Making Your Business Legal
Here is a list of the rules that most businesses must follow:
BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION (PROVINCIAL)
It is not necessary to register a sole proprietorship if the business is carried on under the owner’s name. If a business uses a name other than the owner's or adds "and Company" (or other words), the Business Names Act requires that you register the business name before you start using it.
For sole proprietorships and general & limited partnerships, this name registration costs $60 and is valid for 5 years. Name searches can also be conducted for a fee of $8 each. (You are responsible for ensuring that the name is not already in use. The Ministry has no obligation to advise anyone registering a name that it has been previously registered).
Most banks will require proof of registration prior to opening a business bank account.
For more information about registering a business in Ontario, go to Ontario Business Connects.
To receive a new Master Business License immediately (renewals will come by mail), register in person:
Whitby Land Registry Office
590 Rossland Rd. East
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 9G5
Tel: (905) 665-4007
Workstations hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am - 4:00pm.
To register online:
Ontario Business Connects
http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc/english/4TJTBS.htm
Tel:(416) 314-9151 or 1-800-565-1921
Email: obcinfo@cbs.gov.on.ca
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency - Business Registration Online
http://www.businessregistration-inscriptionentreprise.gc.ca
Persons wishing to Incorporate their business must file with:
Companies Branch
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services
393 University Avenue, Suite 200 (2nd Floor)
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M2
Tel: (416) 314-8880 or 1-800-361-3223
Fax: (416) 314-0102
TTY: (416) 326-8566
Articles of Incorporation may also be delivered to:
Whitby Land Registry Office
590 Rossland Road East
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 9G5
Tel: (905) 665-4007
Articles must be accompanied by a NUANS name search report. It is the responsibility of the group or person seeking incorporation to conduct its own name search. A number of private companies provide this name searching service. These companies are listed in the Yellow Pages, under "Searchers of Records".
Those who wish to incorporate their business federally must file their articles of incorporation with:
Publications and Information Unit
Corporations Directorate
Industry Canada
365 Laurier Ave., Jean Edmonds Towers South, 9th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C8
Tel: (613) 941-9042 or (866) 333-5556
Fax: (613) 941-0601
www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/corporations
OPERATING LICENSES (PROVINCIAL)
Many businesses including retail and service outlets, restaurants and lounges and manufacturing and processing operations, may require licences. These licences are designed to protect the interests and safety of the public regarding the use or sale of certain items or services. These include food, drugs, alcoholic beverages, wood products, optical lenses, motor vehicles, railroad and water vehicles, pressure vessels and pressure regulators, and upholstered and stuffed articles.
Contact the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services @ (416) 326-8555 or 1-800-268-1142 to determine if your business is subject to special licensing.
OPERATING LICENSES (MUNICIPAL)
Many, but not all types of businesses require a municipal license. The fees can vary from a few dollars to a thousand or more, but in most cases the fees are nominal.
For example,home-based businesses in Pickering require a license.
To find out more about municipal licensing, contact Corporate Promotions and Economic Development at (905) 420-4625 for information on regulations and standards with respect to food related businesses.
Region of Durham Health Department
605 Rossland Rd. E.
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 0B7
Tel: (905) 668-7711 or 1-800-841-2729
Fax: (905) 666-6214
Email: health@region.durham.on.ca
For a list of all branch offices, go to:
Region Of Durham Health Department Locations
MUNICIPAL REALTY TAXES
Realty taxes are levied to cover the cost of municipal services and education.
For information on realty taxes contact:
The Corporation of the City of Pickering
Corporate Services Department
Finance Division
Pickering Civic Complex
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario, L1V 6K7
Phone: (905) 420-4634
North Pickering: (905) 683-2760
www.cityofpickering.com
For further information on property assessment contact:
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
Regional Municipality of Durham
Office Galleria, Suite 170
Oshawa Centre
419 King Street West
Oshawa, Ontario, L1J 2K5
Phone: (905) 432-8444 or
1-866-296-6722
Fax: (866) 297-6703
Email: enquiry@mpac.ca
www.mpac.ca
LOCATION & ZONING BY-LAWS
Municipalities often place restrictions on the location of certain types of business activities. Businesses should ensure that current zoning regulations allow operations in their chosen location.
Contact:
The Corporation of the City of Pickering
Planning and Development Department
Pickering Civic Complex
One the Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario, L1V 6K7
Tel: (905) 420-4617 or (905) 683-2760
Fax: (905) 420-7468
Email: plan&devl@city.pickering.on.ca
Contact Municipal Law Enforcement for signage
IMPORT & EXPORT
Persons importing goods into Canada and exporting goods abroad need a good knowledge of documentation procedures and excise taxes, and may also need a special importers / exporters number.
Contact:
International Trade Centre
Industry Canada
151 Yonge Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2W7
Tel: (416) 973-5053
Fax: (416) 973-8161
Industry Canada's ITC can assist small and medium-sized enterprises with their particular exporting needs. Services include export counselling, information on international markets, pathfinding for export programs and services, participation in trade missions abroad and more.
ExportSource
Tel: 1-888-811-1119
www.exportsource.gc.ca
ExportSource is Team Canada Inc's online resource for export information. ExportSource provides a single access point to all trade-related government departments and agencies on subjects including preparing to export, marketing research, entering the market, financing exports, taking products/services to market, prevention and resolution of problems and an understanding of the global marketplace.
If you are exporting and need your documents certified, the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade will certify your documents for export purposes for a minimal charge:
Contact:
Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade
144 Old Kingston Road, Suite # 10 (2nd Floor)
Ajax, Ontario, L1T 2Z9
Tel: (905) 686-0883
Fax: (905) 686-1057
Email: info@apboardoftrade.com
www.apboardoftrade.com
P.S.T. VENDORS PERMIT RETAIL SALES TAX
This is for the collection and remittance of Provincial Sales Tax applicable to most retail goods and some services. There is no charge for the permit.
Registration forms and inquiries:
Ministry of Finance
Retail Sales Tax Branch (Refund Unit)
1600 Champlain Avenue, 2nd Floor
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 9B2
Tel: (905) 432-3431 or (800) 615-2757
Fax: (905) 435-3535
For information and permits for gasoline, fuel and tobacco taxes:
Ministry of Finance
Motor Fuels and Tobacco Tax Branch
P.O. Box 625
33 King Street West
Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8H9
Gasoline/Fuel: (905) 433-6389 or (800) 263-7965 for English service or (800) 668-5821 for French service
Tobacco: (905) 433-6394
Fax: (905) 436-4511
G.S.T.
Most businesses are required to collect and remit this federal tax. In general, basic groceries, agricultural products, medical goods, and exports are zero-rated and some services are zero exempt. Also, those businesses with annual sales of less than $30,000 can opt out of participating. There is no charge for this permit.
Canada Revenue Agency
Toronto East Tax Services Office
200 Town Centre Court
Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y3
Tel: 1-800-959-5525
Fax: (416) 973-5126
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
This office administers G.S.T. programs for Durham Region Customs, Excise and Taxation. G.S.T. forms can be obtained here.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Business Registration Online
www.businessregistration.gc.ca
The Business Registration On-Line (BRO) service is provided by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) and its provincial partners, Nova Scotia and Ontario. It is designed so that businesses can conveniently register themselves for CCRA, Nova Scotia and Ontario programs at the same time. (This does not cover registering your business name with the Ontario government.)
THE BUSINESS NUMBER
The Business Number (BN) is a new numbering system that replaces the multiple numbers you use to deal with the FEDERAL government. The BN includes Revenue Canada’s four major business accounts - corporate income tax, import/export, payroll deductions, and the GST.
Apply for your business number at:
Canada Revenue Agency
200 Town Centre Court
Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y3
Tel: 1-800-959-5525
You may also apply for your business number at Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Business Registration Online.
IF YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES
You are required to comply with all employment regulations as outlined by Revenue Canada, the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Acts, and, if you have over 10 employees, the Pay Equity Act.
To register as an employer, you should request the necessary forms, such as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), Workers’ Compensation and Employee Income Tax Deductions. The kits can be obtained from:
Canada Revenue Agency
200 Town Centre Court, 4th Floor
Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y3
Tel: 1-800-959-5525
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX REGISTRATION
In order to receive your registration number contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance at: 1-800-265-9005
or in person at:
Ministry of Finance
Employer Health Tax Branch
33 King Street West
Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8H5
Tel: (905) 433-6000
Fax: (905) 433-6777
WORKERS' SAFETY INSURANCE BOARD (WSIB)
Most employers in Ontario are required by law to register with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within 30 days of hiring an employee.
The WSIB will provide a registration kit which will provide information about the system. To obtain this kit or for more information, contact:
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
200 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3J1
Tel: (416) 344-1007 or 1-800-387-0080
Fax: (416) 344-4684
www.wsib.on.ca
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
This information is included as part of the payroll kit. For inquires, contact:
Canada Revenue Agency
Income Tax & Payroll Deductions
200 Town Centre Court, Suite 900
Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y3
Tel: 1-800-959-5525
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & UTILITIES
Any new construction or renovations / alterations made to a building will require a building permit.
The Corporation of the City of Pickering
Planning and Development Department
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario, L1V 6K7
Tel: (905) 420-4617 or (905) 683-2760
Fax: (905) 420-7648
Email: plan&devl@city.pickering.on.ca
All electrical wiring installations must be approved by Hydro inspectors:
Veridian Corporation
55 Taunton Road East
Ajax, Ontario, L1T 3V3
Tel: 1-888-420-0070 or (905) 420-8440 in Ajax/Pickering
Email: service@veridian.on.ca
www.veridian.on.ca
Enbridge Consumers Gas
101 Consumers Drive
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 1C4
Tel: 1-800-265-6164 or (905) 436-7011
www.cgc.enbridge.com
Water Billing
Durham Region
60 Bond Street West
Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7M2
Tel: (905) 686-6611
Fax: (905) 571-7312
www.region.durham.on.ca/finance.asp?nr=departments/finance/water/intro.h...
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
To register a patent, trade-mark, trade name, or industrial design, or for information about copyrights, contact:
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage, 1
50 Victoria Street, 2nd Floor
Hull, Quebec, K1A 0C9
Tel: (819) 997-1936
Fax: (819) 953-7620
www.cipo.gc.ca
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