Quebec expands SME emergency aid to counter US tariffs

The government of Quebec is expanding its Emergency Assistance Program for SMEs (PAUPME) to mitigate the impact of United States tariffs. The provincial government has lowered the minimum revenue threshold to $200,000, allowing smaller businesses with annual turnovers between $200,000 and $2 million to access support. This expansion aims to protect a broader range of companies affected by the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States.

Specific adjustments have been made for the forestry sector, where companies are now exempt from the requirement to demonstrate profitability over the last two fiscal years. This change addresses long-standing structural challenges within the industry.

In the MRC de Roussillon, the local economic development service Prospérer RS is preparing to deploy the program. Eligible businesses may receive loans of up to $150,000 with terms of up to five years. The financial aid includes a 0% interest rate for the first year and no mandatory principal repayment during that initial period.