| Starting your own business?
Questions & Answers:
What you need to know when registering a business name:
Finding and registering a business name is one of the most important steps you will
take when starting your own business. Usually, it's the first step you take. Under
Manitoba law, you must register your business name with the Companies Office, which is a
public registry of all businesses operating in the province.
Registering a business name is only one step in starting your business, so you may have
questions about other procedures and requirements. This page gives answers to some common
questions people ask when they have decided to register their business name, rather than
incorporate. Since many of these questions concern other government offices, we have
included the names and addresses of some offices you may wish to contact. However, the
page is not intended to convey legal advice, and you may find it useful to consult a
lawyer.
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Do I have to register my business name?
Yes, this is necessary if you:
- carry on business under a name other than your own (example: ABC Plumbing)
- have a partner
- use your surname in the name of the business, but the name indicates more than one
person is involved. (example: Smith & Associates Plumbing)
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Should I register a business name or should I incorporate?
That decision is yours to make. You may want to talk to your lawyer about the
advantages or disadvantages of incorporating your business.
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How do I register my business name in Manitoba?
There are two steps to registering:
- Reserving the name:
To find out if the name you have chosen is available, you must file a Request for Name
Reservation with the Companies Office. The fee is $40. If approved, the name will be
reserved for 90 days. If it is rejected, you must choose a new name, file again and pay
another $40.To determine if there is a similar name on record before you file your name
search, you may want to look in the Yellow Pages or at the list of registered names in our
office.
- Registering the name:
File the registration forms before your reservation expires. The fee is $45. Please write
separate cheques if you are filing your Request for Business Name Reservation and the
registration forms together.
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Once my business name is registered, am I registered across Canada?
No. Your business name is registered only in Manitoba. If you are interested in doing
business in other provinces, contact our office for the addresses and phone numbers of the
Companies Offices in those provinces.
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Once my business name is registered, how often must I renew the
registration?
Your business name must be renewed every three years, or it will expire.
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What do I do if there is a change of address?
You file a Change of Address form with the Companies Office if:
- the business moves
- the owner(s) move(s)
- the mailing address changes
There is no filing fee.
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Do I need a license to operate?
Registration of your business name doesn't give you a business licence. You may have to
apply for a municipal and/or a provincial licence. The booklet Starting a Small Business
in Manitoba contains valuable information about requirements that must be met with other
provincial departments. You can obtain a copy from the Canada/Manitoba Business Service
Centre at 984-2272 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2019.
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Where do I apply for a government business loan?
Contact the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 984-2272 (1-800-665-2019) for
information about a business start loan.
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Where do I register a logo for my business?
Contact the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 984-2272 (1-800-665-2019
toll-free).
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Do I have to carry workers compensation?
Most businesses who employ workers, even on a casual basis, must register with the
Workers Compensation Board and provide coverage for their workers. Contact the board at
954-4505 (1-800-362-3340 toll-free).
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Should I wait until my business name is registered before ordering
business cards and stationary?
Yes. If, for some reason, your business name cannot be registered, the money you spent
on stationery has been wasted.
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What do I need to do to open a bank or credit union account?
A bank or credit union may ask you for a processed copy of your business name
registration form before opening an account for you. Contact your financial institution to
be sure.
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Other government offices you may wish to contact:
Information on Starting a Business/Business Start Loans
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Avenue
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B3
Phone: 984-CBSC (2272) or toll free 1-800-665-2019 TTY: 1-800-457-8466 Info-Fax:
984-5527 or toll free 1-800-665-9386 (must have a touch tone phone and fax machine to
access this service)
Fax: 983-3852
E-Mail: manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba
Direct Seller's Licence (Manitoba)
Consumers Bureau
302 - 258 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6
945-3800
1-800-782-0067 toll-free
E-mail: consumersbureau@gov.mb.ca
Fax: 945-0728
Business Licences: Winnipeg
City of Winnipeg Licence Branch
18-81 Garry Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4X3
986-6420
Fax: 986-4094
Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
Retail Sales Tax Branch
101 - 401 York Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8
945-6444
1-800-782-0318 toll-free
1-800-564-9789 toll-free
Fax: 948-2087
Workers Compensation
Employer Services
Workers Compensation Board
175 Hargrave Street, 5th Floor
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8
954-4505
1-800-362-3340 toll-free
Fax: 954-4900
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Central Excise Region, Revenue Canada
Main floor, 325 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T4
983-3918
1-800-959-5525 toll-free
Fax: 984-7002
Copyrights, Trademarks and Logos
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Avenue
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B3
Phone: 984-CBSC (2272) or toll free 1-800-665-2019 TTY: 1-800-457-8466 Info-Fax:
984-5527 or toll free 1-800-665-9386 (must have a touch tone phone and fax machine to
access this service)
Fax: 983-3852
E-Mail: manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba
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