Starting a Business in a First Nation Community - Info-Guide

The Starting a Business in a First Nation Community Info-Guide has been prepared by the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre with input from affiliated Federal and Provincial departments and agencies and First Nations Community Economic Development Officers to provide you with a list of common steps and issues to consider in carrying out your project.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Business Plan  
2. First Nation Band Policies and Procedures  
3. Taxation 
4. Business Registration
5. Labour Legislation & Employment Standards  
6. Permits and Licenses  
7. Promotion and Advertising
8. Legal Information
9. Other Resources

1. The Business Plan

A business plan is a written document outlining the overall activities of your business. It describes what you intend to accomplish and how you plan to organize your resources in order to meet your goals.

A well-written business plan is crucial for a successful business and will encourage you, the entrepreneur, to be realistic. It will help identify your customers, your market area, your pricing strategy and the competitive conditions under which you must operate to succeed. You will also need a well-organized business plan if you are to attract investors, obtain financing or preserve the confidence of your creditors.

Your management abilities will surface when you commit your plans to paper. The business plan will become your road map to operate your business and measure progress along the way. It should be written in such a way that it could be used as a working tool to continue guiding you throughout your business venture.

Writing and assembling a business plan will take a lot of time and research. It has to be done when you first start your business and updated regularly to keep up with the development of your business. It is a living, growing plan that is flexible and can track and respond to change. This working document can be produced with the assistance of outside advisers but remember, it's ultimately your working document and must reflect your ideas. The plan should become part of your management routine.

Business Plan Guide

The Business Plan Guide is a fact sheet intended to assist entrepreneurs in writing a business plan for the establishment, or purchase or expansion of an existing business. For more information, please see the document Business Plan Guide.

Interactive Business Planner

The Canada Business Service Centres offer an Interactive Business Plan (IBP), which assists entrepreneurs in preparing a 3-year business plan for their new or existing business. For additional information, please see the document Interactive Business Planner (IBP).

Economic Development Officers

Economic Development Officers are located in each First Nation community to provide advice and support to develop your business plan. To find the officer in your community, consult your local First Nation band or contact:

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): 1-888-576-4444
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: cbns@canadabusiness.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/ns

2. First Nation Band Policies and Procedures

Band policies and community by-laws may have an impact on the development of your business. It is important to be aware of such things as zoning by-laws and land possession policies, which may differ from community to community. Consult your local First Nation band council to find out what specific federal or provincial agreements and local by-laws and policies currently exist within your First Nation community.

Community By-laws and Land Usage

The Chief and Council hold the right to develop community by-laws with the power to establish zones in First Nation communities. Zoning by-laws may place restrictions on certain types of development on First Nation land. These zones may restrict the development, in certain locations, of commercial, residential, farming, or manufacturing land development. Community by-laws may include the prohibition of construction or maintenance of any class of buildings or the carrying on of any class of business, trade or calling in any zone.

Band Council Resolution

A Band Council Resolution is a recorded decision made by a First Nation band council. This decision requires the support of a majority of the Chief and councillors at a meeting of the council. A Band Council Resolution is required to pass or approve many decisions made by a First Nation band, including the allotment of land in First Nation communities.

Certificate of Possession

In order to lawfully be in possession of First Nation land, your band council must allot a portion of land to you. Under section 20.1 of the Indian Act, a Certificate of Possession can be issued showing an individual's right to possession of land and ownership of property. If you do not have a Certificate of Possession, a Band Council Resolution may be required to obtain one.

Certificate of Occupation

Where a Certificate of Possession is withheld, a Certificate of Occupation may be issued under section 20.5 of the Indian Act. A Certificate of Occupation entitles an individual to temporary occupation of a piece of First Nation land.

For more information, please contact:

Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: 902-661-6200
Fax: 902-661-6237
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

3. Taxation

GST/HST and Aboriginal People

The HST combines the provincial retail sales taxes (PST) with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). This harmonization is an important development for small business, which have to apply the HST at a single rate of 13%. If your worldwide revenues from taxable goods and services are over $30,000 in any four consecutive calendar quarters, you will have to register your business for the HST.

Under section 87 of the Indian Act, the personal property of an Indian or band situated on a reserve are not subject to tax. This tax-exempt status is statutory and is limited to registered or status Indians, First Nation bands and band-empowered entities only. Guidelines taking into consideration the section 87 tax exemption are in place to direct the application of HST by Aboriginal business in Nova Scotia.

