Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program (TIRAP)

The following are the eligibility criteria for companies applying for this grant program:

• The organization must be legally constituted under the laws of the governments of Québec or Canada and conduct business in Québec.
• The applicant organization must be the one incurring expenses and carrying out the project.
• Organizations operating a tourist accommodation must comply with current laws and regulations and hold a registration number.
• Outfitters must have a valid permit and meet all obligations outlined by the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife and its regulations.
• Organizations must not have been financially supported by the Ministry of Tourism in the first, second, and/or third calls for projects of PARIT.
• The organization must incur eligible project-related costs of at least $500,000.
• Provide confirmation that the required funds and loans for project funding are available.
• Submit all required documents with the application, including a business plan.
• Demonstrate conformity with AEQ's Quality-Safety program standards or commit to initiating the process where necessary.
• Register on the bonjourquebec.com site if applicable, except for start-up projects.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Program d’aide à la relance de l’industrie touristique (PARIT) include legally constituted for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities or nations, and groupings of these eligible clients. All organizations must be legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada, conduct business in Quebec, and meet specific criteria related to project eligibility and financial capability. Exclusions apply to state-owned companies, departments and agencies of Quebec or Canadian governments, companies under certain legal protections or those previously failing to comply with financial obligations.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain companies and industries primarily due to their status or failure to comply with specific legal or financial requirements. These restrictions are designed to focus on revitalizing sectors that contribute positively to the tourism industry's sustainable and innovative development.

• State-owned corporations, government departments, and agencies of the Quebec or Canadian governments.
• Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Businesses listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have failed to meet obligations in previous financial aid projects within the last two years.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses directly related to the realization and enhancement of tourism projects.

• Costs for project realization such as construction, reconstruction, expansion, refurbishment, adaptation, or conversion, including infrastructure and equipment replacement and deployment of a new tourism experience.
• Development, landscaping, and enhancement of land or trails.
• Purchase and installation of specialized equipment or furniture.
• Acquisition of boats or vehicles to enhance the customer experience.
• Acquisition of land, easements, and rights of way, and associated costs (except when acquired with a related party or owned by shareholders of the organization).
• Surveying costs for the site.
• Quality control costs conducted on the project site.
• Net taxes associated with these direct costs, excluding any refundable portion.
• Professional fees for design, engineering, technical staff, or consultants engaged for project supervision and management, including account reporting-related fees.
• Salaries and compensation for permanent employees involved in planning, engineering, architecture, supervision, management, and other services provided (limited to the lesser of 5% of eligible costs or $100,000).
• Net taxes associated with incident fees, excluding any refundable portion.
• Fees related to project development (preliminary studies, business plan, eco-responsible development plan), even if paid prior to the grant application (up to two years before).
• Costs for integrating artwork into a building or site, as per the government's Arts Integration Policy.
• Net taxes associated with other costs, excluding any refundable portion.

Eligible geographic areas

Eligible regions for the construction of new tourist accommodations under this grant are specified to address regional needs. These areas have been identified due to a lack of sufficient accommodation units.

• Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Cantons-de-l'Est
• Charlevoix
• Chaudière-Appalaches
• Gaspésie
• Îles-de-la-Madeleine
• Lanaudière
• Laurentides
• Mauricie
• Montérégie

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are assessed based on specific criteria aimed at ensuring the proposed initiatives align with the strategic goals of enhancing the tourism sector's sustainability, innovation, and economic impact.

• Relevance of the project in terms of meeting an identified regional need or objective recognized by the Ministry.
• Potential for generating significant tourism-related benefits in the region.
• Commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
• Innovative nature of the project, including offering a premium product.
• Social acceptability, supported by community endorsements or letters of support.
• Feasibility of project implementation.
• Contribution to extending the tourism season.
• Integration into a regional development strategy or plan, with supporting evidence.
• Priority given to projects involving nature access, Indigenous tourism, winter tourism, food and agritourism, and related accommodations.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Financial aid is available in two installments: 60% after signing the financial assistance agreement and 40% upon receipt of the required accountability documents.
• A third installment of 10% may be available if compliance with the Quality-Safety program standards is achieved post-project completion or if art integration requirements are met.
• The program sets a deadline of March 31, 2025, with funding contingent upon availability.
• Loans for the project must come from non-governmental sources.
• Certain projects may qualify for an eco-responsibility bonus, offering an additional 5% to 10% of the financial aid.
• The program requires contract awards through a public tender process for construction contracts of $100,000 or more.
• For projects valued at $100,000 or more, a commitment to implement an employment equality program may be needed.
• All companies, regardless of size, operating in Quebec must comply with the province's official language laws.