Do you have questions about how to start a new business in Toronto? The City’s small business advisors can help you get your new business off the ground.

 

Learn about the process of starting a new business in Toronto with this nine step guide. The federal government’s starting a business guide and the provincial government’s Small Business Access program can also help you through each step.

The main objective of market research is to understand the customer and determine whether enough demand exists for a successful business venture.

For a new business, market research can help provide answers to important questions, such as the following:

  • Who are potential clients?
  • Are they interested in the product or service you offer?
  • Who is the most likely to purchase it?
  • What are they willing to pay for it?
  • What are the current and future market trends?
  • Will the demand be sufficient to sustain the business?

The market research process includes:

  • Primary Market Research – using data collected through surveys, observation, opinion polls.
  • Secondary Market Research – using existing data.

The following resources may provide helpful market research information:

A solid business plan is a “road map” for your business: it shows where you are going and how you will get there. Writing a business plan helps you understand your capabilities and business needs, so you can prepare, focus and set goals – particularly financial goals. If you are applying for financing, a strong business plan demonstrates to lenders that you have done your research and can demonstrate how your financial goals will be met.

The following resources are available to help you complete your business plan:

Toronto’s Small Business Enterprise Centre offers free business plan review and consultation services. Once your business plan is prepared, book a one-on-one consultation where staff will review your business plan to ensure you started in the right direction.

Book Business Plan Review

Should you require French language service, please contact the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

A marketing plan details the strategies that will be used to target and promote your business to potential customers.

Register to attend a marketing webinar to help you think more about your marketing plan.

Marketing Plan Content

Marketing plans typically consist of the following sections and information:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary should contain the key points of your marketing plan and, although it is written last, should be positioned at the front of the plan. The executive summary should include highlights from each section, be interesting enough to motivate the reader and be concise.

Market Research

Collect and organize data about the market that is currently buying the product(s) or service(s) you will sell. Some areas you may wish to explore are listed below:

  • Market dynamics, e.g. seasonal
  • Customers: demographics, market segment, target markets, needs, buying decisions
  • Product: What’s out there now? What’s the competition offering?
  • Current sales in the industry
  • Benchmarks in the industry
  • Suppliers: vendors that you will need to rely on

Target Market

Find niche or target markets for your product and describe them.

Product

Describe your product. How does your product relate to the market? What does your market need? What do they currently use? What do they need above and beyond current use?

Competition

Describe your competition and develop your “unique selling proposition”. What makes you stand apart from your competition? What is your competition doing about branding?

Mission Statement

Who you are selling to – key market? What you are selling – your company contribution? Your unique selling proposition – what makes your product/service so distinctive?

Marketing Strategies

Outline the marketing and promotion strategies you plan to use:

  • Networking – go where your market is
  • Direct marketing – sales letters, brochures, flyers
  • Advertising – print media, directories
  • Seminars and training programs (to increase awareness)
  • Write articles (blog), give advice, become known as an expert
  • Direct/personal selling
  • Media – publicity/press releases
  • Trade shows, events and conferences
  • Website and social media.

Pricing, Positioning and Branding

From the information you have collected, establish strategies for determining the price of your product, where your product will be positioned in the market and how you will achieve brand awareness.

Budget

Budget your dollars. What strategies can you afford? What can you do in-house and what do you need to outsource?

Marketing Goals

Establish quantifiable marketing goals. This means goals that you can turn into numbers. For instance, your goals might be to gain at least 30 new clients or to sell ten products per week or to increase your income by 30 per cent this year. Your goals might include sales, profits or customer satisfaction.

By researching your markets, your competition, and determining your unique positioning, you are in a much better position to promote and sell your product or service. By establishing goals for your marketing campaign, you can better understand whether or not your efforts are generating results through ongoing review and evaluation of results.

Continually review the status of your marketing campaign against your set objectives to ensure ongoing improvements to your marketing initiatives and help with future planning.

There are three main business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership (general or limited) and corporation (provincial or federal). Each structure has its own legal and tax implications, and certain advantages and disadvantages. To decide on the structure that best suits the needs of your business, consult the Government of Canada’s website.

Businesses that operate under a name other than the owner’s need to register with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services’ Ontario Business Registry. Business name registrations or renewals can be completed in-person during walk-in service hours at the Small Business Enterprise Centre or online using the Ontario Business Registry’s self-serve portal. You may also contact one of the government’s authorized service providers: ecore by Dye & Durham Corporation or ESC Corporate Services Ltd.

