How to start a business in Canada, British Columbia?

Here you will find the information on how to start a business in Canada, British Columbia. I’ve have personally done this a few times and came across different situations that I found it would be useful to share. You can register through other sites, but I have been registering all my companies under BC Registry Services.
  1. Name Requests Online ($40) – First you would need to get your business name approved before registering the company. The business name needs to have at least one distinctive element and one descriptive element.They will not approve the name if it is the same as someone else. Your requested name is not checked against names used outside of BC.  If you want to ensure your corporate name is not used outside of BC, you can search Corporation Canada’s NUANS (Newly Updated Automated Name Search) database .  More information can be found when you click to apply for name request online.

     

  2. Register for a Business Number (sole- After your business name has been approved (usually pretty quick now as they send the information directly to your email), you will then register for a business number. Follow the steps to complete the application.Register for Incorporation Application or Hire a Lawyer or Accountant to help you get one setup.
  3. Apply for GST Number – You would need to apply for GST number if you sell or provide goods and services in Canada and your annual, world-wide GST/HST taxable sales, including those of any associates, are more than $30,000.00.
  4. Apply for PST Number – You would need to apply for PST number if you will be selling or leasing taxable goods or services, or offer 4 or more units of accommodation, as described on the Ministry of Finance website.
  5. Apply for Business Licence – Most business require licensing of business premises.  A list of municipalities that accept business licences.

If you signed up for a Corporation company and you would like to have another business name under the same corporation you would need apply for a Name Request Online again. Then with the new approved name apply as sole proprietorship under the corporation company.

If you have signed up for a Sole proprietorship previously and you just registered a new Corporation company and you want this name to go under this new company you will need to re-apply for the business name through Name Request Online and then register with a new OneStop ID account.

Once you have gotten your business registered you can take the documents to a bank that you choose and setup the business bank account.

To order company cheques please email print@deskpub.ca