The aims of the Commerce-Montreal Program are to:

• Encourage the renovation of commercial spaces and properties
• Stimulate the city’s economy by focusing on projects that support the social, circular and ecologically responsible economy

Financial assistance

The subsidy covers 40 per cent of eligible work costs up to $50,000 per project. In addition, 75 per cent of costs for professional services related to the work are reimbursable, up to $10,000 per project. 

At a minimum, applicants must invest at least $40,000 (before taxes) per project in order to encourage projects that will have a substantive impact on a district.

A total of $12 million will be available over three years to fund renovation projects on commercial properties and spaces, completed between 2024 and 2029 throughout the 19 boroughs and 15 suburban cities.

All commercial property owners and business owners throughout the agglomeration are eligible.

Exclusions

The subsidy program does not apply to: 

• Government and municipal buildings, and those belonging to school boards or religious institutions
• Buildings or portions of buildings allocated to industrial activities
• Gas stations, service stations, mechanical workshops and car washes
• Companies that are part of a network with more than five branches, subsidiaries or franchises
• Projects that already benefit from financial support from the city

Eligible work

• Exterior elements (walls, facings, doors, windows, shop windows, architectural elements, signs, awnings and lighting)
• Creation of a permanent terrace and access to the building
• Roofing, frame and foundations
• Interior renovation in commercial spaces (walls, floors, ceilings, stairs, painting, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting and client washrooms)

Refer to the program rules for all details.

No subsidy will be granted for work:

• That started prior to the date when the grant application was declared eligible
• Executed without the help of a design professional (for exceptions, see the by-law)
• For which estimated cost and real cost are each below $40,000
• That has a real cost less than 85 per cent of the amount established in the notice of eligibility
• That is not related to the facade wall of the building if 5 points were attributed to the facade at the time the project was deemed eligible
• That is not related to universal access if the owner or renter has agreed to carry out such work (10 or 15 points granted, depending on the situation)
• For professional services provided by a company for which the person that would benefit from the grant has an ownership, control, management, family or blood connection

A criteria list has been created to select the most promising projects. Selections will be made as a function of the projects getting the most points until the $1 million envelope per eligibility period has been exhausted. There are several eligibily periods a year.

Additional points will be given to:

• Projects leading to the occupation of vacant spaces
• Projects that facilitate universal access
• New food stores in an area where food availability is more than a 15-minute walk away

Applications are now closed. New grant applications can no longer be submitted under this program.

To get payment of your subsidy on completion of the work, you must fill in this online form (in French), no later than 30 months after eligibility. Include the following documents: 

• Invoices and other documentation detailing the real cost of professional services and work, together with a release or receipt from the company or professional, demonstrating that all completed work, and professional services provided, have been fully paid for. Please merge the documents and place the contractor’s release or receipt immediately after the corresponding invoices in order to make it easier to transmit and analyze the supporting documentation. 
• A summary document (summary of expenditures) of the work detailing, for each invoice submitted, the name of the supplier, the total amount before taxes, the method of payment and a reference to proof of payment
• A copy of any permit for eligible work 
• Photographs of any part of the building where eligible work has been completed
• Certification signed by a member in good standing of their professional order acting as an architect, engineer, professional technologist, confirming that universal accessibility work has been finished and that it was done in accordance with the barrier-free design standards set out in the applicable Code and regulations. This condition applies if, at the time of eligibility, an agreement was made to carry out universal access work, for which 10 or 15 points were granted according to the criteria established in Appendix B of the by-law.
• The declaration form of the Office québécois de la langue française (in French)

The subsidy will be sent to you in 1 instalment.