What happens after I apply, and what is an Action Plan?

To obtain the licence a club must take part in a review meeting. The Support Manual (July 2024) sets this yearly review process:

• By 1 November: Canada Soccer appoints a Club Licensing Committee, including the Club Licensing Manager and at least one person with expertise in finance, technical, governance and administration.
• By 8 November: completed application packages go to committee members.
• By 15 December: the committee reviews applications in this order: technical criteria, financial criteria, administrative criteria, then governance criteria. The review can end at any time if the application fails to meet the required criteria.
• By 15 January: the committee prepares a preliminary report on each application.
• By 15 February: the club submits a preliminary Action Plan in the Club Licensing System.
• By 15 March: the committee gives feedback on the preliminary Action Plan.
• By 31 March: committee representatives meet the club's president (or designate), administrative lead and technical lead to review the report and develop an Action Plan for any areas of concern.
• By 30 April: the club submits its Action Plan report.
• By 15 June: the committee approves the Action Plan (if needed) and finalizes its decisions.
• By 15 July: applicants are told the decision in writing.

Action Plans: a club may be awarded the licence with a supporting Action Plan developed by Canada Soccer, or be given an Action Plan that must be completed before the licence is awarded. Using Action Plans is at Canada Soccer's sole discretion. Some criteria must be met at application, while "actionable" criteria can be met by a set later date through an Action Plan. Some criteria are judged partly through subjective analysis by Canada Soccer, and the club gets feedback if a criterion is deemed incomplete.

Sources: Canada Soccer Club Licensing Support Manual (July 2024), sections IV, V and VI; Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program FAQ.