Information for entrepreneurs outside of Canada who want to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario. The information provided at each step is a guide. It is not a substitute for legal or financial advice. The information and resources in this guide are a first step in learning more about regulations that may affect your business. For more information, check out the following resources: Financial assistance and more resources are available for small businesses and entrepreneurs. OBIAA provides networking opportunities and educational programs for entrepreneurs and small business owners across Ontario. Learn what it takes to start your own business in Ontario from scratch. This eBook walks you through every step of the process. 10 Steps for Entrepreneurs to Starting a Business in Ontario Ontario`s 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres provide entrepreneurs with the information and expertise they need to help them start and succeed. Regional Innovation Centres help Ontario entrepreneurs working in emerging or growing innovation and technology firms. The following government guides provide additional information on food safety rules and regulations: Contact the Ministry of Finance: 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297) Rules for tobacco retailers Tobacco Retail Licence (PDF) Illegal tobacco (contraband)Learn about Ontario`s tobacco tax and who needs to register There are a plethora of opportunities for immigrants who dream of own their own business and are successful in Canada. Immigrant-owned businesses play an important role in the Canadian economy and generally create more jobs for Canadians than other businesses in the country.
In addition, immigrants to Canada are more likely to become entrepreneurs than the Canadian-born. Contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: 1-800-282-1376 Privacy Toolkit – A Guide for Businesses and Organizations Privacy Topics What you need to know about mandatory breach notification Storage or sale of illegal (or contraband) cigarettes that do not have an Ontario tax stamp (yellow tear stripe) is prohibited. Unauthorized possession of unlabelled cigarettes may result in penalties, fines, imprisonment and confiscation of the product. The company must comply with all applicable federal, state, or local legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements. This includes compliance with Ontario`s labour and employment standards laws. These regional offices offer free business consulting services. At each location, you will receive assistance in writing business plans, attend workshops and seminars, receive legal advice and services, and take advantage of mentorship and networking opportunities. Businesses differ from other business models in many ways, but perhaps more importantly, starting a business means creating a separate legal entity. While sole proprietorships and partnerships generally mean that owners and operators can be held personally liable, the owners of a corporation are protected from personal liability for the company`s debts unless they provide a personal guarantee. They offer advisory services and workshops that provide businesses with basic entrepreneurial skills and ongoing support, including training, mentoring and funding opportunities.
Many types of financial transactions are regulated in Canada. If your business provides financial services or works with companies that do (such as accounting or legal services), you should consult the following documents: Organizations that use music are required by law to purchase the appropriate RE:SOUND and SOCAN licenses. Entandem allows companies that use music to obtain both licenses simultaneously through a single music license, so rights holders can be compensated for what they have earned fairly and legally from their work. All business owners can apply for many grants, loans and tax credits offered by the Ontario provincial government. There are also other local and nonprofit programs and grants for those looking for ways to fund a small business. There are four types of business structures in Ontario, each meeting different legal and tax needs. After operating a business in Ontario for at least 18 months, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. This program is by invitation only. Interested applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP e-filing portal. After registering a profile, the candidate receives a score based on the Ontario Entrepreneur Ranking System. Applicants with the most competitive results will be invited to submit a formal application for the program.
When starting a new business, there may be considerations about special permits and licences, depending on the industry and where the business operates. Those who want to open a cannabis retail business, for example, must obtain specific licences to operate legally in Ontario. Depending on the type of business, permits and licences may be required for import and export, operations, zoning or building permits, music licences, etc. A good place to start getting an idea of the types of permits and licences you need for your business is BizPaL, an online service in partnership with the federal, provincial and local levels in Canada. It provides an overview of what you need and links to various government websites where you can find more information. Of course, seeking advice from a smart business lawyer will allow you to get an accurate picture of your company`s legal obligations and get things started in accordance with local and state laws. When doing business online, you need to be aware of a number of legal requirements, such as providing secure credit and debit card transactions. Make sure you know the rules for selling to customers outside of Ontario, creating distance contracts and applicable taxes. Any Ontario business that sells taxable goods and services must register with the Canada Revenue Agency to collect the harmonized value-added tax (HST). The Canada Revenue Agency has an online reference book to help you determine if you need to register. If you do, you can complete the process online. In order to legally operate a business in Ontario, business owners must obtain the necessary registrations, licences, certificates and permits for their industry.
Depending on where you are and your industry, you may need to meet some of the most common small business requirements listed below. The Competition Bureau also publishes individual guidance on labelling requirements for certain commercial activities and consumer products. For more information on a specific aspect of labelling, see the following guides: If we receive your application on or after November 16, 2022, you must use the 2021 version of the CA. We recommend that you monitor this website for relevant updates. Ontario`s Entrepreneur Stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements can register a profile and submit an expression of interest by creating an ONe-key account on the OINP e-filing portal. Once the profile is submitted, candidates receive a score and are ranked against each other using Ontario`s Entrepreneur Ranking System. The best placed candidates will be invited to apply for the stream. To be eligible for an expression of interest application under the Ontario Entrepreneur Stream, an applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have the interest, skills and financial resources to actively own and manage a business in Ontario. For this reason, the program requires a high level of business experience as well as significant net financial assets. Read online: « Product of Canada » and « Made in Canada » claims You must obtain a temporary work permit and arrive in Ontario within 12 months of receiving Level 1 approval and notify the program of your arrival within seven days.
Your local health unit is the main point of contact for food safety and inspection information. You may be required to comply with regulations or inspection standards when you manufacture, transport or manufacture certain foods in Ontario. Regulated products include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, honey and other plant-based products. Contact the ministry directly to find out what applies to your business. In the first part of our series on starting a small business, we discussed the importance of creating a business plan and registering a business name. In the second part of our series, we`ll look at choosing the best structure for your business, as well as licensing and licensing considerations. Each option has advantages, and choosing the best one depends on a number of factors. In Ontario, you must be certified to practice certain professions.
