small business licenses – GoForth Institute Blog

Canadian entrepreneurs: keep these legalities in mind

When we developed our online streaming small business education, we asked Canadian entrepreneurs what they wished someone would have taught them. They told us that small business legalities, applications, documents and filing were major areas of concern. They told us stories of getting hit with fines and lump sums of taxes due that they didn’t see coming. Not good!

So learn from these entrepreneurs! Keep these legal dos and don’ts in mind during your Canadian entrepreneurship journey:

Don’t forget to check your renewal dates, and mark them in your calendar so you don’t forget. Don’t get hit with late fees and fines.
Don’t think that getting a business number is enough. Almost all businesses require some form of license or permit. Check out which ones you need, and then double- and triple-check.
Don’t assume you’re covered. You may want to set aside some money in case there’s something you missed. These large lump sums that come out of nowhere can really dent your company’s cash flow.
Don’t think that you can navigate legalities alone. It never hurts to have an experienced professional take a look over which licenses, permits, contracts and policies you have in place in order to make sure that you’re covered.
Don’t think that the rules don’t apply to you or your business. You can’t hide – they will find you. Remaining compliant will remove stress and help your business run smoother.
Don’t leave it to the last minute. The application and assessment processes can sometimes take a long time, and how annoying would it be to postpone opening day over a pending license or permit?

Share this post:

What permits and licenses do you need for your Canadian small business?

Permits and licenses may seem like just a formality, but they’re an essential part of running a small business in Canada. Most small businesses need a license of some sort to operate, even some home-based businesses. Without proper licenses and permits, you may have to pay major fines – not something you want to worry about when you’re starting a business and every dollar counts!

Here are some more details about Canadian small business permits and licenses, and where to get them.

What’s the difference between a license and a permit?

To many of us, a permit and a license can seem like the same thing. However, there is an important difference between the two:

A permit shows proof of compliance with certain laws
A license shows you’re allowed to operate in your area

What small business permit or license do I need in Canada?

The small business permits and licenses you’ll need will depend on your small business’ industry, city, and province. You might be required to have both a municipal and provincial license. Fees are required with licenses, so be sure to account for this.

Before you get a license, check to see if you’ll need to get approvals, inspections, or background checks. For example, commercial business locations are usually inspected by the fire department. Or, if you’re running your business out of your home, you may need a home occupation permit or need to follow other provincial regulations.

Example of small business licenses and permits in Canada

Here’s one example of the types of permits and licenses a small business might need:

A Calgary yoga studio could require an Alberta Sign Application, an Alberta Business Name Registration as well as a Canadian Business Registration, a Calgary Sign Permit, a Calgary Development Permit and a Commercial School License.

Where do you get a permit or license for your small business?

As early as you can, get in touch with your municipal or provincial department to talk about licensing. It’s important to not leave this to the last minute, because the costs and wait times for each of these permits are so variable. The last thing you want is to delay your business’ opening because you’re waiting for a permit!

Check out the Government of Canada’s BizPal website to find out what licenses and permits you’ll need. You may also need to get in touch with local authorities like Development and Building Approvals, Health Services, Fire Department, Gaming and Liquor Commission, or Police Services.

Share this post:

Small business legal issues: Tips from entrepreneurs

entrepreneur phone call

When we spoke with Canadian entrepreneurs, the topic of legalities, applications, documents and filing were a major area of concern. Small business owners told us stories of getting hit with fines and lump sums of taxes due that they didn’t see coming. Whether you’re unaware or forgetful of legal issues, you won’t get away with it for long. Here is some advice from other entrepreneurs about staying on top of all legalities.

Don’t forget to check your renewal dates, and mark them in your calendar so you don’t forget. Don’t get hit with late fees and fines.
Don’t think that getting a business number is enough. Almost all businesses require some form of license or permit. Check out which ones you need, and then double- and triple-check.
Don’t assume you’re covered. You may want to set aside some money in case there’s something you missed. These large lump sums that come out of nowhere can really dent your company’s cash flow.
Don’t think that you can navigate legalities alone. It never hurts to have an experienced professional take a look over which licenses, permits, contracts and policies you have in place in order to make sure that you’re covered.
Don’t think that the rules don’t apply to you or your business. You can’t hide – they will find you. Remaining compliant will remove stress and help your business run smoother.
Don’t leave it to the last minute. The application and assessment processes can sometimes take a long time, and how annoying would it be to postpone opening day over a pending license or permit?

Share this post:

Small business permits and licenses in Canada

When you’re staring your small business, it’s important to have all the required permits and licenses you need. Without them, you could be facing some pretty major fines – so don’t cut corners!

So, what’s the difference between a permit and a license? A license shows you’re allowed to operate in your area, while a permit is a document that shows proof of compliance with certain laws.

The permits and licenses your company needs will vary by industry, city, and province. You might need to get both a municipal and provincial license. Most small businesses need a license of some sort to operate, even some home-based businesses. Fees are required with licenses, so be sure to budget for this.

Be sure to find out if you’ll need to get approvals, inspections, or background checks before you can get license. For example, commercial business locations are usually inspected by the fire department. If you’re running your business out of your home, you may need a home occupation permit, or must follow other provincial regulations.

What permit or license do I need?

There are lots of different of licenses and permits, depending on your location and your industry. A Calgary yoga studio, for example, could require an Alberta Sign Application, an Alberta Business Name Registration as well as a Canadian Business Registration, a Calgary Sign Permit, a Calgary Development Permit and a Commercial School License.

We suggest you get in touch with your local city or provincial department to talk about licensing. The costs and wait times for each of these permits vary, so be sure to look into these things early on – the last thing you want is to delay your opening because of a permit!

To find out what licenses and permits you’ll need, check out Industry Canada’s BizPal website. You may also have to contact local authorities like Development and Building Approvals, Health Services, Fire Department, Gaming and Liquor Commission, or Police Services.

Good luck!

Share this post: