CED Quebec — Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP)

Insider Tip

QEDP is CED's 'other' program — most applicants default to REGI, so QEDP has less competition for SME projects. Your CED regional advisor will suggest QEDP if your project is tourism or community-oriented rather than innovation-driven. Tourism-related projects have the strongest track record. If your project has both innovation and community elements, your advisor can help split across REGI and QEDP.

Rejection Pitfalls 6

• Business in excluded sector (retail, restaurant, transportation, housing construction, daycare)
• Project lacks regional economic impact or community benefit
• Insufficient matching funding from non-government sources

Success Profile

Quebec-based SME or NPO with a community economic development, tourism, or regional diversification project. Strong regional economic impact case. Has engaged CED regional advisor before submission. Tourism experience development, festival promotion, and Montreal East End projects are particularly well-aligned.

Evaluation Criteria

Non-competitive eligibility assessment. CED evaluates: (1) economic development nexus — regional diversification, job creation, community economic capacity; (2) regional relevance — alignment with Quebec regional priorities (tourism, social economy, rural diversification, Indigenous development); (3) financial viability and co-funding capacity (50% for SMEs, 10% for NPOs); (4) leverage ratio ($2+ private per CED dollar); (5) project readiness with validated costs and confirmed co-funding; (6) CED advisor positive recommendation.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 9

• Capital construction or renovation for tourism facilities (trails, interpretive centres, heritage restorations)
• Purchase of equipment and infrastructure for tourism or community economic development
• Digital systems: e-commerce, booking platforms, destination marketing digital tools
• Marketing and promotion activities for tourism destinations and regional products
• Market research, feasibility studies, and strategic plans for economic development initiatives
• Training and workforce development tied to specific project activities
• Professional services (project management, consulting, design) directly tied to the project
• Salaries of staff directly dedicated to the project (portion attributed with records)
• Cooperative development costs: bylaws, incorporation, governance, feasibility studies

Ineligible Expenses 9

• Land and real estate acquisition
• Ongoing operating and administrative costs not directly project-attributable
• Routine marketing and general advertising not tied to a specific QEDP initiative
• Expenses incurred before CED approval
• Debt refinancing and existing loan repayment
• Alcohol, hospitality, and entertainment costs
• General administrative overhead not directly project-related
• GST/HST (recoverable via input tax credits for eligible entities)
• Contingency reserves

Intake Periods

Continuous year-round intake. Sub-programs like Tourism Growth Program may have limited envelopes and close when committed. Budget runs April 1 – March 31; Q1 submissions get best budget access.

Deadline Notes

Continuous intake year-round. Some sub-programs (e.g., Tourism Growth Program) have fixed envelopes and may close when committed. Budget follows fiscal year (April 1 - March 31); Q1 submissions get best budget access.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Retail trade businesses (standalone, not tourism-oriented)
• Restaurants and food service (unless tourism anchor in remote region)
• Transportation service companies (unless integral to tourism project)
• Residential housing construction and real estate development
• Licensed daycare and childcare operators
• Universities and CEGEPs (as primary applicants)
• Federal government entities

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Low for NPOs (non-repayable; risk mainly unspent funds returned). Moderate for for-profit SMEs: company sale, project failure to deliver community benefit, or insufficient matching funding materialization may trigger early repayment. Tourism projects with poor visitor outcomes face lower risk than pure commercial projects.