Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Studies and consulting services

• The financial intervention is a non-repayable contribution.
• The maximum financial intervention is $15,000 and cannot exceed 90% of eligible costs.
• Minimum promoter contribution varies by type of eligible entity: 50% for for-profit organizations, 20% for non-profit organizations and cooperatives, 10% for Indigenous communities and organizations or projects located in Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
• Government aid accumulation limits are set at 50% for for-profit organizations and 80% for non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
• For Indigenous communities and organizations, or projects located in Îles-de-la-Madeleine, government aid accumulation can reach 90%.
• The promoter's financial input, including partner support, cannot come from sources considered in the accumulation of government aid, asset transfers, or in-kind contributions.
• Eligible costs include professional fees of specialized firms or consultants for conducting specific studies on tourism offer development or business practice improvement.
• Non-eligible costs include salaries, operating expenses, debt servicing costs, legal fees, and costs covered by other non-repayable aids such as PARIT or PADAT.
• Financial assistance of $100,000 or more to an OBL with over 100 employees must include a commitment to implement an equal access program in compliance with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

• The applicant must be a legally constituted entity under the laws of the government of Quebec or Canada and conduct business in Quebec.
• Eligible entities include tourism businesses (for-profit and non-profit organizations and cooperatives), municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities and organizations, regional tourism associations with financial partner support, and groupings of these clients.
• The applicant must have fulfilled previous commitments to partners if applicable.
• Tourism accommodation businesses must comply with prevailing laws and regulations, including obtaining a registration number.
• Nature and adventure tourism businesses must possess or be in the process of obtaining the "Accrédité Qualité-Sécurité" or "Attesté Qualité-Sécurité" seal from Aventure Écotourisme Québec, or must commit to starting this process.
• The applicant must not be a State-owned corporation, a government ministry or agency, or an enterprise listed in the register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
• The applicant must comply with the francization process by the Office québécois de la langue française.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit organizations (OBL) in the tourism sector.
• Non-profit organizations (OBNL) involved in tourism.
• Tourism cooperatives.
• Municipal entities such as cities, towns, and villages.
• Recognized Indigenous communities and nations, including their tourism organizations and businesses.
• Regional tourism associations partnered with financial supporters outside of the EPRTNT program.
• Groups formed from the aforementioned eligible entities.

Who is not eligible

• State-owned enterprises and ministries and organizations of the governments of Quebec and Canada.
• Companies registered in the registry of enterprises not eligible for public contracts.
• Companies not compliant with the French language standardization process of the Office québécois de la langue française.
• Projects related to accommodation establishments that fail to adhere to existing legal and regulatory requirements or lack a registration number.
• Projects of tourist lodging such as bed and breakfasts.
• Projects involving hotel condominiums (condotels).
• Projects associated with cycling paths, snowmobile trails, golf courses, and wharf renovations.
• Projects from the sectors of restaurant and retail trade.
• Projects related to tourist reception and signage.
• Project content development for training purposes.
• Projects from the gambling sector and those related to the sale and consumption of alcohol.
• Companies whose projects are not predominantly innovation or future development-focused and are largely centered on upgrading or replacing existing infrastructure or equipment.
• Projects already completed or underway at the time of application submission.
• Projects receiving non-repayable financial assistance from other specified tourism recovery programs.
• Business plans, marketing plans, local and regional development plans, and studies and surveys required for submitting financial aid applications to other programs or meeting the requirements of another ministry.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees for consulting firms or specialized consultants for specific studies related to the development of the tourism offer of a territory.
• Professional fees for consulting services aimed at improving the quality of services and products.
• Net taxes related to direct costs (excluding the reimbursed portion).

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies operating within the region of Côte-Nord, Quebec, Canada.

• The adequacy with the objectives of the EPRTNT.
• The structuring nature of the project (attraction power, project scope, partnerships, job creation, season extension, etc.).
• The innovative character of the project.
• The quality in terms of concept, products, and services offered.
• The financial structure and planning.
• The relevance to significantly tourist clientele and market diversification (market, competition, offering quality, marketing strategy, collaboration, etc.).
• The feasibility of the project, including schedule, marketing strategy, quality of business plan or study specifications, and promoter expertise.
• Consideration of sustainable development principles.

• The financial contribution is non-repayable and can cover up to 90% of eligible costs.
• Applicants should ensure that their matching funds do not come from sources already considered in the accumulation of government aid.
• A program access to equality is required for OBL organizations with more than 100 employees receiving financial aid of $100,000 or more.
• All projects must conform to the obligations outlined in the Loi sur la langue officielle et commune du Québec, le français.
• Projects must integrate development sustainability measures to reduce environmental impact alongside fostering socio-economic benefits.