Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream

• Financial assistance covers up to 75% of eligible project expenses (or up to 50% for for-profit organizations), with a maximum of $500,000 per project.
• Eligible direct project costs include professional fees, salaries, technical and consulting services, equipment rental or purchase (when justified), material purchases, and related logistical costs.
• Administrative and office costs may represent up to 10% of total eligible expenses.

• The applicant must be a private or public organization (such as a municipality, MRC, Indigenous community, police force, non-profit or for-profit organization); individuals are not eligible.
• The project must target the reduction of impacts of off-road vehicle (ORV) activities on wildlife and wildlife habitats, in line with program objectives.
• The project must relate to the study, planning, improvement, or user awareness of ORV structures, infrastructures, or pathways that affect wildlife or wildlife habitats of interest.
• The applicant must submit a complete application using the required forms, including all mandatory supporting documents.

Who is eligible?

• Municipalities
• Regional county municipalities (MRCs)
• Indigenous communities
• Police organizations
• Non-profit and for-profit organizations

Who is not eligible

• Individuals (natural persons) are not eligible for this program.
• Businesses or organizations whose project is already receiving financial assistance under the section I – Safety and Environment of the Financial Assistance Program for Snowmobile Clubs of Quebec or the Financial Assistance Program for Off-Road Vehicles of Quebec.
• Businesses or organizations whose project is receiving financial assistance under section III – FQMHR of the Financial Assistance Program for Off-Road Vehicles of Quebec.
• Businesses whose sole project is aimed at the acquisition of land or easements.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees, salaries, and related benefits for personnel, technical staff, consultants, and contractors directly involved in the project.
• Rental costs for tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery, including municipal equipment and operators.
• Purchase of materials required for project activities.
• Transportation costs for materials, tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery.
• Production costs for awareness and training materials.
• Installation expenses for equipment used in the project.
• Insurance premiums specifically related to the project's implementation.
• Travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for project personnel (within established limits).
• Administrative and office costs directly related to the project, such as office supplies, photocopying, telephony, mailing, and accounting (up to a set percentage of total eligible expenses).
• Rental or depreciation costs of IT equipment used for the duration of the project (subject to annual maximums).

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Alignment with the objectives and priorities of the program.
• Quality of the application and level of project planning.
• Expertise and capacity of the applicant to carry out and monitor the project.
• Expected results on targeted wildlife species or populations and their habitats.
• Technical and financial feasibility of the project.

• The program requires the submission of a general or specific resolution authorizing the representative to sign grant-related documents.
• Applicants must provide a map to adequately illustrate the project's context and location.
• For trail improvement projects, a pre-project study justifying the proposed work is mandatory.
• Failure to submit all required documents may result in the application being deemed inadmissible.