For information pertaining to the application of GST/HST and how the section 87 tax exemption contained within the Indian Act may affect your business, visit the Indians, Indian bands, and band-empowered entities section of the CRA Web site or contact

Business Information Service
Canada Revenue Agency
333 Laurier Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L9
Telephone: (613) 957-8109
Fax: (613) 957-8130
Toll-free (information): 1-800-959-5525 (Business Enquiries and Registrations)
Toll-free (publications): 1-800-959-2221 (Forms and Publications)
Web site: http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html

See the document GST/HST and Indians

First Nations Tax Commission

The First Nations Tax Commission provides advice and assistance to First Nation communities on general tax policy and real property taxation.

For more information, visit the Web site http://www.fntc.ca/

Corporate Income Tax

Under the Income Tax Act, all corporations have to file a T2 or T2 Short return, even if there is no tax payable. This includes non-profit organizations, tax-exempt corporations and inactive corporations. The only exception to this rule is a corporation that was a registered charity throughout the year.

For more information, see the document Income Tax Returns - the T2 Corporate Income Tax Return and the T2 Short Return or contact:

Business Information Service
Canada Revenue Agency
333 Laurier Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L9
Telephone: (613) 957-8109
Fax: (613) 957-8130
Toll-free (information): 1-800-959-5525 (Business Enquiries and Registrations)
Toll-free (publications): 1-800-959-2221 (Forms and Publications)
Web site: http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html

4. Business Registration

At the onset of your business, you have to decide on how you will register. You have different options: operating as a sole proprietor, operating as a partnership or incorporating as a corporation. Your business can be incorporated provincially and/or federally. If the business will be operated primarily in one province, then provincial incorporation may be desirable. If the business will be operated in a number of provinces, then federal incorporation may be desirable. If you incorporate federally you must also register with the province in order to do business in Nova Scotia.

For more information on the different types of business registration, see Online Small Business Workshop, session 5.

Note: Each form of business registration has its advantages and disadvantages. Before making a decision on the type of registration for your business, you are advised to consult an accountant and/or a lawyer. They will be able to help you decide the type of registration that will best suit your business.

Provincial registration

Sole Proprietorship

One person performs all the functions required to operate the business successfully. The proprietor is held personally liable for the debts, obligations or acts of the business. The section 87 Indian Act tax exemption will usually apply to a status Indian who registers their business as a proprietorship, and where the business is conducted and located in a First Nation community. The proprietor is said to be self-employed.

Partnership

Two or more people combine their talents and resources to conduct business. Responsibility for all aspects of the business is usually shared among the partners, regardless of the amount of capital contributed by each individual. Each partner is also responsible for debts incurred by the other partner(s) within the limit of the business. Another form of partnership is a Limited Partnership - a legal partnership where some owners assume responsibility up to the amount invested.

If the business is conducted and located in a First Nation community, as a status Indian, your share of the partnership income will usually be exempt from taxation under section 87 of the Indian Act.

Corporation

A Nova Scotia incorporated corporation has the capacity to carry on business inside and outside of Nova Scotia. Both small and large corporations, including multi-national corporations, are incorporated under the laws of Nova Scotia.

A Nova Scotia corporation that wishes to conduct business in another province or country may be required to register in that province or country. It should be noted that a Nova Scotia corporation is not required to register as an extra-provincial corporation under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia in order to do business in Nova Scotia. Other registration may be required in Nova Scotia depending on the activities of the corporation in that province.

The formation of a corporation creates a separate legal entity distinct from its shareholders. A corporation generally has all of the powers and capacity of an individual person; however, an Aboriginal-owned corporation usually is not extended the section 87 Indian Act tax exemption regardless of ownership or location of the business.

A number of characteristics distinguish corporations from a partnership or proprietorship:

Limited Liability:
Normally no shareholder can be held personally liable for the debts, acts or obligations of the corporation beyond the amount of share capital the shareholder has invested.

Perpetual Secession:
Because the corporation is a separate legal entity, its existence does not depend on the continued membership of any of its shareholders.

Shareholders:
Shareholder changes are easily made, as ownership of shares in the corporation may be sold without affecting the corporation's existence or its operations.

