Description
This program contributes directly to making buildings universally accessible, so that anyone, regardless of ability, can use the services offered in the store independently.
Owners and tenants of buildings (or parts of buildings) used for commercial activities are eligible for subsidies in one of the following categories:
- correct or reduce obstacles that restrict entry to and exit from commercial establishments;
- to improve traffic flow inside their business;
- make the various sanitary fixtures accessible.
Find out more in our A guide to accessible, profitable businesses.
Financial assistance
VIP offers a subsidy equal to 90 % of the cost of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of 15,000 $.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, companies must meet a number of conditions.
- Be a tenant or owner of a building used for commercial activities in the Greater Montreal area.
- Provide for work to bring access to the building into compliance with the barrier-free design standards of the Code or regulations applicable in the grant application, and carry it out when no access to the building from a public thoroughfare other than an alley is compliant.
- Obtain confirmation from a licensed professional that the current building, which is the subject of the application, met the barrier-free construction standards of the Code and applicable regulations, either at the time of its construction or at the time of the building's most recent renovation.
Eligible expenses
- Replacement of doors giving access to the building from the public thoroughfare and to the commercial premises.
- Installation of electric door openers allowing access to the building from the public thoroughfare and to the commercial premises.
- Installation of bevelled surfaces.
- Installation of ramps or lifting platforms.
- Interior circulation improvements such as levelling floors, widening doors and fitting rooms, installing elevators and lifting platforms.
- Work to facilitate customer access to washroom fixtures.
- Toilet replacement.
The grant also covers professional services in architecture, engineering or technology required to complete the work.
Note: grants are not awarded for work begun before the date on which the grant application is declared eligible.
Carrying out the work
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you must :
- obtain the necessary permits to carry out eligible work;
- ensure that the work is carried out by a contractor holding an appropriate license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec;
- complete eligible work within 12 months of the date of notification of eligibility.
Submitting a request
To take advantage of this program, you must provide the required documents, depending on your situation (owner or tenant), before December 31, 2024.
For further information, please find https://bit.ly/3UD8NZZ
