Where to Get Government Aid to Translate Your Material
Particularly in a bilingual country like Canada, professional translation services can be quite an asset to your organization. Whether you’re a business planning to export internationally, an English-language company looking to penetrate the Quebec market or an organization aiming to provide services in both of Canada’s official languages, having access to high-quality professional translations of your company’s material is essential.
For example, the company website is often the first place people go to learn more about your organization. If your website is accessible in multiple languages, you can reach a wider audience and show current and potential clients that you care about offering them services in their mother tongue.
In Quebec, translation services are particularly important. The Government of Quebec has various laws in place mandating the use of French in commercial signage, documentation and labelling. This can be a daunting prospect for organizations outside Quebec looking to penetrate the Quebec market and Anglophone entrepreneurs starting a business in Quebec. In these cases, professional translation can help you adhere to government guidelines and grow your business.
Do you feel like it’s a nice idea, but professional translations seem a bit beyond your budget? Did you know that there are various government grants to help companies who want their documents translated professionally?
Here is a non-exhaustive list of federal and provincial government grants for companies and organizations interested in using professional translation services:
CanExport grant for SMEs
CanExport offers companies with fewer than 500 employees funding for their international market development activities, including the adaptation and translation of marketing tools. They reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses incurred as part of an international market development project, up to a maximum of $75,000.
Quebec’s Programme Exportation (PEX)
Quebec’s Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation has a program that offers financial aid to companies in certain sectors (French only), such as manufacturing and retail, for export-related activities such as adapting and creating promotional materials for foreign markets.
Canadian Heritage grant for non-profit organizations
The aim of the Canadian Heritage grant is to promote linguistic duality. The grant funds up to 50% of eligible expenses with a maximum of $5,000 for non-profit organizations looking to make more of their documentation available in both of Canada’s official languages.
Funding for non-profit organizations in New Brunswick
New Brunswick also has funding available for non-profit organizations interested in making their documents available in both official languages. Organizations there can get 75% of eligible expenditures funded, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Export program in Alberta
Both non-profit organizations and SMEs in certain sectors in Alberta are welcome to apply for this program, which includes funding for the translation of marketing materials.
Whether your projects are big or small, non-profit or for profit, or for international or domestic use, OXO Innovation will be happy to provide you with language services that highlight the best of what your organization has to offer! Contact us today.