How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC)?

QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) is funded by Government of Canada, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

What are QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC)'s eligibility criterias?

Applicants must be non-profit organizations, economic development organizations, municipalities, regional county municipalities, local businesses, co-ops, business associations, or Indigenous organizations. Projects must demonstrate potential to increase tourism, attract international organizations, or enhance community economic facilities. Applicants should be SMEs or NPOs, preferably in economically vulnerable regions or Montreal’s East End for flexible conditions.

QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC)

Last Update: June 18, 2025

QC, Canada

Money to develop local economy and tourism in Quebec

QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)

Grant Providers

Government of Canada
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Status

Open

Overview of the QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) program

Support for SMEs and NPOs to attract international organizations to the regions, draw tourists from outside Quebec or acquire community economic facilities.

Financing terms and conditions

For SMEs: Financial assistance generally covers up to 50% of authorized project costs, repayable without interest, with repayment starting two years after project completion.
For NPOs: Non-repayable financial assistance generally covers up to 90% of authorized project costs.

Eligible projects & activities

Development and promotion of tourism initiatives targeting visitors from outside Quebec.
Attraction of international organizations to regional areas.
Implementation of strategies to enhance the commercialization of local products and services.
Acquisition or improvement of community economic facilities to support local economic growth.
Support for entrepreneurial projects aimed at strengthening regional economic activities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 28,500

Marketing initiative for local artisanal products expansion

$ 39,000

Enhancing local community economic facilities for development

$ 45,000

Development of a cultural festival to boost tourism

Eligibility criteria of the QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) program

The applicant must be an eligible organization such as a non-profit, economic development organization, municipality or regional county municipality, organization tasked with attracting international organizations and foreign investment, local business, co-op, business association, or Indigenous organization.
The project must support economic development, such as attracting international organizations, drawing tourists from outside Quebec, or acquiring economic facilities for the community.
The applicant must demonstrate technical and financial management capacity, and project viability.
The project should include contributions from partners in financial resources or professional services.

Who is eligible?

Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
Economic development organizations
Municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs)
Organizations tasked with attracting international organizations and foreign investment
Local businesses
Cooperatives (Co-ops)
Business associations
Indigenous organizations

Who is not eligible

Retail businesses, such as clothing stores, grocery stores, or automobile sales and maintenance outlets.
Food service companies, including restaurants and cafés.
Transportation service providers.
Companies engaged in housing construction.
Businesses offering daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, bars, or cabarets.

Eligible expenses

All costs directly related to the project that are deemed reasonable and essential by CED

Eligible geographic areas

Regions within the province of Quebec.
Regional county municipalities (RCMs) in Quebec, particularly those experiencing slow economic growth or economic shocks.
Montréal’s East End (with potential for flexible program conditions).

Eligibility criteria of the QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) program

Expected results of the project.
Viability of the business or organization.
Technical and financial management capacity of the applicant.
Contribution of partners (financial resources or professional services).
Degree of risk associated with the project.

How to apply to the QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC) program

Eligibility Check

Consult the eligibility criteria to ensure that your project meets the program's requirements.

Preparation of the project

Develop a detailed project proposal that highlights the expected economic impact.
Include the anticipated outcomes, viability, and contributions from partners.
Prepare a detailed budget of eligible and non-eligible costs.

Collection of required documents

Gather all necessary documents: quotes, studies, diagnostics, action plans.
Prepare evidence of technical and financial capacity for management.

Submission of the application

Contact DEC to obtain the application form and specific instructions if it is not available online.
Fill out the application form following all the provided instructions.
Submit all required documents according to the transmission method indicated by DEC, whether electronically or by mail.

Confirmation and follow-up

Receive confirmation of receipt of your request by DEC.
Follow the progress of your file by communicating with DEC if necessary.

Additional information

Flexible program conditions may apply for projects located in economically vulnerable regions or Montréal’s East End.
CED offers resources such as a Strategic Plan, project presentation guide, and various tools to support applicants.
Applicants are encouraged to subscribe to CED’s newsletter for updates and advice.
The funding is administered under the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) program.