How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2026-03-31T23:59:59Z.

Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE)

Q: What are Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE)'s eligibility criterias?

Applicants must be legally registered for-profit businesses or social economy enterprises exporting to the U.S. and subject to new U.S. tariffs since March 4, 2025. Businesses must be registered in Quebec and operational for at least two years. The company must have generated a minimum revenue of $3,000,000 in the latest completed financial year.

Last Update: May 6, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports Québec exporters impacted by new U.S. tariffs

Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $50,000,000
Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : March 4, 2025
Closing date : March 31, 2026

Financing Type

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Investissement Québec (IQ)

Status

Open

Overview of the Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE) program

The FRONTIÈRE Program is aimed at Quebec exporting companies operating in the manufacturing sector or in a primary sector, whose commercial activities are suffering a major impact due to the increase in customs tariffs imposed by the United States.

This program aims to support these companies by offering them suitable solutions to mitigate the negative effects of this price increase on their turnover. It is aimed at companies that are facing significant challenges due to these new economic realities and are looking for concrete ways to preserve their competitiveness in the American market.

Financing terms and conditions

The financial aid is provided in the form of a loan.
The loan has a maximum term of 7 years.
A capital repayment moratorium of up to 24 months is available.
The loan can reach a maximum amount of $50,000,000.
For assistance amounts exceeding $10,000,000, the eligible expenses relate to liquidity needs arising from U.S. tariff impositions since March 4, 2025, based on a pro forma basis.
For assistance amounts of $10,000,000 or less, eligible expenses correspond to a maximum of 25% of revenue generated from exports to the United States for the last completed fiscal year.

Eligible projects & activities

Support the liquidity needs of companies affected by U.S. tariff duties implemented since March 4, 2025.

Eligibility criteria of the Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE) program

The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit company or a social economy enterprise operating in Quebec.
The company must have been in business in Quebec for at least two years.
The company must have generated a minimum revenue of $3,000,000 in the most recent completed fiscal year.
The company must demonstrate profitability in at least one of the last two completed fiscal years, unless affected by countervailing and anti-dumping duties on softwood lumber exports to the United States.
The business must operate in the manufacturing (goods production) or primary sector (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry).
The company must have submitted a prior request to the Government of Canada if a program exists to support the liquidity of exporters affected by U.S. tariffs.
For aid requests of $10 million or less, at least 25% of the company's revenue must have been generated from U.S. exports in the last fiscal year.
For aid requests exceeding $10 million, the company must be considered strategic by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, either by playing a key role in its sector as a critical supplier or client or by being a significant employer.

Who is eligible?

For-profit companies legally constituted
Social economy enterprises
Manufacturing sector companies (production of goods)
Primary sector companies (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry)

Eligible expenses

For interventions of more than $10 million, eligible expenses correspond to the liquidity needs of companies due to their exports being subject to U.S. tariffs effective since March 4, 2025, established on a pro forma basis.
For interventions of $10 million or less, eligible expenses correspond to a maximum of 25% of the revenue generated from exports to the United States for the most recently completed financial year.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies registered and operating in Quebec.

How to apply to the Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE) program

Contact initial

Contact Investissement Québec at 1 844 474-6367 for any questions related to the program.

Eligibility Check

Make sure that your business meets all the eligibility requirements mentioned.

Preparation of the request

Gather the required financial documents and information about the company.
Prepare the elements justifying the impact of American tariffs.

Submission of the application

Follow the instructions provided by Investissement Québec for the submission of applications.
Deposit possible as long as the budget or conditions allow it.

Additional information

The program will expire on March 31, 2026, or 30 days after the U.S. tariffs are lifted, whichever comes first.
The financial aide is administered by Investissement Québec on behalf of the Government of Quebec.
The financial assistance required may be suspended without notice by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE) and Investissement Québec to ensure that the budgetary envelope is maintained.