Canada Business

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.