Registering your business
As a prospective entrepreneur or new business owner, you are no doubt aware of the importance of spreading the word about your organization. In addition to informing potential customers about your business, you must let the government know about your plans.
You may need to register with several different levels of government for many different reasons. This document provides an overview of the key registration requirements that may apply to your business.
On this page:
Before registering
Before registering your business, you must think about what form of business you want to start and what you want to call your business.
- Naming your business
Choose the right name for your business. Your business name should be unique and easy to remember, and should describe the products and services you provide.
- Corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship?
Find out which type of business structure is right for your business.
Business Number
- Business Number (BN)
Your Business Number is your single account number for dealing with the federal government regarding taxes, payroll, import/export and other activities.
- NEQ - Quebec Enterprise Number
Simplify and speed up your dealings with the various Quebec government departments and organizations by registering with the Registraire des entreprises [Quebec enterprise registrar].
Provincial and territorial business registration
Most provincial and territorial governments require that you register your business with them.
- Establishment of an extra-provincial limited partnership (New Brunswick)
Find out about the rules, procedures and fees to file a declaration for an extra-provincial limited partnership.
- New West Partnership Trade Agreement
If your business is located in British Columbia, Alberta, or Saskatchewan, this agreement can save you time as it allows for a seamless business registration between provinces.
- Cooperatives Act (available in French only)
Learn about the Cooperatives Act and regulations that govern non-financial cooperatives.
- Creating a non-profit corporation or organization
Learn the major steps for establishing a non-profit corporation or organization in Quebec.
- Enterprise registrar
If you have a business operating in Quebec, you must register with the enterprise register and declare your organization's legal form.
- NEQ - Quebec Enterprise Number
Simplify and speed up your dealings with the various Quebec government departments and organizations by registering with the Registraire des entreprises [Quebec enterprise registrar].
- Registration of a charitable organization
Find all the information you need to register a charity in Quebec.
- Revenu Québec – Business Portal
Is your company based in Quebec? This business portal provides information on income tax, consumption taxes, and more, to help you meet your fiscal obligations.
- Setting up a cooperative (available in French only)
Do you want to create or start a cooperative? If so, this site provides useful information about starting a cooperative.
Incorporation
If you decide to incorporate your business, you can incorporate federally or provincially.
Federal incorporation allows you to do business under the same name in all provinces and territories, although you may still need to register your business in individual provinces. If you do plan to do business in more than one province now or in the future, you should consider incorporating federally. Before doing so, you need to complete a NUANS name search.
Federal incorporation
- Federal business incorporation
Access convenient online or paper methods of incorporating your business federally.
- Guide to Federal Incorporation
Step by step guidelines to help you incorporate your business and set up an appropriate structure.
- Create/Maintain a Cooperative
Find out what a cooperative is and how to create and maintain one.
- Keeping your corporation in good standing: Reporting obligations
Find out how to keep your federally incorporated company in good standing.
- Steps to follow to revive a corporation
Find out how you can revive a dissolved federal corporation and restore it to its pre-dissolution legal status.
Provincial or territorial incorporation
- Incorporate a business (Quebec)
Learn the steps to incorporate your business in Quebec, especially the forms to be filled out and the application process.
Permits and licences
You may also require specific permits and licences from the federal, provincial or municipal government, depending on your location, industry sector, and specific activities that you plan to conduct. Use our permits and licences search to find out which permits and licences might apply to your business.
- Permits and licences
Use our search tool to find out what permits and licences your business may need from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
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