Business start-up checklist

When you're setting up your business, you need to ensure that all of your bases are covered. Consider the following steps as you navigate through the business start-up phase.

Planning your business

Creating a solid business plan is vital to your success; you need to know where you expect to go long before you get there. Before you start writing your plan, you'll want to make a number of key business decisions.

• Market research and statistics
  Learn more about market research, how to conduct it, and where to find free information and statistics to support your market research project.
• Marketing and sales
  How well you market your business and interact with your customers can vastly influence your success.
• Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or co-operative?
  Find out which type of business structure is right for your business: incorporation, a partnership, a sole proprietorship or a co-operative.
• 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.
• Choosing and setting up a location
  Trying to decide where to locate your business and how to arrange it once you get there? Consider your options.
• Regulated business activities
  Learn about regulations that apply to key business activities such as exporting, importing, marketing, and managing employees.
• Regulated industries
  Find out how certain industry sectors are regulated and what some of the key business obligations are in those sectors.

Organizing your finances

Your business success will depend on how well you plan and manage your finances. If you will be seeking financial help, either from a start-up loan or from a government grant, it is imperative that you have a well-developed business plan.

• Writing your business plan
  Know what elements are considered essential in any business plan and the key points that should be included in each section of your plan.
• Managing your finances
  You can use these resources to help you understand financial concepts and learn about tasks like budgeting, financial analysis and bookkeeping.
• Benchmarking
  How does your business measure up to others in your industry? Benchmarking allows you to evaluate your performance and ensure that your business is operating at an optimum level.

Registering your business

Be proactive — take care of all your registration and licensing requirements with your municipal, provincial and federal governments early on in the process. Once you complete these steps, you will have the necessities such as a Business Number, registered business name and a GST/HST account.

Canada Revenue Agency's Business Registration Online is the one-stop shop for all of your federal business registration requirements. If you operate in the province of Quebec, you will need to register using Revenu Québec's Businesses Portal.

• Permits and licences
  Find the federal, provincial/territorial and municipal permits and licences that you may need to start or manage your business.
• Business registration online
  Register for a business number, GST/HST, corporation income tax, payroll and import/export accounts in one convenient online location.
• Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax GST/HST
  Learn how to register for your GST/HST business account, and how to charge, calculate, report and pay the taxes.

Provincial and territorial business registration

Most provincial and territorial governments require you to register your business with them.

• Business registration in the Yukon
  
  Only Applies to : Yukon
  In order to register your business in the Yukon, you will need to contact Corporate Affairs.
• Corporate services — Business name registration
  
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  Register your business name in Prince Edward Island to prevent other organizations from using the same business name.
• Register my company to do business in P.E.I.
  
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  Are you looking to do business in P.E.I., but are incorporated elsewhere? If so, you must register as an extra-provincial corporation.
• Access Nova Scotia
  
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Find out how to register your business, obtain required permits and licences, and get information on provincial government programs and services.
• Registry of Companies (Newfoundland and Labrador)
  
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  In Newfoundland and Labrador, you must register with the Registry of Companies if you decide to incorporate provincially.
• BC Business Registry
  
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  This website will guide you through the steps of registering your sole proprietorship or general partnership business in BC.
• Companies Office — Business name registration and provincial incorporation (Manitoba)
  
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Find out how to register your business, and what you need to know about provincial incorporation.
• Revenu Québec — Business Portal
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Is your business based in Quebec? If so, learn about your fiscal obligations including taxes and deductions.
• Registry of Joint Stock Companies
  
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Register your business or research existing corporations and partnerships.
• Business name registration information (Ontario)
  
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Register your business name online, in person, or by mail.
• Registration or declaration of a limited partnership (New Brunswick)
  
  Only Applies to : New Brunswick
  Find out about the rules, procedures and fees to form a limited partnership or register your extra-provincial limited partnership in NB.
• Registration of an extra-provincial corporation (New Brunswick)
  
  Only Applies to : New Brunswick
  Find out about the rules, procedures and fees for registering an extra-provincial corporation in New Brunswick.
• Setting up a cooperative
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Do you want to create or start a cooperative? If so, learn more about the laws, programs, policies and tools related to starting a cooperative.(in French only)
• Registration of a charitable organization
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Find all the information you need to register a charity in Quebec.(in French only)
• Creating a non-profit corporation or organization
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Learn the major steps for establishing a non-profit corporation or organization in Quebec.
• Enterprise register (Quebec)
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you operate a business in Quebec, you must register with the enterprise register and declare your organization's legal form.
• NEQ — Quebec Enterprise Number
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Simplify and speed up your dealings with the various Quebec government departments and organizations by registering with the Registraire des entreprises [Quebec enterprise registrar].
• Corporate Registry
  
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  To conduct business in Alberta, register your cooperative, corporation, extra-provincial company, non-profit company, society, trade name and/or partnership.
• Legal registries (Nunavut)
  
  Only Applies to : Nunavut
  In order to do business in Nunavut, you must register with the territory, even if you live in or have a business established in another part of Canada.
• Registering a sole proprietorship in Saskatchewan
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Find out how to register your business name as a sole proprietorship in Saskatchewan, including the fees, the forms required and the turn-around time.
• Corporate Registries — Business Corporations — Extra-Territorial
  
  Only Applies to : Northwest Territories
  Are you interested in expanding your company into the Northwest Territories? Learn the requirements for registering your business in the Territories.
• Start, dissolve and change a corporation
  
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Learn about the requirements for starting a corporation, including a not-for-profit, and how you can make changes to your current business.
• Forming a co-operative in Saskatchewan
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Find out how to register a co-operative in Saskatchewan, including information on fees and required forms.

