cultural Infrastructure Development Program program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Infrastructure Development Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Cultural Infrastructure Development Program?
Cultural Infrastructure Development Program is funded by Government of Québec