EPRTNT Assistance Program

Who is eligible?

This grant is specifically designed for a variety of tourism-related entities operating within the tourism region of Montreal that aim to develop and enhance the local tourism offer, aligning with regional priorities and sustainable tourism practices.

• Tourism businesses that are legally constituted for-profit entities in Quebec or Canada operating within Quebec.
• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) legally constituted in Quebec or Canada and operating within Quebec.
• Cooperatives legally constituted in Quebec or Canada and operating within Quebec.
• Municipal entities as defined in the grant context.
• Indigenous communities and nations recognized by the National Assembly, including indigenous tourism organizations and businesses.
• Any grouping of the aforementioned entities.
• Regional tourism associations (ATR) are eligible only for projects related to studies, consulting services, and regional tourism offer structuring, provided they have financial partners other than those from the EPRTNT.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries based on their status or main activity. The limitations ensure the alignment of projects with tourism development initiatives in the Montreal region.

• State-owned enterprises and government ministries or agencies of Quebec and Canada.
• Applicants registered in the Register of non-eligible businesses for public contracts.
• Tourist establishments that do not comply with existing laws and regulations.
• Companies involved in projects related to gambling or alcohol sales and consumption.
• Projects in the bed and breakfast, hotel condominiums (condotels), restaurants, and retail sectors.
• Entities whose primary costs pertain to updates, maintenance, or replacement of existing infrastructure/equipment.
• Projects already completed or underway at the time of application submission.
• Recipients of non-repayable financial aid from the Tourism Industry Recovery Aid Program (PARIT) or the Attraction Development Support Program (PADAT).

Eligible expenses

The grant provides funding for expenses that are directly related to developing and enhancing tourism projects in Montreal, focusing on new offerings and infrastructure improvements.

• Construction, reconstruction, enlargement, adaptation, or conversion of infrastructure or equipment for new tourism experiences.
• Professional fees for the design or engineering by recognized professionals, and professional fees for project oversight, management, or reporting.
• Development, landscaping, and enhancement of land and trails.
• Purchase and installation of specialized equipment and furniture.
• Acquisition of boats or rolling stock to enhance the client experience.
• Acquisition of land, easements, and passage rights when necessary for project realization, except when dealing with related companies or when assets are held by shareholders.
• Surveying costs of the site.
• Quality control costs at the site.
• Non-refundable parts of applicable taxes.
• Costs related to integrating artwork into a building or site, related to the Quebec government's arts integration policy.
• Professional fees from specialized firms or consultants for conducting specific studies related to tourism development or improving service and product quality.
• Professional fees for accompaniment and implementation of proposed digital solutions.
• Purchases of technological or other equipment required for solution implementation.
• First-time subscriptions (up to 24 months) to cloud-based services if the solution uses this technology.
• Purchase of material, software, or mobile applications aimed at enhancing customer interaction.
• Cost of integrated management software packages and e-commerce software.
• Travel expenses (comparable to ATR), general expenses, salaries, and benefits for resources specifically dedicated to project delivery.
• Professional fees for training or upskilling human resources responsible for or associated with the digital development project implementation.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The maximum percentage of financial aid provided by the EPRT for a project is 80%, based on eligible project costs.
• The financial support from EPRT is a non-repayable grant.
• Projects receiving financial aid must ensure the beneficiary remains the owner or manager of the project infrastructure or equipment for at least five years post-project completion.
• For projects involving construction, a public call for tenders is required if the contract is valued at $100,000 or more.
• A project that receives $100,000 or more in aid and has more than 100 employees must implement an access to equality program.
• All activities under this grant must align with Quebec's Official Language Act, ensuring operations comply with the stipulations of using the French language.
• Projects must emphasize sustainable development with measures that mitigate environmental impact while providing social and economic benefits.
• The grant application requires a detailed financial plan and clear project sustainability beyond the grant period.
• The deadline for application submissions is July 5, 2024, with responses expected by September 2024.