CI Financial Corp. and a group of Assante Wealth Management advisors will offer free financial advice to Canadians experiencing financial hardship, through its recently launched Be Well-Advised program.

Through the volunteer-led initiative, Assante advisors will donate their time to listen to and deliver guidance to those affected by the current economic turmoil. Advisors in turn will be supported by resources from across the company, including retirement specialists and taxation, accounting and estate planning specialists from different divisions of CI Private Counsel and CI Investments Inc.

The company says it had more than 80 volunteers signed up to help within hours of putting out its call to advisors. “I’ve been incredibly impressed with how CI employees and advisors have responded to COVID-19, whether it’s going the extra mile to support our clients, working seamlessly and collaboratively in a remote working environment, or giving back to communities and people in need,” says CI’s CEO, Kurt MacAlpine. “This speaks to the quality and dedication of our people.”

The Be Well-Advised program will operate across the country with the goal of helping those who do not normally have access to professional advice. The company says participants will not be expected to enter into a full-time financial planning agreement following their participation in the program.