Registering a business and other admin tasks

How to register a business with the government

You have a few official steps to walk through before you’re in business:

• Choose a business name: There are two national databases where you can check if your business name is available as well as provincial and territorial ones. Find out more about choosing a business name.
• Register as a sole proprietor or partnership: If you’re a sole proprietor using your personal name you won’t need to register. If you want to use a business name other than your personal name, you’ll need to register it as a trade name with the provinces or territories where you plan to do business (except in Newfoundland and Labrador). Learn more about your registration requirements if you’re a sole proprietorship or partnership.
• Register as a corporation: If you’ve decided to set up as a corporation, the process of incorporating includes business name registration in the province or territory where you’re incorporating. If you incorporate federally, you’ll have exclusive use of your corporate name across Canada and if you incorporate provincially or territorially, you’ll just have exclusive use of your corporate name there. Learn more about your registration requirements if you’re a corporation (federal or provincial/territorial).
• Get business numbers and tax accounts: You may have to pay income tax, and federal and provincial sales tax, so the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial tax offices will need to know about your business. In some provinces and territories, you will automatically receive a business number and relevant tax accounts when you register or incorporate your business. In others, you’ll have to apply separately.
• Apply for licences and permits: You may need additional permits or licences for your business. You can find out what federal, provincial/territorial and municipal government permits and licences you may need through BizPaL.

Should I trademark a business name?

You can legally protect a business name and logo to prevent others from mimicking your identity. This can be a valuable step for businesses that plan to invest a lot in making their brand widely known. Find out more about trademarks and how to register one.

This area of the law can get complicated – especially if you expand into overseas markets and find there’s a business there with a similar name. Ask for advice from a legal professional with experience in this area.

Where to get help

If you’re unsure of your obligations to the government, there are people who can help. Look for industry associations for your type of business, a Chamber of Commerce or other local business advocacy groups, find businesses like yours and ask the owners what regulations they have to comply with, or simply speak to a local accountant.