Clear, practical guides on incorporating and running a business in Canada — by jurisdiction, by service, and by the questions founders actually ask.
T2 corporate tax return: every resident corporation files, even with no tax owing. Six-month deadline, balance-due day, late penalties, GIFI and e-filing.
Professional corporation in Ontario: eligible professions, family share rules for physicians and dentists, naming, college certificates, liability and steps.
Start a Canada not-for-profit corporation under the CNCA: $200 online filing, directors, by-laws, $12 annual return, ONCA vs CNCA and charity status.
What a ULC is in Canada, why US investors use one, how Nova Scotia, Alberta and BC ULCs compare on fees and shareholder liability, and conversions.
What a unanimous shareholder agreement is under the OBCA and CBCA, how it shifts directors' powers and liabilities, typical clauses, and when you need one.
What a numbered company is, number name formats in Ontario, federally, BC and Alberta, pros and cons vs a named company, and how to add a name later.
What a corporate minute book must contain in Ontario and federally: articles, by-laws, minutes, registers incl. ISC, where to keep it and who sees it.
Canada business number lookup: search a BN on Canada's Business Registries, confirm a GST/HST number with the CRA, check a QST number, find your own BN.
Do you need WSIB? Which Ontario businesses must register, the 10-day deadline after your first hire, construction rules, premiums and how to register.
What a WSIB clearance certificate proves, who asks for one, how to get or check one online for free, the 90-day validity and construction rules.
How to dissolve a corporation in Ontario: shareholder approval, $25 Articles of Dissolution, Ministry of Finance consent, CRA accounts and the final T2.
Articles of incorporation in Ontario: what Form 1 includes (name, office, directors, shares, restrictions), how to file for $300 and what you get back.
How to register for HST/GST in Canada: the 9-digit business number, the $30,000 small-supplier rule, 2026 rates by province, payroll and WSIB.
Sole proprietorship vs corporation in Canada: liability, tax, CPP, setup and annual costs, raising money, and when it typically makes sense to incorporate.
Business name registration in Ontario: when it's required, the $60 OBR fee, free name search, 5-year renewal, operating names and what it doesn't protect.
How to register a business in Quebec with the Registraire des entreprises: who must register, 2026 REQ fees, NEQ, French name rules, QST and GST.
Canada business registry search: the free multi-province tool, the federal corporation database, each province's registry, and how to verify a company.
Ontario corporation search: the free OBR lookup, $8 profile report, $26 certificate of status, finding directors, and why shareholders aren't public.
How the Ontario Business Registry works: login, your free 9-digit company key, filings like the annual return, and search fees ($8 profile, $26 status).
Holding company registration in Canada: no special filing, just a $300 Ontario or $200 federal incorporation. Benefits, steps, costs and filings.
Company registration in Canada for non-residents: where you can be sole director, registered office, business number, banking, tax and steps.
Federal vs provincial incorporation: $200 federal vs $300 Ontario, name protection, annual returns, director residency, tax and when each makes sense.
Saskatchewan business registration: reserve a name ($50), register it ($65, renewed every 3 years for $60) or incorporate ($255). Steps, PST and GST.
New Brunswick business registration: $112 for a business or partnership name, $62 renewal every 5 years, or $262 to incorporate. Steps, NUANS, HST.
Manitoba incorporation: $350 plus a $45 name reservation with the Companies Office. Director residency, $65 annual return, 0% small business tax.
Amend your corporate name: federal $200 online, Ontario $150 + Ontario-biased NUANS, BC $100 + $30 name request, Alberta $53.05. Steps and checklist.
How to file a CBCA annual return with Corporations Canada: $12 online, due within 60 days after your anniversary, with ISC information. Avoid dissolution.
Ontario Certificate of Status (good standing): $26 from the Ontario Business Registry. What it shows, profile report vs certificate, and apostille steps.
Ontario annual return: free, due within 6 months of fiscal year-end, filed in the Ontario Business Registry. Who files, how, and penalties for not filing.
The cost to incorporate in Ontario: $300 government fee, NUANS for named companies, $0 annual return, extra-provincial fees and a first-year cost table.
Federal, other-province or foreign corporation in Ontario? Which filing applies: the $0 Initial Return or the $330 licence, deadlines and agents.
Incorporate an Ontario non-profit under ONCA: $155 fee, 5 business days online, 3+ directors, by-laws, members, charity registration and yearly filings.
When a corporation must register in another province, government fees by province, the New West Partnership shortcut, agents for service, annual filings.
Which provinces allow an LLP for a non-professional business (only BC), what the liability shield covers, BC registration and tax for non-residents.
Get a business name approved in BC: $30 Name Request, $100 priority in 1–2 days, 56-day reservation, naming rules, common rejections and appeals.
Reserve a Nova Scotia business name: $60.52 Atlantic search by RJSC or $15.12 with your own NUANS report, Canada-wide $75.58, valid 90 days.
Saskatchewan doesn't use NUANS reports. Named corporations file an ISC name reservation ($50, held 90 days). How to search, reserve and incorporate.
A named Alberta corporation needs an Alberta NUANS report. It reserves the name for 90 days and must be under 91 days old at filing. How to get one.
Named Ontario corporations need an Ontario-biased NUANS report dated within 90 days of filing. What it covers, why it isn't a name hold, and how to order.
Federal incorporation no longer needs a separate NUANS report. See when one is still required (revival, amalgamation, co-ops) and why it's still useful.
A NUANS report lists names and trademarks similar to yours. See which provinces still require one, what it costs, the 90-day rule and how to read it.
LLP meaning in Canada: a partnership that shields partners from each other's liabilities. Who can form one, how it differs from an LP, and how to register.
How a Canadian limited partnership works: general vs. limited partner liability, Ontario LP registration ($210, renewed every 5 years), tax, T5013 rules.
How a general partnership works in Canada: forming one, registering the name ($60 in Ontario), unlimited liability, pass-through tax and the T5013.
How to file Articles of Amendment in Ontario, federally and in other provinces: when you need one, the special resolution, fees and timelines.
What a Certificate of Status proves, when banks and buyers ask for one, government fees by province from $5.30 to $37.40, and how to order online.
Order official corporate records in Canada: profile reports, document copies, certified documents and certificates for due diligence, lenders and litigation.
When and how to file your corporate annual return: Ontario (free), federal ($12), BC ($43.39), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
A free pre-search catches obvious conflicts; a NUANS report or name reservation is what registries accept. How each works, in Ontario and elsewhere.
How Corporations Canada's name preapproval (90 days) and BC's Name Request ($30, 56 days) work, plus how other provinces approve corporate names.
Incorporate federally under the CBCA: $200 online in 1 day, built-in name search, 25% resident director rule, $12 annual return and provincial registration.
Incorporate in Saskatchewan: $50 name reservation, $255 incorporation with ISC, no director residency rule, $60 annual return and a 1% small business rate.
Incorporate in New Brunswick: $262 e-filing fee, Atlantic NUANS report, Forms 1, 2 and 4, 10-day or 2-day processing, and the $60 annual return.
Incorporate a Nova Scotia company: $200 RJSC fee, name reservation, recognized agent, documents, timeline and the $118.35 annual renewal, step by step.
Incorporate in Alberta: $291.75 government fee plus agent charge, Alberta NUANS report, four forms, agent for service, $53.05 annual return, 11% tax.
Incorporate in Ontario: $300 OBR fee, Ontario-biased NUANS report, articles, no director residency rule, 11.2% small business tax, free annual return.
Incorporate in BC: $30 Name Request, $350 incorporation application, Notice of Articles, records office, $43.39 annual report and 11% small business tax.
