Western Economic Diversification Canada | Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

The following Frequently Asked Questions represent typical questions received by  Western Economic Diversification Canada. They provide a practical starting point for public enquiries. In many cases, we simply link to the appropriate Web site. For a more comprehensive directory of Canadian information resources available via the Internet, visit canada.gc.ca Government of Canada site

What programs does WD offer?

Western Economic Diversification provides programs to support our three strategic priorities: innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development. Groups eligible to apply under these programs include universities and other post-secondary academic institutions, research institutes, industry associations and other not-for-profit organizations.

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What grants do you have for new businesses?

Western Economic Diversification does not provide grants to businesses. Loan programs sponsored by WD are delivered by financial institutions such as chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, cooperatives, the Farm Credit Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada. Each lending institution funds its own program and makes its own decisions on all loan approvals. For more information on WD-sponsored loan programs and other assistance in finding financing, please refer to:

For other government agencies that may provide funding to small businesses, please refer to:

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How do I start a business?

Western Economic Diversification Canada provides access to on-line information products to help you develop your business idea, prepare a business plan, and assess your entrepreneurial qualities. For more information, please refer to:

Canada Business is a government information service for businesses and start-up entrepreneurs in Canada. They provide a wealth of information on business planning and startup, including a Business Start-Up Assistant, Interactive Business Planner, and Online Small Business Workshop. For more information, please visit the Canada Business Website:

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How do I register my business and find a registry agent near me?

Rules and regulations vary, depending on the type of business you have and the province in which it is located. For more information, please refer to:

Provincial government sites for business registration:

Federal Incorporation:

On-line business registration services:

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Do you have assistance for growing a business?

For information on programs and services for business, visit WD's small business development pages:

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How do I find information on starting a business or obtaining financing in rural areas?

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) provide community and business development to communities in rural Canada. They are non-profit corporations run by volunteer boards of directors, supported by a salaried staff. They provide business development loans to small and medium-sized businesses, technical support, training, self-employment assistance, and employment programs that target young entrepreneurs. The CFDCs work in partnership with WD as members of the Western Canada Business Service Network. For more information on assistance available in rural areas, please visit the CFDC Web Site:

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Do you have information about entrepreneurs with disabilities?

Western Economic Diversification Canada's Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program provides access to business services and other support mechanisms needed to consider self-employment a viable option.

The Advice and Business Loans for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (ABLED) loan program is offered in cooperation with Van City Credit Union and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union. The program is designed to improve access to business services and other support mechanisms for entrepreneurs with disabilities starting or expanding small businesses in B.C.

Other links:

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Where can I find information on youth entrepreneurship?

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (Youth Business) is a non-profit organization that helps young people start new businesses. For more information, please refer to:

YouthPath was built with the help and direction of 16 Youth Team Leaders, hundreds of volunteers from across Canada and 16 Federal Partners. For more information please refer to:

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How do I find information for women on starting a business or obtaining financing?

Women's Enterprise Initiative offices in each of the four western provinces administer funding for entrepreneurs unable to obtain traditional financing, and also provide business counselling, resource information and referral, business-to-business linking and training programs. Funded through a contribution from Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI) provides business information and services specifically aimed at women entrepreneurs. The WEIs work in partnership with WD as members of the Western Canada Business Service Network. For more information on assistance available, please visit the WEI Web sites:

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How do I obtain information for Francophones on starting a business or obtaining financing?

Francophone Economic Development Organizations offer a full range of business development services to the francophone community throughout each province in Western Canada. These organizations provide information, mentoring and counselling, as well as promotion of special economic development initiatives, comparable to other WD partnership network members. For more information please visit the FEDO Web sites:

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How do I get a Business Number, business license and information on GST?

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the Goods and Services Tax and Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST). Information and on-line registration forms are available on the CRA Web site:

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Where can I find market information and community profiles?

Western Economic Diversification Canada provides access to on-line information products to help you develop your business idea, prepare a business plan and assess your entrepreneurial qualities. For more information, please refer to:

In particular, the following pages of the WD Web site contain links to help your market research and business planning:

Other federal links:

Other links:

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Where can I find information on businesses in my province?

Industry Canada maintains information on businesses throughout Canada.

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Where can I find information on Aboriginal programs?

The Aboriginal Business Service Network provides information and resources for Aboriginal entrepreneurs to improve access to capital and to establish or develop businesses. For more information, please visit:

Other links:

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How do I obtain employment with the federal government or Western Economic Diversification Canada?

The Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) posts all jobs available in the federal public service, including Western Economic Diversification Canada. For information on applying for work in the federal government, please refer to:

External Hyperlinks

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Links to documents housed on external sites will open in a new browser window. Users should be aware that information offered by non-GoC sites that are not subject to the Official Languages Act may be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question.