Federal Incorporation

If a decision is made to incorporate, this is usually done provincially. However, if the company will carry on business outside of Nova Scotia, it may be advantageous to incorporate federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act, which allows the company to do business anywhere in Canada. A federal corporation, when carrying on business in another province or country, may be required to register in that province or country in order to do business.

Once registered as a federal corporation, your business will usually not be extended the section 87 tax exemption as your corporation will be considered a separate entity, and as such, not considered a registered Indian. You may wish to seek legal advice on whether to incorporate provincially or federally.

Note: Where a federally incorporated corporation carries on business in Nova Scotia, it must register as an extra-provincial corporation in Nova Scotia. For more information on extra-provincial registration visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rjsc/register/reg-epc.asp

For more information on Federal incorporation, see the document Federal Business Incorporation - Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA)

The Canada Business Corporations Act can be accessed at the following Web site:
http://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incd-dgc.nsf/en/home?OpenDocument

Choosing a Name for your Business

Once you have determined the legal structure of your business, there is another important step to take: choosing a name for your business. The name should be short and easy to remember. It should tell your customers who you are.

Once you have decided on a form of business and on a name for your business, you will normally need to register your business with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

If you intend to operate as a sole proprietor or partnership or incorporate as a corporation, or to obtain more information about the above-mentioned subjects, please see the document Naming Your Business or contact:

Registry of Joint Stock Companies
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
9th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
P. O. Box 1529
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3K5
Telephone: (902) 424-7770
Fax: (902) 424-4633
Toll-free (information): 1-800-670-4357
E-mail: joint-stocks@gov.ns.ca
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rjsc/

Please consult the following documents for additional information on business registration:
Registry of Joint Stock Companies
Federal and Provincial Incorporation

Business Number (BN)

The Business Number (BN) is a reference numbering system that replaces the multiple numbers businesses once required to deal with government. New businesses will be issued their BNs when they register for one of the following four accounts that include the BN:

- corporate income tax
- importer/exporter account number
- payroll deductions
- goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST)

A sample BN might be 12345 6789 RP1234. The first nine (9) digits are the registration number. This registration number will stay the same no matter how many or what types of accounts a business has. The next six (6) digits identify the account, as follows:

RC - Corporate Income Tax
RM - Importer / Exporter Account Number
RP - Payroll Deductions
RT - GST / HST

For more information, see the document Business Number - BN  or contact:

Business Information Service
Canada Revenue Agency
333 Laurier Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L9
Telephone: (613) 957-8109
Fax: (613) 957-8130
Toll-free (information): 1-800-959-5525 (Business Enquiries and Registrations)
Toll-free (publications): 1-800-959-2221 (Forms and Publications)
Web site: http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html

Importer/Exporter Account Number

All Canadian individuals or businesses importing or exporting on a commercial basis must get a BN in order to account for their goods. Foreign-based or non-resident importers must also get a BN.

For more information, see the document Importer/Exporter Account Number.

5. Labour Legislation & Employment Standards

If you have employees, you will need information on payroll requirements and employment standards such as paid holidays, vacation leave, minimum wage, etc. Separate federal and provincial labour legislation exists, therefore it is important to determine which legislation may apply to your business.

Determining who has Labour Legislation jurisdiction over your business can be complicated and is best left to the appropriate federal or provincial department. You are encouraged to contact the appropriate department to see under which jurisdiction your business may fall, as jurisdiction is often determined on a case-by-case basis.

Holidays with Pay

The Labour Standards Code gives qualifying employees five holidays with pay: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day. A separate law covers Remembrance Day.

For more information, please visit the Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/employmentrights/holidaypay.asp 

Workplace Safety

Employers must be aware of their obligations with regard to ensuring the safety of their employees. Both federal and provincial workplace safety organizations have been established to help employers create and maintain a safe working environment.

Your business may be required to register, affiliate or follow the guidelines set out by either the provincial or federal health and safety organization. Workplace safety jurisdiction is often determined on a case-by-case basis. You are encouraged to contact your local health and safety organization to determine under which jurisdiction your business may fall.

Note: As a general rule, where provincial labour legislation applies, provincial health and safety regulations should apply. Conversely, where federal labour legislation applies, federal health and safety regulations should apply.

