How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $10000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program?

First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program is funded by Gouvernement du Québec

What are First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program's eligibility criterias?

The employer must be willing to integrate members of the First Nations and Inuit into their workforce. The employment offered must have good retention potential beyond the subsidy period. The employer may be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) as the program targets these types of businesses.

First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Get financial assistance to hire Indigenous employees

First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000
Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Open

Overview of the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program program

You could benefit from support for hiring First Nations and Inuit employees to meet the needs of your business, grow your business and enjoy many benefits.

Financing terms and conditions

The First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program offers tailored financing options to promote employment among First Nations and Inuit individuals. The modalities are designed to support employers in integrating these individuals into the workforce.

A salary subsidy covering up to 80% of the gross salary, capped at 100% of the minimum wage for full-time employment (40 hours per week).
The subsidy duration is up to 52 weeks, extendable to 60 weeks for participants with disabilities.
A $2,000 subsidy is available for employers to accompany hired individuals.
Employers can receive up to 100% coverage of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $5,000, for adapting HR practices and tools.
Reimbursement for up to 100% of direct training costs related to skill development, capped at $5,000 or 80 hours of training.
General expenses for participants with disabilities can be covered up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligible projects & activities

The First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program offers support to employers and individuals through various activities aimed at enhancing employment opportunities. The selected activities focus on providing financial support for employment integration, workplace diversity management, and skill development.

Subsidization of wages for employed participants up to a specified percentage and duration.
Provision of a grant for the accompaniment of newly hired employees.
Funding to support the adaptation of human resource management practices and tools.
Financial assistance for job-related training and skill enhancement programs.
Support for additional costs incurred in employing participants with disabilities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 60,000

Hiring four First Nations individuals and providing culinary training for a restaurant

$ 40,000

Hiring Inuit employees and enhancing accessibility for a community center

$ 50,000

Developing an inclusive HR program and hiring three First Nations employees for a retail store

Eligibility criteria of the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program program

Eligibility for this grant requires the employer and employment to meet certain criteria comparable to those of the PRIIME program.

The employer must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (PME).
The employment position should provide good possibilities for retention beyond the duration of the grant.

Who is eligible?

This program supports the integration of First Nations and Inuit members into the workforce, specifically targeting those who face barriers entering the job market. Eligible participants must meet specific criteria related to their heritage and employment status.

Members of specified First Nations, such as Abénaquis, Algonquins, Attikameks, among others, who can provide a valid certificate of Indian status.
Inuit members possessing a valid beneficiary card under the James Bay Convention.
Individuals with no significant work experience or facing challenges in accessing the workforce.
Members of non-treaty First Nations who are eligible if they have undergone preliminary steps with local employment service centers.
Inuit residing outside the Kativik territory without the need for prior urban service consultation.
Members of the Cree Nation residing outside their communities, provided they initially sought support within their communities or local service centers.
Nation Naskapis members, regardless of residence, requiring prior community-based efforts.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain organizations based on their status or nature of operations, ensuring that the focus remains on private enterprises and nonprofits in Quebec.

Public organizations are not eligible.
Political organizations are also excluded from applying.

Eligible expenses

The PAIPNI grant program outlines specific eligible expenses related to employment integration support for First Nations and Inuit individuals.

A subvention to cover up to 80% of the employee's gross salary, not exceeding the minimum wage.
A grant of $2,000 for the accompaniment of the hired individual.
Subsidies up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $5,000 for adapting HR practices and tools.
A reimbursement grant for training activities covering up to 100% of direct training costs, up to $5,000 or 80 hours of training.
General expenses for a disabled participant, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility criteria of the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program program

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The Program of Assistance for the Integration of First Nations and Inuit Members (PAIPNI) does not explicitly define detailed evaluation and selection criteria for grants. However, it outlines eligibility requirements for both candidates and employers, which serve as implicit criteria for consideration.

The candidate must be a member of specified First Nations or Inuit communities.
The candidate must be either without significant work experience or facing obstacles in entering the job market.
The employer must operate in Quebec, ensuring the support and supervision of the hired individual, and comply with existing legislation.
The job position must be located in Quebec and can be regular full-time, part-time, or seasonal.

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How to apply to the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program program

Determination of eligibility

Check the eligibility of the participating person according to the criteria defined for members of the First Nations and Inuit.

Consultation of the PRIIME guide

Consult the sections of the PRIIME guide that apply and note the specifics pertaining to the PAIPNI.

Preparation of the required documents

Gather eligibility evidence, including a valid Indian status certificate or Inuit beneficiary card.
Prepare a job description and the proposed terms of employment.

Coordination with the Employment and Training Service Center (CSEF)

Collaborate with the local CSEF to support the application and ensure a successful integration.

Completion of the application form

Fill out the application form available through the funding agency's portal or directly at their office.

Submission of the request

Submit all required documents and forms following the instructions of the organization managing the program.

Follow-up and confirmation

Wait for confirmation of receipt of the request by the organization.
Follow up with the funding organization if necessary.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The maximum grant coverage for accompanying and adapting HR practices reaches specific limits, which require careful planning by the employer to ensure all expenses are accounted for within the capped amounts.
Employers are encouraged to plan the candidate's integration with respect to their adjustment needs and potential extension of the subsidy period, especially for candidates with disabilities.
Recipient employers should align their employment practices with diversity management to maximize retention and inclusive work environment benefits.