What is Programme d'aide d'urgence aux PME (PAUPME) - Tarifs douaniers (Quebec)?
Programme d'aide d'urgence aux PME (PAUPME) - Tarifs douaniers (Quebec) is delivered by Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (MEIE), delivered by MRCs and local economic development bodies as a loan. Funding is typically loan up to $150,000 (75% of 12-month liquidity need); 0% interest for 12 months, then 3.86%. This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Loan up to $150,000 (75% of 12-month liquidity need); 0% interest for 12 months, then 3.86% |
|---|---|
| Cost share | N/A (loan covers 75% of 12-month liquidity need) |
| Level | Provincial |
| Program type | Loan |
| Delivered by | Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (MEIE), delivered by MRCs and local economic development bodies |
| Available in | QC |
| Intake status | Open - continuous until March 31, 2028 |
| Last verified | 2026-10-05 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All
- Eligible activities: Working capital and cash flow for up to 12 months while adapting to U.S. tariffs; adaptation plan (productivity, market or product diversification) due within 12 months
Watch out for
Revenue under $200K or over $2M; under 25% of 2024 sales tied to U.S. exports; no 20% actual or projected tariff hit; head office outside Quebec; bankrupt or insolvent
Deadlines & how to apply
Emergency loan for small Quebec exporters hit by U.S. tariffs, eased Aug 28, 2026 (revenue floor lowered from $1M to $200K). Revenue must be $200,000 to $2,000,000 in the last fiscal year; at least 25% of 2024 sales from direct or indirect U.S. exports (suppliers and subcontractors count); actual or projected sales drop of 20%+ from tariffs. 12-month capital moratorium, amortization up to 60 months, no guarantee required. Apply through your MRC or local economic development body (list on the quebec.ca page). Firms over $2M revenue: see FORCE (Investissement Quebec).
How NorthGrants helps with Programme d'aide d'urgence aux PME (PAUPME) - Tarifs douaniers (Quebec)
Most business owners read about Programme d'aide d'urgence aux PME (PAUPME) - Tarifs douaniers (Quebec), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building a complete application that answers what the program asks for.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.