Provincial information

Employers in First Nation communities, with three or more persons in their employ, full-time or part-time, may have to register with the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.

For additional information, see the document Workers' Compensation Board or contact:

Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
5668 South Street
P.O. Box 1150
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2Y2
Telephone: 902-491-8999 (general) or 902-491-8324 (employer services)
Fax: 902-491-8002
Toll-free (information): 1-800-870-3331
E-mail: info@wcb.gov.ns.ca
Web site: http://www.wcb.ns.ca

Federal information

For federal occupational health and safety criteria and regulations, please contact:

Regional and Halifax District Office
Labour Program
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
8th Floor
99 Wyse Road
P.O. Box 1350
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B2Y 4B9
Fax: 902-426-1390
Toll-free (information): 1-800-641-4049
Web site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

Home-based Business

Operating a business from home may require complying with zoning by-laws on property use and development in your area. In many jurisdictions, zoning approval could be required for certain businesses.

Please refer to First Nation Band Policies and Procedures, Community By-laws and Land Usage and Development and Zoning By-laws sections of this document for information on by-laws that may affect the operation of your home-based business.

You may require additional licences depending on the type of business you will be operating. Please refer to Health Inspections and Licences section of this guide for more information on licensing and registration and consult your local First Nation band council to find out what specific by-laws exist or licenses may be required in your community.

Please keep in mind that home-based businesses will not be covered by regular house insurance. See the section Insurance.

Human Rights

An employer in Nova Scotia must maintain a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. The Canadian Human Rights Act and Nova Scotia Human Rights Act outline specific prohibitions against discrimination in employment, housing and public services.

Human Rights jurisdiction is regularly decided on a case-by-case basis and as such you are encouraged to contact your local Human Rights office to determine the regulations your business may have to follow. Your local Human Rights office will be able to assist you in determining if federal or provincial Human Rights regulations may apply to your business.

Provincial Information
For more information on the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, call toll-free 1-877-269-7699 or visit the Web site at: http://www.gov.ns.ca/humanrights

Halifax Office	Sydney Office
6th Floor, Joseph Howe Building	Provincial Building
1690 Hollis St. P.O. Box 2221	Prince Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3C4	Sydney, NS B1P 5L1
Tel: 902-424-4111	Tel: 902-563-2140
Fax: 902-424-0596	Fax: 902-863-5613
Digby Office	New Glasgow Office
Provincial Building	2561 Westville Road, RR #3
84 Warwick St.	P.O. Box 728
Digby, NS B0V 1A0	New Glasgow, NS B2H 5C6
Tel: 902-245-4791	Tel: 902-752-3086
Fax: 902-245-7103	Fax: 902-755-7239

Federal Information
For more information, please contact:

Canadian Human Rights Commission
Suite 504
5475 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3T2
Canada
Telephone: 902-426-8380
Fax: 902-426-2685
Toll-free (information): 1-800-999-6899
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-888-643-3304
Web site: http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca

Health Inspections and Licences

Health inspections for businesses in First Nation communities are usually conducted by Health Canada; however, the issuing of most licences and establishment of many safety guidelines affecting business are arranged at the provincial level. As an owner of a business in a First Nation community, you may wish to apply for certain licences in an effort to protect your customers.

The Occupational Health and Safety Division concentrates its efforts on safe and healthy workplaces, and work practices, and safety standards protecting the general public. For information on health and safety standards, contact an Access Nova Scotia regional office near you. For information on federal health inspections for your business in a First Nation community, contact the Atlantic office of Health Canada.

NS Department of Health
P.O. Box 488
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2R8
Telephone: 1-902-424-5818
Fax: 1-902-424-0730
Toll-free (information): 1-800-387-6665
E-mail: DOHWEB@gov.ns.ca
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/

Atlantic Region
Health Canada Regional Office - Atlantic Region
Suite 1802, 18th Floor, Maritime Centre
Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3Y6
Telephone: (902) 426-2038
Fax: (902) 426-9689
E-mail: pphatlantic-spspatlantique@hc-sc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html

6. Permits and Licenses

Government is responsible for passing laws and regulations to protect consumers. Businesses in First Nation communities may be required to observe certain prescribed laws and regulations depending on the products or services they offer. These laws and regulations may include applying for certain licences designed to protect public safety and meet standards established by government.