Business Name Registration

Sole Proprietorship, General and Limited Partnerships

Business Incorporation (Provincial/Federal)

Provincial Incorporation

  • To register as a provincial incorporation with a name (as opposed to a numbered provincial incorporation), businesses need to complete a provincial Newly Upgrade Automated Names Search (NUANS) name search to determine if the name is available. These reports are generated by a variety of NUANS members, with a searchable table available. You do not need to request the provincial NUANS report for businesses wishing to operate as a numbered corporation.
  • NUANS name search reports do expire, so Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the Ontario Business Registry within 90 days of completing the name search. Fees and time frames are set by the Ontario Business Registry.
  • NUANS name searches may also be done through government-authorized service providers who are available to help you with your transactions on the Ontario Business Registry: ecore by Dye & Durham Corporation, and, ESC Corporate Services Ltd.

Federal Incorporation

Not-for-Profit Incorporation

  • You will require minimum three directors to register a not-for-profit corporation.
  • To register as a provincial not-for-profit incorporation with a name (as opposed to a numbered provincial incorporation), businesses need to complete a provincial Newly Upgrade Automated Names Search (NUANS) name search to determine if the name is available. These reports are generated by a variety of NUANS members, with a searchable table available. You do not need to request the provincial NUANS report for businesses wishing to operate as a numbered not-for-profit corporation.
  • NUANS name search reports do expire, so Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the Ontario Business Registry within 90 days of completing the name search. Fees and time frames are set by the Ontario Business Registry.
  • NUANS name searches may also be done through government-authorized service providers who are available to help you with your transactions on the Ontario Business Registry: ecore by Dye & Durham Corporation, and, ESC Corporate Services Ltd.
  • For additional information, please see the Government of Canada’s not-for-profit guide.

Incorporating a provincial not-for-profit corporation as a charity

Business funds can be obtained from various private financial institutions (e.g. banks and other private lenders) or financing programs. For a list of available funding options, please visit Funding for Small Business.

The following questions can help you to identify the right type of financing for your venture:

  • Where is my business now on its planned growth trajectory?
  • What do I need money for?
  • What financing options are available to me already?

With the answers to these questions in mind, please review the list below and determine where your business fits.

Stage in Corporate Growth Cycle Type of Funding Needed
  • Have a workable idea
  • Have a prototype
  • Have done the research
Seed financing (from personal resources)
  • Have a few loyal customers
  • Management team ready
  • Business plan completed
Startup financing (from friends and family)
  • Have regular paying customers
  • Desire to grow and a large enough market to appeal to an investor
  • Production and Sales need a boost
Angel financing
  • Ramping up
  • Focus on the break-even point
  • Sales and/or Production and/or Research needs a boost
Venture Capital financing
  • Strong customer base
  • Steady business flow
  • Need to fund working capital and expand production and markets
Growth Capital
  • Visionary expansion
  • Desire to achieve exponential growth
  • Past the break-even stage
  • More mature
Mezzanine / Debt financing
  • Healthy revenue stream
  • Can cover tax payments, payroll and equipment financing
Traditional banking
  • Desire for public listing (stock exchange)
  • May require interim financing until Initial Public Offering (IPO)
  • Established business with high debt and low equity capital
Bridge financing, buyout IPO (public market)
  • Need to raise money, awareness and support for your business
  • People who believe in your idea will pledge money in return for a reward if your business succeeds
Crowdfunding

Municipalities often place zoning restrictions on the location of certain types of business activity. Prior to leasing or purchasing a property, it is advisable to determine that the contemplated business use is permitted on the property. For inquiries about zoning or uses on a specific property, please visit the nearest Toronto Building Customer Service counter for information.

Furthermore, new construction and alterations to buildings often require a building permit. Applications can be obtained through the City of Toronto.

You may need a business license to operate a business in Toronto. Use the online business permits and licences service, BizPaL, to search for permits and licences (municipal, provincial and federal) you may need to start or grow your business.

Municipal Licenses

Within the city of Toronto, licences are required for many types of businesses. Municipal licensing requirements may differ outside the city of Toronto and it is advisable to contact the municipality where you are doing business. In Toronto, operating licenses are issued by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division of the City of Toronto.

Provincial Licenses

The Business Practices Act requires registration and licensing in many areas such as drug, forestry, motor vehicle, real estate, travel, day-care, liquor sales, gas stations and transportation.

