For-profit company legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law, or social-economy enterprise with commercial activities
Services
PAUPME - Tarifs douaniers (Programme d'aide d'urgence aux PME)
Quebec emergency loan of up to $150,000 (up to 75% of eligible liquidity needs over 12 months) for small and medium enterprises with annual revenue of $200,000 to $2,000,000 that are directly or indirectly exposed to US tariffs (at least 25% of 2024 revenue from US exports, and an actual or forecast revenue decline of at least 20%). Terms: 0% interest for the 12 months following first disbursement, then 3.86%; capital repayment moratorium for the first 12 months; amortization up to 60 months. Administered by the regional county municipality (MRC) or designated local economic-development organization of each territory. In effect from August 22, 2026 to March 31, 2028.
Overview
Quebec emergency loan of up to $150,000 (up to 75% of eligible liquidity needs over 12 months) for small and medium enterprises with annual revenue of $200,000 to $2,000,000 that are directly or indirectly exposed to US tariffs (at least 25% of 2024 revenue from US exports, and an actual or forecast revenue decline of at least 20%). Terms: 0% interest for the 12 months following first disbursement, then 3.86%; capital repayment moratorium for the first 12 months; amortization up to 60 months. Administered by the regional county municipality (MRC) or designated local economic-development organization of each territory. In effect from August 22, 2026 to March 31, 2028.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | loan |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | QC |
| Administrator | Regional county municipalities (MRC) and local economic-development organizations, under the Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie |
| Cost share | 75% |
| Max per project | $150,000 |
| Intake status | Open (continuous, since 2026-08-22); program in effect until 2028-03-31 |
| Non-US bias | US-exposure emergency liquidity program; an adaptation plan (which may include market or product diversification) is required within 12 months of the aid |
| Revenue | $200,000 - $2,000,000 |
Eligibility
Registered in the Registre des entreprises du Quebec (REQ) for at least two years with head office in Quebec
Revenue of at least $200,000 and at most $2,000,000 for the last completed fiscal year (floor lowered from $1M on 2026-08-28)
At least 25% of 2024 revenue came directly or indirectly from exports to the United States
Actually or foreseeably hit by US tariffs
revenue decline of at least 20% vs 2024, OR forecast revenue decline of at least 20% from 2026
Profitable for at least one of the last two completed fiscal years (exception for forest-industry companies)
File or commit to file, within 12 months of the aid, an adaptation action plan (e.g. productivity and competitiveness improvements, market or product diversification)
Reasonable mid-term profitability prospects; not on the RENA registry; no default on prior government aid; not a state-owned entity; not bankrupt
What it covers
Working capital needs for a period not exceeding one year, to maintain activities and put in place actions to adapt to the new business environment
Adaptation actions may include productivity and competitiveness improvements, and market or product diversification
Loan up to $150,000 set at 75% of the company's liquidity needs for 12 months
0% interest for the 12 months following first disbursement, then 3.86%; capital repayment moratorium for the first 12 months
Possible additional moratorium (capital and interest) up to 12 months with capitalized interest; amortization over max 60 months excluding moratoriums
Loan may be secured by a guarantee or suretyship to the MRC's satisfaction
Market and diversification rules
Open to all PMEs meeting the criteria, not limited to exporting companies and their suppliers and subcontractors (directly or indirectly exposed to the US market)
Eligibility, analysis and decision are handled by the MRC (or designated local organization) of the company's territory
Available in all administrative regions of Quebec
An adaptation plan (which may include market diversification) is mandatory within 12 months of the aid
How to apply
Contact the MRC, municipal office or organization responsible for managing the local investment fund of your territory
Use the list of MRCs and economic-development organizations on the program page (quebec.ca) to find your entry point
Companies with revenue over $2M affected by tariffs should contact Investissement Quebec (see FORCE)
Stacking notes
The loan is repaid; a guarantee or suretyship may be required to the MRC's satisfaction
Applicants must have met all obligations of any prior financial aid from a Quebec ministry/agency or MRC for at least two years
Notes
Announced August 22, 2026 alongside FORCE in response to the new 50% US tariffs; eligibility expanded August 28, 2026 to companies with $200,000 to $2M revenue
Also open to suppliers and subcontractors integrated in the value chain of exporting companies
Forest-industry companies are exempt from the profitability condition
Program in effect until March 31, 2028; aid must be paid no later than that date
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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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.
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