Economic Development Initiative – Official Languages

Funding description

The aim of this funding is to foster the economic development of official language minority communities (OLMCs). The funding may serve to kickstart innovative or entrepreneurial projects, solidify partnerships or diversify economic activities in these communities. The Economic Development Initiative – Official Languages falls under the QEDP.

Examples of funded projects

• Development of strategies (intelligence, specifications, studies, diagnoses or action plans)
• Networking and business contacts (generally for organizations that support entrepreneurship)
• Information, consulting and support services
• Implementation of a commercialization strategy:
• Design of products and services
• Acquisition of equipment, IT tools and technologies
• Facility development, construction, modernization or expansion
• Recruitment or use of specialized resources (to promote official languages in Quebec’s French-speaking business community)

Other activities may also be eligible. Contact us to discuss your project. 

Financial assistance

For SMEs

• Financial assistance generally amounting to up to 50% of authorized costs. 
• The funding is repayable, without interest. Repayment begins two years after the end of the project.

For NPOs  

• Non-repayable financial assistance generally amounting to up to 90% of authorized costs. 

Eligibility

Examples of eligible clients

• SME in an RCM outside the Greater Montréal region where English-speakers make up more than 5% of the total population
• NPO in an RCM whose population includes more than 500 English-speakers

 

* Are you an SME or NPO in an economically vulnerable RCM or in Montréal’s East End? Your project may be eligible for flexible program conditions.

Examples of ineligible clients

• Retail businesses (e.g., clothing stores, grocery stores or automobile sales and maintenance outlets)
• Food services (e.g., restaurants and cafés)
• Transportation services
• Housing construction
• Daycare services
• Hair and beauty salons
• Nightclubs, bars and cabarets

Are you ineligible? Check out our network of partners who may be able to help you.

Analysis criteria

Projects are analyzed against specific criteria, namely:

• the economic benefits for an official language minority community (OLMC)
• the project’s contribution to the Initiative’s objectives and expected results
• alignment with CED’s mandate and priorities
• the incentive nature of the assistance and the demonstration of the financial need required for the project to be able to go ahead, taking into account other existing funding sources
• the proponent’s management capacity
• the viability of the business or organization
• the degree of risk
• the impact on the competition
• the availability of CED funding

Submitting a project

Looking to submit a project? Here are the steps to follow:

• Refer to the Project Submission Guide. 
• For more information, contact us.