Canada Business

A Network of Cooperation: The Canada Business initiative is a cooperative arrangement among 43 federal business departments, provincial, territorial governments and, in some cases, the private sector, associations, academic and research communities.

Currently, there are thirteen Canada Business service centres - one in every province and territory. The Canada Business service centres also have a growing network of partners providing access to Canada Business information in communities across Canada.

The Canada Business National Secretariat, located in Ottawa, is responsible for supporting the Canada Business service centres and maintaining the technical network, information databases and products. It is also responsible for the Canada Business national Web site.

Eligibility Criteria

Anyone may use the services of Canada Business. However, start-up entrepreneurs and established small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in any sector will find the centres an efficient way to access government programs, services, selected regulations and sources of information.

Summary

Services

Canada Business offers a combination of products, services, publications and expert referrals to help clients get current and comprehensive business information on a wide range of topics such as writing a business plan, starting a business, finding new markets and preparing for exporting. The complexity of dealing with various levels of government is reduced by providing a single point of contact to a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations pertaining to business. In addition, each centre has an extensive business reference collection of government and non-government information for use by the business client and information officers dedicated to assisting the client.

Key Canada Business products

Interactive Business Planner (IBP): The first small business planning software designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. This interactive online tool will help you prepare a comprehensive business plan for your new or existing business.
Online Small Business Workshop: A Web-based workshop that provides techniques and information for developing your business idea, starting, marketing and financing a new venture and improving an existing small business.
Info-Guides: Brief overviews describing services and programs organized by topic (e.g., exporting, electronic commerce). Info-Guides are available free of charge from the Canada Business service centres or on the Web.
Business Information System (BIS): A national collection of databases of federal and provincial/territorial information. The BIS contains up-to-date, bilingual descriptions of more than 1000 federal business programs, services and selected regulations from the 37 federal departments and agencies. An equivalent collection of provincial/territorial programs and services is added at each centre. BIS documents are available free of charge from the Canada Business service centres or on the Web.
Business Start-Up Assistant (BSA): A Web site that consolidates essential information required by anyone wishing to launch a successful business. It combines start-up information from Canada Business, the federal and provincial governments, the community and many other sources. Information is organized by topics such as market assessment, financing, taxation, writing a business plan, and many others - all critical to starting a new business.

Service Delivery Modes

Canada Business delivers services through four different modes:

Telephone: Call our Toll-free centres and speak to a business information officer who will direct you to the best sources of information or refer you to programs and services relevant to your business situation. Some Centres have optional recorded answers to frequently asked questions to speed up service.
The Web: The Canada Business Web site contains information on programs, services and selected regulations of participating federal and provincial agencies. The Web site is continually updated with new material and useful links to other Web sites.
E-mail: You can also send us your questions via e-mail from the Web site.
In Person: The Canada Business service centres offer an extensive collection of business-related publications, directories, leading-edge business products (e.g., videos, CD-ROMs) and access to external databases. Business clients can use these materials on their own or with the help of a business information officer. The Canada Business service centres have arrangements with existing business service organizations in communities across Canada to provide Canada Business information. Contact the Canada Business service centre to find the location in your community.

Service Standards

Canada Business continuously strives for cost effective and user-friendly ways to make business information easily accessible to the small business community in Canada.

Our commitment to service means:

Canada Business services are available to anyone and core services are free of charge (Some Centres may offer some enhanced local services for a fee).
Service is delivered in each province and territory.
Service is provided in the official language of your choice.
We strive to make our services known to you.
Clients are treated with courtesy and respect.
We provide current information on federal and provincial government business-related products, programs, services and regulations. This information is accurate, helpful, relevant and timely.
The majority of enquiries are responded to within one business day upon receipt of a request in person, by telephone, fax, mail or Internet. Responses are provided through your preferred method of communication.
If we are unable to provide an answer within one business day, we will provide you with an estimate of the time required to get back to you with an answer.
If you must be referred, we will provide you with the telephone number of the contact who will best assist you. We encourage you to report back on unsuccessful referrals.
Information Documents: The top 50 federal documents in our business information database are updated monthly and the remainder of the federal documents are updated every 9-12 months.
Telephone Service: Available free of charge, generally from 9:00 - 5:00 Monday to Friday (except on holidays as they apply in each province). For exact service times, contact the centre in your province or territory. TTY available for hearing impaired.
Web site: Available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, except during periods of system maintenance. Broken links brought to our attention will be fixed immediately.

