How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Subsidy for universal access to businesses?

Subsidy for universal access to businesses is funded by City of Montreal (MTL)

What are Subsidy for universal access to businesses's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be an owner or tenant of a building used for commercial activities in the Montréal agglomeration. The applicant must plan to carry out work to comply with barrier-free design standards as per the Code or applicable regulations at the time of the application. Confirmation from an authorized professional is required, stating that the building met barrier-free construction standards either at its construction or most recent renovation.

Subsidy for universal access to businesses

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Montréal, QC

The PAAC aids retailers in making their buildings accessible to customers with limited mobility.

Subsidy for universal access to businesses at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 90% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : December 31, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Retail trade

Grant Providers

City of Montreal (MTL)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Subsidy for universal access to businesses program

The Retail Business Accessibility Program (PAAC) provides a subsidy of up to $15,000 to assist retailers in making their buildings universally accessible for clients with limited mobility. Eligible activities include correcting barriers at entrances and exits, improving indoor circulation, and providing accessible washroom facilities.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides substantial financial support to enhance accessibility in retail business infrastructures. The funding modalities are clearly defined to facilitate the improvement of building access for everyone.

Subsidy covers 90% of eligible work costs, up to a maximum of $15,000.
Payment is made in one full installment, either by cheque or electronic payment after completion of work.

Eligible projects & activities

This grant facilitates modifications to enhance accessibility in commercial buildings, making retail spaces more inclusive for individuals with limited mobility. Covered projects focus on building entrance enhancements, internal navigation improvements, and accessible facility upgrades.

Correcting or reducing barriers at the entrances and exits of commercial establishments.
Implementation of fit-up work to improve indoor circulation, such as levelling floors and installing lifts.
Provision of access to various washroom facilities to accommodate clients with limited mobility.
Replacement of a door providing street access to the building.
Installation of electric door openers for better accessibility.
Installation of a bevelled plan.
Installation of a ramp or lift platform.
Work to facilitate access to dedicated washrooms, including replacement of toilets.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 35,000

Enhancing washrooms and installing lift platform for accessibility

$ 27,000

Enhancing indoor circulation and bathroom accessibility

Eligibility criteria of the Subsidy for universal access to businesses program

Eligibility for this grant requires specific criteria related to the ownership and planned activities for improving accessibility in commercial buildings.

The applicant must be an owner or tenant of a building used for commercial activities in the Montréal agglomeration.
The applicant must plan to carry out work intended to make access to the building compliant with the barrier-free design standards set out in the Code or applicable regulations.
The work must be executed when no access to the building from the street is compliant, other than from an alleyway.
Confirmation from an authorized professional stating that the building met the barrier-free construction standards at the time of construction or most recent renovation is required.

Who is eligible?

In this grant program, owners and tenants of buildings or parts of buildings used for commercial activities within the Montréal agglomeration can apply. These individuals or entities aim to make their buildings more accessible to persons with limited mobility by reducing design barriers.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to improving accessibility for clients with limited mobility.

Replacement of a door providing access to the building from the street and the commercial space.
Installation of an electric door opener providing access to the building from the street and the commercial space.
Installation of a bevelled plan.
Installation of a ramp or lift platform.
Work to improve indoor circulation, such as levelling the floors and widening the door and change rooms.
Installation of an elevator and lift platform.
Work that facilitates access to dedicated washrooms for clients with limited mobility.
Replacement of toilets.
Professional services provided by architects, engineers, and technologists, if required to complete the work.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to businesses located within a certain geographical scope to ensure improvements in accessibility. The eligible area has been designated to target specific urban regions.

Montréal agglomeration.

Eligibility criteria of the Subsidy for universal access to businesses program

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

Applicants must be owners or tenants of buildings used for commercial activities in the Montréal agglomeration.
The work planned should aim to make the building compliant with the barrier-free design standards.

How to apply to the Subsidy for universal access to businesses program

Preparation of documents

Fill out the admission application form.
Obtain a compliance letter signed by an authorized professional.
Prepare a document establishing ownership of the building or the lease for tenants.
Obtain the landlord's consent for the planned work if you are a tenant.
Prepare a detailed estimate of the planned work.

Submission of the application

Send all the required documents by email to paac@montreal.ca.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Work must be completed within 12 months of receiving the eligibility notice.
No subsidy will be awarded for work that has already begun before the eligibility confirmation date.
Applicants need to use a contractor with a valid license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
Subsidy payment is made in a single installment after all required documentation is verified post-completion.

Apply to this program

Supports Quebec businesses in strategic supply chain integration