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Starting a business in Canada

1. Planning a business:

Assessing your readiness, choosing a business structure, market research and writing a business plan.

  • Developing your business idea: Turning your idea into a profitable business model
  • Types of business ownership: Determining whether incorporation, partnership or sole proprietorship is right for your business
  • Writing a business plan: How to write a successful business plan
  • Business plan template: Download templates and examples of a business plan and financial plan
  • Choosing a location for your business: What to consider when selecting a commercial space for your business
  • Researching your target market: Get the demographic data you need to better understand your potential customers and their needs

2. Choosing a business name:

Selecting a good name, checking if a name is taken, registering and protecting your business name.

  • Select a good name: Keep these things in mind when choosing a name for your business: Be sure it reflects the product or service you offer or you may confuse prospective customers Think about how you want your business to be perceived Pick something that is easy to pronounce and remember Make it unique and distinctive to avoid confusion and legal issues
  • Find out if the name is taken: In most cases, if someone is already using a name, you cannot legally use it. By law, the name of your business can't be the same as or very similar to an existing corporate name or trademark. Even when it is legal to use an existing business name, it can be a disastrous marketing mistake. There are a few places you should check to see whether a name is taken:

    • Search the Internet

      The easiest way to check if someone else is already using your proposed name is to search the Web. This will give you an idea of who else is using the same name or a similar name. You may also want to check whether the Internet domain name and social media handles you want to use are already taken. If you plan to do business in other countries, check whether anyone is using the name in those countries too.

    • Search national name databases

      There are two national databases that each cover most of the jurisdictions you may want to search in Canada. Search one or both of these depending on where you want to set up your business.

      • Canadian corporate names and trademarks database (Nuans): Nuans reports list similar provincial/territorial corporate names and trademarks.

      • Canada's business registries: This service allows you to get information on businesses from the official registries of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan and from Corporations Canada's data.

  • Check trade names in other provinces and territories: After searching the national databases, you may also want to search registered trade names (which are different from trademarks) to see if they're used in other provinces and territories if you ever plan to do business there. However, registering a trade name (also known as an operating name) at the provincial and territorial level does not give a business exclusive rights to use that name at the federal level. Proper consent may be requested for the use of a name that is identical or similar to any kind of existing trade name or trademark (see Naming a corporation – Requirement). It's in the best interest of a business to use a name that is not already being used by another business or corporation.

  • Register your name: Most businesses need to register their business name with the government. In this section, you'll learn about the different types of names your business could have and how to register them. Before registering your business name, it is important to decide what structure to use for your business (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation).

  • When do you need to register a business name: 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. You may also wish to register a trademark.

  • Corporate names: 

    • If you are planning to incorporate your business, the process of incorporating includes name registration within the jurisdiction where you are incorporating.

    • If you incorporate federally, you will have exclusive use of your corporate name across the country. See naming your federal corporation or start the incorporation process online.

    • If you are incorporating provincially or territorially, you have exclusive use of your corporate name in the province or territory where you incorporate.

  • Registering a trade name (operating name) other than your legal name:

    • If you want to use a name other than your legal business name, you will need to register it as a trade name. Failing to register a name that you are using can result in significant fines and other legal consequences. Some examples of businesses that need to register a trade name include:

    • you are a sole proprietor but are adding something to your legal name that modifies it (for example, Jane Doe Consulting)
    • you plan to use a name other than your legal name for marketing purposes (for example, your business' legal name is Smith Bakeries Inc., but you are marketing as Bob Smith's Bakery)

  • Registration of trade names is a provincial/territorial responsibility:
    To register your trade name, go to the registry of the jurisdiction(s) where you plan to do business.

  • Registering a trademark: Even if your business name is registered federally (Corporations Canada), provincially or territorially, you may also wish to register a trademark to better protect your brand.

    Advantages of registering a trademark:

3. Registering your business with the government:

Registering or incorporating your business, plus how to apply for a business number or tax account.

4. Applying for business permits and licences:

Permits and licences that you may need for your business from all three levels of government


5. Getting business support and financing: 


6. Free tax help for your business:

Meet with a liaison officer to learn about common errors, bookkeeping best practices, and deductions.

Personalized support to help you save time and money
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers free, personalized support to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals. The Liaison Officer service is available across Canada to help you understand your tax obligations. A visit from a liaison officer is 100% confidential; the information you choose to discuss with a liaison officer will not be shared with other areas of the CRA, or anyone else.

  • There are two ways to access the Liaison Officer service:
    • Request a personalized visit (service is available in person, by phone or online via MS Teams)
    • Organize an in-person seminar or online webinar for your association or group
  • During a visit or seminar/webinar, the liaison officer will:
    • help you better understand your tax obligations and possible business deductions
    • explain general bookkeeping concepts and best practices
    • explain how to avoid common tax errors
    • give you an overview of helpful online tools and electronic services offered by the CRA
    • answer your tax-related questions and address concerns
    • show you how to use the Financial Performance Data to compare your business revenues and expenses with others in the same industry  

If you’re having a personalized visit, the liaison officer will provide recommendations on how to strengthen your bookkeeping system and offer suggestions related to your books and records.