Provincial tax information

Get information on provincial tax benefits and find out how to collect sales tax from your local and out-of-province customers.

• Overview of charging and collecting sales tax
  As a Canadian business owner, it's important to know how and when to charge sales taxes for the goods and services you sell and supply to your customers.
• Tax and Revenue Administration
  
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  As a business owner, find out about your responsibilities with regard to Alberta taxes.
• Taxation Division
  
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Learn about your tax collection and remittance obligations as a Manitoba business owner.
• Employer Health Tax (Ontario)
  
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Find out if you are required to pay the Employer Health Tax in Ontario.
• Change to link --- Provincial tax obligations (Saskatchewan)
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Learn about your obligations concerning provincial tax registration, collection, and remittance when doing business in Saskatchewan.
• Revenu Québec — Business Portal
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Is your business based in Quebec? If so, learn about your fiscal obligations including taxes and deductions.
• Taxation in the Yukon
  
  Only Applies to : Yukon
  Find out about the taxes your business needs to pay and the tax breaks you can get in the Yukon.
• Register to collect and pay PST – eTaxBC
  
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  Register your business to collect PST, obtain your PST number, and then report and pay the tax online.
• Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
  
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  Get information regarding Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Prince Edward Island.
• Taxation in the NWT
  
  Only Applies to : Northwest Territories
  Learn about the taxes your business will be responsible for collecting and paying while doing business in the Northwest Territories.
• Nova Scotia Provincial Tax Commission
  
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Find out about your responsibilities in regards to Nova Scotia taxes.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Taxation
  
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  Learn about your taxation obligations in Newfoundland and Labrador and discover what credits, incentives, and benefits you could qualify for.

Hiring and managing employees

Your employees are the key to the day-to-day functioning of your business. You will want to determine how many employees you require, and what qualifications they need. Then you will need to recruit the best and brightest, and create a working environment that they want to be a part of.

• Hiring employees
  Know your obligations and opportunities when it comes to hiring employees.
• Employees
  Discover how to recruit, hire and effectively manage your employees.

Workplace health and safety

You have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of all of your employees while they are working. This requires that you comply with certain regulations and standards for the safety of your workplace.

• CHOICES workplace safety incentive program
  
  Only Applies to : Yukon
  You may qualify for insurance rebates for improving your workplace health and safety and return-to-work outcomes.
• Certificate of Recognition — contract requirement
  
  Only Applies to : Yukon
  Get your occupational health and safety certification to be able to bid on large government construction contracts.
• Application for WorkSafeNB Coverage
  
  Only Applies to : New Brunswick
  If you have 3 or more people working for you, you need to register for workers' compensation insurance.
• WorkSafeBC
  
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  This service helps you comply with the legal requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to ensure healthy and safe working conditions.
• Workers' Compensation Board Alberta
  
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  Get information on protecting your business and your workers from injury and illness while on the job.
• Ontario Office of the Employer Adviser
  
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Get free expert advice and representation on workplace safety and insurance issues.
• Workplace health and safety (Alberta)
  
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  Know the minimum standards your business must meet for safe and healthy practices to help prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
• Occupational Health and Safety (Nova Scotia)
  
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Find out about your rights and requirements as an employer under Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Saskatchewan Workplace Hazardous Materials Information
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Reduce the risks from hazardous products in your workplace. Find out how to determine what is a controlled product and the rules and regulations that apply to them.
• Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission
  
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  If you are an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador, you must register with this organization to receive no-fault work injury insurance.
• Registration with the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail
  
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You are required to register with the CNESST if you have paid employees and your business is located in Quebec.(in French only)
• Small Business Primer — A Guide to the Workers' Compensation Board
  
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  Access information about Workers' Compensation in British Columbia. Find out about paying premiums, preventing accidents, what to do if there is an accident, and more.
• Safety in the workplace — Saskatchewan
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  As an employer, you have the obligation to ensure the health and safety of your employees. Access resources that can help you make your workplace as safe as possible.
• PRIME Employer incentive for workplace health and safety
  
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  Minimize your workers' compensation claim costs and receive refunds for good occupational health and safety and return-to-work practices.
• WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Related Materials
  
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  Find out the legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces under the jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC.
• Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba
  
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Access information and help for implementing an injury and disability insurance system to protect your business and your workforce.
• Safe Manitoba
  
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Spot the hazards, assess the risks, and find a safer way every day. Access a multi-partner website working towards a strong workplace safety and health culture in Manitoba.
• Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board
  
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Find out if you need to register for workers' compensation insurance to protect you and your employees from work-related injuries or death.
• Tools and resources for employers on occupational health and safety
  No matter what jurisdiction your organization is regulated in, these tools can help you comply with workplace health and safety requirements.
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
  Ensure safe handling of hazardous materials in your workplace. Learn how to use, store, handle, label and dispose of these materials.
• Employer and Employee Duties — Occupational Health and Safety (Federally Regulated Employers)
  Read about the obligations that you and your employees have under the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Additional resources

Whether you are a new or experienced entrepreneur, you can never be too informed when it comes to your business.

• Business support organizations
  Seeking the advice of peers, professional business counsellors and coaches can help you transition from new business owner to experienced entrepreneur.
• Contact the Canada Business Network
  The Canada Business Network has centres across the country that offer guidance, information and resources to help make your journey in business a success.