Financial assistance program for businesses affected by major construction

Last updated January 19, 2023
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Financial assistance can reach a maximum of $40,000 per financial year and is calculated based on the decrease in gross profit recorded by merchants.

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Description

Under the Action Plan for Commerce 2018-2022, the city in January 2019 launched a financial assistance program aimed at reducing the impact of work sites for establishments located in areas affected by major construction.

Financial assistance can reach a maximum of $40,000 per financial year and is calculated based on the actual losses incurred by merchants.

Objectives

The program is geared towards establishments in an area affected by major construction. Its aim is to:

  • Mitigate the financial impacts on merchants affected by work sites.
  • Help merchants stay in business during a major infrastructure construction period.
  • Support the dynamism and commercial vitality of commercial streets under construction.

Duration of the program

The subsidy program has no official expiry date. It ends when the funds earmarked for the program are exhausted.

However, establishments have a limited time to submit an application after the work is completed.

The program is retroactive to January 1, 2016 for municipal work sites, and September 21, 2017 for STM work sites.

Eligibility

Construction work on sewer and water mains

  • Carried out by the city or a reconstituted city
  • On or after January 1, 2016
  • Minimum planned or actual duration of at least six months

Other major public infrastructure projects

  • Carried out by the city or the STM
  • Involves obstacles to car traffic
  • Minimum planned or actual duration of at least 36 months

In order to benefit from the financial assistance program, establishments must:

  • Carry out retail sales, rent products, or deliver services to consumers.
  • Be located in one of the eligible areas. 

Eligible areas

Several areas have been deemed eligible. Other areas are designated according to the nature and duration of the work.

If your area is not on the list, please contact us to let us know. We will carry out the checks required to confirm its eligibility. If your business is located in one of the eligible areas below, you can view the ordinances issued by the city and apply for a subsidy. The dates listed below are the start and end dates of the work periods covered. The deadline for submitting an application is indicated in parentheses.

* The end date of the work is subject to change.

Exclusions

Excluded commercial activities

Excluded are massage therapy activities and the following activities cited under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS, 2017):

  • Professional, scientific and technical services (sector 54) other than interior design services (class 54141) and photography services (class 54192)
  • Finance and insurance services (sector 52)
  • Health care and social assistance (sector 62)
  • Real estate (sub-sector 531), other than self-storage mini-warehouses (class 53113)

Other exclusions

  • Company that has ceased its operations or declared bankruptcy within 40 days of submitting its application.
  • Business acquired or established after the start of the work period.

Submitting an application

To submit an application, you must complete Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the guide and send them to us with all the required documents.

Required documents

  • Completed application form (Appendix 3 in the guide above).
  • Information statement on the Quebec government’s Registre des entreprises du Québec Web site.
  • Document establishing the power of attorney of any person acting on the merchant’s behalf.
  • A copy of the lease attesting to tenant status in the building or part of the building located in a designated area.
  • Copy of the occupancy certificate in force.
  • Completed worksheet A, B or C (Appendix 1 in the guide above). 
  • Financial statements for any eligible financial year and for any comparable financial year to consider according to Appendix 1.
  • Company income tax returns for any eligible financial year and for any comparable financial year to consider according to Appendix 1.
  • Notices of assessment of the company for any eligible financial year and for any comparable financial year to consider according to Appendix 1.
  • Solemn declaration (Appendix 2 of the guide above), completed and signed before a person authorized by law.

All subsidy applications must be submitted:

By postal mail

Financial assistance program for merchants on streets under construction
Service du développement économique
700 de la Gauchetière Ouest, 28th floor
Montréal QC H3B 5M2

By e-mail

[email protected]

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