The issue of First Nation legislative jurisdiction is often a complicated one. Federal, provincial, municipal or band legislation may apply to you depending on the circumstances unique to your business. You are encouraged to contact the appropriate federal, provincial, municipal department and your band council or the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre in order to help you deal with the complex issue of jurisdiction.

BizPaL, a national initiative, provides you with access to regulatory business requirements from all levels of government in one place.

BizPaL walks you through a series of questions about the nature of your business and provides you with a personalized list of permits and licenses you may need to obtain, based on your responses. Currently, BizPaL provides regulation information for the municipalities of Halifax and New Glasgow. For information on regulations in another area, contact your municipality. For more information on BizPaL, visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/bizpal.

Development and Zoning By-laws

Your local band council has the authority to pass by-laws that may affect the establishment, or operation of your business in a First Nation Community. For regulations on zoning by-laws and building permits specific to your community, you will need to contact your local First Nation band council or the Registration, Revenues and Band Governance Branch of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: 902-661-6200
Fax: 902-661-6237
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

Controlled Access to Roads and Highways

If you require direct access to existing roads and highways, you are urged to contact the local municipal government for further information on controlled access to roads and highways.

You will find the telephone number in the white pages section of your telephone directory under City of..., Town of..., or Village of...

If you plan to set up your business outside municipal boundaries, you are urged to contact your local First Nation band council and Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works-controlled access regulations on controlled roads and highways:

Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works
Johnston Building
1672 Granville Street
P.O. Box 186
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2N2
Telephone: 902-424-2297
Fax: 902-424-0532
E-mail: tpwpaff@gov.ns.ca
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/

For more information on how controlled access to roads and highways may affect your business, contact the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or the Government Relations branch of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: 902-661-6200
Fax: 902-661-6237
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

SOCAN Music Licence

Generally, if you use music for the public's appreciation in your commercial permises, you need a licence from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). Examples of commercial premises where you will need a licence include restaurants, common rooms in bed & breakfast operations, retail stores, etc.

For more information, please contact:

SOCAN
Suite 802
45 Alderney Drive
Queen Square
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B2Y 2N6
Telephone: 902-464-7000
Fax: 902-464-9696
Toll-free (information): 1-800-70 SOCAN (1-800-707-6226)
Web site: http://www.socan.ca

Environmental Requirements

Whether your business is in the start-up stage, established and operating, or looking to expand, you should be aware of the potential impact your venture may have on the environment. If you plan to be involved with any product or by-product that may affect the air, water or land quality, mining, wood industry, watercourses, plants, animals, petroleum products, pesticides, etc., you should contact the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

The Lands, Environment and Natural Resources sector of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will be able to assist you in finding out what federal or provincial environmental acts, assessments, or regulations you may have to take into consideration prior to starting or expanding your business. The circumstances unique to your business will often dictate what type of environmental regulations may apply. You are urged to contact the department to determine what regulations may apply to your business and in order to ensure your business is operating safely and within the boundaries of environmental regulations.

For further information, please contact:
Atlantic Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
40 Havelock Street
P.O. Box 160
Amherst, Nova Scotia  B4H 3Z3
Telephone: 902-661-6200
Fax: 902-661-6237
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

See the documents:

Environmental Acts and Regulations - Web Site
Environmental Assessment in Canada
Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products on Federal Lands or Aboriginal Lands

7. Promotion and Advertising

Your business must attract and maintain a steady base of satisfied customers. The motive behind a purchase is usually one or more of the following: choice of merchandise or service, comfort, convenience, price, prestige, etc. But first, you have to attract the customers to your business. For this, you will have to advertise. Publicity can be either free or paid for. Naturally, free publicity is the preferred route, as long as it is positive. However, a company rarely manages to obtain enough free publicity to meet its needs.

Free publicity:
For many business owners, word-of-mouth is a great advertising tool. Satisfied customers will bring family and friends to your door and sell your products or services for you. News reports in the local newspaper or on the radio concerning the owners and employees of the business is another way to enhance your firm's public image. Be imaginative and client-oriented and you will get the coverage.

Paid publicity:
These can be either verbal or visual messages that are directed at the public for the purpose of informing and influencing them to buy or use your services. In this case, it is imperative that you decide how much you are able to invest in advertising, how frequently you will deliver your message, and by what means.

