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Doing Business In Canada Guide

Section I: Introduction

This Guide provides non-Canadians with an introduction to the laws and regulations that affect the conduct of business in Canada and, in particular, in the province of Ontario. In some cases, this Guide also identifies issues in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Because of Canada’s federal structure, the authority to make laws and regulations is divided between the federal and provincial governments by the Canadian Constitution although, in some areas of shared jurisdiction, both federal and provincial laws may apply.

For reasons rooted in history, Canada has two legal traditions, the civil law tradition of codified law in the province of Quebec, and the common law tradition of judge-made law in the other provinces of Canada. The province of Quebec, as Canada’s only province whose majority population is French speaking, has also adopted a Charter of the French Language making French the official language of Quebec. Quebec also collects its own income taxes and has shared jurisdiction over immigration to Quebec with the federal government. A more detailed discussion of the laws of the province of Quebec is contained in the Blakes guide, Doing Business in Quebec.
 
The discussion under each heading in this Guide is intended to provide only general guidance and is not an exhaustive description of all provisions of federal, provincial and local law with which a business might be required to comply. Particular businesses or industries may also be subject to specific legal requirements not referred to in this Guide. For this reason, the reader should not rely solely upon this Guide in planning any specific transaction or undertaking, but should seek the advice of qualified counsel.
 
The law is stated as of July 2024.


Section II: Government & Legal System


Aerial view of parliament hill in Canada.

Section III: Business Entities and Alternative Methods of Carrying on Business in Canada

Canadian flag waving against a building


Section IV: Trade & Investment Regulation

International Shipping dock


Section V: Procurement



crane on top of a building in the landscape

Section VI: Acquiring a Canadian Business


Skyline of apartment buildings


Section VII: Tax


Aerial view of corporate buildings in financial district


Section VIII: Employment & Labour Law


Busy street crossing filled with walking professionals

Section IX: Privacy Law


A padlock on a chain fence indicating private property


Section X: Intellectual Property


green tree appearing between highrise buildings


Section XI: Information Technology



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Section XII: Real Estate

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Section XIII: Infrastructure

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Section XIV: Environmental Law



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Section XV: Indigenous


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Section XVI: Power

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Section XVII: Restructuring & Insolvency


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Section XVIII: Dispute Resolution


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