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Starting Your Businessw.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/career/entrepre.html

Ontario has a competitive business climate. Whether your business is large or small, urban or rural, the Ontario government provides services and resources to help you expand your business in Ontario and abroad.

  • Your Business From Start to Finish
    ServiceOntario helps you find hundreds of resources to define, develop and grow your business.
  • Your Guide to Small Business
    This information resource will help identify the things one needs to do before, during and after launching a business.
  • Business Start-up Check List
    Thinking of starting a business? Use this check list, and information to make sure that you have all of your bases covered.
  • Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
    The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre provides comprehensive information on business-oriented programs, services and regulations of provincial and federal government departments and other organizations.

Financing your Business

Licensing and Registration

Doing Business

  • Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
    The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC), is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for free access to business information.
  • ServiceOntario: Gateway for Business
    Working with its partners, ServiceOntario offers a wide-range of government information and online services relevant to your business.
  • Agricultural Business Management
    Information and tools for agricultural businesses including business analysis and planning tools, sources for financing, etc. Learn how to budget for costs, pay wages to family members, or deal with financial difficulty.
  • Doing Business with the Ontario Government
    Selling to the Ontario government means supplying a huge marketplace. Businesses of all sizes and types are successful suppliers to us, because our goal is to help you do business with us. We welcome new suppliers.

Laws and Taxes

  • Tax and Benefit Programs
    Access to information on Ontario's tax system, benefits, refunds, forms, bulletins, and guides provided by the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
  • Small Business Tax Help
    If you are starting a small business -- or are already in business -- this section of the site will help you find the information you need to understand how Ontario business taxes apply to you.
  • Forms of Business Organization
    There are four ways to form a business: Sole proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, or Co-operative. The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre website provides a brief description of each type and a summary of their advantages and disadvantages.
  • Employment Standards
    Employment standards are enforced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) which sets out the minimum standards that employers and employees must follow.
  • E-Laws
    Refer to laws regarding corporations and businesses.
  • Identity Theft Kits
    General information emphasizing the need for effective personal information policies and practices.

Import/Export

  • International Trade Branch
    Export programs and services to assist Ontario companies succeed in international markets.
  • Exporting from Canada
    Canada Business links to export information, services and on-line tools for entrepreneurs.
  • Importing into Canada
    Canada Business links to import information, services and on-line tools for entrepreneurs.
  • Import/Export account
    If you import goods into Canada or export goods to other countries, you should register with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Closing a Business

  • Selling or Closing a Business
    The ServiceOntario Business Gateway provides information and services to help you change business information, dissolve your corporation, file for bankruptcy, or sell or close your business.
  • Dissolving or Reviving a Corporation
    The ServiceOntario Business Gateway provides information and forms to assist you dissolve or revive your corporation.
  • Bankruptcy
    The Canada Revenue Agency website provides detailed information about filing for bankruptcy and how it will affect your business.

Other Resources

  • Canada Business: Services for entrepreneurs
    Get comprehensive information on all aspects of business for Canadians and non-Canadians.
  • Industry Canada
    Over 40,000 businesses across Canada have listed their company profiles here for you to search and access.
  • Canada Revenue Agency: Business
    Information on corporate income tax, payroll deductions, small business and tax credits among other topics.
  • Changes To Your Business
    The Canada Revenue Agency website provides information on business life events - starting, operating, closing, amalgamating, selling a business, and more.