Women with DisAbilities Bridges to Employment Opportunities - DAWN Ontario: DisAbled Women's Network

1. Business Name and Partnership Registration

Unincorporated businesses, sole proprietorships and partnerships must register their business name, before they start using it, with the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services' (MCBS) Companies Branch.

Please be aware that registering a business name in Ontario does not provide you with any inherent protection on the name; it simply makes the name legal for your use in Ontario. Upon registration, businesses are issued a Business Identification Number (BIN) by Companies Branch.

Business name registration for unincorporated businesses, sole proprietorships and partnerships is valid for five years and must be renewed every 5 years if it is to be maintained as a legal business name.

2. Searching Company Names

Before registering a business name, you should check whether the name you are planning on registering is already in use.

You can check company names in use in Ontario by accessing the records of the Companies Branch.

i. In-person Access to Companies Branch Records

A preliminary search of Ontario corporations and existing extra-provincial corporations operating in Ontario may be viewed free on the Electronic Corporate Index in the Public Office of the Companies Branch in Toronto.

In addition, business names registered in Ontario can be searched at the office of the Companies Branch, for a fee of $12 (per search).

ii. Online Access to Companies Branch Records

Name searches can be conducted at the Ontario Business Connects (OBC) workstations.

The fees will vary depending upon the operator. You may wish to contact the operator in advance to confirm the fees required.

3. Filing a Business Registration

MCBS - Filing in Person:
Companies Branch
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services - MCBS
375 University Avenue, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2M2
Telephone: (416) 314-8880,
Toll free: 1-800-361-3223
Fax: (416) 314-0102

MCBS - Filing by Mail:
Companies Branch
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services - MCBS
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2M2
Telephone: (416) 314-8880,
Too free: 1-800-361-3223
Fax: (416) 314-0102

To find the location of OBC computer workstations across Ontario:
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services - MCBS
Toronto, Ontario
Telephone: (416) 314-9151,
Too free: 1-800-565-1921
Web site: http://www.ccr.gov.on.ca/obc/english/4THRS7.htm

For a complete listing of OBC Service Locations:
URL: http://www.ccr.gov.on.ca/obc/english/4TPP63.htm

North Bay OBC Service Locations:

North Bay - Business Self-help Office
Location: North Bay
Address: 200 McIntyre Street East
(City Hall)
North Bay, ON P1B 8H8
phone: (705) 474-0400 x425
fax: (705) 474-4493
Workstation hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
wheelchair accessible

North Bay - Government Information Centre
Location: North Bay
Address: 447 McKeown Avenue
(MTC Building)
North Bay, ON P1B 9S9
phone: (705) 497-6822
fax: (705) 497-5544
Workstation hours: 8:30 am to 3:15 pm
wheelchair accessible

Help with Starting Up Small Business

Business Services available at:

1. North Bay - Business Self-help Office
Address: 200 McIntyre Street East
(City Hall)
North Bay, ON P1B 8H8
phone: (705) 474-0400 x425
fax: (705) 474-4493
Workstation hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
wheelchair accessible

Services available:

Confidential counseling;
review of business/financial plans;
provide checklist of required business start-up activities;
business library of materials and pamphlets including government publications;
training and business-related seminars.
Instant Business Name registration
Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit
Employer Health Tax
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Clients can also do an instant Business Name search and apply for their federal Business Number at the workstation.

2. North Bay - Government Information Centre
Address: 447 McKeown Avenue
(MTC Building)
North Bay, ON P1B 9S9
phone: (705) 497-6822
fax: (705) 497-5544
Workstation hours: 8:30 am to 3:15 pm
wheelchair accessible

Government on-line directory,
Information for municipal, federal, provincial programs across Canada,
Instant Business Name registration
Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit
Employer Health Tax
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Clients can also do an instant Business Name search and apply for their federal Business Number at the workstation.

The Interactive Business Planner (IBP) is the first business planning software product designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web.

The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs prepare a 3 year business plan for their new or existing business.

With the IBP, you will:

be guided through each section of your business plan using a question and answer format;
learn definitions and tips, and view sample business plans to help you to write your own plan;
have financial projections prepared for you, based upon the information you provide;
and use the power of the Internet to assist you in researching your business plan

Online Small Business Workshop:
Designed to provide you with techniques for developing your idea, starting a new venture and improving your existing small business.
URL: http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/workshop/workshop.html

Popular Requests:
Their most requested business activities are available as Small Business Sourcing Guides. The Guides contain trade shows, associations, books, magazines, videos, government services and more.
URL: http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/lotus/sbguides.htm

Web Sites for Small Business:
Their favourite links for Business Start Up, Export Import, Directories of Companies, Market information, Selling to Government and BC's communities.
URL: http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/sblinks/alllinks.html

