Sole Proprietorship Registration
A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned and operated by one individual. The owner and business are considered the same legal entity for tax and liability purposes.
Note: If you are operating under your own full legal name (e.g., "Jane Smith"), registration may not be required in some provinces. If using a trade name, registration is required. Check your provincial requirements before submitting.
General Partnership Registration
A general partnership consists of two or more individuals or entities who carry on business together with a view to profit. All partners share equal management rights and unlimited personal liability unless otherwise agreed in a partnership agreement.
Partnership Agreement Recommended: While not required by law, a written partnership agreement is strongly recommended to define profit/loss sharing, decision-making, and dissolution procedures.
Corporation Registration
A corporation is a separate legal entity from its shareholders. It provides limited liability protection and can be incorporated federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) or provincially under applicable provincial legislation.
Federal vs. Provincial: Federal incorporation allows you to do business across Canada under the same name. Provincial incorporation is generally simpler and less expensive but limits name protection to that province.