How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $35000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS)?

MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) is funded by MRC du Golfe du Saint Laurent

MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS)

Q: What are MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS)'s eligibility criterias?

Enterprises or organizations must be registered and current in the Quebec Enterprise Register. Eligible applicants include municipal organizations, Innu community band councils, cooperatives (excluding financial cooperatives), non-profit organizations, educational sector organizations, private or social economy enterprises (excluding financial enterprises), and individuals interested in starting a business.

Last Update: April 3, 2025

QC, Canada

Financial support for enhancing projects in rural Quebec

MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $35,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

MRC du Golfe du Saint Laurent

Status

Open

Overview of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) program

The MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) provides up to $35,000 for initiatives that enhance living conditions through projects that stimulate economic growth, job creation, and community engagement in priority sectors such as fishing, economic diversification, and online presence. Eligible activities include project development, online presence creation, and training in rural areas.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial assistance is provided in the form of a grant and cannot exceed $35,000 per project for Volet 1.
Salary and benefits costs are eligible for funding up to 50% of the project's cost, with a maximum of $17,500 per project, unless it is proven that the employee will remain in the same position for at least 12 months post-support.
For Volet 2, fishers are eligible to receive 50% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $35,000 and must demonstrate economic impact on the North Shore Lower Coast through their fishing activities.
The financial aid for Volet 3 covers 50% of the costs for online presence projects, up to a maximum of $5,000 for private companies, and 90% for non-profit organizations.
For Volet 3 training, promoters can be reimbursed 100% for training expenses up to a maximum of $1,000.
The financial aid for Volet 2 projects cannot be combined with any other funds or other segments of this fund.
Major purchases in Volet 2 (e.g., boats or motors) must not be sold within five years following the purchase date.

Eligible projects & activities

Structuring projects that demonstrate growth and impact on the economy in accordance with the priorities of the MRC.
Development initiatives in sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, agri-food, tourism, culture, leisure, economic diversification, workforce training, transportation, telecommunications, and environment.
Projects involving youth, families, and seniors.
Fishing industry development for improving safety and efficiency.
Creating or enhancing an online presence, including website development, social media marketing, e-commerce, and Google My Business registration.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 150,000

Install solar panels on community center rooftop

Eligibility criteria of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) program

The applicant must be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register and be up to date.
Eligible entities include municipal organizations, Innu community band councils, cooperatives (except financial), non-profit organizations, educational sector organizations, private or social economy enterprises (except financial), and individuals interested in starting a business.
The project must be classified as a structuring project that demonstrates growth, has an economic impact, and aligns with the intervention priorities of the MRC.
Projects in sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, agri-food, tourism and culture, recreation, economic diversification, workforce training, transportation, telecommunications, and environment are prioritized.
The project must involve youth, families, and the elderly.

Who is eligible?

Municipal organizations
Band councils from Innu communities
Cooperatives (excluding financial cooperatives)
Non-profit organizations
Educational sector organizations
Private companies (excluding financial institutions)
Social economy enterprises (excluding financial institutions)
Individuals interested in starting a business

Who is not eligible

Financial cooperatives.
Financial enterprises.
Fishing companies with a NEQ (for Volet 2 only).
Projects that have already been completed.
Projects initiated before the signing of the financial assistance agreement.
Debt financing or loan repayment projects.
Projects involving existing or completed capital investments.
Real estate investments (immovable assets).

Eligible expenses

Salaries and wages for project execution, including mandatory employment costs (MERC) and social benefits, up to 50% of the project cost, with a cap of $17,500 per project, unless conditions on sustained employment are met.
Professional fees.
Boats, motors, trailers, and warehouses for fishing projects.
Modifications to boats, including stabilizers, expansions, or reductions.
Equipment, including safety equipment (e.g., sonar, radar, GPS, transporters, pumps, survival suits, vests, etc.).
Nets, traps, buoys (poly float markers), ropes, etc.
Freezers, provided the applicant has a bait fishing license, with a maximum request of two freezers per project.
Any other expense deemed essential to the fishing industry.
Costs associated with creating or enhancing an online presence (websites, social media marketing, e-commerce, Google My Business registration, etc.), with funding covering 50% of costs up to $5,000 for private businesses, and 90% for non-profit organizations.
Training expenses related to maintaining online tools, fully reimbursable up to $1,000, covering registration fees, materials, and other training-related costs.

Eligible geographic areas

Municipalité de la Côte-Nord du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
Municipalité de Gros-Mécatina
Municipalité de Saint-Augustin
Municipalité de Bonne-Espérance
Municipalité de Blanc Sablon

Eligibility criteria of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) program

The structuring aspect of the project.
Support for economically disadvantaged areas.
Creation and maintenance of jobs.
Community mobilization.
Project sustainability.

How to apply to the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Support Fund for Structuring Projects (FSPS) program

Step 1: Eligibility DeterminationVerify if your organization or business falls under the eligible categories such as municipal organizations, Innu band councils, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, education sector organizations, private or social economy businesses, or individuals interested in starting a business.
Step 2: Project StructuringEnsure your project aligns with the intervention priorities such as fishing, aquaculture, agri-food, tourism and culture, leisure, economic diversification, workforce training, transport, telecommunications, and environment.
Step 3: Prepare Application DocumentsPrepare a detailed project proposal with emphasis on its structuring aspect, its impact on the economy, community involvement, job creation or maintenance, and project sustainability.
Compile all necessary documentation, including proof of registration with the Quebec Enterprise Register for applicable projects.
Include budget details highlighting admissible expenses such as professional fees and salaries, within the specified limits.
Step 4: Application SubmissionSubmit all required documents and your project proposal to the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent.
Ensure submission before the fund is exhausted, as projects are accepted until fund depletion.
Step 5: Acknowledgement and Follow-upAwait confirmation of receipt from the MRC.
Follow up if no confirmation is received within a reasonable timeframe.

Additional information

All recipients must demonstrate their commitment to utilizing Quebec-based products or suppliers unless a valid justification for choosing external resources is provided.
Applicants for the fishing sector must show that their activities contribute directly or indirectly to the economy of the Basse-Côte-Nord region.
If major purchases such as boats or equipment are involved, they must not be resold within five years of purchase.
In the online presence and training component, funding is cumulative and can be combined with the general component.