How much funding can be received?

Tax credit on total eligible payroll of 30% for marine biotechnology, mariculture and recreational and tourism activities and 15% for all other eligible activities.

grant_single_labels|projects

Certain projects and activities are eligible for the tax credit in specific maritime regions of Quebec until December 31, 2025.

Marine biotechnology and mariculture
Processing of sea products
Recreational and tourism activities (Îles-de-la-Madeleine only)
Manufacturing or processing of finished or semi-finished products from slate or peat
Production of wind power and manufacturing of wind turbines (Bas-Saint-Laurent's La Matanie RCM only)

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$45,000

Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Launch of an oyster farming business

$28,500

Rimouski

Research on alternative uses for seaweed by-products

$15,000

Gaspé

Revitalization of a historical tourism site

$24,000

Rimouski

Development of sustainable seaweed farming technologies

$36,000

Sept-Îles

Enhancement of a mussel farming operation

$25,000

Matane

Expansion of a wind turbine manufacturing facility

grant_single_labels|admissibility

This grant aims to promote job creation in specific maritime regions of Québec by providing refundable tax credits to eligible corporations engaged in qualified activities. Eligible corporations must meet various criteria related to their activities, location, and employee roles.

Eligible activities include marine biotechnology, mariculture, and recreational and tourism activities, with specific eligibility varying by region.
The corporation must obtain an initial qualification certificate issued by Investissement Québec.
The corporation must demonstrate the ability to create at least three full-time positions in an eligible region within a reasonable length of time.
Employees must work in an eligible facility in an eligible region and devote at least 75% of their time to eligible activities.
Eligible wages are limited to an annual amount of $83,333.
Each year, the corporation must obtain a business qualification certificate and employee certificates from Investissement Québec.
The corporation's operations in the eligible region must start no later than December 31, 2025.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. These companies must have establishments in eligible maritime regions of Québec and be engaged in specific activities.

Companies in the marine biotechnology and mariculture sectors
Companies involved in the processing of sea products
Companies in the manufacturing or processing of finished or semi-finished products from slate or peat
Companies producing wind power and manufacturing wind turbines (restricted to specific areas)
Companies engaged in recreational and tourism activities in Îles-de-la-Madeleine

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Specifically, tax-exempt companies and Crown corporations or their wholly controlled subsidiaries are excluded.

Tax-exempt companies
Crown corporations or their wholly controlled subsidiaries

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The main eligible expense is the wages of employees directly involved in eligible activities.

Wages paid to eligible employees, up to $83,333 annually
Activities related to marine biotechnology, mariculture, and processing of sea products
Manufacturing activities specific to certain regions
Recreational and tourism activities (Îles-de-la-Madeleine only)

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are specific maritime regions in Québec. These include Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

Bas-Saint-Laurent
Côte-Nord
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The corporation must demonstrate its capacity to create at least three full-time positions in an eligible region and obtain necessary qualification certificates from Investissement Québec.

The corporation must obtain an initial qualification certificate issued by Investissement Québec.
The corporation must create at least three full-time positions in a reasonably short period of time.
The corporation must operate in an eligible region and conduct eligible activities as specified for each region.
Each year, the corporation must obtain a business qualification certificate for its activities from Investissement Québec.
The corporation must obtain an employee certificate for its eligible employees each year.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Complete the applications for an initial qualification certificate and a business qualification certificate.
Step 2: Send the completed applications to Investissement Québec.
Step 3: Once the applications are reviewed, Investissement Québec will confirm whether your company is eligible.
Step 4: Each year, obtain a business qualification certificate for your activities and an employee certificate for your eligible employees from Investissement Québec.
Step 5: Attach the necessary documentation, including the business qualification certificate and employee certificates, to your annual tax return to Revenue Québec.
Step 6: Pay the fees associated with processing all eligibility certificate applications.
Step 7: Optionally, apply for financing for refundable tax credits if you want an immediate refund.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The refundable tax credit for job creation in certain maritime regions in Québec aims to stimulate employment in marine biotechnology, mariculture, marine product processing, and recreational-tourism sectors. This initiative includes specific conditions and procedures for eligibility and requires annual certification from Investissement Québec.

The credit rates are 30% for marine biotechnology, mariculture and recreational and tourism activities, and 15% for all other eligible activities.
The credit is available only to corporations that can create at least three full-time positions in an eligible region within a reasonable timeframe.
Eligible wages for the credit are capped at $83,333 per employee per annum.
Annual and business-related certifications must be obtained from Investissement Québec to qualify for and maintain the tax credit.
Investissement Québec charges fees for processing eligibility certificates.
This tax credit program is available until December 31, 2025, with operations required to start by this date.
Specific exclusions include general administrative tasks, activities conducted in commercial food establishments, and non-recreational tourism activities.
Special rules apply for companies with establishments both within and outside the eligible regions or those associated with other companies.
The tax credit is also subject to limitations related to any other government or non-government aid received.

grant_single_labels|documents

Tax credit for Gaspésie and selected maritime regions of Quebec

grant_single_labels|contact

1-844-474-6367

Apply to this program

Summary of Québec Maritime Regions Job Creation Tax Credit

The tax credit, available until December 31, 2025, incentivizes job creation in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions. Eligible corporations can receive a refundable tax credit of 30% for marine biotechnology, mariculture, and recreational/tourism activities, and 15% for other eligible activities, based on the total eligible payroll.

