U.S. Tariffs: Resources and Support for Businesses

The Emergency Assistance Program for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (PAUPME) – Tariffs is designed to support SMEs experiencing financial difficulties as a result of U.S. tariffs.

In the MRC Pierre-De Saurel, DÉPS assists eligible businesses and processes financial assistance applications.

Financial assistance

Assistance is provided in the form of a loan covering up to 75% of the business’s eligible cash flow needs for a 12-month period, to a maximum of $150,000.

The main loan terms are as follows:

• a 0% interest rate for the 12 months following the first disbursement, followed by a rate of 3.86%;

• a principal repayment deferral for the first 12 months;
  the possibility of an additional deferral of principal and interest payments for a maximum period of 12 months;

• an amortization period of up to 60 months, excluding repayment deferral periods;

• no personal security or personal guarantee required;

• the possibility of corporate security or a corporate guarantee deemed satisfactory by the RCM.

The financing is intended to cover the working capital required to maintain operations and implement measures to adapt to the new business environment.

The recipient business must maintain its operations in Québec until the loan has been repaid in full. Additional commitments will be specified in the loan agreement.

Your business may be eligible if it meets the following criteria:

• It has been registered with the Québec enterprise register for at least two years and has its head office in Québec.
• It generated revenue of at least $200,000 and no more than $2 million in its most recently completed fiscal year.
• At least 25% of its 2024 revenue came directly or indirectly from exports to the United States.
• Its revenue has decreased by at least 20% compared with 2024, or it expects a decrease of at least 20% beginning in 2026 as a result of U.S. tariffs.
• It was profitable in at least one of its two most recently completed fiscal years, except in the case of certain forestry businesses.
• It has submitted, or agrees to submit within 12 months of receiving the assistance, an action plan outlining how it will adapt to the new business environment and ensure its long-term viability.
• It has reasonable prospects of achieving profitability over the medium term.

Additional eligibility requirements and conditions apply. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee financial assistance.

Is your business affected?

Contact the DÉPS team for a preliminary assessment of your eligibility and information on the next steps.

View the official PAUPME program details