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Canadian Business Resources
Canada Business promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, and provides assistance through an organized network of service centres across Canada.
Canada Business’ goal is to provide your business with the resources it needs to grow and prosper, including a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations including:
- Business Planning
- E-business
- Grants and Finances
- Government grants, loans and financing
- Growth and Innovation
- How to Register your Business Name (Ontario)
- Market Research and Statistics
- Starting a Business
Business planning
Find out how to write a business plan and access templates and sample business plans.
- Why do you need a business plan?
A business plan is a valuable tool for every business owner, whether you are starting up, have been in business for years, or are ready to grow. - 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 business plan. - Sample business plans and templates
The organizations listed here provide free templates, writing guides and sample plans to help you develop a professional business plan. - Business planning FAQs
Find the answers to questions often asked about preparing a business plan. - Succession planning
Find the right strategy for handing over or selling your business to someone else, whether it be employee, family member, friend or another entrepreneur. - 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.
Doing business online
Doing business online, or e-business, is about using Internet technologies to provide superior customer service, streamline business processes, increase sales, and reduce costs.
- Uses for e-business
E-business is about conducting business online. This document looks at some of the many ways you can use e-business to your advantage. - Developing your website
Learn how to create a website so you can attract more customers to your business. - Payment for online sales
Learn how payment for online sales from your website can be made easily and securely. - E-business security, privacy and legal requirements
E-business is a powerful tool, but it has risks that are not often experienced by more conventional business. You need to be aware of those risks to protect yourself and your customers. - Online marketing
Marketing techniques and tools like social networking, emailing and blogging often involve low or no direct costs.
Grants and financing
Entrepreneurs often report that getting financing is the most challenging aspect of starting or growing a business. If you are looking for money for your business, you should start by learning about the different types of financing that are available and assessing which one is best for your needs. You can also reduce your need for loans by managing your finances effectively.
- Government grants and financing
Find out about government grants, loans or other financing available for your business. - Private sector financing
Your business may be eligible for a wide variety of different types of private sector financing, including debt and equity. - Personal assets
See how you can use personal assets to help finance your business. - Financing from non-government organizations
Look beyond traditional funding sources. There may be not-for-profit or community-based organizations that can offer you financing or direct you towards financing. - Accessing equity financing
Learn how to develop the plan, the materials and the confidence to go after the equity financing for your business opportunity. - Business planning
Find out how to write a business plan and access templates and sample business plans.
This article was provided by Canada Business. For more information to help your business grow and succeed, visit www.canadabusiness.ca.
Business name registration information (Ontario)
Ministry of Government Services, Government of Ontario
APPLIES TO: Ontario
If you are using a business name that differs from your full name or from your corporate name, you need to register that business name.
Business name registration applies to:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Corporation trade names
It costs $60 to register your business name online, and the registration is valid for five years.
This article was provided by Canada Business. For more information to help your business grow and succeed, visit www.canadabusiness.ca.Market research and statistics
Discover what market research is and how to create an effective market research campaign. You will also find numerous information resources and statistics that you can use to learn more about your industry, your customers and the markets you serve. This information can ultimately help you to make informed decisions that can maximize the potential of your business.
- Conducting market research
Learn more about market research, how it can improve your business decisions, and how to conduct a market research campaign. - Labour and employment data
Find statistics and analysis related to the labour force, employment and income from official Canadian and international sources. - Demographics
Get data that sheds light on population characteristics such as location, age, income, education level, and more. - Industry sector data
Find statistics that can help you to better understand the industry that you operate within and study the latest trends that could impact your business. - Canadian economy
Get the latest official economic indicators, which shed light on the performance of several segments of the Canadian economy. - International markets
Discover new markets for your products and services by studying foreign market reports and international statistics. - Importing and exporting
Find Canadian and foreign trade statistics and other information that can help you to grow your business, both abroad and in Canada. - Environment
Get official Canadian and international statistics on a number of topics related to the environment. - Science and technology
Find statistics on research and development, innovation, technology use, and the performance of the information and communications technologies sector. - Site Selection
Find site selections tools that can help you decide where to establish or grow your business. - General research and statistics
Discover resources available through your local Canada Business Service Centres, Statistics Canada, Canada's government libraries and the United Nations.
Starting your business
Want to be your own boss? The idea of starting your own business is appealing to a lot of people and it can be very rewarding. However, a lot of new businesses fail. This information will help you plan for a successful start to your entrepreneurship journey.
- Before starting your business
You want to launch your own business, but have you done your homework? Get ready by doing the research and planning that will help you get started. - Checklists and guides for starting a business
Access guides and checklists for starting different types of businesses. - Business planning
Find out how to write a business plan and access templates and sample business plans. - Financing your new business
Don't let a lack of money stop you from starting a business. Find out about available sources of financing for start-up. - 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. - Registering your business
Find out about the requirements to register your business with different levels of government. - Employees, payroll, and taxes
Explore some of the resources that can help you with hiring and managing employees as well as paying a variety of taxes. - Choosing and setting up a location
Trying to decide where to locate your business and how to arrange it once you get there? Review the following resources and consider your options.
