Frequently Asked Questions
Q- Where can
I go with questions about my new business?
A. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade maintains a
network of 41 Small Business Enterprise Centres throughout Ontario. Enterprise
Centres focus on providing support to start-up and small enterprises (SMEs)
during their first through fifth years of operation. Entrepreneurs are
provided with access to business consulting services and information covering
management, marketing, technology and available financing. Select
this link to find the enterprise centre nearest you.
Q- I'm a young person/student
interested in starting my own business. Do you offer programs and services
that can help me?
A. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade offers a variety
of programs for students and young entrepreneurs.
The Summer Company Program
offers hands-on business training and awards of up to $3,000 for students
aged 15-29; My Company provides
business training and the availability of competitive loans of up to $15,000
to help young people aged 18-29 start and run their own business; and
Future Entrepreneurs introduces
an entrepreneurial mind-set and skills to students in Grades 7 and 8.
For more information about youth and student programs, visit the Government
of
Ontario
youth opportunities Web site,
www.youthjobs.gov.on.ca,
or phone 1-888-JOB-GROW.
Q- How do I register a business?
A. Business registration services are available through the Ministry of
Consumer and Business Services and its electronic service delivery partner,
Ontario Business Connects (OBC). Business registration fees vary; contact
the registration service provider for further information.
There are several ways you can register a business:
- OBC Workstations: Ontario Business Connects
services are available through a network of over 140 service locations
across Ontario, including many of the Ministry of Economic Development and
Trade
Small
Business
Enterprise Centres. Select
this link for the nearest Small Business Enterprise Centre.
- Business Registration Online: To register
your business online, visit Business
Registration Online, or contact Ontario
Business Connects for more information.
- OBC Wholesalers: OBC Wholesalers provide
customized business services on behalf of their customers, including
business name registration. For more information contact Ontario
Business Connects.
- Companies and Personal Property Security Branch:
Register your business in person at the branch
Toronto office,
located at 375 University Avenue, 2nd Floor.
- Mail: Clients can contact the branch by
telephone at (416) 314-8880 or toll free at 1-800-361-3223 to have a
registration form mailed to them. TTY service is available at (416)
212-1476 (for speech/hearing impaired). You may also download the form
from the OBC Web site at: www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc/english/4TG2AW.htm.
Q- How do I incorporate my
business?
A Services to help you incorporate your business
are available
through the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Contact
the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services for further information.
Q- When is Small Business Month?
A. Small Business Month in Ontario is held in October. It's an opportunity
to promote the outstanding opportunities available to Ontarians who want
to start or expand a small business in Ontario.
We maintain year-round a comprehensive section on our Web site focusing
on Ontario government services for small business. Small
Business Central includes information on business registration, small
business enterprise centers, programs for young entrepreneurs, and more.
Q. Where can I find more information
about exporting?
A. Ontario Exports Inc. (OEI) helps Ontario firms begin to export or expand
markets and assists foreign buyers to find Ontario suppliers for their
purchasing requirements. To find out how OEI can assist you, visit the
OEI Web site at www.ontarioexportsinc.com.
Q. What services do you offer
business immigrants and immigrant entrepreneurs?
Ontario welcomes all business immigrants who possess a solid background
in business, sufficient financial assets to establish themselves in Ontario,
and a demonstrated enthusiasm for engaging in business after they land
in the province.
The Business Immigration Section of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade provides a wide variety
of services to business immigrants
both during the planning stages of immigration and after landing in Ontario.
For more information, visit the Business Immigration section of the
ministry
investment Web site, http://www.2ontario.com/bi/home.asp.
Q. How can learn more about
employment standards?
A. For information on employment standards, visit
the Web site of the Ontario Ministry of Labour. For a quick overview
of labour regulations in Ontario, check out our popular publication, Starting
a Small Business in Ontario or visit
your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
Q. Where can I find information
about doing business with the Ontario government?
A. Selling to the Ontario government means supplying a huge marketplace.
Businesses of all sizes and types are successful suppliers to us, and
we welcome new suppliers. The best way to learn more about doing business
with the government of Ontario is to visit the Government
of
Ontario
procurement Web site, or to
contact the Procurement
Branch at (416) 327-3555.
For information on Canadian public-sector electronic tendering services,
operated by MERX, visit
the MERX Web site, or contact them by phone at 1-800-964-MERX (6379).
Still haven
found what youre looking for? There are
several methods
available for you to get the information you need.
- On our Web site: Link to our site
map for a list of programs and information services available.
- E-mail us
directly or use
our feedback form to provide us with more information on what you
are interested in.
- Contact us through our general enquiries
line, toll-free at 1-866-668-4249 or 1-866-ONT4BIZ, or in Toronto at
(416) 325-6666.
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