| Administered by | Services Québec (Direction régionale de l’Île-de-Montréal, through business service points across the island including downtown, Plateau-Mont-Royal, the north of the island, Lachine and the west) |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | Up to 40 % (regular rate), 65 % (equipment, IT, green transition) or 100 % (francization and literacy, with wages up to $25/h). Usual cap of $100,000 per agreement; larger projects fall under the MFOR-E stream. |
| Who qualifies | Private employers with an establishment in the region and a valid NEQ, non-profits, cooperatives and self-employed workers. Excluded: public bodies, political parties and businesses on the RENA register. |
| Deadline or intake | Continuous intake throughout the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). The application must be filed and approved before training begins. |
| Stacks with | 1 % Law (recognized expenses); provincial tax credits on distinct expense bases; MFOR-E stream for projects of $100,000 or more. |
| Region | Montreal (Region 06) |
| Official page | www.quebec.ca/entreprises-et-travailleurs-autonomes/administrer-gerer/ |
MFOR in Montreal at a glance
The Workforce Training Measure (MFOR), business component, supports skills development for employed workers in Montreal. It is delivered by Services Québec under the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. Provincial rules are uniform, but their practical application depends on the regional economy and the regional budget envelope. The full provincial rules are in our MFOR program guide.
According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec, the Montreal administrative region (region 06) has more than 1.17 million jobs. Its economy is marked by professional services, a major concentration in information technology, an internationally significant aerospace cluster around Saint-Laurent and Dorval, and a dynamic manufacturing base in the east of the island. This density gives Montreal the largest regional Services Québec budget envelope, which is also the most solicited in the province; funds can become scarce toward the end of the fiscal year, so starting in the spring is recommended.
The MFOR is not an automatic tax credit. It is a discretionary subsidy negotiated as a prior agreement with a business advisor. No expense incurred before the agreement is signed can be reimbursed. See the regional directory for how other territories operate.
Services Québec offices
Direction régionale de l’Île-de-Montréal, through business service points across the island including downtown, Plateau-Mont-Royal, the north of the island, Lachine and the west. Your advisor is assigned by the postal code of your establishment and handles the analysis, the rate and the agreement.
Rates and eligible costs
- Regular rate: up to 40 % of eligible costs.
- Enhanced rate: up to 65 % for training required by new equipment, information technology or the green transition.
- Francization and literacy: 100 %, including participant wages up to $25 per hour.
- Excluded: participants’ regular wages in technical training; training required by law or regulation.
Timing
The fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31. Regional funds are limited and committed in order of complete files; spring and early-autumn submissions usually find more room than February or March. Plan six to ten weeks before the intended start of training.
How we can help
We help employers in Montreal identify their office, prepare the training plan and provider information, and sequence the application within the regional budget calendar. We are an independent advisory firm and not the program administrator; Services Québec makes all decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Services Québec office handles MFOR files in Montreal?
Direction régionale de l’Île-de-Montréal, through business service points across the island including downtown, Plateau-Mont-Royal, the north of the island, Lachine and the west. The advisor is assigned according to the postal code of your establishment. That advisor analyzes your needs, sets the reimbursement rate and signs the agreement before training starts.
What is the maximum subsidy in Montreal?
Usually $100,000 per agreement under the regular MFOR stream. Where the requested assistance reaches $100,000 or more, the file moves to the MFOR-E stream for large projects, assessed centrally by the Direction des mesures et services aux entreprises.
What share of training costs can be recovered?
Up to 40 % at the regular rate, up to 65 % for training tied to new equipment, information technology or the green transition, and 100 % for francization and literacy, where participant wages are included up to $25 per hour. The exact percentage is set by the advisor according to available budget.
How long before training can start?
Plan for six to ten weeks between the first exchange with Services Québec and the signature of the agreement. No expense incurred before signature is reimbursable. Delays lengthen in February and March as regional budgets close.
Do MFOR-funded courses count toward the 1 % Law?
Yes. Expenses recognized under an MFOR agreement are eligible under the Act to promote workforce skills development and recognition. Employers with a payroll above $2 million can meet part of their 1 % obligation while receiving partial reimbursement.
Official sources
- Québec.ca — Develop the skills of your workforce (Workforce Training Measure, business component) — official program page and general conditions
- Guide des mesures et des services d’emploi, section 5.8 — Workforce Training Measure, business component (updated 2023-06-28) — sections 2.4.1.7 to 2.4.1.9 on eligible expenses, enhanced rates and caps
- Services Québec — Office locator — official directory of offices and service points
- Commission des partenaires du marché du travail — Act to promote workforce skills development and recognition (1 % Law) — $2 million payroll threshold and eligibility of MFOR expenses
Verified against official sources on .
Canadian Funding Partners Inc. is an independent advisory firm and does not administer this program. Rates, ceilings and eligibility are set by the administering authority and change. Confirm current terms with the official source before relying on them.