MRC Caniapiscau — Signature innovation

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the types of organizations that can apply.

• Organismes à but non lucratif (Non-profit organizations)
• Coopératives, à l'exception des coopératives du secteur financier (Cooperatives, except financial cooperatives)
• Organismes municipaux (Municipal organizations)
• Communautés autochtones (Indigenous communities)
• Entreprises privées et d'économie sociale, à l'exception des entreprises privées du secteur financier (Private and social economy enterprises, excluding private financial sector enterprises)
• Personnes morales souhaitant démarrer une entreprise (Legal entities wishing to start a business)
• Organismes des réseaux du milieu de l'éducation (Organizations within the education sector)

Who is eligible?

This grant is available for eligible organizations within the territory of the MRC of Caniapiscau, which includes the cities of Fermont and Schefferville, as well as the two Indigenous communities of Matimekush-Lac John and Kawawachikamach. The eligible entities for funding include:

• Non-profit organizations.
• Cooperatives, except those in the financial sector.
• Municipal organizations.
• Indigenous communities.
• Private and social economy enterprises, except those in the financial sector.
• Organizations in the education network.
• Legal entities wishing to start a business.
• Entities not listed ineligible on the public contract register.

The grant application is not open to organizations involved in litigation with the Quebec government or those failing to comply with certain laws or agreements related to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations based on their financial activities, legal standing, or involvement in litigation with the government of Quebec. Restrictions are in place to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives.

• Cooperatives within the financial sector.
• Private companies within the financial sector.
• Organizations listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
• Organizations involved in litigation with the government of Quebec.
• Organizations failing to fulfill obligations under Quebec laws or agreements with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers direct expenses associated with the implementation and management of the project.

• Direct expenses of the MRC not related to its regular activities, including salaries and service contracts exclusively necessary for the collaboration, planning, and execution of the agreement.
• Financing of projects conducted by eligible organizations in compliance with the management framework, excluding non-eligible expenses.
• Administrative or management fees associated with the project, capped at 10% of the total budget or total expenses.
• Salaries, professional fees, equipment and materials, communication tools, real estate, vehicles directly linked to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for initiatives within the vast territory of the MRC de Caniapiscau, with a focus on benefitting local communities. Eligible areas include specific towns and indigenous communities within this region.

• City of Fermont
• City of Schefferville
• Community of Matimekush-Lac John
• Community of Kawawachikamach

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

• Characteristics of the project: objectives pursued, nature, and pertinence - 20 points
• Anticipated project impacts: quality of life, proximity services, socio-economic activities, sense of belonging and pride, partnership with local and regional actors - 20 points
• Realism of anticipated costs: coherence with project objectives and approach, realistic and reasonable costs, presence of bids and detailed prices - 20 points
• Financial contributions from partners: diverse funding sources, use of existing government programs, confirmation of financing sources - 10 points
• Implementation plan: realistic timeline, detailed steps of the approach, clear links between steps, approach, available resources, and targets - 10 points
• Project governance: roles and responsibilities of partners, relationships between partners, clear leadership, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms - 10 points
• Support and collaboration: collaboration in development and implementation, presence of partnerships in activities and services, presence of letters of commitment and/or support - 10 points

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The MRC can engage funds until May 31, 2026, and expenditure is allowed until May 31, 2027.
• A written protocol of agreement must be established with eligible organizations regarding the conditions for grant allocation and fund disbursement.
• Projects may span multiple years, and multi-year agreements must consider the realization plan, but all protocols must terminate by September 30, 2025.
• Grant recipients must provide annual and end-of-project reports detailing fund usage, organizational contribution, activities performed, and results achieved.
• Decisions by the oversight committee should be unanimous with clear guidelines on member replacement in cases of conflict of interest.
• Communications about the fund need approval from both the oversight committee and the MAMH's Communications Directorate.
• An agent responsible for the fund at the MRC will handle administrative recording and updates on funded projects.
• The contribution value of volunteer services can be counted at a rate of $20 per hour towards the promoter's contribution.