TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM – INDIGENOUS PROJECTS FOR QUEBEC

2nd CALL FOR PROJECTS

 

BUILDING ON A LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC (CED), AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS TOURISM IN QUEBEC AND CANADA, INDIGENOUS TOURISM QUEBEC (ITQ) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE AN ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE PROGRAM. THIS COMES ON TOP OF $3.2 MILLION ALREADY ALLOCATED TO INDIGENOUS TOURISM ENTREPRENEURS AS PART OF THE TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM (TGP).

The Indigenous TGP in Québec, managed by ITQ, provides a redistribution structure through a culturally relevant and specific mechanism for Indigenous applicants. This program aims to enhance tourism experiences, foster entrepreneurial and economic growth, and expand Québec's tourism offering.

With this additional funding, ITQ seeks to simplify access to financing and support Indigenous tourism businesses to enhance their appeal to visitors from outside Quebec. This structured approach aligns with the program’s goals of expanding tourism offerings.

Tourism serves as an economic driver and a means of diversification for many regions and communities. The program provides funding through March 31, 2026, to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organizations (NPOs), and communities in enhancing tourism products and experiences, making Canada a year-round destination of choice.

Indigenous Clients

Indigenous tourism is crucial to the growth of Canada’s tourism industry and is a priority under the TGP. Approximately 15% of TGP funds are dedicated to Indigenous-led tourism initiatives nationwide.

In Québec, ITQ provides a culturally relevant and specific mechanism to facilitate access for Indigenous applicants seeking to submit projects.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must be Indigenous* and include -

• SMEs, NPOs, and social economy enterprises active in the tourism industry.
• Indigenous-owned businesses (including sole proprietorships, band councils, and municipalities in Nunavik) or Indigenous tourism organizations that are majority-owned, managed, or operated by Indigenous individuals.

* Indigenous: An individual registered under the Indian Act or a member of the Inuit Nation. Proof will be required.

Eligible Activities

Eligible projects must add value to existing tourism activities and focus on entrepreneurial and economic growth. The Indigenous TGP in Québec aims to enhance the capacity of local attractions to ultimately increase their appeal to visitors from outside Québec. Priority is given to projects that -

• Increase tourism benefits in communities by drawing more visitors to regions, including rural areas.
• Support the Indigenous tourism industry by involving Indigenous communities directly and showcasing Indigenous culture, heritage, craftsmanship, and traditions as primary attractions.
• Promote sustainable tourism development, ensuring offerings consider current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment, and host communities.
• Develop or enhance active tourism experiences, such as outdoor and nature-based activities.
• Extend the tourism season by creating products, services, or experiences that increase tourist activity outside traditional peak seasons or enable year-round services.

Additional Prioritization Criteria

• Projects focused on acquiring new equipment and improving Indigenous tourism reception facilities.
• Projects demonstrating the greatest impact on regional tourism development.
• Projects ready for immediate implementation.
• Projects where promoters show financial involvement from other stakeholders.
• Projects located in urban tourist centers aiming to attract visitors to underdeveloped or underserved regions, or demonstrating direct benefits to surrounding regions (e.g., new tourism circuits). These projects must show they will significantly increase the appeal of these areas to visitors from outside Québec as a direct result of the proposed project.

Note: In addition to the quality of your application, ITQ reserves the right to base funding decisions on geographic distribution, representation, and project diversity.

Expected Outcomes

Your project must contribute to strengthening the Indigenous tourism industry in Québec by -

• Creating, enhancing, or diversifying the regional tourism offering.
• Increasing the capacity of regions to attract tourists from outside Québec.
• Creating or maintaining jobs.

Financial Assistance

Funding is provided as a non-repayable contribution to promote the development of Indigenous tourism offerings and support the growth of Indigenous tourism. This includes increasing the capacity of Indigenous attractions and events with a local reach, aiming to build and consolidate potential offerings for audiences beyond Québec. Maximum funding depends on the organization’s status:

 

Status	Maximum Non-Repayable Contribution
Individual businesses, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, social economy enterprises, or Indigenous non-profit organizations engaged in commercial activities	Up to $100,000 with a support rate of 50% for capital expenditures and 75% for other eligible costs incurred and invoiced by March 31, 2026.
Indigenous non-profit organizations, band councils, Indigenous bands, associations, or Cree, Naskapi, or Inuit municipal organizations engaged in non-commercial activities	Up to $250,000 with a support rate of 90% for eligible costs incurred and invoiced by March 31, 2026.

 

• Beneficiaries must commit to project-based management.
• Beneficiaries must also agree to work with the ITQ team throughout the project implementation.
• Only one project per beneficiary is allowed.
• Unlike the first call for projects, a "first come, first served" approach will not be applied. All submitted projects will be reviewed by ITQ and the investment committee to announce selected projects by February 2025.

Application deadline - December 20, 2024

Review period - January 6 to February 21, 2025

Deadline for agreement finalization - March 31, 2025

Deadline for project completion and cost commitments (including deliveries) - March 31, 2026

Submitting a Project

Interested in submitting a project? ITQ has created an online form to facilitate your project submission. 

FORM

ITQ also offers resources to assist you in brainstorming, writing, and submitting your application.

For information and to send attached documents with the online form, please email:
[email protected]

Application Review and Decision Process

Once a completed funding application form is submitted, ITQ will evaluate eligibility criteria using its analysis tool. The submission deadline is December 20, 2024.

Each application will undergo evaluation by a development advisor from ITQ, who will complete an evaluation grid. A summary will then be submitted to the project investment committee, which will decide whether to accept or reject the project.

Given high demand and a commitment to supporting as many Indigenous tourism businesses, communities, and Nations as possible, ITQ reserves the right to partially or fully limit investments in some projects.

Announcement of selected projects no later than February 21, 2025. Program end date is March 31, 2026. All supported projects must be completed by this date.

The person in charge of this support program is Pierre Kanapé, Development Advisor and Eco-Advisor.

This program is made possible through the financial support of