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Support program for the development of reserved designations and promotional terms — Component 3
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Certification support for Quebec's designations and valorized terms
Grant and Funding
Overview
The grant, part of the Programme d'appui au développement des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants, provides financial assistance to increase the number of businesses obtaining certification for reserved appellations and valorizing terms, with a maximum funding amount of $5,000 per applicant for the program duration. Eligible activities include the enterprise's adhesion to and product certification for an ARTV.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Strengthening governance
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Obtain certifications
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 1, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
This grant focuses on increasing the number of enterprises that achieve certification for reserved designations and promotional terms in Quebec. Eligible projects are required to adhere to certain certification objectives.
- Projects aiming for an enterprise's adherence to a Reserved Designation and Promotional Terms (ARTV).
- Certification of one of the enterprise's products for the use of an ARTV, in accordance with the LARTV regulations.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and restrictions on specific types of entities.
- The applicant must be an individual enterprise or a business operated by a legal entity constituted under Quebec or Canadian law, including corporations, non-profit organizations (NPOs), cooperatives, or partnerships.
- The applicant must not be a ministry, budgetary body, or state-owned enterprise as defined under Quebec's Financial Administration Act, nor an entity directly or indirectly controlled by a government or municipal entity.
- The applicant must not be a financial cooperative or financial institution.
- The applicant must not be listed among non-compliant businesses on the francization process list by the Office québécois de la langue française.
- The applicant must not be registered in the Registry of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
- The applicant must not have defaulted on obligations related to previous financial assistance from the Ministry within two years prior to applying.
- The applicant must not be under protection from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or bankruptcy and insolvency law.
- The applicant must not be under any order related to animal welfare or safety laws.
- The applicant must not violate the Act respecting Reserved Designations and Added-Value Claims (LARTV).
Who is eligible?
For the Appui à la certification grant, eligible applicants include individuals and legal entities conducting business in Quebec or Canada under specific organizational forms.
- An individual enterprise or legal entity constituted under Quebec or Canadian laws (corporation, non-profit organization (NPO), cooperative, embodied association).
- Partnerships, including general partnerships, limited partnerships, and joint ventures (SENC, SEC, SEP).
- Unincorporated associations may apply.
Who is not eligible
The grant has restrictions on certain companies and industries based on their status and compliance history. These limitations are meant to align the funding with entities that adhere to specific eligibility and compliance standards.
- Ministries, budgetary organizations, or state-owned companies listed in Annexes 1 and 3 of the Financial Administration Act.
- Companies controlled directly or indirectly by provincial or federal governments or a state-owned company.
- Municipal entities.
- Financial cooperatives or banking institutions.
- Companies listed as non-compliant with the francization process by the Office québécois de la langue française.
- Businesses, including subcontractors, listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
- Companies that have defaulted on obligations related to a previous MAPAQ financial aid within the past two years.
- Entities under protection from bankruptcy laws such as the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Businesses under an order from the minister or a judge under the Animal Welfare and Safety Act.
- Companies violating the Reserved Designations and Added-Value Claims Act (LARTV).
Eligible expenses
The grant covers expenses directly related to the project, specifically involving certification expertise.
- Fees for services from an accredited certification body approved by the Council of reserved designations and valorizing terms (CARTV) for the targeted ARTV.
How to apply
1
Preparation of the request
- Visit the program's webpage to obtain the financial aid application form.
- Fill out all sections of the financial aid application form in French.
- Ensure that the form is signed by a person authorized by the company.
2
Submission of the request
Send the signed form by email to the address padartv@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
3
Reception and Completeness
- Receive the acknowledgment of receipt from the Ministry confirming the receipt of the application.
- Obtain a confirmation of admissibility if the application is complete and eligible.
4
Analysis of the request
- The Ministry analyzes the submitted request.
- Wait for the decision by letter from the Ministry regarding the acceptance or refusal of the request.
5
Acceptance and obligations (in case financing is granted)
- Receive the financial assistance agreement accompanying the acceptance letter.
- Sign the financial assistance agreement and return it to padartv@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
6
Disbursement of financial aid
- Send the deliverables specified in the financial assistance agreement by email.
- The Ministry makes the payment after receipt and acceptance of the deliverables.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Acknowledgment of receipt or confirmation of acceptability does not guarantee funding or obligate the Ministry, as the applicant and their project must meet all conditions and criteria outlined in the guidelines.
- The financial aid is disbursed in one installment after the approval of deliverables by the ministry.
- Applicants are required to provide verifiable and compliant justifications for all eligible expenses submitted.
- Projects can be submitted continuously until March 1, 2026, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
- The maximum amount of financial aid per applicant for the duration of the program is $5,000.
- Applicants may need to provide a board resolution or authorization for the individual signing the application, depending on the legal status of the entity.
- Admissible projects must be aimed at gaining membership to a recognized designation and certifying products for the use of said designation.
Contacts
padartv@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
4183802100
