How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $200000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer?

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer is funded by Tourisme Baie-James

What are Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer's eligibility criterias?

The entity must be legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law and operate in Quebec. The project must be located within the Baie-James tourist region, including specific cities and the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James regional government. The applicant must have fulfilled past commitments to the grant partners if they received previous funding.

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer

Last Update: February 16, 2025

QC, Canada

Supporting sustainable tourism development in Baie-James region

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $25,000 to $200,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services

Grant Providers

Tourisme Baie-James

Status

Open

Overview of the Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer program

The Tourisme Baie-James EPRTNT program offers a maximum funding amount of $200,000 to support the development of a responsible and sustainable tourism offer in the Baie-James region. Eligible activities include the creation of thematic tourism products and the implementation of tourism routes and circuits.

Financing terms and conditions

The financial intervention provided is a non-refundable financial contribution.
The project must incur eligible costs of at least $25,000.
The maximum financial intervention amount is $200,000 and cannot exceed 50% of eligible costs for for-profit organizations (OBL) and 80% for non-profit organizations (OBNL) and cooperatives, provided they can demonstrate unsuccessful attempts to secure other funding sources.
For OBL, a minimum promoter's contribution of 50% is required, with a maximum governmental aid accumulation of 50%.
For OBNLs, cooperatives, and municipal entities, a minimum promoter's contribution of 20% is required, with a maximum governmental aid accumulation of 80%.
For Indigenous communities, organizations, or nations, a minimum promoter's contribution of 10% is required, with a maximum governmental aid accumulation of 90%.
For projects located in Îles-de-la-Madeleine, a minimum promoter's contribution of 10% is required, with a maximum governmental aid accumulation of 90%.
The promoter's contribution, including partners' contribution, cannot originate from sources considered in the accumulation of governmental financial aid.
An open public tender is required for awarding construction contracts of $100,000 or more.

Eligible projects & activities

Implementation of routes and tourist circuits.
Development of a thematic product.
Any project demonstrating the structuring of the regional tourism offer with proven sustainability for over three years.

Eligibility criteria of the Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer program

The applicant must be a legally constituted entity under Quebec or Canadian laws and conduct business in Quebec.
The project and the promoter must be established in the Baie-James tourism region, specifically in Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Matagami, or the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James Regional Government.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities and organizations, regional tourism associations with external financial support, and groupings of these entities.
Applicants must have met obligations from any previous grants from the partners, if applicable.
Tourism accommodation businesses must comply with applicable laws and possess an establishment number.
Nature and adventure tourism enterprises must comply with, or commit to comply with, the Adventure Écotourism Québec Quality-Safety program standards.
Projects must have admissible costs of at least $25,000.
The project must demonstrate the potential to impact more than one regional county municipality (MRC) and generate wide-ranging benefits through partnerships.

Who is eligible?

For-profit and non-profit tourism companies.
Cooperatives operating in the tourism sector.
Municipal entities including cities, towns, villages, and regional municipal counties.
Recognized Indigenous communities and nations, along with Indigenous tourism organizations and companies.
Regional tourism associations supported by financial partners.
Combinations of the above-mentioned groups.

Who is not eligible

Sociétés d'État et ministères et organismes des gouvernements du Québec et du Canada.
Entreprises inscrites au registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics.
Entreprises non conformes au processus de francisation de l’Office québécois de la langue française.
Projects linked to the sectors of bed and breakfast establishments, hotel-condominiums, cycling trails, snowmobile trails, golf courses, and dock renovations.
Projects in the restaurant and retail sectors.
Projects related to tourism reception and signage, training content development, gambling sector, and those related to the sale and consumption of alcohol.
Projects with a majority of costs related to upgrading, maintenance, or replacement of existing infrastructure or equipment.
Projects already completed or in progress at the time of application submission.

Eligible expenses

Fees for specialized consulting firms or consultants.
Travel expenses (comparable to those of the ATR).
General expenses directly related to project execution.
Salaries and social benefits for human resources dedicated specifically to the execution of the promoter's project.
Net taxes (excluding the refundable portion) related to eligible costs.

Eligible geographic areas

The territory of the region touristique de la Baie-James
The cities of Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, and Matagami
The territory of the Gouvernement régional d’Eeyou Istchee Baie-James

Eligibility criteria of the Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer program

L’adéquation avec les objectifs de l’EPRTNT.
Le caractère structurant (pouvoir d’attraction, portée du projet, retombées, concertation avec d’autres partenaires, création d’emplois, étalement de la saison, etc.).
Le caractère novateur.
La qualité en matière de concept, de produits et de services.
La structure et le montage financiers.
La pertinence (clientèle significativement touristique et sa diversification, marché, concurrence, qualité de l’offre, stratégie de marketing, maillage, etc.).
La faisabilité (échéancier, stratégie de marketing, qualité du plan d’affaires ou du devis d’études, expertise du promoteur).
La prise en compte des principes de développement durable.
La pertinence touristique et la prise en compte des priorités régionales.

How to apply to the Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer program

Mandatory preliminary meeting

Organize a meeting with the Baie-James Tourism team.
Discuss your project to ensure that all necessary documents will be submitted.
Check that the file is complete to avoid any delays.

Preparation of the required documents

Complete and sign the application form in Excel format.
Develop a project plan outlining the expected deliverables and impacts over three years.
Compile the financial statements for the last two years (except for certain entities).
Create a projected income-expense statement for the duration of the project.
Obtain a resolution from the board of directors authorizing the signer of the application.
Provide written confirmation from financial partners, if available.
Provide, if necessary, the appropriate Indigenous certificate or certification.
If applicable, provide proof of compliance with the Quality-Safety program of Aventure Écotourisme Québec.

Filling out the application form

Complete the Financial Assistance Request form EPRTNT for the Baie-James region.
Ensure that all information is accurate and complete.

Submission of the request

Send the form and all required documents to the following address: olafoudah@tourismebaiejames.com.

Contact for further information

For any questions, please contact Ms. Isabelle Milord at 418-770-5290 or by email at imilord@tourismebaiejames.com.

Additional information

The maximum funding received from this grant cannot substitute existing programs.
A project that has received financial aid from the Administration Régionale de la Baie-James (ARBJ) is not eligible for this financial support.
A public tender process is mandatory for awarding construction contracts of $100,000 or more.
If the beneficiary is a municipal entity, it must comply with legislative and regulatory provisions governing contract awards.
Projects involving construction or expansion costing $150,000 or more must comply with Quebec's policy on integrating art into architecture and environment in government and public buildings and sites.
Recipients of financial aid totaling $100,000 or more must commit to implementing an equal access program if they employ over 100 workers.
Compliance with the Quebec Official Language Act is required for all businesses operating in the province, irrespective of their size.
Sustainability development proposals are required as one of the EPRTNT’s objectives is promoting a responsible and sustainable tourism offer.