Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — Not-for-profit
QC, Canada
Funding for Quebec non-profits promoting official languages
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get a non-repayable contribution to cover up to 90% of the costs of a project that supports the economic development of an official-language minority community in Quebec through a range of activities.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are eligible projects and activities for this grant funding. They include:
- Development of strategies, specifications, studies, diagnoses, or action plans
- Networking and business contacts
- Information, consulting, and support services
- Implementation of a commercialization strategy
- Design of products and services
- Acquisition of equipment, IT tools, and technologies
- Facility development, construction, modernization, or expansion
- Recruitment or use of specialized resources
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$135,000
Montreal
Development of an advanced IT network for a bilingual financial cooperative in Montreal.
$76,500
Quebec City
Launching a marketing strategy for a new bilingual social economy enterprise in Quebec City.
$108,000
Laval
Modernization of kitchen facilities for a bilingual community center in Laval.
$90,000
Sherbrooke
Creating a bilingual online platform for small businesses in Sherbrooke.
$85,500
Gatineau
Recruitment of specialized educators for a bilingual afterschool program in Gatineau.
$126,000
Trois-Rivières
Acquisition of modern brewing equipment for a bilingual craft brewery in Trois-Rivières.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant include:
- SME in an RCM outside the Greater Montréal region where English-speakers make up more than 5% of the total population
- NPO in an RCM whose population includes more than 500 English-speakers
- Not eligible: Retail businesses, food services, transportation services, housing construction, daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, bars, and cabarets
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant must meet certain criteria, such as being a Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) in a region outside Greater Montréal with a significant English-speaking population or a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) in a region with more than 500 English-speakers.
- SME in a region outside Greater Montréal with English-speakers making up more than 5% of the total population
- NPO in a region with more than 500 English-speakers
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant funding. Specifically, retail businesses, food services, transportation services, housing construction, daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, bars, and cabarets are ineligible for the grant.
- Retail businesses (e.g., clothing stores, grocery stores or automobile sales and maintenance outlets)
- Food services (e.g., restaurants and cafés)
- Transportation services
- Housing construction
- Daycare services
- Hair and beauty salons
- Nightclubs, bars, and cabarets
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers a variety of eligible expenses including but not limited to:
- Design of products and services
- Acquisition of equipment, IT tools and technologies
- Facility development, construction, modernization or expansion
- Recruitment or use of specialized resources
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
There are eligible geographic areas for this grant. The grant is available for SMEs in Regional County Municipalities (RCMs) outside the Greater Montréal region where English-speakers make up more than 5% of the total population, and for NPOs in RCMs with a population of more than 500 English-speakers.
- SMEs in specific RCMs outside Greater Montréal with over 5% English-speaking population
- NPOs in RCMs with more than 500 English-speakers
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The projects are analyzed against specific criteria, such as the economic benefits for official language minority communities (OLMCs) and alignment with CED’s mandate and priorities.
- The economic benefits for an official language minority community (OLMC)
- The project’s contribution to the Initiative’s objectives and expected results
- Alignment with CED’s mandate and priorities
- The incentive nature of the assistance and demonstration of financial need
- The proponent’s management capacity
- The viability of the business or organization
- The degree of risk
- The impact on the competition
- The availability of CED funding
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Refer to the Project Submission Guide.
- Step 2: Contact the funding organization for more information.
Apply to this program
Economic Development Initiative - Official Languages Grant
Overview
The Economic Development Initiative - Official Languages Grant is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in fostering the economic development of official language minority communities in Quebec. The funding aims to kickstart innovative projects, solidify partnerships, and diversify economic activities within these communities.
Eligible projects may include the development of strategies, networking and business contacts, information and consulting services, commercialization strategies, acquisition of equipment, facility development, and recruitment of specialized resources to promote official languages in Quebec's French-speaking business community.
The funding assistance is repayable for SMEs, generally covering up to 50% of authorized costs, while NPOs may receive non-repayable financial assistance of up to 90% of authorized costs. Projects are assessed based on specific criteria such as economic benefits for official language minority communities, alignment with the grant's objectives, management capacity, viability, and impact on competition.
To apply for the grant, interested parties can refer to the Project Submission Guide and contact Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions to discuss their projects further.
