Petits établissements accessibles

The grant program offers comprehensive financial support to enhance accessibility in small establishments. It provides a substantial coverage of eligible costs to ease the financial burden on applicants.

• The financial aid covers 90% of the total recognized costs, up to a maximum of $30,000 per eligible building or part of a building.
• Applicants must provide a minimum of two detailed quotes from contractors with appropriate RBQ licenses.
• Eligible costs include the lowest contractor bid, professional fees for required plans and specifications, municipal permits, and applicable taxes.
• Financial aid is conditional upon the availability of funds allocated to the program.
• A portion of the financial aid may be disbursed before the completion of all works if the project extends over a long period or is interrupted; such payments must align with project progress and should not exceed 40% of the total aid.
• Repayment of the aid is required if false declarations are made or program conditions are not met.

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a grant under the "Petits établissements accessibles" program are specified for both individuals and buildings.

• Eligible applicants must be either owners or tenants of a building or part of a building used for commercial or community activities or providing services to the public.
• The eligibility of tenants is conditional on obtaining consent from the property owner to carry out the work.
• Ineligible applicants include those listed in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA) and those who have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid from the Société within two years before applying.
• Eligible buildings include business establishments with no more than two floors offering on-site services, commercial establishments with no more than 300 square meters of total floor area, and meeting establishments with specific size or capacity criteria.
• Ineligible buildings are those owned or leased by government departments, crown corporations, or municipal entities, those eligible for other accessibility programs, under legal dispute regarding ownership, or that have already benefited from this program.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the 'Programme Petits Établissements Accessibles' include individuals who are either owners or tenants of small establishments in Quebec engaging in commercial, business, or community activities. The tenant's eligibility depends on the property owner's consent to the modifications. However, individuals listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA) or those who have previously breached financial assistance agreements within the last two years are not eligible to apply.

Who is not eligible

Certain businesses and entities are excluded from applying for this grant based on their ownership, previous grant interactions, or specific conditions associated with their buildings. These restrictions are put in place to target the funding toward eligible entities committed to accessibility improvements.

• Businesses listed on the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
• Applicants who have previously defaulted on obligations related to prior financial assistance from the Société d'habitation du Québec.
• Buildings owned or rented by ministries, Quebec and Canada government agencies, state-owned enterprises, or municipal entities.
• Structures already benefiting from the Ministry of Tourism's accessibility program.
• Buildings subject to ownership title disputes or expropriation processes.
• Properties under construction or planned future construction.
• Establishments located in vulnerable natural zones, such as high-flow flood zones, unless adequately protected against such risks.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to making small establishments more accessible for individuals with disabilities and mobility issues.

• The recognized cost of eligible permanent accessibility-related construction work, including materials, labor, and administration fees, if they meet accessibility requirements.
• Professional fees for plans and blueprints mandated by law or regulation, as long as these are linked to eligible projects and if the projects are executed.
• The cost of municipal permits required for the execution of eligible work.
• Applicable taxes, considering any tax rebates the applicant can claim must be deducted from eligible costs.

Eligible geographic areas

The Petits établissements accessibles program is available to businesses located in specific regions within Quebec. The eligible locations are determined to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.

• All regions within Quebec, excluding areas within Indian reserves.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The total grant amount cannot exceed 90% of the recognized total costs of the project.
• Projects must be completed within 12 months from the issuance of the eligibility certificate, or the funding could be revoked.
• The financial aid is dispersed at the end of the project, but partial disbursements up to 40% can be made if the project is lengthy or interrupted.
• A detailed evaluation process, including verification of the project's completion against the approved plans and specifications, will precede the grant payment.
• Applicants must provide at least two detailed quotes from licensed contractors for their projects.
• The program is not applicable to buildings on reserve lands.
• The Société may involve partners like municipalities for program administration and can provide up to 14% of the budget to partners for program management.
• An obligatory final report evaluating the program's efficacy will be presented to the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor by September 2025.