How much funding can be received?

The Advisory Services Program – Component 1 supports agricultural and agri-food businesses in adopting best business practices by providing financial assistance for advisory services from qualified consultants. Eligible projects include activities conducted by registered advisors aimed at improving decision-making, entrepreneurial practices, and overall performance; the program’s maximum funding amount is not specified.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% or 75% of eligible expenses depending on the intervention area.
15% bonus offered for certain clienteles or priorities, up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses.
Maximum amount of financial assistance per applicant of $30,000 for the duration of the program, which can reach $40,000 for successor agricultural businesses or certified organic businesses.
Maximum amounts of assistance per project and per intervention theme, with for example $20,000 for the Management area, $19,000 for Agro-environment, and $17,000 for the Technical area for the entire duration of the program.

Eligible projects & activities

Engagement of advisory services provided by registered consultants in defined areas of intervention.
Implementation of interprofessional approaches to improve business practices.
Initiation of strategic projects aimed at enhancing decision-making within agricultural or agri-food businesses.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 9,500

Consulting for renewable energy integration in greenhouse operations

$ 5,800

Advisory project to launch digital sales for maple products

$ 10,000

Implementing precision agriculture with expert consulting support

$ 9,500

Strategic planning for sustainable artisanal cheese expansion

$ 8,500

Collaborative farm-to-table strategy for fresh produce cooperative

$ 7,000

Interprofessional workshops to improve traceability in dairy operations

Eligibility criteria of the Advisory Services Program — Component 1 - Support for the use of advisory services by businesses program

The applicant must be an agricultural enterprise, an artisanal food processing business, a new generation agricultural business, or a group of businesses.
The project must involve the use of advisory services provided by advisors registered with the Coordination services-conseils.
The project must fall under the areas and themes of intervention defined in the program.

Who is eligible?

Agricultural operations
Artisanal food processing businesses
New agricultural enterprises
Groups of businesses

Who is not eligible

Departments, budgetary agencies, Crown corporations, and companies controlled by a government or a Crown corporation, as well as municipal entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Companies not complying with the requirements of the Charter of the French Language or listed as non-compliant with the francization process established by the Office québécois de la langue française.
Applicants registered in the Registry of Ineligible Businesses for Public Contracts (RENA), as well as their subcontractors.
Companies whose main activity, production, or sale is related to cannabis for recreational purposes or to products not approved by Health Canada.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees for consulting services related to eligible intervention themes, including the organization or participation in interprofessional collaboration meetings or strategic initiatives, when carried out by a consultant registered with the Coordination consulting services.
Professional fees of $50/hour for the travel time of consultants.
Excess travel and accommodation expenses of consultants (transportation, lodging, and meals) when the consultant is more than 100 kilometers from the place of operation, in accordance with applicable government rates.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies with an establishment in operation located in Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Advisory Services Program — Component 1 - Support for the use of advisory services by businesses program

Suitability of consulting services with the objectives and parameters of the Program.
Alignment of consulting services with the company's objectives.
Feasibility of the proposed project.
Compliance of consulting services with applicable professional standards.
Suitability of costs in relation to the scope of planned activities.

How to apply to the Advisory Services Program — Component 1 - Support for the use of advisory services by businesses program

Verify eligibility criteria

Identify if your business meets the eligibility criteria (farm operations, artisanal food processing businesses, young farmers, or business groups of 3 to 10 companies located in Quebec)
Confirm that your project involves advisory services listed in eligible intervention domains

Gather required documents

Prepare the required documents: completed and signed membership form, signed detailed service contract, agroenvironmental support plan (if applicable), declaration for young farmer bonus (if applicable), and valid organic certification (if applicable)

Submit application to Agriconseils network

Submit the membership form and required documents to the appropriate regional Agriconseils network before February 15 each year
Ensure documents comply with regional requirements

Await review and confirmation

Wait for the Agriconseils network to review your application
Receive confirmation of financial assistance or further information requests

Finalize agreement and comply with terms

Receive a confirmation letter and sign any required agreements
Adhere to all program rules during the service provision

Additional information

Application deadlines for Component 1 are set annually, with projects accepted continuously until February 15 of each year.
Component 1 is administered through Agriconseils regional networks, and applicants may need to contact their respective network for support or information.
Details and official program documents, such as the complete program text and guides, can be obtained from the relevant government or Agriconseils sources.