Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Agency. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, or if you have a comment, please send us a request for information.

Programs and services offered

Q. I am looking for information on programs and funding I may be eligible for.

A. If you run a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or a non-profit organization (NPO), it may qualify for one of the Agency’s programs. For quick access to information on the action priorities, programs and services offered in your region, visit the business office for your region.

If your organization is a retail trade enterprise, it is not eligible for our programs. However, we suggest you consult our network of partners who may be able to help you.

Q. I live in a region. Who would I contact to discuss my business project?

A. You have several options. You can contact:

  • one of our business offices throughout Quebec and, more specifically, the business office in your region
  • one of the support organizations located in your region:
    • a CFDC (Community Futures Development Corporation, known locally as a SADC, Société d’aide au développement des collectivités)
    • a BDC (Business Development Corporation, known locally as a CAE, Centre d’aide aux entreprises)
    • a CEDC (Community Economic Development Corporation, known locally as a CDEC, Corporation de développement économique communautaire)
  • one of our partners, who may be able to help you.

Q. How can I find out if my project is eligible?

A. To be eligible, your project must align with the priorities of the business office that receives the application for assistance. Other terms may also apply based on the region’s socio-economic context and the budget allocated to the business office’s programs.

For further details, read the list of priorities of the business office for your region or contact an advisor to determine your project’s eligibility.

Q. How do I submit my project?

A. To learn out the steps for preparing a project that may lead to submitting a financial assistance application, read the project submission guide.

Types of financial assistance

Q. What types of financial assistance does the Agency provide?

A. Depending on the type of project, the Agency may award a repayable contribution, a non-repayable contribution or a grant.

A repayable contribution is usually paid to an eligible recipient for carrying out a project that involves commercial activities. This type of contribution is, for all practical purposes, equivalent to an interest-free, unsecured loan that is repayable on a predetermined repayment schedule.

A non-repayable contribution is usually paid to an eligible non-profit organization (NPO) where the activities generated by the project are not commercial, do not provide it with any direct, quantifiable benefit and are not subject to an agreement with another business for marketing a product, service or process.

A grant is usually paid to a non-profit organization (NPO) for a one-time activity. This type of non-repayable financial assistance is awarded in exceptional situations.

Carreer opportunities at the Agency

Q. How can I apply for a job with the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec?

A. To join our dynamic and active organization, explore Agency employment opportunities on the Government of Canada job website.

Q. I am looking for the contact information of someone who works at the Agency.

A. The contact information of Agency employees can be found at Government Electronic Directory Services (GEDS), a directory of all federal public servants across Canada.

Publications

Q. Where can I find information on an Agency publication?

A. Available in electronic versions, the publications produced or distributed by the Agency are listed in the Publications section.

Technical questions

Q. Who should I notify about broken links or to obtain permission to use documents found on your Web site?

A. If you have a question or comment about our Web site or its contents, send an e-mail to DIFFUSION.INTERNET@dec-ced.gc.ca. Please indicate the URL (Web address) of the page on which you found the error, where applicable.

Q. I would like to obtain a list of your suppliers of goods and services. Is this possible?

A. On March 23, 2004, the Government of Canada announced a new policy on the mandatory publication of contracts over $10,000. The Agency has since provided information, updated every three months, on its contracts.

Q. How can I obtain a contract for goods and services with the Agency?

A. Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is the Government of Canada’s main purchasing arm. To find out how to do business with the Government of Canada, for instance to obtain a contract with the Agency, go to  PWGSC site’s How the Government of Canada Buys Goods and Services section.

Q. How can I obtain the Agency’s logo?

A. Use of the Agency’s signature or the "Canada" wordmark is subject to Federal Identity Program (FIP) standards. For more information, consult the page About the site.