If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with Canada Business services, we encourage you to let us know and we will do our best to promptly correct the problem. We are committed to providing quality information to the business community. Your feedback is important to us. Send us your comments or questions.

Alberta Contact(s):
The Business Link Business Service Centre
Suite 100
10237 - 104 Street N.W.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1B1
Telephone: 780-422-7722
Fax: 780-422-0055
Toll-free (information): 1-800-272-9675
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: buslink@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/alberta
Hours of operation: Monday - Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

British Columbia Contact(s):
Small Business BC
601 West Cordova Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2G1
Telephone: (604) 775-5525
Fax: (604) 775-5520
Toll-free (information): 1-800-667-2272 (B.C. Region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 711 (long distance charges accepted)
E-mail: comments@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/

Manitoba Contact(s):
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B3
Canada
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Canada/New Brunswick Business Service Centre
Ground Floor, Barker House
570 Queen Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 6Z6
Telephone: 506-444-6140
Fax: 506-444-6172
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: cbscnb@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nb
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday - except Government holidays

Newfoundland & Labrador Contact(s):
Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre
90 O'Leary Avenue
P.O. Box 8687
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 3T1
Telephone: (709) 772-6022
Fax: (709) 772-6090
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in the Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: info@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nl
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Canada/NWT Business Service Centre
8th Floor
701, 5201 - 50th Avenue
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 3S9
Telephone: 867-873-7960
Fax: 867-873-0573
Toll-free (information): 1-800-661-0599
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: yel@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nwt

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre
1575 Brunswick Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2G1
Telephone: 902-426-8604
Fax: 902-426-6530
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: halifax@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/ns

Nunavut Contact(s):
Canada-Nunavut Business Service Centre
Hamlet Office
P.O. Box 16
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut X0B 0C0
Telephone: (867) 983-2337
Fax: (867) 983-2193
Toll-free (information): 1-877-499-5199
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: cnbsc@gov.nu.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nunavut

Ontario Contact(s):
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC)
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W7
Telephone: (416) 775-3456
Fax: (416) 954-8597
Toll-free (information): 1-800-567-2345 (in Ontario)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: ontario@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cobsc.org/en

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Canada / PEI Business Service Centre
75 Fitzroy Street
P.O. Box 40
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 7K2
Telephone: (902) 368-0771
Fax: (902) 566-7377
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in the Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: pei@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/pe
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Quebec Contact(s):
Info entrepreneurs
380 St-Antoine Street West, local 6000
Montréal, Quebec H2Y 3X7
Telephone: 514 496-4636
Fax: 514 496-5934 Toll Free / Sans frais 1 888 417-0442
Toll-free (information): 1-800-322-4636
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: infoentrepreneurs@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.infoentrepreneurs.org
Hours of operation:
Regulars Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Summer Hours: (from June 25 to Labour Day) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Documentation Centre (Library) Hours for On-Site Research: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
business infosource
Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre
#2 - 345 Third Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1M6
Telephone: (306) 956-2323
Fax: (306) 956-2328
Toll-free (information): 1-800-667-4374 (Anywhere in Canada)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466 (Anywhere in Canada)
E-mail: saskatchewan@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/sask

Yukon Contact(s):
Canada-Yukon Business Service Centre
Suite 101
307 Jarvis Street
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2H3
Telephone: (867) 633-6257
Fax: (867) 667-2001
Toll-free (information): 1-800-661-0543
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: yukon@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/yukon