Regulatory and Licensing Agencies Info-Guide

The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations and identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in this Info-Guide, the list is, by no means, exhaustive. Further information on any of the programs or services in this document can be obtained by calling the numbers listed with each program or by calling the Canada Business NWT. This document is only meant as a guide and should not be considered all-inclusive; therefore, the Canada Business NWT will not accept responsibility for business decisions made with the information provided.

To start a new business, there are a number of government regulations and legal requirements to fulfil. The following are those agencies that must be contacted .

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)
If you employ workers or carry on a business in the Northwest Territories you must register with the WCB regardless of your home jurisdiction. All employers who carry on business in the Northwest Territories even temporarily must register withink 10 days of commencing opertion. No industries are exempt from WCB requirements.

The WCB can also provide guidance on issues regarding Occupational Health and Safety.

Employer Services
5022 - 49 St. (3rd Flr. Centre Square Mall)
P.O. Box 888
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R3
Toll Free: 1-800-661-0792
Tel: (867) 920-3888
Fax: (867) 873-4596
Email: yellowknife@wcb.nt.ca
Web site: http://www.wcb.nt.ca

Business License
If you intend to establish your business within a community that has Hamlet, Village, Town or City status you must obtain a business licence from the local municipal office. These same offices also administer permits for bingos, lotteries, casinos and raffles.

If you intend to establish a business in a community that does not have municipal by-laws you must obtain a business license from Consumer Affairs, a division of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Consumer Affairs also administers permits for bingos, lotteries, casinos raffles, direct sellers and collection agents for communities without a municipal office.

More details can be obtained by writing or calling:
Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7125
Fax: (867) 920-6343
Web site: http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/forms/forms.html

Registering Your Business
All businesses, societies and cooperatives operating in the Northwest Territories must be registered with the Department of Justice. A business from outside of the Territories must also register an Extra Territorial Business Registration.

More details can be obtained by writing or calling:
Legal Registries
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 920-8987
Toll Free: 1-877-743-3302
Fax: (867) 873-0243
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/CorporateRegistry

Business Number (BN)
The Business Number is a numbering system that simplifies and streamlines the way businesses deal with government. Not all businesses require a BN. You only need a BN if you require one of the following accounts:

More details can be obtained on line or by calling the Canada Revenue Agency.

Toll Free: 1-800-959-5525
Fax: (403) 990-7188
Web site: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/business

Northwest Territories Payroll Tax
The Payroll Tax is a 2% tax on income that employers must collect from their employees. Any business operating in the Northwest Territories must register for this tax within 21 days of paying an employee. More details can be obtained by writing or calling the Taxation Division of the Department of Finance.

Taxation Division
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Toll Free: 1-800-661-0820
Tel: (867) 920-3410
Fax: (867) 873-0325

Business Incentive Policy (BIP)
The BIP is a procurement policy affecting Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) contracting activities. The GNWT extends an incentive (bid adjustment) to registered Northern businesses so that they can provide goods and services to the GNWT and the general public at reasonable prices. More details can be obtained by writing or calling the Investment, Tourism and Industry office in your regional BIP Monitoring office or by visiting the website at:

http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/iea/bip/index.htm

Labour Standards
When starting a business it is important to know the regulations that affect how employers deal with their employees. The Labour Standards Act sets out the rights and responsibilities, minimum requirements and fundamental principles of employment standards.

More details can be obtained from the Labour Services division of the Department of Justice at:
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7486
Toll Free: 1-888-700-5707 (Canada wide)
Fax: (867) 873-0483

Fire Safety Issues
For fire and general safety requirements for your business establishment, contact the Fire Marshall located in Yellowknife.

Emergency Services
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7469
Fax: (867) 873-0260

Health Requirements
When starting a business involving food products, child care, accommodation or any other personal service it is important to know the health regulations involved. A health inspection of the business premises is necessary before being issued a business license. Health Inspectors are located in Yellowknife, Hay River and Inuvik. Each is responsible for the communities in their regions. For more information and to arrange for an inspection contacy your local Health Authority.
http://www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/content/About_HSS/hss_authorities.asp

In Yellowknife:
Environmental Health
Health Promotion and Protection
Stanton Territorial Health Authority
#102 - 5204 - 50 Avenue
Yellowknife, NT X1A 1E2
Tel: (867) 669-8979

Liquor Issues
If you intend to serve liquor in your business establishment (dining room, cocktail lounge, guestrooms, canteens, aircraft and ship licenses) contact the Liquor Enforcement Officer in Hay River at:

Toll Free: 1-800-351-7770
Tel: (867) 874-2906
Fax: (867) 874-6011

Tobacco Issues
If you intend to sell tobacco products in your business establishment contact the Department of Finance in Yellowknife.

Tax Administration
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7526

Consumer Complaints and Inquiries
Consumer Affairs handles consumer complaints, consumer education and other consumer services designed to protect the public from unscrupulous business operators. For more information contact:

Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7125
Fax: (867) 920-6343

Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission investigates, mediates and adjudicates complaints of discrimination made by residents of the Northwest Territories in all areas (i.e. employment, accommodations, services and facilities).

Human Rights Commission of the NWT
Government of the Northwest Territories
1st Floor, Laing Building
Yellowknife, NT
Toll Free: 1-888-669-5575
Tel: (867) 669-5575

Wildlife, Guide, Outfitter and Tourism Permits and Licences

The following permits and licences are available through regional offices of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

The following permits and licences are available through regional offices of Environment and Natural Resources.

Land Titles
The Land Titles Act permits the filing of plans of survey of Crown lands and their subsequent registration of a grant from the Crown to a person or entity. The Land Titles office also registers transfers of ownership, mortgages, leases, easements, caveats, powers of attorney, writs of execution, mechanics' liens, plans of subdivision and condominiums. More details can be obtained by writing or calling the Land Titles office.

Land Titles
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Toll Free: 1-877-743-3301
Tel: (867) 873-7491
Fax: (867) 873 -0243

Rental Office
The Residential Tenancies Act is administer through the Rental Office and gives the Rental Officer specific powers and duties to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants..

Rental Office
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Toll Free: 1-800-61-0760
Tel: (867) 920-8047
Fax: (867) 873-0489

Employment Issues
If you require assistance with Record of Employment, Social Insurance Number, Employment Insurance, and any other employment related questions contact your local Canada Service Centre. 1-800-622-6232.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.