Provincial and federal programs increase business competitiveness and simplify the process of starting and expanding a business. You must follow a different registration process for each program.

On this page

• Provincial registrations that include federal accounts
• Provincial programs
• Federal government departments and agencies

Provincial registrations that include federal accounts

Some provinces include a federal business number and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) program accounts as part of their registration process:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan

Provincial programs

You can use the Business Registration Online service to connect to some provincial program accounts for:

• Nova Scotia
• Ontario

See below to find out which programs you can register for and other ways to register.

For information on doing business in other provinces, their hours of service and their provincial programs, visit:

• Service New Brunswick – Corporate registry
• Revenu Québec: General Information – Businesses
• Entrepreneurship Manitoba
• Saskatchewan: ISC – Corporate Registry
• Incorporate an Alberta corporation
• PEI Business/Corporate Registry
• BC Business Registry

Nova Scotia

You can use the Business Registration Online service to connect to Service Nova Scotia and apply for:

• a business name with the Nova Scotia Joint Stock Companies
• a Nova Scotia Workers' Compensation Board account
• various Nova Scotia licences and permits

For more information on doing business in Nova Scotia, go to Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

Ontario

You need to register a business name with the province of Ontario if you are not operating under your exact legal name. Ontario registration fees apply. Use the Business Registration Online service to connect to ServiceOntario's Ontario Business Registry to:

• register or renew a business name with ServiceOntario
• apply for these accounts:
  • Ontario Employer Health Tax
  • Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

For more information on doing business in Ontario, go to ServiceOntario – Business services.

Federal government departments and agencies

The use of the business number (BN) as the standard identifier is gradually being expanded to all federal business programs. This will reduce your administrative burden and support a tell-us-once approach when you deal with the Government of Canada.

Businesses wanting to get a BN to interact with federal government programs can do so through the Business Registration Online service.

Incorporate federally via Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Businesses can incorporate federally. Once Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada approves the federal incorporation, businesses receive a BN for their corporate income tax program account. They will not need to register separately with the CRA. However, after receiving the confirmation of their BN, clients with federally incorporated businesses can apply through the CRA for other program accounts they need.

For more information, visit Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Register as a government supplier via Public Services and Procurement Canada

Buyandsell.gc.ca is a website managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada and contains all Government of Canada tenders. This facility makes it easier to supply goods and services to federal departments and agencies.

Businesses can register as a supplier of goods and services with Buyandsell.gc.ca. They will receive a 15-digit Procurement Business Number (PBN), based on their BN, which Buyandsell.gc.ca gets from the CRA and emails to the vendor. However, the business must first get a BN from the CRA.

For more information, visit Buyandsell.gc.ca.