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MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Business support policy
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Supports sustainable job creation and business development in MRC
Grant and Funding
Overview
The MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent Business Support Policy aims to foster job creation, provide continuous support to entrepreneurs, and encourage social enterprise development. The program offers a maximum funding amount of $150,000 per beneficiary annually, with eligible activities including business creation, acquisition, expansion, and technical or financial support.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Public administration
Location
- Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
- Côte-Nord
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
Activities funded
- Creation of a new business or acquisition of an existing business.
- Expansion or diversification of a business.
- Social economy enterprise projects.
- Participation in training for business skills improvement.
- Organizing and participating in forums and meetings related to industry strategy development.
- Attendance at trade fairs, congresses, and conferences to promote business growth.
- Development of collective entrepreneurship projects.
- Implementation of projects responding to the social needs of community members or creating durable quality jobs.
- Projects that aim for economic and social profitability.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 25,000
Developing a green rooftop garden for urban sustainability
Eligibility
- Applicants must be registered and in good standing with the Québec Enterprise Registrar, except for fishermen without a NEQ.
- Eligible organizations include cooperatives (except financial), non-profit organizations, municipal organizations, private or social economy enterprises (except financial), and individuals wishing to create an enterprise.
- Organizations must serve the municipalities of MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, which includes Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, Gros-Mecatina, Saint-Augustin, Bonne-Espérance, Blanc Sablon, and the communities of Unamen Shipu and Pakua Shipu.
- Expenditures must occur after the financial assistance agreement is signed between the promoter and the MRC.
- The promoter must provide a minimum financial contribution of 10% to the project, with total government grants covering up to 90% of the project costs.
- Financial assistance for private enterprises cannot exceed 50% of project costs.
- Financial assistance is capped at $150,000 per beneficiary over a 12-month period.
Who is eligible?
- Cooperatives (excluding financial cooperatives)
- Non-profit organizations
- Municipal organizations
- Private businesses or social economy enterprises (excluding financial businesses)
- Individuals intending to start a business
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Corporations
- For-profit organizations (excluding financial organizations)
- Non-profit organizations
- Associations
- Organizations involved in social economy enterprises
Who is not eligible
- Financial institutions such as banks and credit unions.
- Organizations primarily involved in the real estate sector, including those dealing with residential and commercial properties solely for rental or sale.
- Enterprises involved in the retail or restaurant sector, except when providing an essential local service with specific criteria such as non-competition within a municipality and a 5 km radius from similar services.
- Projects related to the relocation of business operations outside of their current community.
- Businesses that consist of personal-use real estate or those generating income strictly through leasing or selling properties.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation, transportation, installation, and similar expenses.
- Acquisition of technology, software, or software packages, patents, and any other similar expenditures.
- Legal and professional fees and other costs incurred for consulting specialists for conducting studies.
- Expenses for business skills training, including tuition fees, materials, and other costs related to participating in approved training activities.
Eligible geographic areas
- Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
- Gros-Mecatina
- Saint-Augustin
- Bonne-Espérance
- Blanc Sablon
- Communities of Unamen Shipu
- Pakua Shipu
Selection criteria
- Viability and quality of the financial plan.
- Innovative nature of the project.
- Development potential and socio-economic impacts.
- Job creation potential.
- Overall impact on the community or territory, including market space.
How to apply
- Step 1: Register Your BusinessEnsure your business is registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec and your registration is current.
- Create a file for your business with a valid Québec Enterprise Number (NEQ), unless you are an exempted group like certain fishermen.
- Step 2: Develop Your Project ProposalDefine the objectives and scope of your business project.
- Prepare a comprehensive business plan that includes financial projections, operational plans, and an analysis of the socio-economic impact.
- Identify the funding stream applicable to your project, whether entrepreneurial, diversification or social economy development.
- Step 3: Complete the Application FormFill in the application form with all required information accurately.
- Ensure all sections are filled and signed as needed.
- Step 4: Compile Required DocumentationGather supporting documents such as financial statements, legal documents, and project feasibility studies.
- Include any specific documents required for the selected fund annex.
- Step 5: Submit the ApplicationSubmit your application package to the appropriate contact at MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent before the deadline.
- Ensure all parts of the application, including documentation, are complete and organized.
- Step 6: Follow-UpReceive confirmation from MRC regarding the receipt of your application.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested by the MRC during their review process.
Additional information
- The contribution maximum for financial aid from government sources is capped at 90% of the total project costs, requiring the promoter to contribute a minimum of 10% to the project.
- For projects initiated by private enterprises, the financial aid cannot exceed 50% of the project costs.
- Financial assistance given to a single beneficiary cannot exceed $150,000 within any 12-month period.
- A final analysis of projects will be based on criteria like innovation, potential growth, socio-economic impact, job creation, financial viability, and community benefits.
