Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement for tourism 2022-2025 – Structuring the tourism offer

Who is eligible?

The grant is aimed at various entities involved in the tourism industry, specifically those operating in or committed to the Quebec region with a focus on legal compliance and previous grant engagement.

• Profitable tourism enterprises including for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations (OBNL), as well as cooperatives.
• Municipal entities structured under Québec or Canadian law.
• Indigenous communities, nations recognized by the National Assembly, and Indigenous tourism organizations and businesses.
• Regional Tourism Associations, contingent on financial backing from partners outside the EPRTNT framework.
• Any combination of the aforementioned eligible clienteles.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. Specific restrictions ensure the funds support eligible projects that align with the grant's goals.

• State-owned enterprises and ministries or agencies of the Quebec and Canadian governments.
• Businesses registered on the list of companies ineligible for public contracts.
• Companies not compliant with the Office québécois de la langue française's francization process.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly associated with the project's implementation and the involvement of specialized personnel.

• Fees for specialized firms or consultants.
• Travel expenses comparable to those of the ATR.
• General expenses related to the project.
• Salaries and benefits for human resources dedicated specifically to the project's realization.
• Net taxes related to eligible costs, excluding the refundable portion.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specific to businesses and organizations operating within the province of Quebec, Canada, as per the guidelines provided. The focus is on supporting the tourism sector in partnership with regional entities such as Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

• Businesses and organizations located within the province of Quebec.
• Entities operating in partnership with Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

• Alignment with the objectives of the EPRTNT.
• The structuring aspect of the project, including attraction power, project scope, impacts, collaboration with other partners, job creation, and season extension.
• The innovative nature of the project.
• Quality in terms of concept, products, and services.
• Financial structure and setup.
• Relevance concerning a significantly tourist clientele and its diversification, market competition, quality of the offer, marketing strategy, and networking.
• Feasibility including timeline, marketing strategy, quality of the business plan or study specifications, and promoter's expertise.
• Consideration of sustainable development principles.
• The pertinence of the project in relation to the strategic itinerary of the destination.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The financial assistance is provided as a non-refundable contribution.
• The project must have eligible costs of at least $30,000, with a maximum financial assistance amount of $50,000.
• Specific rules apply regarding contract awards, including the requirement for a public tender for construction contracts of $100,000 or more.
• Projects meeting the criteria for the "Integration of Arts into Architecture and Environment" policy must adhere to additional art integration requirements for construction or expansion projects costing $150,000 or more.