For-profit company or social-economy enterprise (Loi sur l'economie sociale) registered in Quebec; must exercise, or commit to exercise within 12 months of authorization, an activity in Quebec
Services
ESSOR - Volet 2 (Productivity and business expansion investments)
Quebec loan (with loan guarantee of repayment up to 70% of net loss; a repayable or non-repayable contribution can also be offered in specific cases) financing investment projects of at least $100,000 in eligible expenses that increase production capacity in Quebec, modernize an existing business or support a technological transition. Combined government aid is capped at 50% of total project cost. In the 2026 US-tariff context the government positions the 'Chantier productivite' (ESSOR Volet 2) as a measure to help companies position themselves with major contractors, diversify their markets and ensure growth.
Overview
Quebec loan (with loan guarantee of repayment up to 70% of net loss; a repayable or non-repayable contribution can also be offered in specific cases) financing investment projects of at least $100,000 in eligible expenses that increase production capacity in Quebec, modernize an existing business or support a technological transition. Combined government aid is capped at 50% of total project cost. In the 2026 US-tariff context the government positions the 'Chantier productivite' (ESSOR Volet 2) as a measure to help companies position themselves with major contractors, diversify their markets and ensure growth.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | loan |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | QC |
| Administrator | Investissement Quebec (as mandatary of the Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie) |
| Total gov stacking cap | 50% |
| Intake status | Open (continuous); arranged directly with an IQ account director |
| Non-US bias | General expansion/productivity tool that can finance capacity to serve export and diversification markets; no explicit US/non-US rule |
Eligibility
All sectors except
primary sector (except greenhouse cultivation, packaging activities for major projects, and forestry operations), mining/oil and gas extraction, real estate, construction (except productivity projects), utilities, management companies, health and social assistance, education, public administration, finance and insurance, arts/entertainment, telecommunications, radio/TV, accommodation and food services (except lodging tied to a tourism project), other services
Investment project with at least $100,000 in eligible expenses
increase production capacity in Quebec (new business, establishment of a foreign company, or expansion of an existing one), modernize an existing business, or technological transition
Project must demonstrate potential productivity increase (higher profitability or higher payroll) except for seasonal businesses
Aid must allow at least a 20% increase in the fixed assets of the establishment (a lower increase can be accepted with significant economic spin-offs or a justified financial situation)
Project must start within 6 months of authorization (up to 12 months for projects requiring 10M$+ capex or creating 100 jobs); realization max 5 years (3 preferred)
What it covers
Capitalizable capital expenditures
acquisition, construction, development or expansion of buildings; acquisition and installation of equipment or software
Expenses tied to a major technological transition (cloud computing, business intelligence, artificial intelligence)
Working capital linked to an investment project (max 20% of total eligible expenses) when the aid is a loan guarantee, repayable contribution or forgivable loan
Market and diversification rules
Combined government assistance (Quebec, federal and municipal) capped at 50% of total project cost
Max financial aid duration of 10 years
Management fees of at least 0.5% of aid granted and annual guarantee fees of at least 0.5% of the guaranteed amount apply
Positioned in 2026 as the 'Chantier productivite' tariff-response measure to help companies diversify markets and grow
MEIE and IQ reserve the right to suspend intake and analysis of requests without notice to protect the budget envelope
How to apply
Contact your IQ account director (directeur de compte)
If you have no account director, call the IQ reception and information service at 1 844 474-6367 or submit the contact form at the bottom of the program page to be assigned one in your region
Discuss the investment project, eligible expenses and structuring of the financing with your director
Stacking notes
Combined government assistance capped at 50% of total project cost; private financing must fund the balance
Complementary to other IQ solutions and federal financing; keep costs segregated and disclose all government sources
A repayable or non-repayable contribution can be offered in specific cases in addition to the loan/guarantee instruments
Notes
Part of the 2026 tariff-response suite of measures along with FORCE, Panorama, grand V and ESSOR Volet 4
The FDE program description notes ESSOR also supports companies' expansion projects abroad
Program framework 2025-2027 (ESSOR); updated July 2025
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call