Funding and grants to automate your food processing plant in Quebec

If you want to find out whether you are eligible for funding programs to automate your business in Quebec, this article is here to help you in your search.

You can find our article on federal programs via this link:

you can also find programs for other provinces via these links:

• Ontario

• British Columbia

• Alberta

• Nova Scotia

The Government of Quebec and the federal government view automation as a key lever to address labour shortages, improve productivity, and strengthen the province's food autonomy. Quebec programs aim in particular to modernize production and packaging equipment, robotize repetitive or hazardous operations, and integrate digital systems (ERP, MES, traceability, vision, AI) to manage production in real time.

The Food Transformation Program directly supports robotics and automation investments in Quebec food processing companies. It is the program best suited to ENOLINE projects for modernizing an existing packaging line or adding a new automated line.

• Financial assistance: Up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a cap of $150,000 per applicant or related group.

• Eligible projects:

  • Automation of production lines (dosing, sorting, packaging, palletizing);

  • Integration of robotic arms or cobots;

  • Implementation of vision systems for quality control;

  • Implementation of specialized software or ERP systems (ERP, MES).

• Learn more:Food Transformation Program – Government of Quebec

The Biofood Innovation Program 2023-2028 aims to strengthen innovation in Quebec's biofood sector by supporting R&D, experimental development, technology adaptation, and knowledge transfer to companies. It becomes particularly relevant when the automation project has an innovative dimension: new packaging technology, integration of pilot processes, collaborative project with a research centre, or co-development of a custom solution with ENOLINE.

• Learn more:Biofood Innovation Program – MAPAQ

The ESSOR program, managed by Investissement Québec, includes Component 1 with sub-streams for studies, diagnostics, and technology implementation. For an ENOLINE automated packaging project, ESSOR can fund the capacity and ROI study, part of the engineering, and integration with existing management systems.

• Financial assistance: Non-repayable grants of up to $120,000 in total for techno-economic feasibility studies, digital diagnostics, transformation plans, and implementation of ERP, MES, CRM software and intelligent automation solutions.

• Learn more:ESSOR – Investissement Québec

In addition to ESSOR, Investissement Québec offers financing solutions (loans, guarantees, sometimes contributions) for SMEs and large companies modernizing their facilities, including the purchase of automated equipment, installation work, and software integration. By structuring a package with Investissement Québec, a company can reduce its initial outlay, for example through a term loan combined with an ESSOR grant.

• Learn more:Investissement Québec – Project financing

The Investment and Innovation Tax Credit (C3i) from Revenu Québec is a major tax lever for projects involving the acquisition of technological equipment and software. Packaging machines, robots, and control systems are generally eligible when they aim to increase the company's productivity and competitiveness. This credit allows recovery, in the form of tax relief, of part of the acquisition and installation cost of equipment, in addition to provincial and federal grants.

• Learn more:C3i – Revenu Québec

For companies located within the City of Quebec, this program offers a contribution to support technology investments aimed at improving productivity, particularly through automation and robotics. Eligible projects include the implementation of connected production equipment or the acquisition of robots (for example, a palletizer) to increase production capacity.

• Learn more:City of Quebec – Productivity and automation

The Fonds de solidarité FTQ offers tailored financing solutions to growing Quebec companies: loans, quasi-equity, and equity participation, generally without personal guarantees. This financing can cover facility modernization, equipment purchase, plant construction or expansion, as well as automation and robotics projects. For an ENOLINE project, the FTQ Fund can act as a complementary financial partner to government grants.

• Learn more:Fonds de solidarité FTQ – Business financing

The Grand V initiative, launched by Investissement Québec in 2024, aims to accelerate companies' shift toward innovation and sustainable productivity through flexible financing, technology support, and specialized tools. As a logical follow-up to the Productivity Innovation and Compétivert programs, Grand V targets all types of companies, from start-ups to large enterprises, to finance the acquisition, implementation, or development of innovative technologies, including automation and robotics projects. As part of an ENOLINE project, Grand V can support investment in a new generation of higher-performance packaging lines.

• Learn more:Grand V – Investissement Québec

Several combined public programs can provide contributions equivalent to approximately 50% of eligible expenses for an automation and robotics project. For example, an ENOLINE automated equipment project may benefit from:

• A grant from the Food Transformation Program of up to $150,000;

• ESSOR assistance for diagnostics and implementation (up to $120,000);

• The C3i investment tax credit;

• Possibly municipal assistance (City of Quebec);

• Complementary financing through the FTQ Fund or Investissement Québec.

Eligible expenses cover equipment purchase, engineering and integration services, consulting services for diagnostics and design, as well as certain fit-out work directly related to the project.