Open
Source verified September 17, 2026
Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages
Supports official language minority communities
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
SMEs in an RCM whose English-speaking population is greater than 5 %, outside Greater Montreal.
See full eligibility
Overview
This program supports the economic development of official language minority communities in Quebec. It can fund innovation, entrepreneurship, partnerships, and economic diversification projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Development of strategies, including monitoring, studies, assessments and action plans.
- Matchmaking, networking, business contacts, information services, advisory services and support.
- Implementation of a commercialization strategy and design of new products and services.
- Acquisition of equipment, IT tools and technologies.
- Fitting out, construction, modernization or expansion of facilities, as well as the use of specialized resources.
Documents Needed
- Business plan, or alternatively a project summary.
- Corporate and organizational structure.
- Detailed description of the project.
- Financial statements for the last two years and the most recent interim financial statements.
- Excel file of project costs and financing.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- SMEs in an RCM whose English-speaking population is greater than 5 %, outside Greater Montreal.
- Non-profit organizations in an RCM whose English-speaking population is greater than 500 inhabitants.
Who is not eligible
- Retail businesses, including clothing stores, grocery stores, automotive maintenance and sales.
- Food services, including restaurants and cafés.
- Transportation services and residential construction.
- Daycare services, hair salons and beauty salons.
- Nightclubs, bars and cabarets.
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition of equipment, computer tools, and technologies.
- Construction, modernization, expansion, or development of facilities.
- Hiring specialized resources.
- Project-related services, advice, and support.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- A representative’s fees cannot be reimbursed with DEC financial assistance.
- Costs incurred before the official submission of the duly signed financial assistance application form are generally not eligible.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
- RCMs with more than 500 anglophone residents
Selection criteria
- The economic spinoffs for an official-language minority community.
- The project's contribution to achieving the initiative's objectives and expected results.
- Alignment with DEC's mandate and priorities.
- The incentive effect of the assistance and demonstration of the financial need, taking into account other existing sources of funding.
- The proponent’s management capacity, the viability of the business or organization, the degree of risk, the impact on competition and the availability of DEC funds.
How to apply
- Contact DEC to be put in touch with the business office team in your region, who will determine whether your project is eligible and guide you through the next steps.
- If you use a representative to present your project, that person must be registered in the Lobbyists Registry.
- Have your business plan on hand or prepare a project summary with the requested information on the business or organization, the project, its financing and its schedule.
- If your project is deemed eligible, complete the financial assistance application form sent by a member of the business office team.
- Provide the information and supporting documents requested for the full analysis of your application.
Processing and Agreement
- Projects are reviewed against the program’s analysis criteria.
- The funder assesses the project’s fit with the initiative’s objectives and available funds.
- Applicants are informed through the program’s funding process.
- A project submission guide is available before applying.
Additional information
- The program is part of the Quebec Economic Development Program.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact a regional business office or advisor for guidance.
- Other activities may be eligible, subject to review.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages Program
What is the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages?
This program supports the economic development of official language minority communities in Quebec. It can fund innovation, entrepreneurship, partnerships, and economic diversification projects.
How much funding can be received?
Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages program?
To be eligible for the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages program, you must:
Non-profit organization.
Located in an eligible RCM.
Project benefits official language minority communities.
What expenses are eligible under Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages?
Development of strategies, including monitoring, studies, assessments and action plans.
Matchmaking, networking, business contacts, information services, advisory services and support.
Implementation of a commercialization strategy and design of new products and services.
Acquisition of equipment, IT tools and technologies.
Fitting out, construction, modernization or expansion of facilities, as well as the use of specialized resources.
Who can I contact for more information about the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages?
You can contact Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Where is the Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages available?
The Quebec Economic Development Program - Foster official languages program is available the province of Quebec.