This federal tax incentive program (to which the Provincial Government endorses the Federal Government’s decision) is designed to encourage Canadian industries to conduct research and development in Canada. The program is the most important source of Federal Government support for industrial research and development, and is designed to promote technological advancement in both pure research and products or processes.

Objectives:

Succeed in the digital transformation of your company.

The Industry 4.0 Audit program aims to encourage as many Quebec companies as possible to undertake the digital shift by conducting a diagnosis and a digital plan, followed by a structured approach to select solutions and plan the management of change in connection with the prioritized digital projects.

Eligible clients:

• Manufacturing companies
• Service companies
• Companies in the construction sector
• Cooperatives
• Companies in the social economy

The mandate:

• Realization of your diagnosis and your digital plan
• Validate your strategic and operational orientations
• Define and describe your business processes
• Align your technologies with your strategic orientations
• Evaluate your overall digital maturity index
• Produce a report with action plans

Generated through investments from immigrant investors, this financing program is aimed at growing Québec companies. The contribution may cover from 10 to 15% (for start-up companies) of the project development costs related to the production, technological innovation, establishment of new standards, marketing outside of Quebec, and so on.

Support for the implementation of investment projects (feasibility studies)

The purpose of this component is to support studies prior to the implementation of investment projects in Québec, by companies in Québec or elsewhere, with a view to increasing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and promoting sustainable development.

Support for SME productivity

This component aims to increase the level of productivity of Québec companies in order to enhance competitiveness and accelerate business growth.

CanExport provides direct financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses seeking new export opportunities and new markets.

The Export Program is intended for Quebec companies that wish to :

• Be better prepared to export or strengthen their capacity to export
• Consolidate and diversify their markets outside Quebec

The objectives of this component are as follows:

• Support businesses and business groups at the various stages of an innovation project to help them strengthen their innovation capabilities
• Promote partnerships between businesses and with universities and research centers in Québec and abroad, particularly QuébecInnove member organizations
• Support businesses in their efforts to protect their intellectual property assets
• Promote a better valorization of research results and know-how

The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) provides financial support to qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada that wish to develop technologies by offering direct grants of up to $ 500,000 (the average being $ 94,000)

Unlike the SR & ED program, in order to access financial assistance, the project must be supported by a high commercial success probability within a maximum of 18 to 24 months after the start of the project. The project must also be fully documented, including technological objectives and uncertainties, anticipated challenges and obstacles, work plan, budget, project rationale, market, competition, sales forecast, return on investment, an so on.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) provides funding and guidance to Quebec businesses and regions. Interventions are focused on SMEs and non-profit organizations with an economic vocation.

MAPAQ designs and implements various programs necessary for the development of the biofood sector.

The Tax credit for e-business development is dedicated to encouraging the hiring and retention of jobs in the information technology field of information technology. It’s an excellent program that supports companies looking to increase their activities in the IT field.

The EcoPerformance Program supports projects or measures that:

• Reduce greenhouse gases (GHG)
• Improve the energy efficiency of processes and buildings
• Reduce fugitive emissions from processes and buildings
• Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels

An eligible corporation may, under certain conditions, claim the tax credit for the training of a worker employed by a small business in respect of eligible training expenses it incurred in the taxation year for an eligible employee.