Tourism establishment accessibility program

Who is eligible?

The PAET program accepts applications from various legal entities aiming to enhance the accessibility of tourist facilities in Quebec. Eligible applicants encompass a broad range of legally constituted organizations that operate within the tourist sector.

• Legally constituted for-profit organizations (OBL) operating in Quebec.
• Legally constituted non-profit organizations (OBNL) conducting business in Quebec.
• Legally constituted cooperatives involved in tourism activities.
• Indigenous organizations, communities, and nations recognized by the National Assembly.
• Consortiums or groups formed by any combination of the above entities.

Who is not eligible

The PAET grant program has specific exclusions based on the type and status of organizations involved in the application. These exclusions ensure the grant is targeted at non-governmental and strategic tourism sectors.

• State-owned enterprises, ministries, and government agencies in Quebec or Canada.
• Municipalities, except for non-governmental organizations operating tourist services on municipal properties.
• Projects eligible for other specific accessibility programs like the Société d’habitation du Québec's Petits établissements accessibles (PEA).
• Companies listed on the register of companies not eligible for public contracts.
• Companies that have failed to meet their obligations for previous financial aid from the Quebec Ministry of Tourism within the last two years.
• Projects from sectors like alcohol or cannabis consumption, gambling, and general retail, except for specified exceptions like restaurants or designated tourist shops.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses related to improving the accessibility of infrastructures and services in the tourism sector.

• Professional fees for designing plans and specifications related to accessibility work.
• Fees for recognized professionals for project management, supervision, and required reporting.
• Costs for preparing and following up on public tender documents for construction work over $100,000.
• Certification report costs by an authorized contractor.
• Improvement or transformation works on infrastructure to obtain Kéroul's "accessible" rating.
• Costs for accessibility-related components of a global project.
• Minor repair, maintenance, or renovation work under $20,000.
• Expenses for purchasing and installing specialized equipment or furniture.
• Costs of acquiring adapted materials to enhance customer experience.
• Municipal permit costs.
• Net taxes on direct costs.
• Contingency fees, up to 15% of the costs.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically intended for tourism businesses operating in the province of Quebec, Canada. Eligibility for funding is clearly designated to encourage the development and enhancement of accessible tourism infrastructure within this region.

• Businesses legally constituted and operating within Quebec.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The total budget for the program is $2,000,000.
• The program will end on March 31, 2026, or upon depletion of the funds, whichever comes first.
• In the event that the number of projects and/or their total costs exceed the available program funds, priority will be given to projects with the highest score in order of the date the complete project submission was received.
• The financial assistance awarded requires a public tender process for construction contracts of $100,000 or more.
• If an organization's project results in receiving a total public financing of $100,000 or more, and it employs more than 100 staff, it needs to comply with the Equal Access Employment Program.
• The projects must comply with the "Policy on the integration of arts into the architecture and environment of public buildings" for construction-related initiatives.
• Financial aid is payable in two installments: 60% after signing the financial agreement and 40% upon project completion and compliance verification.
• Projects are expected to be completed within 12 months of signing the agreement.