Quebec Business Grants, 2026

Quebec's landmark tax credit overhaul, the CRIC replaced six former tax measures effective March 25, 2025 — including the old 14% R&D credit, the C2I investment credit, innovation partnership credits, digital transformation credits, e-commerce credits, and design credits. CRIC provides a 30% refundable tax credit on the first $1 million of eligible expenditures above a threshold, and 20% on amounts above $1 million. For Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) with taxable capital under $15 million, the credit is fully refundable. Eligible expenditures include R&D salaries, certain capital investments, and innovation-related expenses. When combined with the federal SR&ED enhanced rate, Quebec businesses achieve approximately 58.5% effective R&D assistance — the highest combined rate in Canada. Important: The old 14% R&D tax credit no longer exists. Do not reference it in applications.

Rate

30% on first $1M / 20% above

Replaces

6 former QC tax credits

Eligibility

Corporations with QC R&D expenditures

Refundable

Yes, for CCPCs <$15M taxable capital

Status

Active (effective March 25, 2025)

Stacking

Combinable with federal SR&ED

Canada's premier innovation funding program for SMEs. IRAP provides non-repayable contributions up to $500,000 per project (not $1 million as sometimes cited — that figure reflects exceptional multi-phase projects). Covers R&D salaries, contractor costs, and project expenses. IRAP also provides free advisory services through its network of Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs). Quebec businesses benefit from a strong ITA presence, particularly in Montreal's AI, aerospace, and life sciences clusters. Can be combined with CRIC and SR&ED for maximum R&D support.

Amount

Up to $500K per project

Type

Non-repayable grant

Eligibility

SMEs with ≤500 employees

Timeline

3–6 months approval

One of the world's most competitive video game and interactive digital media tax credits. The CTMM provides a 37.5% tax credit on eligible labour expenditures for multimedia titles produced in Quebec. This supports Quebec's position as a global gaming hub with 257 studios employing 15,220 people, including major operations from Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, EA, and dozens of indie studios. The credit applies to video games, educational software, and interactive digital content. Note: Quebec is transitioning a portion of CTMM from refundable to non-refundable, so consult current regulations for the split.

Rate

37.5% of eligible labour

Type

Tax credit (refundable/non-refundable)

Eligibility

QC-based multimedia producers

Stacking

Can combine with SR&ED for R&D components

Quebec's film and television production tax credit was increased to a 25% base rate (up from 20%), with significant bonuses available. Productions filmed outside Montreal receive an additional regional bonus of up to 20%. VFX-intensive productions can access the BCVFX animation/VFX bonus, pushing total credits up to 41%. SODEC also administers the Québec Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) for foreign productions filming in the province. These competitive rates have made Montreal and Quebec City major production hubs for international film and television.

Base Rate

25% (increased from 20%)

Regional Bonus

Up to +20% outside Montreal

VFX Bonus

Up to +16% for animation/VFX

Max Combined

Up to 41%

Quebec's primary arts funding body with a budget increased to $200 million per year (up from $164.8 million), and a $317.9 million commitment over five years. CALQ provides direct grants to artists, arts organizations, and cultural enterprises across all disciplines: visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, film, digital arts, and more. Programs range from individual creation grants to organizational operating support and international touring assistance. Unlike tax credits, CALQ grants are non-repayable and non-taxable. The application process requires artistic merit assessment and professional standing.

Budget

$200M per year

Type

Non-repayable grants

Eligibility

Artists, arts orgs, cultural enterprises

Disciplines

All arts — visual, performing, digital, literary

Investissement Québec's Plan PME commits $494 million over 2025–2028 to support Quebec SMEs with financing, advisory services, and growth assistance. IQ provides loans and loan guarantees up to $5 million per project, administers provincial tax credits (CRIC, CTMM, SODEC), and offers free advisory services for business planning and export development. As Quebec's primary economic development agency, IQ serves businesses at every stage from startup to international expansion. Services available in both English and French. IQ also launched $1.6 billion in emergency tariff relief loans to help Quebec companies manage U.S. trade disruptions.

Total Budget

$494M (2025–2028)

Per Project

Up to $5M financing

Services

Financing, tax credits, advisory

Tariff Relief

$1.6B emergency loans

The federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive provides an enhanced 35% refundable credit on the first $3 million of qualifying R&D expenditures for CCPCs (with taxable income under $800,000 and taxable capital under $50 million). The standard rate is 15% for other corporations. In Quebec, SR&ED is particularly powerful when stacked with CRIC — together they deliver approximately 58.5% effective assistance on R&D spending, the highest combined rate in Canada. Eligible activities include basic research, applied research, and experimental development in any field of science or technology.

