Hiring and training new staff can be expensive, especially if you want to support Indigenous employment in Québec. The Québec First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program helps reduce your costs by covering a large share of wages and onboarding support. For eligible employers, this program can subsidize up to 80% of an employee’s gross salary for up to 52 weeks.
The First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program is a Québec government wage subsidy delivered by the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. Its goal is to help employers hire and support members of First Nations and Inuit communities through paid jobs and structured support.
Eligible employers can receive:
This program is helpful if your new hire needs extra training or support.
To qualify, your business must:
The hired worker must:
The program is designed to support long-term employability, not short-term or casual placements.
Applying involves coordination with Québec employment services. Expect a review of both the job offer and the integration plan.
Confirm eligibility
Make sure both your business and the position meet program rules, and that the candidate qualifies as a First Nations or Inuit community member.
Prepare your job and integration plan
Outline:
Contact your local Services Québec office
Applications are handled through Services Québec or an employment assistance officer.
Submit required documentation
This typically includes:
Wait for approval before claiming subsidies
Funding is not guaranteed retroactively. Approval should be in place before or at the start of employment.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether your business profile aligns with Québec wage subsidy programs before you invest time in paperwork.
Hiring before approval
Starting employment without confirmation can make wage costs ineligible.
Exceeding the wage cap
The subsidy is limited to minimum wage, even if you pay more.
Weak supervision plans
Employers must show active coaching and follow-up, not just payroll support.
Assuming public organizations qualify
Public bodies and political organizations are excluded from this program.
Q: How much funding can I receive under the First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program?
Up to 80% of the employee’s gross salary, capped at Québec minimum wage for 40 hours per week, for up to 52 weeks.
Q: What types of jobs are eligible?
Regular full-time, part-time, recurrent seasonal, vacant, or newly created positions are all eligible.
Q: Does the employee need prior work experience?
No. The program specifically targets individuals with little work experience or employment barriers.
Q: Are training and HR costs covered?
Yes. The program can help reimburse costs related to coaching, HR tool adaptation, and certain integration expenses.
Q: Is the wage subsidy taxable for my business?
Wage subsidies are generally considered government assistance and must be reported. Confirm treatment with your accountant.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and wage subsidy programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile and hiring plans.
The Québec First Nations and Inuit Employment Integration Program can make hiring less risky and support Indigenous workforce participation. If you plan to grow your team, finding wage subsidies early can save you time and money. GrantHub helps you compare this program with other Québec and Indigenous employment supports, all in one place.
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