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Starting a Business

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Know the Regulations

If you are thinking about starting your own business, it’s important to know the legal requirements. The SmallBusinessBC.ca website can help. There are a lot of rules you have to follow to run a business in B.C. and in Canada.

You can get helpful information on setting up a business from the BC Government Small Business website and at www.SmallBusinessBC.ca.

To operate a business in BC you may need to do the following:

  • Check the availability of the proposed business name
  • Register the business name
  • Get a bank account for the business
  • Apply for an HST number (or GST number), depending on business income
  • Apply for a Payroll Account (if you are planning to have employees)
  • Apply for an Import/Export Account (if you are planning to trade with other countries)
  • Apply for a Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Account (mandatory if you have employees)

You can register your business and submit business applications on the One Stop Business Registry website.