ESSOR – Component 3

• Provides both repayable contributions and non-repayable contributions as forms of financial intervention.
• Includes a loan guarantee, with a maximum reimbursement guarantee of 70% on the net loss.
• Demands management fees, specifically study fees of at least 0.5% of the financial aid granted.
• Imposes annual guarantee fees of at least 0.5% of the amount guaranteed.
• Limits the project completion period to a maximum of five years from the project start date, with a preferred timeline not exceeding three years.

• The applicant must be a for-profit enterprise or a social economy enterprise.
• The enterprise must be registered in Quebec and conduct its activities there.
• For foreign enterprises, they must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting their activities there within twelve months following project authorization.
• The enterprise must operate in eligible sectors, excluding certain primary industries, mining, real estate, construction (with exceptions), public services, management, healthcare, education, finance, arts, telecommunications, and hospitality (with exceptions).

Who is eligible?

• For-profit enterprises and social economy enterprises registered in Quebec.
• Companies in Quebec that can demonstrate a commitment to undertake eligible projects.
• Foreign companies registered in Quebec and willing to commence operations there within twelve months of project approval.
• Companies from all sectors except primary (agriculture, forestry, and fishing) unless related to greenhouse cultivation or major packaging projects over $10 million.
• Companies in extraction industries, real estate, rental services, construction, public utilities, management of companies, healthcare, education, public administration, finance, arts, telecommunications, broadcasting, accommodation (except tourism projects), and other services (except public administration) are not eligible.
• For businesses involved in seasonal activities in specific regions such as Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale (MRC of Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf), the eligible sectors include primary sectors such as commercial fishing, mariculture, agriculture, peatlands, etc., alongside the standard eligible sectors.

Who is not eligible

• Primary sector industries, including agriculture, forestry, and fishing, except for greenhouse cultivation or similar facilities and major packaging projects exceeding $10 million in value.
• Forestry exploitation activities.
• Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries.
• Real estate services and rental and leasing services.
• Construction, except for projects aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of their activities.
• Utilities sector companies.
• Corporate management and enterprise management services.
• Healthcare and social assistance services.
• Educational services.
• Public administration.
• Financial and insurance services.
• Arts, entertainment, and recreation services.
• Telecommunications services.
• Radio and television services.
• Accommodation and food services, except for accommodation services linked to a tourism project.
• Other services, excluding public administrations.

Eligible expenses

• Capitalizable investments directly related to the execution of the project such as acquisition, construction, fitting out, or expansion of buildings.
• Acquisition and implementation of equipment or software.
• Expenditures related to a significant technological transition aimed at considerably reducing the environmental footprint.
• Costs for upgrading equipment, including equipment required for measuring energy consumption.
• Engineering work costs.
• Professional fees in compliance with current government standards as outlined in the Government of Quebec's Management Policy Compendium.
• Expenses related to working capital necessary for executing an investment project when financial aid takes the form of a loan guarantee, refundable financial contribution, or forgivable loan, up to a maximum of 20% of the total eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec
• Territories of Côte-Nord
• Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
• Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Capitale-Nationale region (MRC of Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf)

• The program accepts new applications but cannot guarantee processing under current regulations if evaluation cannot be made before March 31, 2025, subject to new guidelines.
• Management fees of at least 0.5% of the granted financial aid amount are required from the company.
• Annual guarantee fees of at least 0.5% of the guaranteed amount are mandatory.
• The project must start within six months of approval, with a total implementation period not exceeding five years.
• A project timeline not exceeding three years is preferred.
• Other specific conditions may apply.