The idea of starting a business is appealing to a lot of people. Although it can be challenging, it can be very rewarding. As new immigrants or Canadians, you may want to start you own businesses and look to banks for financial advice, services and products. You have come to the right place. This article will focus on what resources are available to business owners in Canada.
Small businesses are such an important part of Canada’s economy, and there’s an extensive network of organizations to prove it. Below you will find a partial list of helpful organizations and contacts. We will keep adding to the list as we find new useful resources.
Associations and Other Resources
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce — This delivers programs and services to its members to help them improve their market performance.
- The Canadian Federation of Independent Business — The association offers information and support to its members.
- Canadian Franchise Association — Provides assistance to those seeking franchise opportunities, and offers publications with information on franchising.
- Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association — Promotes Canadian business through the use of venture capital and through networking, research and education.
- Chartered Professional Accountants Canada — In charge of setting accounting and auditing standards. They also publishes material and represents the profession.
- Centre for Women in Business — If you are a women entrepreneur, this is a good resource. This organization provides support and information to women who own, or are considering opening a small business.
- Enactus — Non-profit organization servicing students interested in owning a business.
- Family Enterprise Xchange — This is a membership-driven organization that provides educational programs, peer advisory groups, mentoring, and networking opportunities to family-run companies.
- Futurpreneur Canada — A non-profit, private-sector initiative designed to provide mentoring, business support and lending to young Canadian entrepreneurs. Their focus is on entrepreneurs who are less than 40 years old.
- Retail Council of Canada — They offer information and support to its members, many of whom are small retailers. A sister association is Le Conseil Quebecois du Commerce de Détail.
- The Funding Portal – A bilingual portal for accessing information and services related to government funding for business.
READ ALSO: USEFUL RESOURCES FOR STARTING A BUSINESS IN CANADA
What Resources Are Available To Business Owners By the Federal Government
- Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Development — Provides services and support to Indigenous entrepreneurs, youth and organizations to promote the success of their businesses in Canada and the world.
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency — ACOA’s goal is to improve the Atlantic Canada’s economy.
- Business Development Bank of Canada — Offers a complete range of services to assist small- and medium-sized businesses.
- Canada Business Network — CBN is a collaborative effort between federal, provincial and private-sector organizations which provide information on government services, programs and regulations. Centres distribute videos, publications and offer seminars.
- Canadian Commercial Corporation — The CCC provides Canadian companies with access to market opportunities and a wide range of export contracting services.
- The Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (Quebec) — CED provides a range of services for Quebec SMEs.
- Canada Revenue Agency — Offers useful information booklets and services. This includes seminars to help business owners better understand taxation and tax requirements. CRA also offers businesses the opportunity to pay their business taxes online.
- Employment and Social Development Canada — Operates human resource centres across Canada and offer information on a variety of programs and services for small business as well as counselling, training and assistance with hiring new employees.
- Other Resources By The Federal Government
- Export Development Canada — Provides a full range of trade finance services that help exporters and investors do business in up to 200 countries.
- Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) — Helps northern Ontario businesses and economic development organizations access capital, information and markets.
- Global Affairs Canada — Supports the development of trade by providing services to exporters, developing policy, and by attracting investment in the Canadian economy.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — Offers a wealth of information, programs and services.
- National Research Council Canada — Oversees The Industrial Research Assistance Program. This program helps small- and medium-sized Canadian firms create and adopt innovative technologies. Their offerings include technical assistance, expertise and resources, as well as cost-shared financing of innovative technical projects.
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada – Provides information on meeting the requirements set out in federal privacy legislation.
- Public Safety Canada — Provides a guide to help business owners take steps to protect themselves and their businesses from cyber threats.
- Statistics Canada — Collects and disseminates data on social and economic issues.
- Western Economic Diversification Canada — The Western Canada business service network includes Community Futures Development Corporations, Women’s Enterprise Initiative offices and regional offices.
What Resources Are Available To Business Owners on Banks’ Websites
One other place you can get good resources as a business owner is the bank’s website. Most of the banks in Canada have excellent small business sections on their websites. To learn more, visit any of the bank’s websites listed below.
