Start a Business in Canada
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Sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation: registration fees, tax accounts, and step-by-step setup by province.
Business setup guide for your province
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Business setup guide: everything below, plus the checklist as a PDF.
- ✓Business registration checklist for your province
- ✓Blank invoice template (free starter)
- ✓What to register first in your province
- ✓First-month setup tasks
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Business Setup Package
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Registration steps + compliance calendar for your province
Answer plain-language questions: we fill everything in and check each detail as you go.
- ✓Everything in free
- ✓Structure comparison guide
- ✓Registration checklist
- ✓Tax registration steps
- ✓First-year compliance calendar
Helps avoid missing a key registration or tax filing step
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Built by Nathan, nine years in the Canadian Army, paperwork done the hard way first.
Ontario
Inc: $300 (online via ServiceOntario) · Sole prop: $60
British Columbia
Inc: $350 for incorporation · Sole prop: $40
Alberta
Inc: See official registry · Sole prop: See
Manitoba
Inc: $350 ($550 expedited) · Sole prop: $60
Saskatchewan
Inc: $255 · Sole prop: $65
Nova Scotia
Inc: $200 · Sole prop: $68.55
New Brunswick
Inc: $262 (e-filed) · Sole prop: $112
Prince Edward Island
Inc: See official registry · Sole prop: $130
Newfoundland & Labrador
Inc: $300 on paper, or $270 filed electronically · Sole prop: N/A
Quebec
Inc: $397 (2026 rate) · Sole prop: $41
No LLC in Canada
If you've read about LLCs from US sources, note that the Limited Liability Company (LLC) does not exist in Canada. The Canadian equivalent for a business owner who wants limited liability is a Corporation (Inc.). A Canadian corporation provides the same liability protection as a US LLC, with the added benefit of the small business tax deduction.
Which structure is right for you?
Sole Proprietorship
Simplest and cheapest. You and the business are the same legal entity. All profits are yours, and so is all liability. If someone sues your business, your personal assets are at risk.
Partnership
Two or more people sharing ownership. Simple to set up, but partners share personal liability. Always use a written partnership agreement (LawDepot has a Canadian template).
Note for professionals: Lawyers, accountants, and engineers in most provinces must use a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) rather than a general partnership. A general partnership exposes all partners to unlimited personal liability for each other's professional errors. Check with your professional regulator.
Corporation
A separate legal entity. Your personal assets are protected. More tax flexibility (small business deduction, salary/dividend splitting). More admin: annual filings, corporate tax return, minute book. Worth it for most businesses beyond basic freelancing.
Already incorporated? The free corporation compliance calendar lists those yearly filing dates.
If there is more than one shareholder, put a shareholder agreement in place before money changes hands.
Related guides
Facts checked October 2026 · Sources: Corporations Canada (ised-isde.canada.ca), CRA Business Registration (canada.ca), provincial business registries.
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Guidepost is not a law firm or accountant. This is for informational purposes only. Consult a lawyer or accountant for your specific situation. Full disclaimer.