Open
Défi-Québec, Commercial City
Supporting projects for commercial and tourism revitalization
Last Update: May 22, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Open Date : September 15, 2025
Location
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Overview
Défi-Québec, ville commerciale was a City of Québec funding stream for commercial, tourism, eco-responsibility and productivity projects. The former public page for the commercial stream is no longer available, and the current Défi-Québec public pages point to a different stream, “Ville entrepreneuriale”. As of May 22, 2026, this commercial stream should not be treated as an active call for projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Quebec City
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
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
- A project addressing workforce issues through acquisition of equipment and professional fees for recruiting, integrating, and training immigrant workers.
- Development of a zero-waste grocery service offering online ordering and bicycle deliveries, with related professional fees and equipment expenses.
- Marketing and repositioning efforts for a retail business focusing on local products and short supply chains.
Documents Needed
- No current document checklist is published for the former commercial stream.
- If the City confirms a renewed stream, use the current form and current document requirements.
- Do not reuse an old form without confirmation from the City of Québec.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private incorporated companies.
- Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) conducting a majority of commercial activities.
- Individually owned businesses and limited partnerships primarily owned by Indigenous peoples located in the territory of Wendake.
Who is not eligible
- Vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, and gas stations.
- Collaborative tourist accommodation providers (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away) and businesses operating exclusively online.
- Social economy organizations (NPOs and co-ops) that cannot demonstrate sound democratic governance.
- Applicants who have not been discharged from bankruptcy or have outstanding debts with the City of Québec.
- Businesses listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts or with a history of failing to meet previous grant obligations to the City of Québec.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, consulting services, and studies.
- Pre-startup and startup costs necessary for project implementation.
- Salaries for human resources assigned to the project, based on the company's salary policy and supported by relevant documentation.
- Purchase or rental of goods, equipment, and assets related to the project.
- Marketing, promotion, and advertising activities and expenses.
- General and administrative expenses required for project completion.
- Improvements to leased spaces, refurbishments, expansions, renovations, or construction of a building, including the acquisition of land or real estate.
Eligible geographic areas
- Agglomeration of Québec (including the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette)
- Wendake
Selection criteria
- Quality and robustness of the responsible business model.
- Financial capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the project and achieve its objectives.
- Viability and coherence of the project, including relevance, financial structure, and involvement of partners.
- Organizational capability to manage and deliver the project.
- Distinctive and innovative aspects of the project and its economic, social, and environmental impacts in the Québec agglomeration.
How to apply
1
Preparation of the request
- Carefully read the eligibility criteria and exclusions.
- Identify if your project meets one of the program's objectives.
- Gather all required documents specified in the funding application form.
2
Filling out the form
- Fill out the funding application form.
- Ensure that all information is accurate and complete.
3
Submission of the request
- Submit the funding application before the deadline of April 9, 2025, at 4 p.m.
- Send the application via the method indicated on the funding application form, as specified.
4
Confirmation of receipt
Check the acknowledgment of receipt of your request to confirm that it has been properly taken into account.
Additional information
- The former “ville commerciale” page is no longer available.
- The current public Défi-Québec pages show “Ville entrepreneuriale”, which is a distinct stream.
- Known commercial-stream deadline was April 9, 2025 at 4 p.m.; no 2026 commercial intake is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Défi-Québec, Commercial City Program
What is the Défi-Québec, Commercial City?
Défi-Québec, ville commerciale was a City of Québec funding stream for commercial, tourism, eco-responsibility and productivity projects. The former public page for the commercial stream is no longer available, and the current Défi-Québec public pages point to a different stream, “Ville entrepreneuriale”. As of May 22, 2026, this commercial stream should not be treated as an active call for projects.
How much funding can be received?
Défi-Québec, Commercial City Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Défi-Québec, Commercial City program?
To be eligible for the Défi-Québec, Commercial City program, you must:
Eligible applicants include incorporated private enterprises and social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) primarily engaged in commercial activities.
Individually owned and partnership companies majority-owned by Indigenous people and located on the territory of Wendake are eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Défi-Québec, Commercial City?
A project addressing workforce issues through acquisition of equipment and professional fees for recruiting, integrating, and training immigrant workers.
Development of a zero-waste grocery service offering online ordering and bicycle deliveries, with related professional fees and equipment expenses.
Marketing and repositioning efforts for a retail business focusing on local products and short supply chains.
Where is the Défi-Québec, Commercial City available?
The Défi-Québec, Commercial City program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Défi-Québec, Commercial City a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Défi-Québec, Commercial City is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Défi-Québec, Commercial City?
Défi-Québec, Commercial City is funded by Quebec City