Choosing the appropriate business structure is one of the first and most important legal decisions entrepreneurs face when starting a business. The legal structure you select can have significant implications for taxation, liability, financing, management, succession planning, and the long-term growth of your business. In Ontario, entrepreneurs generally choose from four primary business structures: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and co-operatives. Each st

One of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask when starting a business is whether they should incorporate federally or provincially. While both structures provide many of the same benefits, including limited liability protection and a separate legal identity, there are important differences that may affect your business as it grows. The right choice will depend on a variety of factors, including where you intend to operate, your expansion plans, branding strategy, admini

One of the first decisions entrepreneurs face when starting a business is whether to incorporate or simply register a business name. For many entrepreneurs, the decision between incorporation and business registration can affect everything from liability protection and taxation to financing opportunities and long-term growth. While both options allow you to operate a business, they differ significantly in terms of liability protection, taxation, ownership structure, financi

For entrepreneurs and growing businesses, establishing a clear and recognizable presence in the marketplace is essential. One of the first steps in building a brand is selecting and protecting the right name. This often involves choosing a corporate or business name, registering a trade name, securing a domain name, and where appropriate, obtaining trademark protection. Although these concepts are closely related and may overlap, each serves a distinct legal and commercia

Lawyers and businesses have long awaited an update to Ontario’s antiquated business filing system. It has never been more true since most people now work remotely, and documents are signed and filed electronically. The new Ontario Business Registry has officially launched. Up until this point, Ontario remained one of the few provinces that did not accept electronic filings without the use of third-party service providers. As of October 19, 2021, more than 90 transactions may

Professional corporations are owned and operated by one or more members of the same profession. Certain professions permit their members to operate through professional corporations, such as accountants, architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, physicians, social workers and veterinarians. However, the services provided by the professional corporation are generally restricted to the practice of that profession. Physicians are limited to providing medical services to their pa

When individuals decide to form a band, they often do not consider or are even familiar with the business structures that might be available to them. By default, bands are considered partnerships. Or they may defer to a more formal structure by incorporating. If bands continue to operate as a partnership, they should consider formalizing a partnership agreement sooner rather than later. There are various considerations when it comes to drafting partnership agreements, which c