Federal Licenses

A few types of businesses do require federal licensing in order to start a business in Toronto. Use the permits and licences search tool to find out which ones may apply to your business.

Canada Revenue Agency is the office responsible for taxation issues for individuals and businesses. Canada Revenue Agency issues a Business Number (BN) which is a reference numbering system covering four business accounts:

  1. Business Accounts: Businesses with gross annual sales of $30,000 or more are required to register for Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and remit it to the Canada Revenue Agency. There is no charge for this application. Businesses that have gross annual revenue of under $30,000 are not required to register for HST, and therefore, do not need to charge their clients the HST tax.
  2. Importer/Exporter Account: Canadian individuals, businesses, non-residents or foreign based importers are required to obtain this number.
  3. Corporate Income Tax: When you incorporate with the Government of Ontario, you will automatically be registered for a business number (BN) and a corporation income tax program account. You should receive your BN number within 45 days of incorporation.
  4. Payroll Deductions: Deductions include Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Unemployment Insurance Contributions (UIC) and Employee Income Tax Deductions.

Canada Revenue Agency also has other useful information on their website that includes individual and business taxation, taxable benefits and allowances, business and professional income, HST registration, payroll and more.

If You Have Employees

If you have employees, you are required to comply with all employment regulations including the Employment Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Pay Equity Act (for over then employees).

  • Employee Health Tax (EHT)
    • The EHT is a payroll tax applied to all employers in Ontario. Unless exempted, all employers with a permanent establishment in Ontario must register for the EHT. For the first $400,000 of the payroll, eligible private-sector employers are exempt from paying the EHT.
  • Ontario Health Premium
    • Since July 2004, employees in Ontario have paid an additional tax, the Ontario Health Premium. The tax is deducted from pay as part of personal income tax.
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
    • The law requires all businesses in Ontario that employ workers (including family members and sub-contractors) to register with the WSIB within ten days of hiring their first full- or part-time worker.

Import & Export

  • Importer/Exporter Number
    • Canadian individuals, businesses, non-residents or foreign-based importers are required to obtain the importer/exporter number. Online registration is available.
  • Export and Import Controls
  • Duties, Tariffs, Quotas and Restrictions
  • Intelligence and Advice on Foreign Markets
  • National Import Service Centre (NISC)
    • Operated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Centre processes import requests and documentations, and coordinates inspections for import shipments.
  • Customs and E-Business – Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) System
    • The CBSA commercial importation process including cargo reporting, release, entry and accounting can be done through EDI applications.
  • Export Development Canada (EDC)
    • EDC provides trade financing and risk management services for Canadian exporters.
  • New Substances Program
    • Any person who wants to import or manufacture a new substance must contact the New Substances Information Line or visit the New Substances Program website for information to determine if it is a new substance, and how to prepare and submit a notification package.

Health Inspections & Regulations

Food preparation, water and sanitation facilities need to be compliant with the Ministry of Health regulations. To ensure your establishment is in compliance with the Ministry of Health regulations, please contact Toronto Public Health.

Intellectual Property Rights

Canadian Intellectual Property Office offers intellectual property (IP) services and educates business owners on how to use IP more effectively. Intellectual Property includes Trademarks, Patents, Copyright and Industrial Designs.

Ontario Accessibility Laws

The Province of Ontario has action plans and progress reports that will help us make Ontario a more accessible province for people with disabilities. We strongly recommend that you review the accessibility laws and regulations.

Privacy Protection

In Canada, most businesses must comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) which regulates how you may collect, use and disclose the personal information you gather when conducting business. Originally, the Act applied to those private sector organizations regulated by federal laws such as banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, while conducting commercial activities. Now the Act applies also to the retail sector, the publishing industry, the service industry, manufacturers and provincially regulated organizations.

Canadian privacy legislation comprises two federal laws – The Privacy Act and PIPEDA. Provincial legislation includes Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) protects Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace. If your business uses electronic means of promoting your business, products and services this may affect you.

The responsibility of business is to limit the use and disclosure and retention of collected information. Business must also obtain consent to collect the information and be responsible for the accuracy of the information.

Insurance

It is always a best practice to contact your insurance broker to confirm that your business and you are adequately protected. For example: if you are a sole proprietorship and working out of your home, you may need additional property insurance.

Guides & Resources

Starting a Food Business

The step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need in order to start or grow your food business in the city of Toronto.

Guide to Starting a Food Business