Quebec Is Going To Reimburse Up To $15,000 For Red Zone Businesses That Have To Close

With select businesses in Quebec's red zones closing down for the next 28 days, the provincial government has decided to lend a helping hand.

To help them pay their rent and taxes, the government announced a reimbursement of up to $15,000 for eligible businesses.

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I hope that the help I [...] announce today will help you get through these very difficult times.

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy 

According to Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, the eligible expenses include: municipal and school taxes, rent, interest paid on mortgages, electricity and gas, insurance, telecommunications costs, and permits and association fees.

The program is named the Aide aux entreprises en région en alerte maximale (AERAM; Assistance to Businesses in High Alert Regions, in English).

"This pardon will allow businesses that still need to support certain fixed expenses even though they've ceased operations," he said. 

Eligible businesses include only those affected by red zone closures, like restaurants, even the ones that are still offering delivery and takeout. 

"We are here for you and we hope this help we're announcing today can help you go through this difficult time," said Fitzgibbon. 

Currently, only the 82 municaplities of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) and parts of the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions are under red alert.