Dance Training Support Program

The Dance Training Support Program is established to assist dancers, choreographers, and rehearsal directors in covering a portion of their dance training costs. Its objective is to improve the socio-economic conditions of dance professionals in Quebec.

Program Objectives:

Encourage physical training efforts to meet the demands of the profession of dancer, choreographer, and rehearsal director.
Reduce the financial burden of training activities on individuals practicing these professions.
Motivate dancers, choreographers, and rehearsal directors to maintain a level of excellence and optimal employability.
Provide coverage for performers in case of injury or accident during supervised training in Quebec.

How to Benefit

Follow these steps:

Check your eligibility
Consult the Dance Training Support Program policy.
Ensure you are already an RQD member
To benefit from the Dance Training Support Program, you must be an RQD member. Become a member now or renew your membership!
Register
You must submit an eligibility application for the Program each year via the RQD membership form.
⚠️ Attention: This must be done every year to benefit from the program.

Who Can Benefit?

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Dance Training Support Program, performers, choreographers, and rehearsal directors must be RQD members in good standing. Eligibility requirements may vary depending on the membership category. Applicants must also provide the required supporting documents, such as diplomas or proof of professional engagement. See the Dance Training Support program policy for more information.

Claim Procedure

Fill out the form in the Member Area (available on the first business day of the month):
- Attach compliant receipts (see section below).
- Check the payment date.
- Provide a void cheque (only for first-time applications or in case of a change in financial institution).
Submit before the 14th day of the month.

Processing:

Submission period: First 14 days of each month.
Processing order:
1. Random among applications from members who have not yet received a reimbursement in their membership year.
2. Random among the remaining applications.
Reimbursements are made no later than one month after the end of the 14-day submission period.

If refused or funds are exhausted:
The application can be resubmitted until the last submission period, which is in June 2027.

How is the funding enveloppe allocated?

The 2026-2027 fund is $65,000.
It is subdivided monthly: $5,416.66 per month.
Proportionally to our membership, the fund is allocated as follows:
- 80% to professional individual and corporate members.
- 20% to trainee individual members.

What types of training are eligible for reimbursement?The program reimburses expenses related to various types of dance training and physical conditioning, including:

Dance classes and workshops
Subscriptions to dance training programs
Continuing education
Yoga, Pilates, strength training, and similar classes

What are the receipt requirements for reimbursement?Any eligible expense incurred during the member’s active membership year may be submitted for reimbursement.

Receipts must include the following information:
– Your name
– Date of payment
– Name of the training venue or instructor
– Type of training
– Cost and number of classes
– Number of hours for workshops or duration of the subscription

A bank or credit card transaction slip is not considered a valid supporting document.
Classes, workshops, or subscriptions already subsidized by a government body are not eligible for reimbursement.

Which expenses are not reimbursable?Fees for fitness assessments, studio rentals, or training equipment are not eligible for reimbursement. Voluntary contributions are also not reimbursable. Classes, workshops, and subscriptions already subsidized by a government body.

What Is the Maximum Reimbursement Amount?

The reimbursed amount depends on the RQD member category:

Member Category	Reimbursement Rate	Annual Maximum
Trainees	40% of costs (before taxes)	$300
Professionals (individual or corporate)	40% of costs (before taxes)	$500

⚠️ Important:

Reimbursements depend on available funds (total fund: $65,000 for 2026-2027).
The RQD does not guarantee that all eligible members will receive a reimbursement or the maximum allowed amount each year.

Questions?

Write to rqd@quebecdanse.org.

CNESST coverage for training injuries

In accordance with the Regulation respecting the implementation of the Agreement on the professional dance training program of the Act respecting occupational health and safety, adopted in 2006, performers admitted to the Dance Training Support Program are automatically covered by the CNESST in the event of injuries sustained during training that is not part of an employment contract. Certain conditions apply.

CNESST coverage under the Dance Training Support Program applies only to performers . It is not available to choreographers or rehearsal directors.

To benefit from coverage, dancers must be members of the RQD and admitted to the Training Support Program, after applying via the RQD membership form.

Training sessions in which performers are covered must meet the following strict conditions:

Specialized dance training
Supervised training
In person training on Quebec soil

What to do in the event of injury?

A dancer who is injured in training must:

Inform the person supervising his/her class or training and designate a witness.
Immediately notify the RQD by e-mail at info@quebecdanse.org to open a CNESST file.
Consult a physician within 48 hours of the incident. The doctor must provide a CNESST-identified medical certificate and a prescription for treatment. Do not send anything directly to the CNESST before speaking to the RQD!

The Dance Training Support Program receives financial support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.

The policy for the RQD’s Training Support Program was unanimously adopted by the RQD Board of Directors on June 9th, 2026.