If you will be hiring one or more employees, here are the steps you need to take:

a. Register with the Business Services branch of Revenue Canada.

If you already have a BN, this will simply be a quick call to give them your BN and open the Payroll Deductions account.

Revenue Canada Business Services
11 Station Street
Belleville, Ontario K8N 2S3
1-800-959-5525 (National Toll-free #)
Website: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

b. Check with Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (previously known as Worker's Compensation).

Most industries in Ontario are covered by the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board. Employers must pay into the accident fund of the Board through assessments on their payrolls.

Ask for the registration kit, which includes information on assessments, coverage, accident reporting requirements and appeals procedures. Employers are required to contact the board within 10 days of employing help, whether they are full time, part time, or a family member.

Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
200 Front Street West, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3J1
Call Centre: (416) 344-1007
1-800-387-0750 (Province wide toll free #)
1-800-387-5540 (Canada wide toll free #)
Website: www.wsib.on.ca

You can also register through Ontario Business Connects (the same workstations where you register your business).

c. The Employer Health Tax is paid by all employers paying wages to employees who report for work at a permanent workplace in Ontario. All self-employed people in Ontario must pay the Employer Health Tax. As of January 1, 1999, the first $400,000 is exempt. Therefore, if your payroll will be greater than $400.000 per year or if your self-employed net income will be greater than $400,000 per year, then you will have to pay the Employer Health Tax. To register contact:

Employer Health Tax Branch
Ministry of Finance
Ground Floor, 33 King Street West
P.O. Box 627
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8H5
(905) 436-4561 or Toll Free: 1-800-265-9005

d. No matter what type of business you are starting or whether your business will be employing one employee or several employees, there are some important rules and regulations to know under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. For more information as it relates to your particular industry or to obtain a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, contact:

Occupational Health and Safety Branch
Ministry of Labour
505 University Avenue, 19th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7
(416) 326-7770
1-800-268-8013 (general inquires)
Fax: (416) 326-7770

Peterborough Office
300 Water Street, 3rd Floor
South Tower
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8M5
(705) 755-4700
1-800-461-1425
Fax: (705) 755-4724

e. Employment Standards

Before you hire an employee, it is important to know what their rights are and what the minimum standards are for pay, vacation, statutory holidays and the like are. To obtain your copy of A Guide to the Employment Standards Act, contact:

Ontario Ministry of Labour, Publications Branch Information Centre
400 University Avenue, 7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7
(416) 326-7731

For general inquires contact:
Employment Standards Call Centre
(416) 326-7160 or 1-800-531-5551

OR

The District Office at:
Ministry of Labour, Peterborough Office
300 Water Street, 3rd Floor, South Tower
Peterborough, Ontario K9A 8M5
(705) 755-4700
Toll free: 1-800-461-1425
Fax: (705) 755-4724

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