Improving Accessibility

Funding Resources

As individuals and organizations producing art and cultural programming in Quebec, we have a lot of work to do to ensure that our physical and virtual spaces are more inclusive of people with various access needs. 

ELAN is aware that there are significant barriers affecting the accessibility of our head office, and while researching the financial resources available to us, it became clear that finding and interpreting this information is not easy. Most of these websites and documents are written in French only and in highly technical language. 

This page presents basic information about the funding, tax deductions and charitable services available to some arts organizations in Quebec for accessibility projects.

LAST UPDATED: July 24, 2019

Index

Funding Programs – Open

Petits établissements accessibles (PEA)

Funder: Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)

Deadline: n/a

  • The applicant can be the owner or tenant of a building, or part of a building (tenants must acquire the building owner’s consent)
  • The space must be used for commercial activities, public service or meetings
  • Commercial spaces must not exceed 300 metres squared in floor area
  • Meeting spaces should accommodate less than 9 people, but there are exceptions for spaces without barrier-free access that have more than one of the following characteristics:
    • accommodates between 10-60 people
    • has a floor area of less than 250 m squared
    • is more than 900 mm from street level
    • is more than 600 mm from accessible entrance
    • has a difference in level between the accessible entrance and elevators that is greater than 600 mm
  • Meeting spaces are defined vaguely as a building or part of a building where people assemble to engage in various activities
  • Any work that begins before it is approved by the city will not be eligible
  • The work must comply with the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design
  • It must be a permanent solution and the most simple and economical option available
  • The contractor you work with must be listed in the RBQ’s “Registre des détenteurs de licence” (Register of License Holders)
  1. Contact your municipality or MRC to obtain an application
  2. Complete the form, attach the requested documents and send to your municipality or MRC for review
  3. If determined eligible, an accredited inspector will contact you to schedule a visit
  4. The inspector visits your building, produces plans and specs
  5. Obtain at least 2 quotes based on the inspector’s recommendations and send them to the inspector for review
  6. Your municipality or MRC will complete your file and send a certificate of eligibility specifying the amount you will receive when the work is complete ( note: you must not begin the work until you receive this certificate)
  7. Complete the work within 12 months from the time it was approved
  8. After the work is complete, the inspector will conduct another visit; you will receive the agreed-upon amount upon the inspector’s approval

Subsidizes 75% of the cost of eligible work, up to $15,000

Click on the links below:

Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)

  • telephone: 1-800-463-4315

To find the contact information for your municipality or MRC, please consult the Directory of Municipalities (French only)

Programme d’accessibilité des établissement touristiques (PAET)

Funder: Ministère de Tourisme (MTO) in collaboration with Kéroul

Deadline: March 31, 2022

  • The applicant can be the owner or tenant of a building (tenants must acquire the building owner’s consent)
  • The applicant can be either:
    • a legally constituted for-profit organization
    • a legally constituted non-profit organization or coop
    • an Inuit or Indigenous organization
  • The establishment must be recognized by the MTO and listed on the Quebec Original website
  • The building must not be owned by the government (Quebec, federal, municipal or Crown)
  • Any work that begins before the PAET financial aid agreement is signed will not be eligible
  • The work must comply with Keroul’s accessibility criteria
  • The work must comply with the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design
  • It must be a permanent solution that is considered essential to earning Keroul’s “accessible” rating
  • The contractor you work with must have the appropriate licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)
  1. Complete sections 1 to 3 of the PAET financial aid form
  2. Attach photos of the accessibility components already in place, as per section 2 of the form
  3. Contact the developer to confirm eligibility ***???
  4. Complete sections 4 to 9 of the PAET financial aid form and attach the following documents:
    • work plans and specifications prepared by an authorized professional
    • a certificate of location ***???
    • two estimates for the eligible work from contractors who hold the appropriate licences from the RBQ
    • written authorization from the building owner approving the work described in the application (if the applicant is a tenant)
    • a board of directions resolution appointing an official representative of the applicant (if the applicant is a non-profit organization or coop)
    • a Band Council resoltion authorizing the work (if the applicant is an Inuit or Indigenous organization)
  5. Submit the application by email to paet@keroul.qc.ca or regular mail to Kéroul at 4545 avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin, Montréal, Québec H1V 0B2
  6. If the project is approved, Kéroul and the developer will sign a financial aid agreement outlining the project, eligible expenses, aid provided, payment method and supporting documents required
  7. Complete the work within 12 months from the time the financial aid agreement is signed
  8. After the work is complete, submit the following documents by email or mail:
    • a certificate signed by an authorized professional confirming that the work complies with the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design and other applicable regulations
    • photos of the work completed under PAET
    • copies of invoices related to the work
    • proof of payments for all invoices
  9. Kéroul reviews the supporting documents and issues the payment

Subsidizes up to 80% of cost of eligible expenses (90% for an Inuit or Indigenous organization), up to $20,000

Click on the links below:

Hélène Gardner, PAET Coordinator

Programme d’aide à l’accessibilité des commerces (PAAC)

Funder: City of Montreal

Deadline: December 31, 2020

  • The applicant can be the owner or tenant of a building (tenants must acquire the building owner’s consent)
  • The building must offer commercial services
  • The building must be in the agglomeration of Montreal
  • Any work that begins before it is approved by the city will not be eligible
  • The work must comply with the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design
  • Eligible projects include:
    • replacing a front door
    • installing automatic doors
    • bevelling doorways
    • installing a ramp or lift
    • levelling floors
    • widening doors
    • improving bathroom access
  1. Obtain confirmation from an authorized professional that the building meets the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design (at time of construction or last renovation)
  2. Complete the application form and submit required documents to paac@ville.montreal.qc.ca by December 21, 2020
    • Required documents depend on whether the applicant is the building owner or tenant (see below)
    • Building owners must submit:
      • a document signed by an authorized professional (ex. letter of compliance) confirming that the building meets the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design (at the time of construction or last renovation)
      • a document confirming that you are the most recent owner of the building, according to the Registre foncier du Québec
      • a document providing legal permission to any person that can act on your behalf
      • at least one itemized estimate of all planned work
    • Tenants must submit:
      • all documents listed above
      • a lease proving that you are the current tenant
      • a document confirming the building owner’s consent to complete this work
  3. A representative from the City of Montreal will visit your building to confirm that the work has not yet started
  4. Once eligibility is confirmed, obtain the necessary permits to carry out the eligible work
  5. Begin the work no later than 6 months from the date of your eligibility notice and complete the work within 12 months
  6. After the work is complete, submit a certificate signed by an authorized professional confirming that the work complies with the Building Code’s standards of barrier-free design
  7. Submit invoices, receipts and other documents showing the cost of work and proof of payment(s)
  8. Submit a copy of work permits
  9. A program manager will visit to review the work done on the building
  10. Receive the grant by check or direct payment

Subsidizes 75% of the cost of eligible work, up to $10,000

Click on the links below:

Programme d’aide à l’accessibilité des commerces (PAAC)

City of Montreal

  • telephone: 311

PRAM-Commerce

Funder: City of Montreal

Deadline: varies (see “Eligibility” tab below)

  • The applicant can be the owner or tenant of a building (tenants must acquire the building owner’s consent)
  • The building must offer commercial services
  • The building must be located on one of the designated streets/sectors in Montreal listed below:
    1. Ontario Street East, between Darling and Pie IX
      • Period of eligibility: September 16, 2017 to September 15, 2019
    2. St-Catherine Street East, between Bourbonnière and Viau
      • Period of eligibility: September 16, 2017 to September 15, 2019
    3. Mont-Royal Ave East, between St-Laurent and D’Iberville
      • Period of eligibility: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020
    4. Vieux Pointe-aux-Trembles – Notre-Dame East, between the limits of Montreal East and St-Jean-Baptiste, between the St. Lawrence River and Prince Albert
      • Period of eligibility: May 1, 2018 to April 2020
    5. Fleury Street East, between St-Hubert and Papineau
      • Period of eligibility: June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020
    6. St-Laurent Blvd, between Sherbrooke and Laurier
      • Period of eligibility: June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2021
    7. Little Italy and Jean-Talon Market sector – St-Laurent, between St-Zotique and Jean-Talon, and the quadrilateral formed by St-Laurent and St-Zotique East, Drolet and Jean-Talon East
      • Eligibility period will be announced soon
    8. Fleury Street West, between St-Laurent and Meilleur
      • Eligibility period will be announced soon
  • The following work is eligible:
    • Transformation (restoration, renovation, enhancement) of facades (doors, windows, shop windows, architectural elements, masonry, exterior walls)
    • Work to improve physical access to a building or build permanent terraces
    • Installation or modification of signs and canopies
    • Exterior lighting
    • Structural elements (foundation, framing, pitched roof)
    • Interior renovation and expansion
  1. Complete the application form and, if you are a tenant, have your landlord complete the building owner agreement form (see “Links” below)
  2. Send an email to pram-commerce@ville.montreal.qc.ca with the following documents attached:
    • the application form
    • proof of ownership or rental
    • a detailed estimate of the cost of work
    • the building owner agreement form
    • a document providing legal permission to any person that can act on your behalf
    • recent photos of the building facade and commercial space
  3. Once eligibility is confirmed, obtain the required permits
  4. Complete the work within 24 months from the time it was approved
  5. After the work is complete, send an email to pram-commerce@ville.montreal.qc.ca with the following documents attached:
    • notice of completion form
    • copies of invoices related to the work
    • proof of payments for all invoices
    • copies of permits and their proof of payment
    • photos of the building facade and renovated spaces

There are two components: design and renovation

Design:

  • Max $4000 per project for a building with a main facade measuring up to 10 metres
  • Max $10,000 per project for a building with a main facade measuring more than 10 metres and up to 20 metres
  • Max $20,000 per project for a building with a main facade measuring more than 20 metres
  • These sums may cover 50% of the cost of professional design fees

Renovation:

  • Max $50,000 for a building with a main facade measuring up to 10 metres
  • Max $125,000 for a building with a main facade measuring more than 10 metres and up to 20 metres
  • Max $250,000 for a building with a main facade measuring more than 20 metres
  • These sums may cover one third (1/3) of the cost of eligible work

Click on the links below:

PRAM-Commerce

City of Montreal

  • telephone: 311 or 514-872-0311

Funding Programs – Closed (but reopening soon)

Programme d’immobilisation en entrepeneuriat collectif (PIEC)

Funder: Government of Quebec – Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation

Expected to reopen: September 9 – November 1, 2019

Note: this information is based on last year’s requirements since the call for submissions hasn’t yet reopened this year – we will update this section if there are any changes in fall 2019

  • The applicant must be a non-profit organization or coop
  • The applicant must demonstrate that at least 40% of their revenues from the last financial year were from economic activities (such as sales of good and services or membership fees) – in other words, revenues from donations, grants and government funding mustn’t exceed 60%
  • The applicant must have produced and sold goods and services for a period of 2 years minimum prior to submitting an application
  • The applicant must have either a emphyteutic lease or a long-term lease (min 10 years)
  • The project must be necessary to maintain activities, part of an expansion plan OR part of a plan to develop and improve services
  • The project must respond to the needs of its members or community
  • The organization must demonstrate that they could not complete the project without PIEC assistance
  • The project must also receive funding from at least one other source

Note: this information is based on last year’s requirements since the call for submissions hasn’t yet reopened this year – we will update this section if there are any changes in fall 2019

