How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-09-30T23:59:59Z.

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies

Q: What are MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies's eligibility criterias?

Registered business in Quebec Minimum 12 months of operation Maximum annual revenue of $200,000,000

Last Update: May 7, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports competitiveness investments for Quebec slaughterhouses and cheese dairies

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $7,500 to $150,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : May 7, 2025
Closing date : September 30, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

Status

Open

Overview of the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies program

The MAPAQ Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 provides up to $150,000 in funding per applicant to support investments that enhance the competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies in Quebec. Eligible activities include automation, process optimization, new production lines, and modernization of traceability systems.

Financing terms and conditions

Minimum financial assistance: $7,500 per project.
Maximum of 50% of eligible expenses, up to $150,000 per applicant or related applicants (from April 1, 2025, for the program's duration).
An additional increase of up to 10% of eligible expenses may be granted for projects that address ministerial or governmental priorities.
Private funding must represent at least 20% of the eligible project expenses.
Total public funding (all sources combined) may not exceed 60% of eligible project expenses (up to 70% for projects meeting ministerial or governmental priorities).

Eligible projects & activities

Automation, robotics, or digitization of processing activities.
Implementation or adaptation of integrated management software systems (ERP).
Introduction of new processing methods.
Optimization of existing processes.
Addition of new production lines or diversification of products.
Implementation or modernization of animal or food traceability systems.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 66,500

Launch solar rooftop pilot for commercial bakery facility

$ 27,000

Develop digital art workshop outreach program for youth in need

$ 75,000

Upgrade workshop with energy-efficient CNC machines and ventilation

$ 41,000

Adapt storefront for universal accessibility and mobility devices

$ 23,000

Implement inventory cloud system and point-of-sale for bookstore

$ 52,000

Retrofit multi-unit housing with efficient lighting and heat pumps

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies program

The applicant must be a company registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The company must have operated an establishment for at least one full year (12 months).
The most recent annual financial statements, verified, reviewed, or compiled by a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), must show total revenues not exceeding $200 million.
The grant application must be for a facility operated by the applicant in Quebec, which must either hold a valid proximity or permanent inspection slaughterhouse permit, a federal animal slaughter license for human consumption, or a permit to operate a dairy plant (for cheese manufacturing).
The project must focus on specific activities that improve competitiveness, such as automation, process optimization, or the implementation of new production lines or traceability systems, and target only one establishment.

Who is eligible?

Slaughterhouses holding a proximity or permanent inspection permit under the Quebec Food Products Act
Slaughterhouses with a federal inspection license for animal slaughter for human consumption
Cheese dairies holding a valid dairy plant operating permit under the Quebec Food Products Act

Who is not eligible

Companies whose establishment exclusively processes animal feed.
Establishments in maritime regions primarily engaged in seafood preparation and canning (NAICS code 3117).
Government departments, budgetary and non-budgetary organizations, Crown corporations, and municipally controlled entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Companies or their subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Businesses with 50 or more employees (or 25 or more as of June 1, 2025) for at least six months.
Companies not compliant with French language requirements under the Charter of the French Language.
Enterprises that have defaulted on previous governmental funding obligations or are listed in the Register of Convictions in the two financial years prior to their application.
Businesses under bankruptcy or insolvency protection, or subject to a ministerial or court order under relevant Quebec regulations.
For-profit companies with over 100 employees requesting $100,000 or more in aid and unable to meet employment equity program requirements.

Eligible expenses

Salaries of internal experts directly responsible for project implementation (up to 30% of total financial assistance).
Social charges and employee benefits directly related to project time (up to 30% of total financial assistance and calculated at 26% of the salary or a justified amount).
Rental costs for equipment and specialized premises during the project period.
Purchase, modification, delivery, and installation of new or used equipment (must include a minimum three-month warranty).
Costs for materials required for the project.
Modifications or expansions of premises necessary for the project, completed by a licensed contractor.
Acquisition and rental of specialized software and related equipment for the project.
Training costs for personnel, including registration, educational materials, access to training platforms, and travel expenses (in line with Quebec government guidelines).
Subscription fees for specialized software for a maximum of one year.
Professional fees and travel expenses for external experts without business ties to the applicant.
Design of plans and specifications needed for the project (if not already supported under another component).

Eligible geographic areas

Establishments operating in the province of Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies program

Pertinence of the project in relation to the specific objectives of Subcomponent 4.1.
Feasibility, realism, and viability of the proposed project.
Demonstrated technical, organizational, financial, and administrative capacity to carry out the project.
Financial viability and performance of the applicant.
Contribution of the project to sustainable development.

How to apply to the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Subcomponent 4.1 - Competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese dairies program

Verify eligibility requirements

Check eligibility criteria for your business and project
Ensure your establishment meets required permits or licenses
Verify financial requirements are satisfied

Assemble required documentation

Prepare the completed and signed financial assistance application form
Fill out the project-specific financial plan
Gather most recent financial statements or equivalent financial documentation
Compile required permits or licenses for the establishment
Collect equipment quotes, authorizations, and supporting documents if available

Validate application completeness

Ensure all mandatory documents are accurate and complete
Confirm all information aligns with eligibility and project requirements
Fill out documents in French

Submit the application

Submit all documents in a single email to transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Wait for receipt acknowledgment from MAPAQ

Await project evaluation

Monitor communications for requests for additional information
Await project eligibility and compliance review

Additional information

The minimum private contribution required for project funding is 20% of eligible expenses.
Public financial assistance cannot exceed 60% of eligible expenses, or 70% for projects aligned with ministerial or governmental priorities.
Financial assistance from institutions such as BDC, FAC, or FADQ is considered a private contribution if it is provided under market conditions without preferential benefits.
Only expenses incurred after the complete submission of all required documentation are eligible for reimbursement.