Frequently Asked Questions

Most businesses need to register a business name with the provinces and territories where they plan to do business.    If you are a sole proprietor operating a business under your legal name (for example, Jane Doe), you generally do not need to register your business name. In all other scenarios, you will need to register your name either as your legal corporate name or a trade name.  For more information on registering a sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporation of corporation, go to   Registering your business with the government - Canada.ca 

To register a sole proprietorship or partnership with your province or territory, go to  Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership - Canada.ca 

To register a corporation go to  Registering a corporation - Canada.ca 

For information on creating a cooperative go to  Creating a cooperative - Corporations Canada (ic.gc.ca) 

 If you own or operate a business in Canada, you need to know about the goods and services tax (GST) and the harmonized sales tax (HST).  For the General Information for GST/HST Registrants go to   General Information for GST/HST Registrants - Canada.ca 

 BizPaL helps you find the permits and licences you may require when starting and/or operating your business. Filter permits based on your location, industry, and business activities and save the ones that apply to your situation.  Find permits and licences you need for your business at  BizPaL - Home Page (bizpal-perle.ca) 

You can find grants and funding from the Government of Canada at  Grants and funding from the Government of Canada - Canada.ca OR  Business grants and financing - Canada.ca 

Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) offer entrepreneurs all the tools they need to start and grow their businesses. To find a location near you go to   Small Business Enterprise Centre locations | ontario.ca  OR  Ontario Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network - SBC Ontario 

The  Community Futures Network of Canada  operates 267 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Each office delivers small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.  To find a Community Futures near you go to   Community Futures Canada |