How to Register a Business in Canada: Province-by-Province Guide

Every year, there are thousands of business registrations in Canada, according to the government of Canada. If you’re planning on registering your company, you might want to learn how to register a business in Canada, and that’s where we come in.

Today, our team at Bizfund shares what you need to know about business registration in Canada. We understand that the more you know, the easier the process will be. Not to mention, registering a small business is often the first step in securing financing to achieve your company’s goals. So, with this in mind, let’s have a look at our province-by-province guide.

Do You Need to Register? (Sole Proprietors vs Corporations)

Firstly, do you need to register? In Canada, not every company needs to register in the same way, and how you register a business will depend largely on your structure.

For example, if you operate as a sole proprietor using your personal legal name, you might not need to register a business name in some provinces. However, as soon as you use a business name that differs from your own, you’ll need to register.

Then, if you plan on creating a corporation, you’ll need to register. It’s mandatory whether you incorporate federally or provincially. Yet it’s worth noting that incorporation creates a separate legal entity, which will entail additional responsibilities. But it also means you’ll have access to benefits like liability protection, which is convenient and easier access to financing.

So, at the end of the day, your decision will come down to whether you want simplicity and lower cost (sole prop) or structure, liability protection, and growth potential (corporation).

Federal vs. Provincial Registration

Depending on how you plan to operate, you can register your business either at the provincial or federal level in Canada. For small businesses, provincial registration is the most common.

It will allow you to operate within a specific province under a business name that you register. However, every province has its own registry and process, such as ServiceOntario or BC Registry Services. On the other hand, federal incorporation will let you operate across Canada under a protected business name, but you will still need to register provincially in each province where you want to do business.

Usually, those who want to operate locally choose provincial registration, while those who plan to expand across multiple provinces and who want stronger name protection choose federal incorporation.

Province-by-Province Guide

Here’s a closer look at how you will register your business if you want to operate in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, or elsewhere in Canada:

Ontario

In Ontario, you must register your business with ServiceOntario. To register a small business in Ontario, start by checking whether your business name is available. If you are incorporating, you will check name availability by doing a NUANS search.

Once you know if you can use the name you have picked out, you can register your company online through the Ontario Business Registry. After registering, you’ll receive a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if you didn’t already. Then you can register for additional accounts if necessary, such as for payroll or GST/HST.

British Columbia

To register a business in BC, you’ll need to use the BC Registry Services. The first step you’ll take is to use the Name Request system to reserve your business name.

Once you do this, you can register with the registry service and set up your CRA accounts if needed. However, note that BC requires name approval before registration, which can add a step but helps you avoid conflicts later on.

Alberta

If you plan to operate your business in Alberta, you should know that the province uses a network of registry agents for business registration. The very first thing you should do is conduct a NUANS name search if you plan to operate a corporation.

Then visit an authorized registry agent to register your business. Afterward, you must get your Business Number and set up CRA program accounts. It’s also worth noting that, unlike in other provinces, Alberta registration is often completed in person at registry offices. But some agents offer online services.

Quebec

If you want to register a business in Quebec, you need to register through the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ). As in other provinces, the process is fairly simple. You’ll need to register your enterprise with the REQ by providing the required details about the owners and operations, and you’ll automatically receive a Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ).

However, the main caveat and differentiator with many other provinces is that Quebec has additional language requirements. Your business must comply with French-language regulations when operating in the province.

Other Provinces in Canada

In other provinces in Canada, such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia, the registration process follows a similar structure. You will search for and, if necessary, reserve your business name and register it with the provincial registry or an authorized provider. You will also set up CRA accounts as needed.

Registering a Corporation Federally

If you want to register a federal incorporation, you’ll need to do it through Corporations Canada, which operates under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The process is fairly simple. Usually, you’ll start by conducting a NUANS name search before filing Articles of Incorporation online.

Afterward, you’ll pay a federal incorporation fee and then receive a certificate of incorporation. But as we said earlier, you’ll need to register in each province even if you register for a federal incorporation.

Costs of Business Registration in Canada

The actual cost of registering a business in Canada can vary by province and based on the type of business structure you’re registering. However, for sole proprietorships or partnerships, registration costs typically range from $60 to $200 CAD.

Conversely, for corporations, the fee is understandably higher. You should expect to pay between $200 and $400 CAD for provincial incorporation and $200 CAD for federal incorporation if you do it online, plus registration fees.

Additionally, there could be other fees you have to pay. These can include $13 to $60 CAD for a NUANS name search, registry fees if you use an intermediary, and ongoing renewal or annual filing fees. It’s important to look at these fees before deciding how you’ll register.

What Comes After Registration?

Registering your business is just the first step. What comes next includes the steps you’ll take to operate properly and prepare for growth. For instance, after registering, you should open a business bank account. This is to separate your personal and business finances, which is more important than you may expect.

Then, you should register for GST/HST if your revenue exceeds $30,0000 annually or if you choose to register earlier than meeting this threshold. And after that, if you plan to hire employees (even if only one), you need to set up your payroll account using software like QuickBooks Payroll or a similar program.

You should also know that registering your business opens the door to business financing in Canada. Many lenders and funding providers usually require you to have a registered business before they can offer you capital for your needs, whether that be for startup costs, working capital, or equipment.

So, with registration comes the opportunity to explore funding options for your business needs, such as merchant cash advances, secured loans, short-term loans, lines of credit, or even government-backed financing programs through traditional lenders.

Typically, merchant cash advances offer fast access to funds and are a good option when revenue is stabilizing. You just have to be careful about using financing to support your growth and not as a crutch for your company.

The Wrap Up On How to Register a Business in Canada

Now that you know how to register a business in Canada and that the process is simple and the costs are reasonable, you can move on to the next stage. If you have already opened a business bank account and completed the other necessary steps, you can move on to business financing, depending on your business’s structure.

​At Bizfund, we offer merchant cash advances with fast approvals and don’t rely solely on your credit score. Our team understands that new businesses may not yet have established a credit profile, so we offer flexibility. If you want to learn more about our MCA, or if you qualify, and how much you can speak with our team here today.