ENIAM — Financial assistance for infrastructure projects supporting the mining sector

• Non-repayable financial assistance for planning and design studies: up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a minimum of $100,000 in aid; total government assistance cannot exceed 100% of eligible project costs.
• Non-repayable financial assistance for improvement or construction of terrestrial transport infrastructure: up to 50% of eligible expenses, capped at $1,000,000; minimum assistance is $100,000; total government assistance cannot exceed 80% of eligible project costs.
• Repayable financial assistance available for improvement or construction projects (terrestrial transport, renewable energy transmission, or telecommunication infrastructure) at the feasibility study stage; tailored to project needs; total government assistance cannot exceed 100% of eligible project costs.

• The applicant must be a for-profit company legally incorporated under the laws of Quebec or Canada, with a clearly identified permanent establishment in Quebec.
• The company must be registered in Quebec and provide a valid "Attestation de Revenu Québec" at the time of application.
• The proposed project must involve the improvement or construction of infrastructure (transportation, renewable energy transmission, or telecommunications) supporting mining sector needs, serving mining projects located on Quebec’s northern territory.
• The mining projects supported must have reached, at minimum, the stage of mineral resource evaluation or feasibility study (according to NI 43-101 standards, dated within the last five years).
• The company must demonstrate it holds rights over the mining sites served (e.g., exclusive exploration certificate, mining lease, mining concession, or lease for public land), and maintains good relationships with local stakeholders.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit companies legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada with a permanent establishment in Quebec
• Quebec government ministries, government bodies, or state-owned enterprises
• Indigenous band councils, Indigenous communities, or groupings of communities recognized by the National Assembly of Quebec
• Corporations of northern villages, northern villages, or Inuit landholding corporations
• Municipalities, regional county municipalities, or municipal domain organizations
• Administration régionale Baie-James, Administration régionale Kativik, Gouvernement de la Nation crie, and Gouvernement régional d’Eeyou Istchee Baie-James
• Incorporated non-profit organizations
• Cooperatives or mutuals

Who is not eligible

• Applicants under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Companies or subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).

Eligible expenses

• Needs assessment studies.
• Solution analysis studies.
• Preliminary and final pre-project studies.
• Preliminary and final plans and specifications.
• Project management expenses.
• Execution of construction or improvement works.
• Quality control costs.
• Worksite monitoring and supervision.

Eligible geographic areas

• Nordic territory of Quebec (defined as all territory north of the 49th parallel and north of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence).

• Quality and relevance of the project to support mining activities in the northern territory.
• Multi-user potential and ability to open access to high-potential zones.
• Demonstrated support from local stakeholders and proportion of contracts awarded to regional enterprises.
• Expected economic and social benefits, including prior and planned investments.
• Incorporation of sustainable development practices, including environmental protection, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and preservation of biodiversity.

• The eligibility for funding does not guarantee automatic approval or obligation of support from the Société du Plan Nord.
• All information and documents provided in support of an application may be used for research, evaluation, statistical, or cost forecasting purposes by the Société du Plan Nord.
• The Société du Plan Nord is subject to Quebec's Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information, which governs confidentiality and information management.
• A financial assistance agreement will specify obligations regarding confidentiality and use of information.