Business Information

Following are some useful contacts and web sites.

Starting Business in BC
Canada/British Columbia Business Services: On-line business workshop, various on-line government publications, BC Industry Profiles, Interactive Business Planner, international trading and monthly seminar schedule for business people. It also provides the local business community with excellent business resource facilities.

Business Start-up Assistance: Your gateway to government business information. Information available by region or by business topic.

Registering a Business
BC Corporate Registry: The legal framework and documents for the incorporation, registration, maintenance and dissolution of companies.

One Stop Business Registration: Introductory information regarding an easy-to-use registration system with one visit to a single location near you.

Taxation
Canada Revenue Agency: Official federal taxation information website.

Consumer Taxation Branch: Information on Provincial Sales Tax, Hotel Room Tax, Motor Fuel Tax and Tobacco Tax for retail sales and some service sectors.

Becoming an Employer
Employers Online: All the necessary Human Resource information you would need as an employer.

Employment Standards in BC: Check out minimum wage, working hours, vacation and other employment related regulations in BC.

Market Information
Invest British Columbia: Find out why British Columbia has many advantages as a business location.

BC Community Profiles: Comprehensive information by region to assist potential investor in BC.

BC Stats: Useful statistics, particularly about the province of BC, including population, economy, labour and market reports.

Statistics Canada: Canadian statistics and "Community Profiles" available regarding population, education, health, culture, economy, and main industries.

Trade Data Online: Latest trade data available for particular products between Canada or a province and a particular country or a trading zone as well as listings of top 25 Canadian products that have been traded with a particular location.

Company Directories
BC Manufacturers Directory: Manufacturers in BC featuring over 3,000 types of products, provided by BC Stats.

BC Technology Industries Association (BCTIA): This association is the largest and most influential association representing BC's technology industry. It has 350 member companies spanning from Biotechnology, Power Technology to Information Technology.

Canadian Company Capabilities: A list of over 50,000 enterprises with detailed information. It is a particularly good source to find Canadian exporters aiming for specific countries.

Trade Shows
BC Trade Shows:(PDF) Downloadable listing of trade shows happening in BC during the period of 2003-2004.

Trade Shows in the world: A private website for the upcoming trade show information all over the world.