How much funding can be received?

The grant provides a maximum funding of $75,000 to support food processing companies in Quebec by facilitating projects aimed at enhancing workforce productivity, food quality and safety, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. Eligible activities include hiring external experts for business diagnostics, workforce strategy development, employee skills enhancement, business transfer planning, and project blueprint creation.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides specific financing modalities to support eligible food processing projects while ensuring compliance with program requirements. Applicants must meet the defined criteria to access financial assistance.

A minimum financial assistance of $5,000 can be provided.
Financial support can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $75,000 per establishment for the duration of the program.
Eligible projects may receive an additional 10% bonus on expenses aligned with ministerial or government priorities.
The total maximum financial support for all applicant-related requests across program components is $750,000.
Private financing must constitute at least 20% of eligible expenses.
Public financial assistance is capped at 60% of eligible expenses or 70% for projects addressing ministerial or governmental priorities.
Public assistance calculations must incorporate 100% of all public financial aid, whether refundable or non-refundable.
Financial support from entities like the Canada Development Bank, Canada Agricultural Financing, or La Financière agricole du Québec is treated as private contributions if market conditions are met.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is designed to support the planning and skill development projects for businesses in the food processing sector. The eligible activities aim to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and human resource management through external expertise.

Engagement of an external expert to conduct a business diagnosis focusing on productivity, competitiveness, business functions, or environmental performance.
Development and implementation of a workforce recruitment or retention strategy.
Employee skill development initiatives.
Planning for business transfer operations.
Preparation of plans and specifications related to food processing activities.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 45,000

Developing a marketing strategy for sustainable products

$ 50,000

Streamlining production with eco-friendly packaging solutions

$ 45,000

Enhancing food safety through quality training programs

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business activities and location.

The applicant must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The application must be submitted for a facility operated in Quebec.
The business must have operated for a minimum of one complete year (12 months).
The request must be for a facility that meets at least one of the following conditions:
Involvement in food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry with products offered in the wholesale market or through online sales.
Operation of a central kitchen.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant is open to eligible applicants involved in the food processing sector in Quebec who meet specific conditions relating to business registration, operational history, and the nature of their activities.

Companies registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
Businesses applying for financial assistance for an establishment they operate within Quebec.
Enterprises that have operated an establishment for at least a complete year (12 months).
Applicants whose establishment performs food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry, with products currently available in wholesale markets or online sales.
Establishments that operate a central kitchen.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain establishments and companies from eligibility based on specific criteria related to their main activities and employee count. The restrictions ensure alignment with the goals of supporting the food processing industry at a smaller scale.

Establishments that exclusively transform food for livestock.
Fish product processing establishments located in maritime regions.
For-profit companies with at least 50 employees (25 employees or more from June 1, 2025) unable to meet the requirements of the French Language Charter.
Activities related to the production of animal feed, nutraceuticals, natural health products, and DIN-designated products do not qualify as food within this grant context.
Food service activities are not recognized as food processing activities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

Honoraires et frais de déplacement d'experts externes sans lien d'affaires avec le demandeur.
Frais de formation du personnel, y compris les frais de déplacement conformes aux barèmes prévus au Recueil des politiques de gestion du gouvernement du Québec.
Achat d'informations spécialisées permettant la réalisation du projet.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is targeted at companies operating and registered within Quebec, ensuring that the funded projects support the regional food processing development goals. Companies eligible for this grant must be involved in the food transformation sector within the province.

Companies registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
Organizations operating a food processing facility within the province of Quebec.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and the capability to effectively execute the proposed initiatives.