Interactive Business Planner:
A step by step business planning tool. Prepare your own professional plan on line, then down load it to your computer.
URL: http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/cbcbsc/ibp.html

New! Interactive Export Planner
URL: http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/cbcbsc/iep.html

Canada/Ontario Business Service Centre
Offers information on all levels of government services,programs, and regulations. Centre representatives can tailor an information package on specific industry needs.
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345
http://www.cbsc.org/ontario

Trade Team Ontario
A partnership of public and private sector organizations offering trade-related services to active and potential exporters including export preparation services, market information and intelligence, export counselling, and international financing.
Tel: (416) 952-7306 or
Toll free:1 888 811-1119

Centre for the Study of Commercial Activity - Retail Smarts - Retail Learning Initiative
A partnership between government and various industry associations that provides training, advice, and information for new and existing retailers. Provides self-instructional handbooks/manuals, videos, and workshops on such topics as "Building a Winning Retail Strategy", "Achieving Customer Loyalty", and "Developing High Performing Staff", customized for various industries.
Tel: (416) 598-9404
http://www.retailsmarts.ryerson.ca/

The Food Industry Division
Advises and supports food producers, food processors,existing food retailers, and food service providers, including institutional feeding,hotel food service, and restaurants.
Tel: 1 888 466-2372

Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations - Business Registration
Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations must register with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Business registration services for sole proprietorships and general partnerships are also available through Ontario Business Connects (OBC) computer workstations, located across the province.
Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations:
Tel: (416) 314-8880 or
Toll free: 1 800 361-3223;
Ontario Business Connects (OBC):
Tel: (416) 314-9151 or
Toll free: 1 800 565-1921

Business Consulting Services
Offers business consulting services to small and mid-sized companies in the manufacturing and service-based sectors. Companies must show exceptional sales growth and have less than 200 employees. Account Client Managers assess companies' current situation, support development of future plans and provide options for achieving their strategies. Contact regional offices of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. In Northern Ontario, contact regional offices of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Business Self-Help Offices
There are several resource centres around the province offering publications and seminars relating to all matters of starting and managing a business. Each office is staffed by a consultant to provide start-up advice.
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345 to locate the nearest office.

Computing Sector Resource Facility - Connect IT
Assists Ontario information technology companies in management, marketing expertise, export readiness, and market development nationally and internationally.
Tel: (416) 326-9631

Export Market Development - Making Trade Shows Work
One-day workshop on successful participation in consumer and trade shows in Canada and around the world.
Tel: 1 800 358-6079

Northern Ontario Info-Guide
Lists federal and provincial government programs and services available to individuals starting a business or owning an existing business in Northern Ontario.
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345

Starting a Small Business in Ontario
A guide that outlines various regulations, licenses, and permits for starting a small business in the province.
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345

Tourism Consulting Service
The field offices of the Ministry of Economic Development Trade and Tourism provide tourism consulting, information, contacts and program access to Key Tourism Businesses. Contact the Canada-Ontario Business Call Centre at:
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345 to locate the field office nearest to you.

Ministry of the Environment - Ontario Green Industry
Assists Ontario companies, entrepreneurs, or inventors with products, services, and technologies that prevent pollution, protect, or clean up the environment. Companies diversifying into the environmental market are also eligible.Provides business planning advice, exporting information, linking companies with public and private sources of investment capital, business development workshops, referring clients to other sources of information, linking suppliers with market opportunities,hosting foreign delegations to showcase Ontario companies, and leading missions to foreign markets.
Tel: (416) 325-4000

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - Small Business Self-Help Offices
Entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario have access to business advice at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines' Business Self-Help Offices. At each office, a Northern Development Officer is available to assist new and start-up businesses. The Business Self-Help Offices also feature publications on a wide range of business topics.

North Bay:
Tel: (705) 474-0400 or
Toll free: 1 800 465-6892

Sault Ste. Marie/Algoma:
Tel: (705) 759-5461 or
Toll free: 1 800 565-4507

Sudbury:
Tel: (705) 668-7582 or
Toll free: 1 800 668-7582

Timmins:
Tel: (705) 360-8484 or
Toll free: 1 800 461-2936

Thunder Bay:
Tel: (807) 625-3972 or
Toll free: 1 800 668-9360

District of Timiskaming:
Tel: (705) 672-5155 or
Toll free: 1 800 361-2281

The field offices of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) provide tourism consulting, information, contacts and program access to Key Tourism Businesses. Contact the Canada-Ontario Business Call Centre at:
Tel: (416) 954-4636 or
Toll free: 1 800 567-2345 to locate the field office nearest to you.

Municipal Business Regulations
Municipal governments have jurisdiction over zoning bylaws,business licenses, permits, and taxation. For details of fees and application requirements, contact the building department or bylaw officer in the municipality in which the business is located.

Business Start Up in Ontario