Open
Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit
Funding for Quebec SMEs promoting official languages
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 2, 2020
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
Get a repayable contribution to cover up to 50% of the costs of a project that supports the economic development of an official-language minority community in Quebec through a range of activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 2, 2020
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Language Minorities
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of strategies such as market studies, action plans, or business intelligence for economic growth in official language minority communities.
- Facilitation of networking and business contacts to support entrepreneurship within these communities.
- Provision of information, consulting, and support services for business development.
- Implementation of commercialization strategies, including product or service design and market access initiatives.
- Development, modernization, or expansion of facilities and acquisition of innovative equipment or IT solutions.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a regional county municipality (RCM) outside the Greater Montréal region where English-speakers comprise more than 5% of the population
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) in an RCM with more than 500 English-speakers
Who is not eligible
- Retail businesses (e.g., clothing stores, grocery stores, automobile sales and maintenance outlets)
- Food services (e.g., restaurants and cafés)
- Transportation services
- Housing construction companies
- Daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, bars and cabarets
Eligible expenses
- Development of strategies including studies, diagnoses, or action plans.
- Business networking and contact activities.
- Information, consulting, and support services costs.
- Design of products and services for commercialization.
- Acquisition of equipment, IT tools, and technologies.
- Facility development, construction, modernization, or expansion expenses.
- Costs related to recruitment or use of specialized resources to promote official languages.
Eligible geographic areas
- SMEs located in a regional county municipality (RCM) outside the Greater Montréal region of Quebec where English-speakers comprise more than 5% of the total population.
- NPOs established in a Quebec RCM with more than 500 English-speakers.
Selection criteria
- Economic benefits for an official language minority community (OLMC).
- Contribution of the project to the Initiative’s objectives and expected results.
- Alignment with Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions' (CED) mandate and priorities.
- Demonstration of financial need and the incentive nature of the assistance, considering other available funding sources.
- Proponent’s management capacity, business or organizational viability, risk level, impact on competition, and availability of CED funding.
How to apply
1
Consultation of resources
- Consult the Project Presentation Guide available on the DEC website.
- Access the resources and tools provided by DEC to guide the project preparation.
2
Communication and additional information
Contact DEC for more information on eligibility and the application process.
3
Preparation of the application file
- Develop and structure your project taking into account the analysis criteria such as economic impacts and project viability.
- Ensure that your project aligns with the mandate and priorities of DEC.
- Gather all required documents, such as action plans, market studies, and financial forecasts.
4
Project Presentation
Strictly follow the instructions in the Presentation Guide to write and format all elements of your application.
5
Submission of the request
- Contact DEC to find out the specific method for submitting files (mail, email, or online portal).
- Submit the entire file according to the submission method required by DEC.
Additional information
- Additional resources such as strategic plans, project guides, and toolkits are available to support applicants.
- Applicants can subscribe to newsletters to receive updates, advice, and services from CED.
- Client feedback on CED services is encouraged through a client satisfaction mechanism.
- CED promotes transparency and offers departmental publications and success stories for reference.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit Program
What is the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit?
Get a repayable contribution to cover up to 50% of the costs of a project that supports the economic development of an official-language minority community in Quebec through a range of activities.
How much funding can be received?
Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit program?
To be eligible for the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit program, you must:
SME located in an RCM outside Greater Montréal where English-speakers are over 5% of the population
What expenses are eligible under Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit?
Development of strategies such as market studies, action plans, or business intelligence for economic growth in official language minority communities.
Facilitation of networking and business contacts to support entrepreneurship within these communities.
Provision of information, consulting, and support services for business development.
Implementation of commercialization strategies, including product or service design and market access initiatives.
Development, modernization, or expansion of facilities and acquisition of innovative equipment or IT solutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit?
You can contact Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Where is the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit available?
The Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit is a Grant and Funding