This program aims to support the development of skills among your staff members. It allows you to maintain the expertise already in place within your company by enabling your staff to undergo training that helps them perform their jobs better and thus retain their employment.

Eligible businesses:

With the exception of public organizations and political organizations, all employers located in Quebec can benefit from this program.

Eligible projects and expenses:

The assistance offered under this program covers up to 50% (depending on the region) of eligible expenses for training measures. It can be used to identify your training needs, implement your training project, and assess the effectiveness of the training received.

To be eligible, you must demonstrate that the training activity helps retain your employees, increases your staff's performance, and can be transferred to other employees within your company.

Pour plus d’informations :

Visit the page of theWorkforce Training Measure on the site of Emploi-Québec. 

We invite you first to contact the bureau emploi-Québectied to your head office (choose business assistance from the list). They will be able to inform you about the grants your business is eligible for in relation to your project.

Simply explain to them that:

• You want to digitize your business with an ERP and/or CRM tool (if you are considering the prospect management part).
• You would like to have support for the integration and training of your teams.

The Business Expansion and Productivity component of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program supports projects that help businesses adopt technologies to improve and increase their growth, productivity, and competitiveness.

Eligible businesses:

Eligible organizations include businesses, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, business associations, and business support organizations operating in Quebec. Please consult the page ofBusiness Expansion and Productivity for more details on eligibility.

Eligible projects and expenses:

The projects that can be supported by this program include the adoption of new technologies or processes, the redesign of processes, as well as technologies aimed at increasing or improving production capacity, management, market expansion, logistics, and marketing.

Financial assistance consists of repayable contributions covering up to 50% of eligible costs for SMEs and non-repayable contributions covering up to 90% of eligible costs for non-profit projects.

For more information :

Visit the program page Business expansion and productivityto consult the eligibility criteria as well as the project presentation guide. To find out if this type of project is prioritized in your area, contact your business office. You can also check the page of the ​​​​CERIto see if other aspects of the program could support your business.

Note: Many obtain it, but it requires a preliminary analysis of your digital needs. Start the process as soon as possible.

The ESSOR program encompasses the SME in Action and Audit 4.0 programs, which ended in early 2022. An initiative of the Quebec Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI), it aims to increase the productivity and competitiveness of Quebec businesses as well as to accelerate their growth. Component 1 of the ESSOR program assists in conducting feasibility studies and digital plans, and in supporting the implementation of these plans.

Eligible businesses:

The organizations targeted by this program are:

• *For-profit businesses with an active establishment in Quebec
• *Collective enterprises (cooperatives and NPOs).

Non-profit organizations and businesses that are majority-owned by a Crown corporation are not eligible.

Eligible projects and expenses:

Component 1 of the ESSOR program includes 3 sub-components:

• *Sub-components A and C apply to feasibility studies, analyses, and digital plans, as well as their implementation. The maximum assistance rate is 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $100,000 per project.
• *Sub-activity B applies to diagnostics and digital plans. The maximum aid rate is 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $20,000.

For more information:

Visit the page ofProgramme ESSOR – Volet 1 on the site of MEITo obtain more specific information, to learn about the procedure, or to submit a request for financial assistance, please contactyour regional office.

The Productivity Innovation initiative of Investissement Québec aims to boost competitiveness and accelerate the growth of local businesses through productivity and innovation. The goal is for more companies to take action by focusing on innovation in all its forms and on technologies and processes such as automation, digitization, robotics, and artificial intelligence applications.

Eligible businesses:

In addition to continuing its efforts in the manufacturing sector, the Productivity Innovation initiative targets other sectors:

• Retail;
• Wholesale trade;
• Transportation and warehousing;
• Mines;
• Construction;
• Waste management and sanitation;
• Professional, scientific and technical services.

All these sectors face similar challenges regarding the integration of technological tools and productivity.

Eligible projects and expenses:

Innovation projects can focus on a product, a process, a marketing strategy, or an organizational approach, as well as on the eligible expenses related to them. Examples:

• Working capital and fixed assets related to innovative projects that notably demonstrate the ability to increase a company's productivity;
• Innovation approach towards the adoption of technologies (e.g.: consultation and expert fees, study costs, etc.);
• Acquisition of innovative equipment aimed at improving productivity (e.g.: automation, robotization, etc.);
• Intégration des technologies de l’information pour rendre les processus plus efficaces (ex. : logiciel, progiciel, etc.);
• Development of new ways to market products (e.g., online commerce platform, etc.);
• Improvement or development of new products (e.g.: R&D expenses, etc.)
• Implementation of new organizational processes to increase agility (e.g., consulting fees, etc.).

For more information:

​Visit the page of theProductivité InnovationTo obtain more specific information, to guide you on the steps to follow, or to submit a request for assistance, please fill out the contact form to better understand the needs related to the projects.