1. Where do I go to register my business?

2. Where is the Caledon Business Centre?

3. Should I register a sole proprietorship or partnership? Or Should I incorporate my business?

4. How much does it cost to register a business?

5. Where can I get a Retail Sales Tax (PST) Number and Vendor Permit?

6. How do I register for GST?

7. Where can I get the money I need to start my business?

8. How do I write a business plan?

9. Can you recommend a good Lawyer, Accountant, Banker or other Small Business Professionals?

10. What other web sites can I visit for information on Small Business?

11. Who funds the SBEC?

12. Does the Caledon Business Centre offer any long term programs for business start up?

1. Where do I go to register my business?
The Caledon Business Centre is home to an Ontario Business Connects workstation. Therefore, you can come to the Centre to register your business. The workstation is available Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, on a first come, first serve basis. For legal reasons, you are required to complete the data entry yourself, but there is staff here to assist with your questions. We accept credit card only as a method of payment. If you don't live in the Caledon area and want to find out if there is a workstation closer to you, contact Ontario Business Connects at (416) 314-9151 or 1-800-565-1921. For immediate business name searches and registrations you may also use the online service from the comfort of your own home between 8:30am - 6:00pm at www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc. You must pay by credit card to use this service.
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2. Where is the Caledon Business Centre?
We are located at 12598 Highway #50 South in Bolton, Ontario. You can click here for a map of our location.
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3. Should I register a sole proprietorship or partnership? Or Should I incorporate my business?
There are three major types of business ownership in Ontario; Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership and Incorporation. Each one is unique in certain ways, and each offers different benefits. You may find it beneficial to discuss these options with your accountant and lawyer. To learn more about forms of ownership check out the Business Start Up Assistant - Choosing a Business Structure located in the Resources Section of our website.
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4. How much does it cost to register a business?
To register a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership costs $60. In addition, it is recommended that you perform a name search. The cost for this is $8. Renewals are also $60. Changes to address and phone number are free and can be done online at www.cbs.giv.on.ca/obc. Registering an incorporated company is more expensive and complicated, therefore we recommend that you speak with a legal professional about this process.
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5. Where can I get a Retail Sales Tax (PST) Number and Vendor Permit?
There are two ways to obtain a RST Vendor Permit. The fastest way (2 weeks) is by using an Ontario Business Connects workstation (you can apply for one when registering your business). The second is to contact your regional Ministry of Finance Office. In Peel region that office is located at 1290 Central Parkway West (go to the 4th floor) in Mississauga. Their phone number is (905)615-9911 or 1-800-265-9969.
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6. How do I register for GST?
First of all you only need to register for GST if your business has gross sales in excess of $30,000 a year. You can register for the GST by contacting Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-5525.
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7. Where can I get the money I need to start my business?
At this time, there are no government grants (provincial or federal) for small business start up. For specific industries you may be able to find financing for expansion of your existing business at this website: www.strategis.gc.ca. 65% of small business owners require a loan from a financial institution. Each organization has its own requirements, but generally they will require the following: a business plan, satisfactory credit score, and some investment and/or equity from you.
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8. How do I write a business plan?
The simple answer is, one page at time. There are many different ways to write a business plan, for more information check out the Business Start Up Assistant - Preparing a Business Plan located in the Resources Section of our website.
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9. Can you recommend a good Lawyer, Accountant, Banker or other Small Business Professionals?
Yes! The Caledon Business Centre offers free half-an-hour consultation with qualified business professionals through our extensive referral program. Please call us at 905-857-7393 to discuss your needs.
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10. What other web sites can I visit for information on Small Business?
Although we like to think that you have found a good Web Site here, one of the other sites that we often recommend is Industry Canada's Strategis site (strategis.ic.gc.ca).
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11. Who funds the SBEC?
Funding for the Small Business Enterprise Centre is provided by a partnership, with representation from all three levels of government. Organizations interested in partnering with the Enterprise Centre should contact the centre manager.
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12. Does the Caledon Business Centre offer any long term programs for business start up?
The Caledon Business Centre is a resource centre for aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs. We want you to visit us first, before taking any other start-up steps. We offer a wide variety of seminars and workshops which will introduce you to business concepts and the journey to launching your business. Most of our seminars / workshops are brief - 3 hours or less. We do not offer any long term training or programming. For inquiries about the SEB Program (Self Employment Benefits), please contact your nearest Canada Employment Centre.
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