Running a business is expensive, especially in 2026. Thankfully, the Quebec government offers all kinds of grant programs and subsidies to help you grow your online store.  

Here’s a full breakdown of all the federal and provincial subsidies, tax credits, grants and more available to small to medium-sized enterprises in Quebec for 2026. Whether you’re B2C, B2B, retail, or omnichannel, there’s likely something on this list for you.  

Québec Provincial Ecommerce Tax Credits and Programs  

Here are the best ecommerce-related programs and tax credits you can use to fund the expansion of your business this year:

Grants & Subsidies for Quebec Ecommerce Merchants:

1. MTL+Ecommerce Digital Accelerator: Montreal-based non-profit MTL+Ecommerce runs a Digital Accelerator program that reimburses 50% of the program fee for approved digital transformation or ecommerce projects for businesses with fewer than 500 employees and at least $200,000.00 in annual revenue. The grant supports projects such as ecommerce, web marketing strategy implementation, ecommerce/B2B content, digital marketing strategy, and unified commerce. The grant is currently closed, but may reopen. 

2. Programme ESSOR (Ministère de l’Économie / Investissement Québec): ESSOR is a multi-stream program supporting Québec businesses’ investments. Volet 1 of ESSOR funds “audit 4.0” and digital planning: it covers up to 50% of eligible consulting and planning costs, including digital diagnostics, feasibility studies, or a structured digital transformation plan. For example, ESSOR can pay up to $20,000 for a “diagnostic numérique” (50% of costs). Subsequent ESSOR streams cover implementation (equipment, automation, etc.) with grants or low-interest loans. This is a great source for Québec businesses investing in ecommerce platforms, ERPs or online systems.

3. Trans-num (ADRIQ): The “Offensive Trans­Numérique” program (run by ADRIQ) provides cost-sharing for SME digital projects. It covers 50% of eligible costs (max $25,000 per project) for a concrete digital transformation initiative, including ecommerce platform implementation, cybersecurity upgrades, ERP/CRM integration, etc. Eligible SMEs in any sector (retail, services, manufacturing) can apply for the grant. The program is currently closed for 2026, but will likely reopen for a new round for 2027. 

4. Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation (PSCE): Québec’s PSCE has three components. In particular, Volet 1 helps SMEs market and sell in Québec: it covers up to 50% of costs, up to $250,000 per year, for projects such as market studies, branding, or digital marketing aimed at Québec customers. (Volet  2 and 3 focus on exporting.) Ecommerce businesses can use PSCE to fund Quebec-specific digital marketing or website localization.

5. Desjardins Momentum Fund: The Desjardins Momentum Fund offers financial support for SME projects in regions. It covers 25% of project costs (up to $20,000) for eligible projects in digital transformation, innovation or market development. Québec ecommerce merchants, especially startups or young businesses, can apply to these funds for help with website development, digital tools, or marketing.

Tax Credits for Quebec Ecommerce Businesses:

1. Crédit d’impôt – Développement des affaires électroniques intégrant l’IA (CDAEIA): Starting in 2026, Québec’s CDAE evolves into the CDAEIA, which requires the integration of AI. It offers up to 30% of eligible salaries (22% refundable + 8% non-refundable) for employees working on digital projects with AI components. Online retailers that add AI-powered personalization, automated inventory management, chatbots, or similar features can qualify.

2. Tax Credit for Research, Innovation and Commercialization (CRIC): Quebec ecommerce businesses looking to invest in their product research, design and development can potentially qualify for Quebec’s CRIC tax credit that will get them 30% on a maximum of $1 million in qualified expenditures. 

3. Incentive Deduction for the Commercialization of Innovations (IDCI): The IDCI takes the form of a deduction in the calculation of a corporation’s taxable income, which allows a corporation to benefit from an effective tax rate of 2% on the qualifying portion of its income from the commercialization of a qualifying intellectual property asset. To qualify for the IDCI, a corporation must have an establishment in Québec, carry on business here, and earn income from the commercialization of a qualified intellectual property asset.  

4. Crédit d’impôt Investissement et Innovation (C3i) Tax Credit: Ayming Canada’s C3i tax credit ranges from 15% to 25% of the cost of eligible assets (production machinery, IT equipment, software), after a specified excluded amount. The exact credit percentage depends on the region where the equipment is used and the acquisition period. One major benefit of this credit is that even if your company owes no taxes, you can receive the full credit’s value as a cash payment from the government. 

5. Programme Mon Succès Numérique: Operated through the Synchronex network of technical centers, this program directly addresses the needs of smaller to mid-sized enterprises, providing non-repayable grants of up to 80% of the cost of your project up to $15,750. The program is specifically designed to facilitate rapid, highly strategic digital interventions to immediately improve competitiveness, modernization, and productivity. 

Federal Support Options

1. Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive: Federally, ecommerce/tech companies that perform R&D can claim the SR&ED tax credit. Qualified Canadian-controlled corporations get up to 35% refundable credit on the first $3 M of eligible R&D expenses. This is claimable on the federal corporate tax return.

2. CanExport SMEs: This program can get your business funding for up to $50,000 for international business development activities, making it the perfect program to apply for if your business has under 500 employees and generates between $300,000 and $100 million a year.

3. BDC 0% Interest Loan: While Canada’s Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) has stopped accepting new applications, companies that have already been approved for the plan can apply for a zero-interest loan up to $100,000 from BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) to buy new technology. This loan can fund software, hardware or services needed to grow online.

4. National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP): In addition to offering customized advice and introductions to valuable connections, the NRC’s IRAP also occasionally offers funding for SMEs to solve business/technical challenges and bring products and services to market faster. Apply if you employ up to 500 people and develop and commercialize innovative, technology-driven products or services. 

It’s important to note that you can generally apply for as many of these credits and grants as you’d like, as long as you believe you qualify for them. For example, you could stack the federal SR&ED with Quebec’s CRIC tax credit to get approximately 58.5% effective R&D assistance, the highest amount in Canada. 

SMEs developing a new AI-powered online marketplace could also receive CDAEIA for salaries, SR&ED for R&D, and even ESSOR or Trans-Num grants for planning/diagnostics. We recommend filing the CDAEIA and SR&ED in tandem, ensuring that different expenses are allocated to each credit.

Conclusion

Quebec ecommerce businesses have more funding options available than many merchants realize, but the real challenge is knowing which programs fit your goals and how to combine them strategically. Whether you are investing in a new online store, improving operations with AI, expanding into new markets, or modernizing your digital infrastructure, the right mix of provincial and federal support can significantly reduce costs and accelerate growth.

At Blue Badger, we can help you plan your expansion strategy and list out your needs and goals ot ensure that you have everything you need to apply for and properly leverage these programs and grants. Get in touch with us today to get started.