Programme d’appui à la francophonie canadienne (PAFC)
Program objectives
The Programme d’appui à la francophonie canadienne – PAFC (Canadian Francophonie Support Program) provides funding for projects that aim to:
- help develop Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada;
- promote and encourage the use of French in Canada;
- strengthen the ties between Quebecers and Francophones/Francophiles in Canada;
- reinforce the sentiment of belonging to an inclusive pan-Canadian Francophonie.
Over the years, support from the Government of Québec through its grant programs has contributed to meeting real needs expressed by Canada’s
Francophone and Acadian communities. It supplements the Québec Policy on the Canadian Francophonie.
The program supports various types of projects falling under four different components with an intergovernmental cooperation dimension:
- Exploratory mission:
- Travel to Québec by representatives of organizations from other provinces and territories or pan-Canadian organizations;
- Travel to Canadian provinces and territories by representatives of Québec organizations. For additional information, please click here [link in French].
- Transfer of expertise:
- Participation of French-speaking experts from Québec in symposia, conferences or workshops taking place outside Québec;
- Participation of experts from the Canadian Francophonie in symposia, conferences or workshops taking place in Québec.
- Projects in the transfer of expertise category must relate to one-time events. For additional information, please click here [link in French].
- Partnerships:
- Establishment and strengthening of structures or networks for collaboration and exchange;
- Support for the offer of services in French in Francophone and Acadian communities;
- Training activities in French;
- Activities to promote French, Francophone cultures and the Canadian Francophonie;
- Mobility trip projects between Québec and the Canadian Francophonie;
- Multidimensional projects comprising at least two of the types of projects previously mentioned;
- Other collaborations between organizations in Québec and across the Canadian Francophonie. For additional information, please click here [link in French].
- Pan-Canadian organization initiatives (non-profit organization representing or including members in four or more provinces or territories):
- Establishment and strengthening of structures or networks for collaboration and exchange;
- Support for the offer of services in French in Francophone and Acadian communities;
- Training activities in French;
- Activities to promote French, Francophone cultures and the Canadian Francophonie;
- Mobility trip projects between Québec and the Canadian Francophonie;
- Multidimensional projects comprising at least two of the types of projects previously mentioned;
- Other collaborations between organizations in Québec and across the Canadian Francophonie. To learn more, please click here [link in French].
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Québec and other provinces and territories;
- Schools and health or social services facilities in Québec and other provinces or territories;
- Businesses in Québec and other provinces and territories;
- Municipalities in Québec and other provinces and territories.
Who is not eligible?
- Individuals;
- Departments/ministries or agencies of the Government of Québec or other governments;
- Companies listed in the register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA);
- Authorized or registered political parties or bodies recognized by the election authorities;
- Political education organizations;
- Applicants who have previously failed to meet the conditions for payment of SQRC grants.
New project submissions from an applicant in default on any reporting, project completion or financial obligation to Innovation PEI will not be reviewed until a resolution to the default is reached.
Innovation PEI reserves the right to deny a grant application or request for payment if it suspects or detects fraudulent intent.
To be eligible, a project must:
- demonstrate that it promotes achievement of the program objectives;
- include a Québec dimension.
What is a Québec dimension?
- At least one of the partner organizations is from Québec;
- The event or activity takes place in Québec;
- The project targets a Québec audience.
Projects are not eligible if they:
- are limited to a performance by an artist at a festival or via broadcast;
- consist of hiring a consulting firm or purchasing services;
- are supported under other SQRC programs, e.g. the Research Support Program (PAR) or the Canadian Relations Support Program (PARC).
Action areas
Projects are eligible in all sectors of society, from education and early childhood development to economic development, health, environment, youth, immigration, justice, culture, status of women, diversity, seniors, communications and more!
How do I apply?
Applicants must first register in the partners bank before submitting an application using the online form.
The application must include:
- the applicant’s full contact information;
- a detailed description of the project;
- the anticipated outcomes;
- a project implementation timeline;
- presentation of the human resources dedicated to the project;
- a detailed global budget;
- a description and breakdown of the intended use of the SQRC grant being requested;
- confirmation of any grants from other government sources;
- a description of the visibility opportunities offered to the government of Québec;
If there is a co-applicant, the co-applicant’s contact information and a description of their involvement in the project must be provided.
