How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité)?

ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) is funded by Investissement Québec (IQ)

What are ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité)'s eligibility criterias?

The company must be a for-profit entity or a social enterprise. The company must be registered in Quebec and conduct business activities there. Foreign companies must be registered and commit to conducting business in Quebec no later than twelve months following project approval.

ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité)

Last Update: June 5, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports business productivity and expansion through technological investment

ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Min. $50,000
Up to 30% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Information and cultural industries

Grant Providers

Investissement Québec (IQ)

Status

Open

Overview of the ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) program

ESSOR – Component 2 financially supports businesses in Quebec for investment projects focused on productivity, expansion, or technological transition. The program offers repayable contributions, non-repayable contributions, loan guarantees, and equity investments for activities such as the acquisition of equipment, technologies, or the modernization of infrastructure.

Financing terms and conditions

Management fees (study fees) of at least 0.5% of the financial assistance granted are required from the company.
Annual guarantee fees of at least 0.5% of the amount guaranteed are required.
Project investment must involve at least $100,000 in eligible expenses to qualify.
For working capital expenses, aid through a repayable contribution, loan guarantee, or forgivable loan can cover up to 20% of total eligible project costs.
A project must begin within 6 months of approval, or up to 12 months for investments of at least $10 million or the creation of 100 jobs.

Eligible projects & activities

Investment projects that increase production capacity in Quebec, including the creation or expansion of businesses.
Modernization initiatives for existing companies established in Quebec.
Technological transition projects to adopt new or advanced technologies.
Implementation of digital solutions that may involve conducting a digital assessment.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 900,000

Implementing cloud-based business intelligence tools

$ 1,500,000

Expanding local artisanal cheese production facility

$ 2,000,000

Modernizing an eco-friendly clothing manufacturing plant

Eligibility criteria of the ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) program

The applicant must be a for-profit business or a social economy enterprise.
The company must be registered in Quebec and operate or commit to operate in Quebec (foreign companies must start operations within 12 months of project approval).
The project must involve a minimum of $100,000 in eligible expenditures and focus on increasing production capacity, business creation, expansion, modernization, or technological transition.
For projects involving digital solutions, businesses from all sectors are eligible.
The project must have the potential to increase productivity, such as through higher profitability or increased payroll, and must start within the specified timeframe after approval.

Who is eligible?

For-profit enterprises
Social economy enterprises
Foreign enterprises (must be registered in Quebec and commit to operate in Quebec within twelve months of project approval)
Companies from all sectors except for the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, fishing) except greenhouse production, major processing projects, and forestry operations
Companies in all sectors for digital solutions implementation projects
Seasonal businesses located in Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Capitale-Nationale (MRC de Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf), including those in the primary sector (commercial fishing, mariculture, agriculture, peat bogs, etc.)

Who is not eligible

Companies in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, fishing), except for greenhouse cultivation, major conditioning projects over $10M, or forest exploitation.
Businesses in mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction.
Companies offering real estate, rental, and leasing services.
Enterprises in construction (except those linked to productivity improvements).
Organizations in public services, holding companies, healthcare and social assistance, educational services, public administration, finance and insurance, arts, entertainment and recreation, telecommunications, broadcasting, accommodation and food services (unless accommodation is part of a tourism project), and other services except public administration.

Eligible expenses

Acquisition, construction, development or expansion of buildings.
Acquisition and implementation of equipment or software.
Expenses related to significant technological transitions such as cloud computing, business intelligence, and artificial intelligence.
Working capital expenses necessary for the execution of an investment project, applicable when financial assistance consists of a loan guarantee, a repayable financial contribution, or a forgivable loan, up to a maximum of 20% of total eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies registered and operating in Quebec.
For seasonal activities: Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale (MRC of Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf).

Eligibility criteria of the ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) program

The project must demonstrate potential for increasing productivity, either through an increase in profitability or through an increase in payroll paid.
The project must start no later than six months after its authorization (or up to 12 months for certain major projects).
The project execution period must not exceed five years, with a preferred timeline not exceeding three years.

How to apply to the ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) program

Eligibility Check

Ensure that your business is an eligible entity according to the provided criteria.
Confirm that your investment project meets the criteria for eligible projects and activities.
Check that you comply with the rules regarding the cumulation rate of public financial aid.

Preparation of the request

Prepare a detailed project description and financial plan.
Gather the financial statements from the past four years and/or the projected financial statements.
Include the service offers and partnership agreements, if relevant.
If applicable, provide a copy of the francization certificate or other relevant documents from the OQLF.
Prepare the declaration of compliance with the Employment Equity Access Program, if applicable.
Gather any other required documents for the project analysis.

Submission of the application

Submit the application through Investissement Québec, in collaboration with the Department.
Ensure that the documents are complete and compliant.

Reception and analysis of the request

Wait for confirmation of receipt of your request.
Investissement Québec will analyze the request on an ongoing basis.

Conclusion and formalization

If favorable, a financial aid agreement will be established specifying the obligations and conditions of payment.
The amount granted will be determined based on the strategic importance or the structuring nature of the project.

Additional information

Management fees (study fees) of at least 0.5% of the financial assistance amount are required.
An annual guarantee fee of at least 0.5% of the guaranteed amount applies.
The financial assistance to be prioritized includes repayable contributions and loan guarantees.
Additional conditions may apply depending on the specific project and funding mechanism.