Register a sole proprietorship and get a Business Number
Register with your province; in Ontario, BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan this also gives you the federal Business Number (BN).
Cost: CAD 60 for an Ontario business name, valid 5 years (reference)
What you need
- Ontario.ca Login and Ontario Business Account (Ontario)
- Business name and your personal details
- SIN and details matching your last tax return (for the BN through CRA)
Step by step
- Register your business name with your province (Ontario Business Registry)
- Get your BN automatically, or register with CRA's Business Registration Online in other provinces
- Open the tax accounts you need
- Check permits and licences with BizPaL
- Renew the Ontario registration every 5 years
Where to apply
Ontario Business Registry · ontario.ca
Registering a sole proprietorship (canada.ca) · canada.ca
The app helps with
Tips to get it right the first time
- Sole proprietors using only their own name may not need to register in some provinces.
- Renew from 6 months before to 60 days after expiry, or you'll have to register again.
- One BN covers all the businesses you run as a sole proprietor.
Save the checklist in the app and tick items off as you gather them.
Reviewed on October 19, 2026 · source: canada.ca. Requirements and costs are for reference and may change without notice: confirm them with the official source before you go. We are not affiliated with any institution.