1) Provincial Incorporation
2) Federal Incorportation

The process of incorporating a business establishes your business as a distinct, legal entity. As such, incorporation offer a number of advantages to your business. Some examples being the transferability of business ownership, limited liability, and possible tax advantages. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to incorporation is the cost. While you can do it yourself, it is highly recommended that you have your lawyer or accountant draw up the incorporation papers. Incorporation can cost anywhere from $1000 or more depending on the complexity of your business and whether you incorporate federally or provincially or utilize the services of a lawyer.

1) Provincial Incorporation

For information pertaining to provincial incorporation contact:

Ministry of Consumer and Business Services
Corporate Services Section, Companies Branch
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M2
(416) 314-8880 / 1-800-361-3223 (in Ontario only)
www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs

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2) Federal Incorporation

You would incorporate at the federal level if you intend to base your business outside Ontario or across Canada.

For further information on Federal Incorporation contact:

Industry Canada - Corporations Directorate
Jean Edmonds Tower South, 9th Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C8
(613) 941-9042 Fax: (613) 941-0999
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca

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