Application review process
The SQRC reviews applications in consultation with the Bureau du Québec in Canada concerned with the project.
The SQRC may also ask other Government of Québec ministries or agencies to assist in evaluating applications.
Applications seeking joint support from Québec and the Government of PEI under the intergovernmental cooperation component are analyzed jointly by the SQRC, representatives of the Government of PEI and the Bureau du Québec in Canada concerned.
Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses vary by component:
Exploratory mission:
- Living expenses (up to $200 per person per day for up to 7 days);
- Travel expenses within Canada;
- Local transportation;
- Conference or symposium registration fees;
- Administration fees.
- For additional information, please click here [link in French].
Transfer of expertise:
- Living expenses (up to $200 per person per day);
- Travel expenses within Canada;
- Local transportation;
- Conference or symposium registration fees;
- Expert fees;
- Administration fees.
- For additional information, please click here [link in French].
Partnerships:
- Living expenses (including accommodations and meals) up to $200 per day per person;
- Interprovincial travel and transportation expenses within Canada;
- Local transportation;
- Equipment or room rental costs;
- Purchase of equipment and supplies;
- Registration fees (conferences, symposia, etc.);
- Fees paid to persons specifically hired by the applicant to support completion of the project;
- Administration fees up to 10% of total eligible expenses;
- Communication and promotion costs directly related to the activity up to 10% of total eligible expenses.
- For additional information, please click here [link in French].
Pan-Canadian organization initiatives:
- Living expenses (including accommodations and meals) up to $200 per day per person;
- Interprovincial travel and transportation expenses within Canada;
- Local (i.e. within the same province) transportation expenses;
- Equipment or room rental costs;
- Purchase of equipment and supplies;
- Registration fees (conferences, symposia, etc.);
- Fees paid to persons specifically hired by the applicant to support completion of the project;
- Administration fees up to 10% of total eligible expenses;
- Communication and promotion costs directly related to the activity up to 10% of total eligible expenses.
- To learn more, please click here [link in French].
Ineligible expenses
The following expenses are ineligible for any type of project:
- Artists’ fees;
- Capital expenditures or the purchase of movable assets;
- Expenses incurred prior to applying for the grant;
- First-class or business-class travel;
- Living or travel expenses outside of Canada;
- Regular employee wages.
Amount of financial aid
- Financial aid may account for up to 80% of eligible expenses;
- For businesses, financial aid may account for up to 50% of eligible expenses;
- The maximum potential grant amount varies by component;
- The cumulative total of the SQRC grant and all financial aid from other government sources may not exceed 80% of eligible costs;
- For businesses, the cumulative total may not exceed 50%.
Financial aid disbursement
- Financial contributions of less than $5,000 are paid out to the applicant organization in a lump sum;
- Contributions of $5,000 or more are paid out in two payments. The first payment corresponds to 80% of the grant amount. The second payment is made following approval of the final report;
- For multi-year projects, a first payment corresponding to 80% of the financial aid granted for each year is made.
Follow-up and accountability
- Recipients agree to complete the project described in the application;
- No significant changes may be made to a project without prior approval from the SQRC;
- Organizations also agree to indicate in all public project-related communications that funding was provided by the Government of Québec (see visibility obligations [link in French]);
- A final report must be submitted within 3 months following the project end date. This report must include required follow-up indicators (see reporting and accountability [link in French]);
- The SQRC reserves the right to require supporting documents, which may include invoices or financial statements, at any time;
- An organization may be required to reimburse the SQRC in full or in part in certain cases, such as:
- if its project was cancelled or modified without prior authorization from the SQRC;
- if any portion of the grant was not used;
- if part or all the grant amount was not used for the purposes authorized;
- if the eligible expenses were less than forecast;
- if administrative costs exceeded 10% of eligible expenses;
- if the cumulative government aid received exceeded 80% (for organizations) or 50% (for businesses) of eligible expenses.
Who do I contact with questions?
Éliane Laberge
Bilingual Cultural Development Officer
Telephone: 902-916-1854
evlaberge@gov.pe.ca
Innovation PEI
94 Euston Street, Charlottetown