Financial assistance for tourism festivals and events — Stream 3

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the type of organization and its compliance with past obligations.

• The applicant must be one of the following entities: for-profit organization (OBL), non-profit organization (OBNL), cooperative, municipal entity, recognized Indigenous community or nation, or a consortium of the aforementioned entities.
• The applicant must be legally constituted under the laws of the Government of Quebec or the Government of Canada and must conduct business in Quebec.
• The applicant must not be a state corporation, ministry, or a governmental organization of Quebec or Canada.
• The applicant must not be listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• The applicant must have honored its past commitments to the Ministry of Tourism regarding any previous grants.
• The applicant must not have breached any financial grant obligations in the two years preceding the application, following a formal notice.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for this grant include various types of organizations and groups with operations in Quebec, all legally constituted under Canadian or Quebec law. The entities that can apply, given they meet the eligibility criteria, are: - Profit-oriented organizations (OBL) - Non-profit organizations (OBNL) - Cooperatives - Municipal entities - Indigenous communities or nations recognized by the National Assembly - Any consortium of the aforementioned eligible applicantsExcluded from applying are state corporations, ministries, and government agencies from Quebec or Canada, companies listed on the Registry of enterprises non-eligible for public contracts (RENA), and entities that have previously failed to meet financial aid obligations after receiving prior funding. Organizations must have complied with previous commitments to the Ministry of Tourism, if applicable.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain organizations and events based on their status and main activities, ensuring funds are used for promoting tourism and events in Quebec strategically.

• State-owned corporations, ministries, and agencies of the governments of Quebec or Canada.
• Companies listed on the Register of Companies Not Eligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Applicants who, in the two years prior to the financial aid request, failed to meet obligations after being duly placed in default in the context of a previous financial aid grant.
• Regular programs of an attraction, fairs, tourist exchanges, conferences, congresses, shows, fairs, and marketplaces (not aimed at gourmet tourism), and exhibitions without a broader activity program.
• Events that are supported by the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine or the Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale in the last three financial years.
• Events supported by the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine or the Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale during the year in which this program is awarded.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the organization and execution of the festival or event.

• Costs of preparation and management of the event (limited to 25% or 40% of the total eligible costs depending on the festival's budget size).
• Costs of programming the event.
• Costs of promotion, marketing, and communication.
• Management costs for site and installations.
• Costs of products intended for resale.
• Salaries and employee benefits of the promoter's human resources related to the event.
• Sponsorships in goods and services, when audited (limited to 50% of the total eligible costs).
• Costs related to sustainable and responsible development obligations.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant supports festivals and events held in Quebec, with eligibility limited to those hosted within the province. It ensures the regional development of Quebec's tourism sector and encourages sustainable practices in event organization.

• The event must be held in any municipality located within Quebec.

The evaluation and selection of projects under this grant are based on specific criteria relevant to the objectives and intended outcomes of the program. Each criterion contributes to assessing the viability and alignment of the project with the grant’s goals.

• The potential to support the growth or development of the event.
• Integration of innovative elements within the project.
• Elements that demonstrate the potential to increase revenue.
• Excludes additional programming costs due to renowned or international artist appearances.
• Does not consider costs associated with event relocation, programming renewal, or event anniversaries.

Here is additional relevant detail for this grant:

• The financial assistance, subject to budgetary availability, is paid in cash.
• The maximum accumulation of government aid includes all financial assistance granted for eligible project costs by all federal, Quebec, and municipal entities.
• Promoters with accumulated surpluses exceeding 20% of their annual eligible costs must submit a plan for using total accumulated surpluses.
• The financial aid is established for a three-year period without any indexing or increase in aid during this period.
• An evaluation of the program is to be completed by November 30, 2025, or before any request for renewal or extension of the normative framework.