The Federal Competition Act governs misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices for all businesses in Canada. The Act defines which marketing practices are illegal and the process of complaint investigation.

For additional information, see the document Competition Act - Misleading Advertising and Deceptive Marketing Practices

8. Legal Information

Insurance

To protect your investment against serious losses from theft, fire and other misfortunes, you will need an insurance package designed for the size and type of your operation (home-based businesses will not be covered by regular house insurance).

Insurance needs for businesses vary greatly. It is best to choose an insurance agent or broker familiar with your size of business and, in particular, an agent familiar with your type of operation. If you don't have an insurance agent, it could be a wise decision to ask other business owners in your area to recommend one.

The following list is included to remind you not to overlook the complex areas of business insurance and liability. It is best, however, to discuss your specific requirements with your insurance agent.

Basic insurance:

• Life insurance (especially important in a sole proprietorship because the owner is personally liable for all debts of the company)
• Fire insurance (extended coverage on buildings and contents)
• Liability insurance (depending on type of business)
• Burglary protection (theft coverage)
• Dishonesty insurance (covers thefts by employees)
• Business interruption insurance (covers loss as a result of temporary business shutdown)

For more information, see the document Business Insurance

Bonding

Depending on the type of business you are in, you may be required (by law) to obtain bonding before you can start work. For information on bonding, please see the document Bonding or contact your local insurance agent.

Intellectual Property

What is Intellectual Property? Ideas, designs, creativity - these are key to a prosperous and thriving society. They help us to work better, to make finer products and to compete more effectively in world trade. A brisk and orderly exchange of ideas is as important to our economy as the flow of money or goods and services.

To promote this exchange, while protecting owners' rights, the Government of Canada considers certain kinds of creative endeavours as "intellectual property." You can receive legal recognition for these endeavours in much the same way as you receive title to a piece of land. In addition, the records and the documents that protect intellectual property owners' rights contain valuable information. Much of it is available to the public and may be useful to you in many ways.

For more information, please see the following documents:
Patents, Copyrights, Trade-marks or contact:

Canadian Intellectual Property Office
1575 Brunswick Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2G1
Telephone: 902-426-8604
Fax: 902-426-6530
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (Atlantic region)
1-866-997-1936 (anywhere in Canada)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-866-442-2476
E-mail: boyd.tom@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://cipo.gc.ca

Protection of Personal Information: Your Responsibilities

The Guide to Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) helps businesses understand their obligations and comply to the Act. Since January 1, 2004, the PIPED Act covers the collection, use or disclosure of personal information in the course of all commercial activities in Canada, except in provinces which have enacted legislation that is deemed to be substantially similar to the federal law.

For more information, see the document Protection of Personal Information - Your Responsibilities

9. Other Resources

Aboriginal Business Service Network

The Aboriginal Business Service Network is a network of business information sites in place to provide improved access to business information for the Aboriginal business community.

For more information, see the document Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN)

Community Business Resource Network

By developing partnerships with community-based economic development organizations, we are able to provide you access to some of our most popular resource materials at various sites across the province. The Network offers a range of popular publications and free Internet access for business-related research. The resources can assist you in the preparation of your business or marketing plans and direct you to market research material.

For more information, see the document Community Business Resource Network

Online Small Business Workshop

The Online Small Business Workshop (OSBW) is a Web-based workshop designed to provide you with techniques for developing your business idea, starting a new venture and improving your existing small business. The OSBW will assist you to visualize and develop your business. When appropriate, it will also provide you with links to provincial information. The OSBW is organized into six sessions, each focusing on a different area of business.

For additional information on the OSBW, see the document Online Small Business Workshop - OSBW.

Business Start-Up Assistant

The Business Start-Up Assistant (BSA) is a Web gateway for information on how to start a business in Canada. Organized by topic and province, the BSA provides information from government and non-government sources.

For additional information, see the document Business Start-Up Assistant (BSA)

Community Business Development Corporations

Atlantic Canada's 41 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are a strategic and effective community-based development infrastructure. There are 13 CBDCs in Nova Scotia. The programs and services they deliver are aimed at helping entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs get the information, advice, and capital they need to make their businesses succeed. CBDCs are autonomous, not-for-profit corporations supported by ACOA that service the rural regions of Atlantic Canada.

For more information, see the document Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs)

• Aboriginal Business Info-Guide

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