Business Resources
Registering & structuring
Everything to legally set up your business in Canada — structure, registration, trademarks, permits, and hiring.
Last checked: August 2026 — I review these monthly. Programs, rules, and links change, so always confirm on the official government site before you act.
Registering & structuring your business
Starting a business (Government of Canada)
Federal hub that walks you through every step before you operate, including choosing a business structure.
Open →Corporations Canada
Canada’s federal corporate regulator — incorporate federally and file annual returns and corporate changes.
Open →Business registration with the CRA
When you need a Business Number and program accounts, and how to register your business with the CRA.
Open →Incorporate an Alberta corporation
Step-by-step provincial guide to setting up an Alberta corporation as its own legal entity.
Open →Register a business name (Alberta)
How to register an Alberta trade name (sole proprietorship) or partnership and get your registration statement.
Open →Registry agents (Alberta)
Alberta registrations and incorporations are filed through authorized private registry agents — find one here.
Open →Trademarks & intellectual property
Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
Main entry point for all IP registration in Canada — patents, trademarks, copyright, and designs.
Open →Trademarks
Search the trademarks database and apply to register a brand name, logo, or slogan.
Open →Patents
Information and applications for exclusive rights to an invention.
Open →Copyright
Learn about, search, and register copyright for creative and written works.
Open →Industrial designs
Register and protect the visual shape, configuration, or ornamentation of a product.
Open →Permits, licences & hiring
Permits, licences & regulations
Federal gateway to permits and licences across all levels of government.
Open →BizPaL — find your permits
Tells you the exact permits and licences your business type needs at your specific location.
Open →City of Calgary business licence
Apply for and manage a municipal business licence within the City of Calgary.
Open →Hiring & managing employees
Federal hub on payroll, wages, recruiting, and employer obligations.
Open →WCB-Alberta (workers’ compensation)
Alberta’s workplace injury insurance system — most employers must set up coverage.
Open →Employment standards (Alberta)
Provincial rules on minimum wage, hours, overtime, leaves, and termination.
Open →Record of Employment (ROE)
The ROE you must issue when an employee stops working, and how it supports EI claims.
Open →Provincial & local (Alberta / Calgary)
Small business resources (Alberta)
Alberta’s central hub of guidance, funding, and mentorship for small business.
Open →Business Link
Government-funded nonprofit offering free, tailored advice to Alberta small businesses.
Open →Find a business registry (Alberta)
Locate an Alberta registry to file incorporations, trade names, and corporate transactions.
Open →Find corporation details (Alberta)
Search Alberta’s corporate registry for details about a registered corporation or business name.
Open →📋 Free download
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