Export grants in Quebec — see which you qualify for

CanExport SMEs is Canada's primary non-repayable export development grant for incorporated SMEs. It covers 75% of eligible export market development costs — market research, trade show attendance, travel to meet potential buyers, legal or IP protection expenses in the target market, and certification costs. The defining eligibility requirement is genuine market newness: the target country must represent under $100,000 or under 10% of total company sales in the prior 24 months. Quebec businesses with any export-eligible sector (technology, manufacturing, professional services, retail, food processing) can apply. Agri-food companies are specifically excluded — they use AgriMarketing instead.

CIIP is structured in two tiers. The $15,000 Partnership Development Activities stream funds targeted delegations and partner-matching visits to priority markets — you need an identified foreign partner before applying. The $600,000 Co-Innovation Projects stream funds joint R&D with that foreign partner for technology commercialization. Quebec technology companies at growth or expansion stage — particularly AI, clean tech, and life sciences companies — are strong candidates, given access to Montréal's Mila (world-class AI research hub), InVivo Therapeutics cluster in Laval, the Investissement Québec international offices in New York, Paris, and Düsseldorf, and the CED Québec export development network.

RTRI is a $1-billion national program responding to U.S. and Chinese tariff impacts on Canadian businesses, delivered by all seven Regional Development Agencies. In Quebec, CED Québec handles all applications. The maximum non-repayable contribution is $1,000,000 for productivity and competitiveness projects; pure market diversification projects are capped at $300,000. Eligible activities include equipment and technology investments to reduce tariff vulnerability, new market development outside the U.S., supply chain adaptation, and automation investments that lower unit costs. Quebec manufacturers in the Montérégie, Chaudière-Appalaches, Centre-du-Québec, and Laurentides regions are primary candidates given their U.S. export exposure.

The AgriMarketing SME Stream is the direct CanExport equivalent for Quebec agri-food producers — CanExport explicitly excludes this sector, so AgriMarketing is the correct program. It covers up to 70% of eligible export market development costs to a maximum of $100,000 per project. Eligible activities include international market research, trade strategy development, branding for export markets, and trade mission participation. Quebec is Canada's largest maple syrup producer (71% of world supply from 11,300+ maple farms across Beauce, Estrie, Montérégie, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Lanaudière) — this program is particularly relevant to maple product exporters diversifying away from U.S. buyers given tariff pressures. Minimum project cost of $20,000 in AAFC-eligible expenses is required.

CanExport Innovation funds the early-stage international partnership development activities for Canadian innovators and researchers with technology at TRL 4 or above. It covers travel, meeting costs, and partnership-building expenses to secure a specific foreign R&D collaboration — technology licensing, joint development, or commercialization agreement. As of 2026, CanExport Innovation is between intake rounds; the Trade Commissioner Service does not publish a fixed reopening date. Quebec technology companies at this stage should monitor the TCS portal and apply to CIIP's $15,000 Partnership Development stream in the interim.

Creative Export Canada's Export Development stream provides up to $90,000 (75% of eligible expenses) to Canadian creative industry companies with little to no international export experience. Eligible industries include music, film, television, interactive digital media (video games, apps), book publishing, and live performance. For Quebec, this is particularly relevant to French-language content producers, Montréal's world-class animation and game studios, and Quebec City's music export organizations. The Export-Ready Stream (up to $2.5M) is between intakes as of 2026; the $90,000 Export Development Stream is open for companies at the earlier stage of building international market capacity.

The EDC Trade Impact Program is a two-year campaign (2025–2027) providing $5 billion in additional capacity across four existing EDC products: Portfolio Credit Insurance (protects against foreign buyer non-payment), Export Guarantee Program (provides bank guarantees to increase credit availability), Trade Expansion Lending (growth capital for Canadian exporters), and FX Facility Guarantee (currency risk management). This is not a grant — it is a commercial financial tool that reduces the risk and cost of exporting. Quebec exporters in Montréal's financial district, Québec City's technology cluster, and manufacturing centres in Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, and Boisbriand regularly use EDC products to access larger trade finance facilities than banks alone would provide.

CanExport Community Investments funds non-profit organizations — not individual businesses — that help Canadian communities attract foreign direct investment (FDI). For Quebec, eligible organizations include regional economic development corporations (CDEs) in Montréal, Québec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Drummondville, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Projects must focus on attracting, retaining, or expanding FDI in a specific Quebec community or region. Trade promotion or export activities do not qualify — the program is FDI-specific. With growing U.S. and European investment interest in Quebec's AI, life sciences, and clean tech sectors, this is a relevant tool for regional economic development organizations positioning Quebec communities as investment destinations.

Mitacs BSI pairs Quebec businesses with MBA and graduate business interns for 4–6 month strategic projects. Mitacs covers 50% of the $10,000–$15,000 intern stipend. For export-focused projects, BSI is valuable for market analysis, competitor research in target countries, trade strategy development, and partner identification — work that is expensive to commission from consultants but well-matched to a business graduate intern's skills. Quebec universities with strong MBA programs — HEC Montréal, McGill Desautels, Concordia John Molson, Université Laval, ESG UQAM, Université de Sherbrooke, and Bishop's — all participate in Mitacs BSI.