A woman with a mask but with smiling eyes, at the door to a business.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Quebec

Part of the REGI program

This web page has been archived.

The information is no longer current but is retained on the website for reference or to provide context to current content.

Scam alert

We have learned that fraudulent emails and telephone calls regarding the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) are spreading fast through other provinces. We are monitoring the situation closely and encourage anyone who believes they have been targeted by fraudsters to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Changes to the repayment terms and conditions under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) program for projects eligible for partial forgiveness of the contribution granted:

Partial forgiveness of the contribution granted:

The period to receive partial forgiveness of the contribution granted under the RRRF has been extended from December 31, 2023, to March 28, 2024.

Full repayment of the contribution granted:

If you do not take advantage of the partial forgiveness provided for in section 7.4 of your agreement by March 28, 2024, please note the following changes to the repayment terms and conditions:

  • The date to start repaying the contribution outlined in section 7.3 is postponed from January 1, 2024, to April 1, 2024.
  • The date for the final repayment is postponed by one year, from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2026.

Funding description

The RRRF aims to provide emergency financial assistance for SMEs and NPOs that do not have access to all the Government of Canada funding they need to cover their cashflow requirements so they can remain operational. This funding is provided under the REGI program.

Important! 
Before applying for assistance under the RRRF, you must have applied for at least one of the following federal measures: 

Working capital assistance measures Payroll assistance measures The funding will be in line with other emergency relief measures to avoid duplication of federal government support.

Additional assistance for clients already receiving support under the RRRF
If you have applied for the RRRF for a period of six months but have not yet had a chance to apply for a top-up (six more months), contact us by telephone at 1-800-561-0633 or by email.


Eligibility

Examples of eligible clients

SMEs and economic organizations in all economic sectors of Quebec: 
  • aviation
  • retail 
  • cultural and sporting events
  • manufacturing
  • food production
  • technology
  • tourism
  • etc.
Priority may be given to projects in the tourism sector, which has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis.


Examples of ineligible clients

  • self-employed workers and sole proprietorships
  • community organizations
  • social non-profit organizations

Financial assistance

In the case of SMEs and commercial NPOs
  • Contributions are repayable, without interest. Repayment begins two years after the end of the project.

In the case of economic or business support NPOs NOT engaged in commercial activities (including festivals and sporting events)
  • Contributions are non-repayable.

In all cases, contributions will not generally exceed $1 million.


Repayment conditions:

Businesses seeking financial assistance of $60,000 or less: 
a) not benefiting from the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Financial contributions are considered repayable, taking into account certain special conditions. A portion of the contribution (up to $20,000) may become non-repayable if certain repayment terms are met by December 31, 2022. Otherwise, the entire contribution is considered repayable over a three-year period, starting January 1, 2023.
b) benefiting from the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) 
The entire contribution is considered repayable over a five-year period, starting January 1, 2023. 

Businesses seeking over $60,000 in financial assistance
The entire contribution is considered repayable over a five-year period, starting January 1, 2023.

Non-commercial NPOs
  • Contributions are non-repayable.


Authorized costs

Costs that will help stabilize SMEs and organizations and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, and which are not fully covered by other Government of Canada measures (e.g., the cost of maintaining the organization’s operations).

Details
  • The need for assistance must be solely related to immediate (one-time) financial pressures on cashflow (working capital for SMEs or cashflow requirements for NPOs) and must be a consequence of COVID-19.
  • The need for assistance must be for a maximum of 12 consecutive months between March 15, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
  • The assistance cannot cover needs associated with the preparation of the recovery (e.g., fixed assets and equipment). 
  • Some costs are ineligible, such as debt principal repayment and expenses covered by other programs.
 

Ineligible costs

  • expenses covered by other federal government programs 
  • needs associated with the preparation of the recovery (e.g., fixed assets and equipment)
  • debt principal repayment
 

Analysis criteria

  • The business or organization must have already taken steps to benefit from other Government of Canada emergency relief measures before applying for assistance under the RRRF.
  • CED funding must only be used to address immediate (one-time) financial pressures caused by COVID-19.
  • The business must have a post–COVID-19 viability projection.
 

Considerations 

  • The financial assistance will be in line with other government measures; the need for assistance must be demonstrated, including assistance received from the provincial government and municipalities.
  • Financial viability must be demonstrated by financial statements from the past two fiscal years or income tax returns.
  • Depending on the number of applications, CED may have to prioritize businesses that have not received any Government of Canada assistance.
  • At least 25% of RRRF funding will be earmarked for the tourism sector. Projects may be prioritized on this basis.
 

Submitting an application 

To find out if you are eligible to apply, complete the questionnaire below. If you are eligible, you will be guided to the funding application form.

If you have any questions, you can contact us either by telephone at 1 800-561-0633 or by email.

 

Deadline to submit an "Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Quebec" application is March 31, 2021

The deadline to submit an "Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Quebec" application is March 31, 2021 or until funds are exhausted. The period covered by your application can extend to July 1, 2021.

Contact us

Stay tuned for advice and services from CED

Learn more about CED