Consulting Advisory Services

💡What Is This Program?

🎁What Benefits Are Offered?

Provides affordable access to consulting services, covering up to 75% of professional fees and costs to a maximum of $5000, to help address specific business challenges, deficiencies, or opportunities. Eligible activities include diagnostic, trade, competitiveness, and access to capital assessments.

📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?

📝Steps to ApplySource

• Meet with a Metro Business Opportunities Development Officer to discuss eligibility criteria.
• Receive a CAS Application Form.
• Identify and work with a Consultant to prepare a Consultant Proposal.
• Submit the CAS Application Form and Consultant Proposal to a Development Officer.
• If approved, sign and return the Contract within 10 business days.
• Submit copies of the Consultant Final Report, Invoice, and Client Evaluation Form.

🌐Application PortalSource

https://www.mbobusiness.ca/consultant-advisory-services

📤Submission MethodSource

online

🔄Intake TypeSource

rolling

📄What Documents Are Required?

✅Required DocumentsSource

• Referral from Department of Advanced Education and Skills Confirming EI Eligibility
• Submit Application for 10-week Concept Development Period OR Submit Completed Business Plan
• Submit Self-Employment Assistance Program Application
• Submit Current Resume
• Submit Completed Equity Statement
• Submit Proof of Required Financing
• Submit Copy of City Business Permit

📐Format RequirementsSource

PDF only, max 10MB

📥Templates AvailableSource

• CAS Application Form

✉️Supporting LettersSource

No supporting letters required.

💰What Expenses Are Eligible?

🧾Eligible ExpensesSource

• Professional fees and costs for hiring a consultant

🚫Ineligible ExpensesSource

• Real Estate Industry
• Retail/Wholesale
• Services of a Personal or Social Nature
• Government Services
• Consultants seeking assessment of own services
• Mandates deemed not suitable for government funding

📏Expense CapsSource

Maximum reimbursement of $5,000

💳Payment ModelSource

reimbursement

⏪Retroactive Expenses Eligible

No

🤝Is Matching Funding Required?

🔀Matching RequiredSource

Yes

📊Matching RatioSource

25% minimum

🏦Eligible Matching SourcesSource

• cash

📚Stacking Rules

Not specified

🛡️Proof of Matching RequiredSource

Copies of the consultant's final report, invoice, and client evaluation form.

📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?

🗓️Reporting FrequencySource

final only

📑Reporting RequirementsSource

• consultant's final report
• invoice
• client evaluation form

🔍Audit RequirementsSource

The program may require monitoring and evaluation purposes.

📢Branding RequirementsSource

Recognition of the Government of Canada is required.

🗄️Record Retention Period

7 years