Wage Subsidies and Internships Available for Businesses in Quebec for 2026

What are Wage and Internship Subsidies in Quebec?

Wage and internship subsidies in Quebec are crucial financial aids established by the government to support businesses in their hiring efforts. These subsidies, covering part of the costs related to salaries or internship remuneration, play a vital role in reducing employers' financial burdens.

They not only stimulate the local economy but also facilitate market access for diverse groups, including young professionals, immigrants, and individuals undergoing career transitions. By providing practical and enriching experiences to employees and interns, these programs contribute to the development of technical and professional skills. Additionally, they help businesses adapt to a constantly evolving economic environment while enhancing their ability to attract and retain talent.

Quebec, with its commitment to supporting employment, has developed various initiatives that benefit different sectors. Whether integrating workers into strategic fields or supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, these subsidies are tailored to meet employers' real needs. Expected outcomes include better professional integration, the creation of quality jobs, and the strengthening of workers' skills, all of which benefit Quebec's economy in the long term.

What is a Wage Subsidy?

A wage subsidy is a direct financial support given to employers to cover a portion of employees' salaries. These subsidies are essential in Quebec's overall employment support strategy, offering a tangible way to reduce businesses' financial burdens while promoting quality job creation.

These programs are often designed to:

• Encourage the hiring of underrepresented groups, such as young professionals, individuals with disabilities, or recent immigrants, thereby fostering greater social and economic inclusion.

• Help businesses address labor shortages in strategic sectors while boosting their capacity for innovation and competitiveness.

• Support adaptation to new markets or technologies, especially in areas like renewable energy, digital transformation, and green industries.

The main costs covered include:

• A portion of the employee's gross salary, often ranging from 25% to 75%, depending on eligibility criteria and specific program objectives.

• Social charges or associated benefits in some cases, such as contributions to employment insurance or retirement plans.

Moreover, these subsidies may include additional components to help employers offer specialized training or create adapted work environments. Businesses benefiting from these programs often report significant improvements in productivity as well as better talent retention.

Thus, wage subsidies are a key tool for strengthening employers' economic resilience while contributing to sustainable development and social prosperity in Quebec.

Subsidies for Internships

Internship subsidies target students or recent graduates, offering businesses an affordable and strategic way to recruit talent while providing practical and enriching experiences. These programs often allow for:

• Covering a significant portion of interns' salaries or remuneration, sometimes up to 70% of costs, which represents substantial aid for employers.

• Supporting the creation of workplace internships by encouraging companies to invest in mentoring and training young professionals.

• Promoting professional experiences in strategic sectors such as technology, healthcare, green energy, and cultural industries to address Quebec's economic needs.

These subsidies help create an ecosystem conducive to integrating young people into the labor market. By offering competitive compensation and training opportunities, they contribute to interns' professional development and the skills required in a constantly evolving economy.

Why is Subsidized Employment Culture Important in Quebec?

Quebec stands out for its strong culture of employment and training support, rooted in values of economic and social solidarity. This approach aims to:

• Strengthen the regional economic fabric by energizing local businesses and stimulating the creation of sustainable jobs.

• Promote the integration of young people into the labor market by offering concrete professional development opportunities in their fields of study.

• Encourage a skilled, adaptable, and resilient workforce essential to addressing current and future economic, technological, and environmental challenges.

This culture of subsidized employment enables the province to develop an inclusive and sustainable economic model where businesses and workers collaborate to build a prosperous future for all. It is also a competitive advantage for Quebec on the national and international stage, showcasing its commitment to a knowledge-based and innovative economy.

Guide to Wage Subsidies and Internship Programs in Quebec

1. Overview of Available Wage Subsidies

• Emploi Québec:

  Support for businesses integrating and training employees.

• Employment Assistance Program (PAE):

  Financial aid to encourage the hiring of job seekers.

• Tax Credit for Internships:

  Tax relief for companies hiring interns.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Businesses

• Be registered and operating in Quebec.

• Offer a job or internship aligned with program objectives.

• Demonstrate a financial need to justify the application.

3. Funding Amounts and Percentages

• Wage subsidies can cover between 25% and 75% of salaries, depending on the program and the employee or intern profile.

• Subsidized internships generally offer up to $7,000 per intern.

4. Process to Apply for a Subsidy

1. Identify the program that suits your business needs.

2. Submit an online application through government platforms.

3. Provide supporting documents (employment plan, budgets, eligibility profiles).

4. Wait for the response from the relevant organization.

Benefits of Recruiting Subsidized Interns

• Access new talent at reduced costs, enabling businesses to allocate resources to other strategic priorities, such as product development or process improvement.

• Opportunity to train future employees according to your specific needs, tailoring their training to your company's technologies and methods, which facilitates quicker and more effective integration into your teams.

• Enhance your image as a responsible employer, strengthening your employer brand. This positive perception can also attract other qualified talents interested in working for an organization committed to skill development.

• Contribute to the local economic ecosystem by supporting young people's access to career opportunities and strengthening ties between businesses and educational institutions.

• Increase adaptability, as interns often bring innovative perspectives and fresh ideas that can lead to improvements in daily operations.

Tips for Integrating Interns

• Prepare a detailed onboarding and training plan, including presentations on your company's values and goals, as well as specific training on the tools and processes interns will use.

• Set clear objectives for interns by establishing milestones and performance indicators to evaluate their progress and contributions to ongoing projects.

• Provide mentorship to maximize learning by assigning an experienced employee as a primary contact to guide and support the intern throughout their tenure.

• Encourage regular communication to gather feedback from interns, identify potential challenges, and adjust their trajectory as needed.

• Create opportunities for interns to collaborate with different teams or observe various activities, giving them a comprehensive view of your organization.

Testimonials or Case Studies

• Example: A manufacturing SME successfully reduced its hiring costs by 50% through a wage subsidy. With the allocated funds, it invested in training tools for employees, boosting productivity and job satisfaction.

• Example: A tech start-up recruited two subsidized interns who contributed to improving its digital processes. The interns brought AI expertise, enabling the development of a new data management tool that reduced processing time by 30%.

• Example: An agricultural company integrated three interns through subsidies, allowing it to adopt sustainable farming practices while training the next generation of skilled workers in the sector. The return on investment was twofold, with reduced operating costs and an improved environmental brand perception.

Recent Updates on Programs

Provincial and federal governments regularly adjust their programs to address evolving economic and social needs. In 2026, several initiatives focus on green technologies, such as subsidies for integrating eco-friendly solutions into production chains, and sectors with labor shortages, with specific programs to attract talent in rural areas. New incentives also encourage collaboration between businesses and educational institutions, promoting a smoother transition of students into the labor market.