Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Who is eligible for the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members program?

To be eligible for the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members program, you must: • The employment and employers must meet the same general criteria as those stipulated for the PRIIME program.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members?

You can contact Gouvernement du Québec.

Q: Where is the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members available?

The Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Integration support for First Nations and Inuit employment

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $5,000
Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Programme d’aide à l’intégration en emploi des membres des Premières Nations et des Inuits (PAIPNI) offers a wage subsidy covering up to 80% of the gross salary, not exceeding the minimum wage, with a maximum duration of 52 weeks to support the employment integration of Indigenous peoples. Eligible activities include salary subsidies, accompaniment, adaptation of HR tools, and training, with accompanying funding ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the activity.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant facilitates the integration of First Nations and Inuit members into employment through targeted financial assistance aimed at enhancing retention and promoting workplace diversity. There are several key financing modalities designed to support both employers and employees within this program.

A wage subsidy is available, covering up to 80% of the participant's gross salary, up to the minimum wage. Employers cannot receive more than 100% of the minimum wage based on a 40-hour work week.
The maximum subsidy duration is set at 52 weeks, with a potential extension to 60 weeks for participants with disabilities, depending on individual needs and job requirements.
Employers can access a $2,000 subsidy to provide support and guidance for the newly hired individual, as detailed in the PRIIME guide.
Subsidies for adapting human resource management practices and tools are available, reimbursing up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a maximum amount of $5,000.
The program offers subsidies for essential supplementary training, covering up to 100% of direct training costs, with a limit of $5,000 or 80 hours of training.
Additional general costs for participants with disabilities can be covered, up to a maximum of $10,000, as specified in the Accessibility section of Emploi-Québec services.

Activities funded

The PAIPNI grant provides support for projects and activities geared towards integrating First Nations and Inuit members into the workforce. It aims to enhance job retention, encourage diverse hiring practices, and facilitate skill development through subvention and training initiatives.

Employment integration of First Nations and Inuit members into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Support for employers to hire and onboard indigenous individuals, with an emphasis on continuity post-subvention.
Implementation of diversity management practices within the workforce by employers.
Partnership development between indigenous organizations and employers.
Provisions for salary subsidies up to 80% of the gross salary or up to 100% of the minimum wage for eligible employment.
Provision of up to $2,000 for accompanying the hired individuals.
Adaptation of human resource management practices and tools with available funding up to 100% of expenses and a maximum of $5,000.
Funding of formation activities to enhance skill development up to 100% of direct costs, not exceeding $5,000 or 80 training hours.
General costs support for participants with disabilities, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 5,000

Implementing HR training to support Indigenous employment

Eligibility

Eligibility for companies seeking to participate in the PAIPNI program is determined by specific criteria that align with the program's goals.

The company must agree to employ and integrate Indigenous or Inuit individuals from eligible First Nations or Inuit communities as specified in the program.
The company should provide employment that offers good retention possibilities beyond the subsidized period.
The company must operate as a small or medium enterprise (SME), as the program offers support specifically tailored to such businesses.
The company must commit to managing workforce diversity and show willingness to develop practices and tools to support this.

Who is eligible?

The PAIPNI is designed to assist small and medium enterprises in integrating First Nations and Inuit members into employment through financial incentives. Both individuals and employers must meet certain criteria to be eligible for participation.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not accessible to certain organizations based on their status. The restrictions target specific types of organizations to align with the grant's purpose of supporting private sector employment opportunities.

Public sector organizations.
Political organizations.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for the PAIPNI program are those that support integration in employment for Indigenous peoples in Canada, focusing on accompanying support, human resource adaptability, and necessary training.

Subsidy of $2,000 for the accompaniment of the newly hired individual.
Up to 100% subsidy for adaptation of human resource practices and tools, with a cap of $5,000.
Subsidy for up to 100% of costs related to on-the-job training, capped at $5,000 or 80 hours of training.
General expenses for participants with disabilities, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligible geographic areas

This funding program, managed by the employment sector in Quebec, is specific to the integration of First Nations and Inuit members within the Quebec region. Eligible companies include those able to meet criteria consistent with provincial employment assistance measures.

Quebec, including urban and community centers that support First Nations and Inuit members.
Not specifically limited by geographic location within Quebec but requires engagement with local service centres.

How to apply

Identification of eligibility

Check that your company meets the eligibility criteria of the PAIPNI and that the individuals to be hired meet the detailed criteria.

Preparation of the documentation

Gather the necessary documents such as a valid Indian status certificate or Inuit beneficiary card.
Prepare a job description and an integration plan for the participant.
Draft a training or support plan if applicable.

Contact employment services

Contact the Employment and Training Service Center (CSEF) in your area or in an urban setting to obtain the necessary application forms.

Filling out and submitting the application

Fill out the application forms by providing all the required information.
Include all necessary supporting documents.
Submit the application to the office designated by Emploi-Québec or your contact at CSEF.

Follow-up on the request

Receive a confirmation of the receipt of your request by the organization.
Wait for an official response regarding the acceptance or request for additional information.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

A specific focus is placed on the potential for long-term retention of employees beyond the subsidized period, encouraging sustainable employment opportunities.
Employers are encouraged to foster diversity management practices within their workforce.
Collaboration between Indigenous organizations and employers is promoted as part of the grant's objectives.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Financial assistance for hiring First Nations and Inuit members. 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.