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Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores - Quebec - Canada
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Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores

Supports local commerce in small Quebec communities
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
Last Update: June 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 150,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : December 15, 2025
  • Closing date : February 16, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada

Overview

Le volet Commerces de proximité du Fonds régions et ruralité soutient les businesses and social economy enterprises in Quebec municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents. It helps finance the creation, maintenance, or improvement of local convenience services, including food, building materials, consumer goods, and fuel.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Launch or market a product/service
  • Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 150,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 10,000 $
  • Up to 85% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : December 15, 2025
  • Closing date : February 16, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Retail trade
Location
  • Quebec
Legal structures
  • Non-financial cooperative
  • For-profit business
  • Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Rural or Northern Residents

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Setting up a new convenience business.
  • Maintaining an existing local convenience business.
  • Improving the supply of essential goods and services in a community.

Documents Needed

  • Project description
  • Project location and contact details
  • Financial plan and funding sources
  • Proof of capacity to carry out the project
  • Partner letters or board resolution, if applicable

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit businesses.
  • Social economy enterprises, including cooperatives and eligible non-profit organizations.

Who is not eligible

  • Municipal organizations.
  • Non-profit organizations that are not social economy enterprises.
  • Government ministries, budget-funded bodies, Crown corporations, and government-controlled companies.
  • Private financial sector businesses and financial cooperatives.
  • Businesses involved in cannabis production or sales.

Eligible expenses

  • Working capital for a startup or business turnaround, when supported by the MRC economic development service.
  • Equipment, material, building, or land rental and use costs.
  • Purchase, design, adaptation, delivery, and installation of equipment or materials.
  • Construction, acquisition, improvement, or adaptation of premises, buildings, or land.
  • Direct labour, promotion, and advertising costs tied to the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Costs incurred before the application is submitted.
  • Normal operating payroll costs.
  • Feasibility studies, business plans, opportunity studies, or turnaround plans.
  • Debt repayment, loans, guarantees, and equity investments.
  • Projects already completed or costs not directly related to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Quebec municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are first screened for eligibility.
  • Eligible projects are then evaluated against the program’s selection criteria.
  • The Ministry sends its decision in writing to all applicants.
  • Successful applicants proceed to sign a subsidy agreement.

Additional information

  • Application periods are announced by the Ministry.
  • The program ends when funds are exhausted or on March 31, 2027.
  • The Ministry may request additional supporting documents.
  • Personalized support from the MRC economic development service is strongly recommended.

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores Program

What is the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores?

Le volet Commerces de proximité du Fonds régions et ruralité soutient les businesses and social economy enterprises in Quebec municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents. It helps finance the creation, maintenance, or improvement of local convenience services, including food, building materials, consumer goods, and fuel.

How much funding can be received?

Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores Funds up to 85% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was February 16, 2026.

Who is eligible for the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores program?

To be eligible for the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores program, you must: For-profit businesses established and operating in Quebec Located in a municipality with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants Not engaged in excluded sectors (e.g., financial sector, cannabis industry)

What expenses are eligible under Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores?

Setting up a new convenience business. Maintaining an existing local convenience business. Improving the supply of essential goods and services in a community.

Who can I contact for more information about the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores?

You can contact Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH).

Where is the Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores available?

The Regions and Rurality Fund — Stream 5 — Convenience stores program is available the province of Quebec.