Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism — EPRTNT 2025-2027 – Studies and Consulting Services

• Completed and signed application form in the required format
• Detailed request for proposals or terms of reference for the consulting mandate
• Two professional service offers (consultant quotes)
• Board resolution or equivalent authorizing the funding application
• Proofs and attestations, such as OQLF compliance or relevant certifications, if applicable

• Applicant must be a tourism business, municipal entity, Indigenous community or nation, regional tourism association, or a grouping of these clients.
• Organization must be legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law and operate in Quebec.
• Project must involve a contract with a specialized firm or recognized organization selected through a call for tenders with two quotes.
• Project must aim to improve business practices, skills, customer service, digital capabilities, new activities, or responsible and sustainable initiatives.
• Eligible project costs must be at least $3,000.

Who is eligible?

• Tourism businesses operating as for-profit organizations.
• Tourism non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
• Municipal entities and related bodies.
• Indigenous communities, nations and their tourism organizations or enterprises.
• Regional tourism associations and groupings of the above eligible clients.

Who is not eligible

• Quebec and Canadian Crown corporations, ministries and government agencies.
• Enterprises listed on the register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
• Enterprises not compliant with Quebec’s French language francization process.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees of specialized firms or consultants for studies or individual business support.
• Net taxes related to direct eligible project costs, excluding refundable portions.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Salaries, operating and regular management expenses of the promoter.
• Working capital, debt service, operating losses, capital losses and capital buyback costs.
• Costs for compliance, upgrading to standards, asset maintenance and usual maintenance.
• Refundable portions of sales taxes and any costs eligible for reimbursement to the enterprise or a third party.
• Asset transfers, in-kind or service contributions, financing fees, lobbyist remuneration, promotion/marketing expenses, cost overruns, legal fees and costs contracted before application (except project design fees).

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations doing business in Quebec, particularly in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean tourism region.

• Alignment with the objectives of the EPRTNT 2025-2027 program.
• Structuring impact, including attraction power, reach, economic benefits, partnerships and season extension.
• Level of innovation and quality of concept, products and services.
• Financial structure and feasibility, including schedule, business plan or study plan and promoter expertise.
• Consideration of sustainable development principles and relevance to the destination’s strategic roadmap.

• Step 1: Initial Contact
  • Contact the designated product development advisor by phone or email to validate project eligibility.
• Step 2: Complete Forms
  • Fill out the self-evaluation form and the financial assistance application form provided by the advisor.
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Email the completed forms and required documents to the specified program contact address.

• The financial contribution is non-repayable.
• Projects are assessed with specific attention to responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
• Tourism Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean offers strategic and personalized support throughout the project.
• Certain organizations may need to provide proof of compliance with Quebec’s French language requirements.