In-Depth Explanation of the Québec Maritime Regions Job Creation Tax Credit

The Québec Maritime Regions Job Creation Tax Credit aims to stimulate economic growth and job creation in certain maritime regions of Québec, specifically Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine. This initiative provides substantial tax relief for qualifying businesses, thereby encouraging them to hire more employees and contribute to the regional economy.

Details of Tax Assistance

The tax credit is calculated based on the total eligible payroll, and the rates vary depending on the activity. Here is a detailed breakdown:

30% tax credit: For activities related to marine biotechnology, mariculture, and recreational and tourism activities.
15% tax credit: For all other eligible activities.

Let's dive deeper into the eligibility criteria and the specifics of the credit application process.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Activities for Each Region

The activities that qualify for the tax credit differ by region. Below is a list of eligible activities for each of the maritime regions:

Bas-Saint-Laurent: Marine biotechnology and mariculture, manufacturing or processing of finished or semi-finished products from slate or peat, production of wind power and manufacturing of wind turbines (La Matanie RCM only), processing of sea products (La Matanie RCM only).
Côte-Nord: Marine biotechnology and mariculture, manufacturing or processing of finished or semi-finished products from slate or peat, processing of sea products.
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine: Marine biotechnology and mariculture, manufacturing or processing of finished or semi-finished products from slate or peat, production of wind power and manufacturing of wind turbines, processing of sea products, recreational and tourism activities (Îles-de-la-Madeleine only).

Eligible Employees

To be eligible, employees must meet the following criteria:

They must work in a facility operated by an eligible corporation located in an eligible region.
At least 75% of their time must be spent on tasks directly related to eligible activities, excluding general administrative tasks.

Eligible Wages

The eligible wage is defined as the employment income calculated under the Taxation Act, including salary or wages paid to an eligible employee, with an annual cap of $83,333.

Specific Requirements

To qualify for the tax credit, the corporation must:

Obtain an initial qualification certificate from Investissement Québec.
Demonstrate the ability to create the equivalent of at least three full-time positions in an eligible region within a reasonable time frame.
Annually obtain a business qualification certificate and employee certificates from Investissement Québec.

Application Process

Initial Qualification Certificate

The initial qualification certificate confirms that the corporation's activities are eligible within the specified region. Key steps include:

Submit an application for an initial qualification certificate along with supporting documentation.
Investissement Québec reviews the application and confirms eligibility.

Business Qualification and Employee Certificates

Each year, the corporation must apply for business qualification and employee certificates. This involves:

Filing relevant forms for business qualification and each eligible employee.
Ensuring activities and employee roles remain within the eligibility criteria.

Fees

Investissement Québec charges fees for processing certificate applications. Contact an Investissement Québec advisor or refer to their rate schedule for more details.

Duration and Limits

The tax credit is available until December 31, 2025, and the corporation's operations must begin by this date. The salary eligible for the tax credit is capped annually at $83,333 per employee.

Additional Details and Considerations

Here are some additional points to keep in mind:

Revocation: The initial qualification certificate can be revoked in the event of unforeseen major events, such as significant operational disruptions. The corporation can then apply for a new certificate if other conditions are met.
Review Process: Corporations disagreeing with decisions made by Investissement Québec can file for a review within 60 days of the decision, subject to applicable fees.
Modification and Revocation: Investissement Québec can modify or revoke certificates if new information arises, with written notice provided to the corporation.
Penalties: False information or obstruction during certification processes can result in fines ranging from $2,000 to $25,000.

Financing and Overlapping Credits

Corporations can seek financing for refundable tax credits to access funds sooner. It is crucial to consider that certain legislative rules prevent the accumulation of multiple credits for the same expense across different programs or for the same corporation. The eligible salary must be reduced by any government or non-government assistance related to these wages.

Practical Tips

For successful application and compliance:

Ensure all documentation is complete and submitted on time.
Keep track of application deadlines, especially the 15-month post-fiscal year deadline for submitting certificate requests.
Continuously monitor employee roles and regional activities to ensure ongoing eligibility.

Conclusion

The Québec Maritime Regions Job Creation Tax Credit offers significant financial incentives for businesses to invest in specific maritime regions. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and specific requirements, corporations can effectively leverage this tax credit to support their growth and contribute to the economic development of these regions.