Enhanced Rate

35% on first $3M (CCPCs)

Standard Rate

15% (all corporations)

Stacking

CRIC + SR&ED = ~58.5%

Claimed

Annual tax return

Programme ESSOR (Essor des entreprises) supports Quebec manufacturing businesses with two streams of funding. Component 1A provides grants up to $50,000 for business development projects including market studies, business planning, and commercialization support. Component 1C covers strategic consulting engagements. Stream 2 offers equipment grants covering 30% of eligible capital expenditures for productivity improvements, including manufacturing equipment, automation technology, and facility upgrades. The program targets businesses in manufacturing, food processing, and resource transformation sectors.

Component 1A

Up to $50K grant

Stream 2

30% of equipment costs

Eligibility

Manufacturing, food processing, resources

Stacking

Can combine with CRIC for R&D components

The federal-provincial Sustainable CAP framework provides $508 million in national funding for agriculture innovation, sustainability, and market development. Quebec's dairy, maple syrup (72% of global production), and agri-food sectors are primary beneficiaries. Programs include AgriInnovate (up to $10 million for commercialization), AgriScience (research partnerships), and AgriAssurance (food safety). Quebec's provincial partner MAPAQ administers provincial-level programs under this framework.

Federal Total

$508M (2023–2028)

AgriInnovate

Up to $10M per project

Eligibility

Agri-food producers & processors

QC Partner

MAPAQ

CanExport helps Quebec businesses pursue international markets with cost-shared grants up to $50,000 per applicant (reduced from $99,999 for the 2026–27 fiscal year). Covers 50% of eligible activities including trade shows, market research, business development travel, and marketing adaptation. Quebec exporters have a natural advantage in francophone markets (France, Belgium, West Africa, Haiti) and strong ties to the EU through CETA. CanExport funds can be combined with IQ's export advisory services.

Amount

Up to $50K (reduced from $99,999)

Cost-Share

50% of eligible costs

Eligibility

SMEs with export-ready products

Application

Online, rolling intake

EDC provides a suite of financial solutions for exporters including trade credit insurance, performance guarantees, direct lending, and equity investment. Quebec's strong aerospace (Bombardier, Bell Textron, Pratt & Whitney), manufacturing, and technology exports benefit significantly from EDC coverage. Their portfolio insurance protects against non-payment by foreign buyers, while surety bonding supports bid and performance guarantees for international contracts.

Products

Insurance, guarantees, lending

Coverage

Up to 90% of receivables

Eligibility

Canadian exporters

Application

Direct through EDC

Important: This is a loan, not a grant. Futurpreneur offers up to $75,000 in startup loans (not $60,000 as previously listed) plus two years of mentorship for entrepreneurs aged 18–39. The program includes a dedicated Get Started Quebec pathway with bilingual support and Quebec-specific resources. Specialized streams include the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program and Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program, both available across Quebec. The Side Hustle Program offers smaller-scale loans up to $20,000 for part-time entrepreneurs.

Amount

Up to $75K (LOAN)

Type

Repayable loan + mentorship

Ages

18–39

QC Program

Get Started Quebec pathway

Montreal's dedicated SME support network provides targeted programs across six boroughs. The Young Business Fund offers a $15,000 line of credit plus a $5,000 non-repayable grant for new businesses. The Innovation Fund provides loans up to $150,000 for tech and innovation projects. The Social Economy Fund supports social enterprises with $5,000–$50,000 in financing. PME MTL also offers free mentorship, business advisory, and workshop programs. Services are fully bilingual.

Young Business

$15K credit + $5K grant

Innovation

Up to $150K loans

Social Economy

$5K–$50K

Eligibility

Montreal-based businesses

Quebec's enhanced workforce training program provides grants covering 75% of eligible costs, up to $100,000 per project. Covers employee training, skills development, digital upskilling, and professional development initiatives. Particularly valuable for manufacturers, tech companies, and businesses adapting to AI and automation. The program helps Quebec businesses remain competitive while developing their workforce's capabilities in a rapidly evolving economy.

Coverage

75% of eligible costs

Maximum

$100K per project

Eligibility

Quebec employers

Activities

Training, upskilling, development