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, Capitale-Nationale, 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
- Reduce environmental footprint
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
- Capitale-Nationale
- 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.
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
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Défi-Québec, Commercial City. 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 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 Capitale-Nationale, 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