The relevance of the project to the program's objectives.
The presence of necessary technical, organizational, and administrative capacities to execute the project successfully.
The financial viability and performance of the company.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Compile Required Documents
Ensure you have the completed and signed application form.
Prepare the financial plan relevant to the application, fully filled out.
Gather the latest financial statements representing a full year of operation, verified or compiled by an external Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) for slaughterhouses and cheese factories.
Collect any supplemental documentation that justifies ministerial adjustments (e.g., existing certification related to the application).
Step 2: Reach out for Support (if needed)
If desired, contact your regional food processing advisor for assistance prior to submitting your application.
The list of regional advisors can be found on the MAPAQ website under the designated PDF link.
Step 3: Submit Application
Send all required documents in one email to transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
Ensure that all documents are completed in French.
Step 4: Confirmation of Receipt
Receive an acknowledgment of receipt from MAPAQ upon submission.
Provide any additional information if requested by MAPAQ via email.
Step 5: Review and Receivability
Wait for a notification on the receivability of your application.
A complete application will receive confirmation of receivability. Incomplete applications will be rejected and communicated with reasons for non-receivability.
Step 6: Project Analysis
If the application is complete and receivable, a representative will analyze the project based on its relevance to the program's objectives, technical and organizational capabilities, and financial viability.
The analysis is based on recent external financial statements or equivalent documents.
Step 7: Decision Notification
Receive notification regarding the funding decision from MAPAQ.
If approved, sign a financial assistance agreement detailing the conditions of project execution.
If not approved, receive a decision letter outlining the reasons for refusal.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Applicants can receive support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) through regional advisors before submitting their applications, though this does not guarantee application acceptance.
Applications must be submitted in French and sent via email to a specified address.
The grant can be augmented by a maximum of 10% for projects that align with certain governmental priorities.
Rejected applications will receive a written explanation of the reasons for non-acceptance.
Applicants have the right to appeal decisions within 20 working days after notification.
The total possible financial assistance for a single applicant across all program components is capped at $750,000.
For specific cases, such as slaughterhouses and cheese factories, additional financial status documents may need to be submitted.
The program text and its guidelines have precedence over summarised or additional information presented in this guide.

grant_single_labels|documents

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1

grant_single_labels|contact

transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Apply to this program

Planning and Skill Development Grant for Quebec Food Processing Businesses

This grant encourages the planning and development of skills in Quebec's food processing sector by supporting enterprises that integrate external expertise and enhance internal competences. The program aims to foster effective growth in the industry through strategic projects.

In-Depth Insights into the Planning and Skill Development Grant

The Planning and Skill Development Grant is a financial initiative organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPAQ) in Quebec, specifically tailored to support food processing enterprises. The primary aim of this grant is to empower businesses within this sector to elevate their operational effectiveness and strategic planning capabilities by utilizing external expertise and bolstering internal staff skills. Eligible applicants include companies that are registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar and those that have operated a facility in Quebec for at least one full year. These facilities must engage in recognized food processing activities to qualify for funding.

This grant is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to undertake comprehensive project planning or workforce skill enhancement initiatives. It allows for a maximum project duration of 36 months and requires that total admissible project expenses be at least $10,000. A noteworthy feature of this grant is its emphasis on employing external experts not affiliated with the applicant to ensure unbiased and professional project implementation. Such experts can conduct business diagnostics focusing on areas like productivity, competitiveness, and environmental performance, among other critical aspects.

Furthermore, the grant encourages projects that develop employee skills, devise strategies for employee recruitment or retention, plan business transfers, or generate detailed plans and specifications for new projects. Eligible expenses under the grant include, but are not limited to, fees and travel expenses of external experts, training costs for personnel, and the acquisition of specialized information necessary for project completion. Importantly, only costs incurred after the submission of a complete financial aid application are considered eligible, emphasizing the necessity for diligent and timely application submission.

Financially, the grant supports up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a minimum grant amount of $5,000, capped at $75,000 per establishment. In cases where projects align with governmental or ministerial priorities, an additional 10% may enhance financial support, thereby aiming to further incentivize alignment with key public policies such as organic food process advancement or public health challenges.

Applicants are required to contribute at least 20% of the project costs using private funds, with the total public financial aid, including this grant, capped at 60% (or 70% for priority-aligned projects). This ensures a balanced financial structure, encouraging businesses to leverage both private investment and public funds for maximum impact.

The grant evaluation process is methodical, beginning with an acknowledgment of the receipt of the application, followed by a thorough eligibility assessment for the applicant and their project. The comprehensive analysis includes reviewing recent financial statements to ascertain the financial viability and organizational capacity of the applicant to manage the proposed project. This rigorous assessment ensures that only projects demonstrating clear strategic alignment, economic viability, and expected positive impacts are selected for funding.

Successful applicants enter into a financial agreement outlining the conditions and disbursement modalities of the grant, thus ensuring transparency and accountability. In the event of a rejection, applicants may appeal the decision within 20 working days, providing an additional layer of fairness in the application process. This grant is an invaluable resource for Quebec’s food processing industry, facilitating the growth of businesses through strategic planning and skill development, thereby ensuring sustained innovation and competitiveness in the sector.