Helpful Links

This section contains helpful resource and related links to Government of Canada, the Province of BC, financial assistance & opportunities, youth entrepreneurs & employment, business & industry Associations and local government contacts.

Government of Canada Resources & Links

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

Information on Canada’s tax, trade and border legislation and regulations.
Telephone: 1-800-959-5525

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)

WD is committed to helping Western Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to grow and create jobs by offering a network of business professionals to help with business planning and development, accessing capital, export and trade development, selling to government markets, and providing information on government programs and services.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The CFIB’s mandate is to promote and protect Canada’s free enterprise system. For business owners who want their businesses to prosper, the CFIB will give small businesses a big voice in the political arena.

Doing Business in Canada

Doing Business with Canada is dedicated to ensuring that Canada’s service companies are used effectively by foreign and domestic-based companies doing business in Canada. This website offers a number of services to aid in this goal.

Industry Canada Online

Canada’s business information site provides access to business registration information, company directories, trade and investment, economic analysis and statistics, research, technology and innovation, licenses, legislation and regulations for all levels of government.
Telephone: 1-800-326-6189

Statistics Canada

Provides detailed statistics on social and economic trends and changes nationally, provincially and locally.

BizPaL

BizPaL is your Canadian online source of information on permits and licenses.

Business Structure Options
Canada Business Network
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Government Grants and Financing
Government Overview of Services for Small Business
Industry Canada – Just for Businesses
Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN)

Province of BC Resources & Links

WorkBC

WorkBC features labour market information selected and organized for easy access by all British Columbians. People planning careers, job seekers, employers, service providers and researchers will all find information to help navigate BC’s labour market.

Small Business BC

Provides information on all business-related topics pertinent to entrepreneurs, small businesses and start-up companies. An efficient way to access information about government programs, services and regulations for all levels of government.

BC Employment Standards

An online guide to programs, services, initiatives, reports and publications available through the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training.

BC Stats

BC Stats is the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia. They feature the provincial government’s largest concentration of statistical products, services and expertise.

Guide to the BC Economy

This is an excellent source of information about historical and current trends, as well as the long-term outlook for the provincial economy and the labour market.

One Stop Business Registration

One Stop allows you to register your business with the Canada Revenue Agency, register a proprietorship or partnership name, register as a vendor for provincial sales tax, register as an employer with WorksafeBC, and apply for personal optional protection with WCB.
Telephone: 1-877-822-6727

WorkSafe BC 

Regulates, monitors workplaces, educates and consults with employers on workplace health and safety issues for employees.

Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA)

Energy Services BC has merged with ICBA. The ICBA aims to be a strong voice advocating on behalf of the construction and resource development industries of B.C.

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Located downtown Victoria BC, the BCAAFC is the umbrella association for 24 Friendship Centres throughout the Province of British Columbia. Friendship Centres provide a number of quality services to the Aboriginal

Government Agents

Service BC is your source for frontline government services and information in British Columbia. Service BC delivers hundreds of programs and services to residents, businesses and visitors – in person, online, and over the phone.

Registrar of Companies

BC Registry Services administers and supports the registration of businesses, personal property and manufactured homes.

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
BC Labour Standards Branch
BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness
BC Resource Centre for Small Business
Trade and Invest British Columbia

Financial Assistance & Opportunities

Business Development Bank of Canada 

The BDC has developed a range of financing alternatives to respond to unique and financial needs of every type of business – from the smallest micro-business to medium-sized companies poised for rapid expansion.

Export Development Corporation

EDC is devoted exclusively to providing trade finance services to support Canadian exporters. Nearly 90% of their customers are smaller companies. They’ve developed a number of programs, many in partnership with other financial institutions, to service these particular needs.

National Research Council — Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

IRAP’s mission is to stimulate innovation in Canadian small and medium sized enterprises by providing advisory services, as well as potential access to financial assistance.

Scientific Research & Experimental Development: Tax Credit Program 

This program is a federal tax incentive program to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada that will lead to new, improved or technologically advanced products, services or processes. The Scientific Research & Experimental Development Program is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial research and development.

Women’s Enterprise Society of BC

WES offers loans to women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs of up to $100,000, repayable within a period of a few months to a maximum of five years.

Cultural Spaces Canada Program (CSC)

Contributes to improved physical conditions for artistic creativity, presentation and exhibition. It is designed to increase and improve access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, and to museum collections, heritage displays and exhibitions. CSC supports the renovation and expansion/construction of arts and heritage facilities, and the acquisition of specialized equipment as well as preparation of feasibility studies for cultural infrastructure projects.

Canada Council for the Arts
Canadian Heritage
Government of BC Art & Cultural Possibilities

(Ministry of Community, Sport & Cultural Development)

Northern Development Initiative Trust

Northern Development is an independent, non-profit corporation; a catalyst stimulating economic growth through investments in grassroots, community-led projects

Youth Entrepreneurs & Employment

Service Canada — Youth Employment Strategy Centre

Since 1968, SCCYs (formerly known as Human Resource Centres for Canada for Students — HRCC-S) have been helping students and employers across Canada with their summer employment needs. SCCYs provide a variety of services, free of charge, to help students improve their job search skills and acquire meaningful employment. They also help employers find enthusiastic summer help. Summer jobs help students develop the skills and get the work experience they need to build their career. Most offices are open from May to August.

The Young Entrepreneurs Network

We help people achieve the extraordinary in personal exploration, professional development, the emerging global workforce, and career success through tools, insights, and access to our network of friends across the globe.