About Us

The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) provides access to accurate, timely and relevant information on federal and provincial business-related programs, services and regulations. The COBSC is jointly managed by Industry Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

Services

As the first point of contact for Ontario's small business community, our knowledgeable and courteous staff are committed to business information needs in an effective and user-friendly way.

The Centre is the first stop for business information. There are a number of ways to access the COBSC's information, all available at no charge.

For further information, visit our Service Standards page.

Call

The COBSC contact centre is staffed by knowledgeable Information Officers who can respond to business-related enquiries in both official languages between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (every Government business day). To contact an Information Officer, call 1-800-567-2345.

The Specialized Research Service is provided by COBSC Information Officers who can conduct customized searches on certain business topics.

For further information:
Please call the COBSC at 1-800-567-2345

Click

The COBSC web site contains our collection of information on federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations.  As a member of the national network Canada Business, the COBSC has also helped develop a number of Internet-based tools for business, including the following:

• Interactive Business Planner :  a tool to assist in the preparation of a 3-year business plan for a new or existing business.  The IBP will assist in writing a business plan, provide a plan format and prepare financial projections.
• Online Small Business Workshop :  a step-by-step program designed to help develop your business idea, start a new venture, or improve an existing business.

The COBSC also offers the convenience of asking business questions by e-mail through our Contact Us form. An Information Officer will reply to e-mail requests within one business day.

Visit

The Regional Access Program is comprised of partnership arrangements between the COBSC and various regional business organizations, one can access the COBSC's information at in-person service sites across Ontario. All sites are equipped with a full range of print and electronic resources and many also offer public access workstation connected to the Internet.

For further information:
Please call the COBSC at 1-800-567-2345
visit our Regional Access Program Locations page to locate an office near you