Rail Transport Infrastructure and Modal Integration Support Program – Maintenance and improvement of rail transport infrastructure

• For Stream 1 (Maintenance and Improvement of Rail Transport Infrastructure): Up to 66.67% of eligible project expenses covered, maximum of $4.5 million per project, with a limit of two distinct projects per year per organization (totaling up to $9 million per year).
• For Stream 2 (Modal Integration): Up to 50% of eligible project expenses covered, maximum of $2.5 million per project, with a limit of two different projects per year per organization.
• For Stream 3 (Studies): Up to $250,000 of assistance per year per organization, not exceeding $750,000 total over the program period; the program covers up to 66.67% of eligible expenses if the study results are made public, otherwise up to 33.33%.

• The applicant must be a local railway company (chemin de fer d’intérêt local, CFIL) located in Quebec, or an industrial railway company in Quebec that provides transportation services for third parties.
• The proposed project must involve the rehabilitation, replacement, or reconstruction of railway infrastructure, or, for passenger transport during a major disaster, the maintenance and inspection needed to maintain or restore passenger rail services.
• The applicant must demonstrate expertise and financial capacity to successfully complete the project.
• The application must be complete and accompanied by all required supporting documentation, including a project description and financial details.

Who is eligible?

• Local railway companies (CFIL) operating within Quebec
• Railway companies operating in Quebec that provide transportation services for others
• Industrial companies legally constituted in Quebec (for modal integration projects)
• Cargo handling companies legally constituted in Quebec (for modal integration projects)
• Municipal organizations (for modal integration projects and studies)
• Economic development organizations (for studies)
• Chambers of commerce (for studies)
• Development corporations (for studies)

Who is not eligible

• Consulting firms and similar organizations.
• Municipal organizations (except where explicitly eligible for specific components).
• Companies listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including their subcontractors.
• Class 1 railway companies (e.g., CN, CP, CSX Transportation, VIA Rail Canada inc.) and their subsidiaries.
• Public operators of subways, commuter trains, light rail, and tramways, including the subsidiaries of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
• Railway operators owned by the governments of Canada, Quebec, other provinces or municipalities outside of Quebec, and their agencies.

Eligible expenses

• Purchase of materials (e.g., rails, ties, fastenings, ballast, construction components).
• Acquisition and rental of equipment necessary for the project.
• Transportation costs for personnel, equipment, materials, and machinery required for project activities.
• Installation of equipment related to railway infrastructure or modal integration.
• Insurance premiums related to implementing the project.
• Salaries, wages, and social charges for professionals, technical staff, advisors, and contractors directly engaged in the project.
• Preparation of engineering and environmental studies, plans, and specifications.
• Professional fees and external honoraria related to eligible work.
• Construction supervision and site monitoring costs.
• Verification and project evaluation expenses.
• Contingency reserve up to a maximum of 15% of project costs.
• For passenger rail, during a major disaster: expenses related to current or specialized maintenance and inspection required to maintain or restore service, and adaptation of rolling stock or infrastructure.
• For studies (Volet 3): professional fees, necessary data acquisition, and purchase or rental of specialized equipment specific to the study.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Contribution to the maintenance or improvement of rail infrastructure important for Quebec's transportation system and regional economy.
• Impact on the efficiency and competitiveness of the rail network and transportation system in Quebec.
• Enhancement of rail safety through the proposed project.
• Support for maintaining or restoring a transportation service deemed important for the transportation system and regional economy.
• Economic, financial, and logistical benefits for users.
• Assessment of the applicant’s expertise and financial capacity to successfully complete the project.
• Necessity of financial assistance and the financial viability of the project.
• Overall project credibility.
• Availability of program funds.

• Approved grant recipients must comply with the Quebec government's visibility protocol for aid programs.
• Recipients agree to provide the Ministry with data and information necessary for tracking and evaluation for five years following project completion.
• The Minister may publicly announce key project information, including its nature, location, estimated cost, and the amount of financial aid awarded.
• Assets acquired with grant funding cannot be sold or repurposed for five years after project completion without authorization; violation may result in full reimbursement of the aid.