Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Studies and consulting services

• The financial intervention is a non-refundable financial contribution.
• The project must have eligible costs of at least $5,000.
• The maximum financial intervention amount is $50,000 and cannot exceed 50% of the eligible costs for for-profit organizations (OBL).
• For non-profit organizations (OBNL) and cooperatives, the financial coverage can be up to 80% of eligible costs, provided that the organization proves it has sought other funding sources unsuccessfully.
• Promoter’s equity contribution, including partner contributions, cannot come from sources that count towards the accumulation of government aid, asset transfers, or contributions in goods and services.
• The accumulation of government financial aids considers contributions from municipal entities and all ministries and organizations of the Quebec and federal governments.
• The minimum promoter’s equity contribution varies by eligible clientele, being 50% for OBL, 20% for OBNL and cooperatives, municipal entities, and groupings, and 10% for Indigenous communities, organizations, or enterprises.

• The applicant must be a legally constituted entity in accordance with the laws of the Government of Quebec or the Government of Canada and must conduct business in Quebec.
• The project must be located within the tourism region of Baie-James, including the cities of Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Matagami, and the Regional Government of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James.
• Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations (OBL), non-profit organizations (OBNL), cooperatives, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities and nations, Indigenous tourism organizations and businesses, and regional tourism associations with additional financial partners.
• Applicants must have honored previous commitments to the partners if they received a previous grant.
• Tourism accommodation establishments must comply with applicable laws and regulations and hold a registration number.
• Nature and adventure tourism companies must meet the quality and safety standards of the Aventure Écotourisme Québec program or commit to pursuing such compliance.
• The applicant must not be a state-owned enterprise, ministry, or organization of the Quebec or Canadian governments, nor be listed on the registry of ineligible enterprises for public contracts.
• The applicant must be compliant with the francisation process of the Office québécois de la langue française.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit tourist organizations.
• Non-profit tourist organizations.
• Cooperatives within the tourism sector.
• Municipal entities including cities, towns, and villages.
• Recognized Indigenous communities and nations, along with associated tourism organizations.
• Associations representing regional tourism, with support from external financial partners.
• Consortia formed by any of the aforementioned eligible clienteles.

Who is not eligible

• State-owned enterprises and government departments and agencies of Quebec and Canada.
• Companies listed on the registry of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
• Companies not complying with the francisation process of the Office québécois de la langue française.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees for firms or specialized consultants for conducting specific studies related to the development of the tourism offer in a territory.
• Professional fees for targeted individual support aimed at improving service and product quality.
• Net taxes (excluding the refundable portion) related to direct costs.

Eligible geographic areas

• The cities of Chapais
• Chibougamau
• Lebel-sur-Quévillon
• Matagami
• The territory of the Gouvernement régional d’Eeyou Istchee Baie-James

• L’adéquation avec les objectifs de l’EPRTNT (Alignment with the objectives of the EPRTNT).
• Le caractère structurant (pouvoir d’attraction, portée du projet, retombées, concertation avec d’autres partenaires, création d’emplois, étalement de la saison, etc.) (The structuring nature such as attraction power, project scope, outcomes, collaboration with other partners, job creation, season extension, etc.).
• Le caractère novateur (The innovative nature).
• La qualité en matière de concept, de produits et de services (Quality in terms of concept, products, and services).
• La structure et le montage financiers (Financial structure and setup).
• La pertinence (clientèle significativement touristique et sa diversification, marché, concurrence, qualité de l’offre, stratégie de marketing, maillage, etc.) (Relevance including significant tourist clientele and diversification, market, competition, quality of offer, marketing strategy, networking, etc.).
• La faisabilité (échéancier, stratégie de marketing, qualité du plan d’affaires ou du devis d’études, expertise du promoteur) (Feasibility including timeline, marketing strategy, quality of the business plan or study specification, expertise of the promoter).
• La prise en compte des principes de développement durable (Consideration of sustainable development principles).
• La pertinence du projet touristique et la prise en compte des priorités régionales (Relevance of the tourism project and consideration of regional priorities).

• An organization that receives financial assistance of $100,000 or more and employs over 100 people must commit to implementing an equal access program in accordance with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
• All businesses operating in Quebec are required to comply with the Official and Common Language of Quebec, French, as per legislation sanctioned on June 1, 2022.
• The project must ensure that funding is not replaced by funding from the ARBJ or any other existing programs.