Canada Business Startup Checklist

One page, every step in order. Tick the boxes as you go — each item points to the guide that explains it. Fees and thresholds are deliberately not printed here; the linked guide carries the current figure and its official source.

A. Decision and Preparation

Business idea and target customer written down in one sentence
Business name chosen and its availability checked
Structure chosen: sole proprietorship or incorporation (Guide 1)

B. Official Registrations

Service Alberta registration completed (Guide 1)
Business Number (BN) obtained (Guide 2)
Required CRA program accounts opened (Guide 2)
GST/HST position clear: registered, or tracking the threshold (Guide 2)

C. Money Setup

Separate business bank account opened (Guide 3)
Income and expense record-keeping method chosen (Guide 3)
Started setting a regular share of income aside for taxes (Guide 7)

D. Permits and Local Rules

City business licence application filed (Guide 5)
Home-based business rules checked (Guide 5)
Sector-specific permits and insurance completed (Guide 5)

E. Getting Ready to Sell

Pricing and quote template ready (Guide 6)
First customer channels identified (Guide 6)
If importing: RM account and CARM registration ready (Guide 4)

Every step on this page is explained in the guides at bgoc.ca. Start with Guide 1: How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in Alberta.

Last updated: November 2026.