Business Laws & Regulations

Whether you're starting a business or taking over one, it's important to know the rules and regulations governing commercial enterprises in Ontario.

The first step is to decide if your business is a solely owned venture, a partnership or a corporation and then register it with the government of Ontario. Registration involves payment of a fee that varies according to the type of business.

Once the business is registered, you can apply for the following:

• Ontario Retail Sales Tax Vendor's Permit
• Ontario Employer Health Tax
• Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB)
• Business Number (includes the Harmonized Sales Tax, corporation income tax, payroll deductions and import/export)

Owners of Ontario businesses must report accidents, diseases and exposure to infectious diseases through certain injuries. Most businesses are required to register with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Some exceptions are banks, trade unions, private daycares, travel agencies, and photographers.

Note: You can apply online to register a business, obtain a Business Number, WSIB, Retail Sales Tax Vendor's Permit and other accounts and programs at the same time.

Some of the other business operations that are regulated in Ontario:

• Health and Safety: Business owners have an obligation to sure the health and safety of their employees and to comply with regulations and standards governing the safety of the workplace.
• Privacy: If you collect, use or disclose information about individuals, you must understand privacy policies and procedures.
• Hiring: You must ensure that your company's hiring and interviewing practices are not discriminatory and follow Ontario regulations governing minimum wages, labour standards, employment equity, maternity and parental leave.
• Advertising, promotion and packaging: Ontario law requires businesses to be accurate and truthful when promoting or advertising their product. Companies can only advertise drug and health products that have been approved for sale in Canada. Food labelling and packaging are also subject to regulation.
• Accessibility: Every business and organization in Ontario that provides goods and services to the public must comply with the Customer Service Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Businesses involved in the importing and exporting of goods and e-businesses that sell to jurisdictions outside of Ontario are also subject to government regulations. Alcohol and tobacco are other products that are highly regulated in Ontario.