  1. Create an account with clicSÉQUR (required to access the application form)
  2. Log into “La Zone entreprise” online portal to access the application form
  3. Complete the application form and attach the following documents:
    • an annual activity report of the last year
    • the statues and regulations
    • an updated business plan
    • financial statements for the last three years
    • any other documents that you consider relevant to the application (ex. if you have already received a building permit)

Note: this information is based on last year’s requirements since the call for submissions hasn’t yet reopened this year – we will update this section if there are any changes in fall 2019

Up to $500,000 per project

Cumulative government aid (with other sources): up to 80% of the work

PIEC would contribute:

  • 50% of the cost of eligible work for renovation projects
  • 30% of the cost of eligible work for construction projects
  • 30% of the cost of eligible work for acquisition projects

Click on the links below:

Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation

  • telephone: 1-866-463-6642

Tax Deductions

Eligibility Certificate for Renovation or Alteration Expenses (TP-157)

Department: Revenu Quebec

Deadline: annually, by the tax return deadline (April 30)

  • Any tax payer (whether a corporation, a partnership or an individual) that incurred expenses during the taxation year to renovate or alter an existing building used primarily to earn business or property income
  • The work must comply with the Construction Code’s barrier-free design standards
  • The work must have been carried out by a contractor holding the appropriate license for the type of work in question
  1. After the work is finished, print form TP-157  (the form must be completed in French, but an English version is available for reference – see “Links” below)
  2. Complete sections 1, 2 and 4 on the form
  3. Consult an authorized professional (architect, engineer or a professional technologist) to sign and date section 3, certifying that the work is complete, that it meets the Construction Code’s barrier-free design standards, and that the form indicates the correct percentage for the eligible costs
  4. Submit the form as you file your income tax return
  5. You do not need to submit any invoices, plans or other supporting documents unless requested, but it’s a good idea to gather them in a file in case they ask to see them

Click on the links below:

Revenu Québec

  • telephone: 1-800-567-4692

Charitable Services

Community Ramp Project

Organization: StopGap Foundation

Deadline: n/a (ongoing)

  • For single-step ramps only
  1. Take a photo of the entire entrance
  2. Take two photos of each side (left/right) of the step (at 34 inches apart) and use a standard imperial tape-measure placed up against the step to show the measurement
  3. Select a paint colour – red, green, yellow or blue (no custom colours)
  4. Email the above photos and info to stopgapmtl@gmail.com
  5. StopGap Montreal volunteers usually construct ramps in batches every 2-3 months and they often hold ramp painting events, which you are welcome but not obligated to participate in
  • The Community Ramp Project operates with help of volunteers and donated materials
  • They use a pay-what-you-can model (recommended donation $150 per ramp)

Click on the links below:

Chris, StopGap Montreal Volunteer

If you have any questions about a particular program, we encourage you to contact them directly as they are better equipped to assist you – their respective contact information is listed in each program’s details.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for this page, please feel free to send us a message.

Land Acknowledgement

ELAN is an official minority language organization within a country that recognizes two languages as official. ELAN is located in Tiohtià:ke, the original name for Montreal in Kanien’kéha, the language of the Mohawk—also known as Mooniyang, which is the Anishinaabeg name given to the city by the Algonquin. While we are based in this city, our projects have also taken place in many regions across Quebec.

We acknowledge the colonial origin of English and French in Canada, and recognize that both languages benefit from official status throughout the land. The province that we know as Quebec is an amalgamation of the traditional territories of the Innu and Inuit nations, Algonquian nations, as well as the Mohawk nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Kanien’kéha and Anishinaabemowin are but two of the original languages of this province; Atikamekw, Cree, Inuktitut, and Innu-aimun are also among the many Indigenous languages spoken across Quebec as majority languages, all well before French and English.

ELAN acknowledges the important work being done by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to revive the traditional languages of these territories, and their advocacy for the official status of Indigenous languages.

ELAN logo with orange graphic and white letters

460 Sainte-Catherine West
Suites 706 & 708
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 1A7

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