In 7 weeks, businesses and not-for-profit corporations in Ontario will have direct access to government services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first time ever
Minister's message
Our government is working hard to deliver simpler, faster, and better services to all Ontarians, including Ontario businesses and not-for-profits.
On October 19, 2021, we will launch the new Ontario Business Registry. Businesses will now be able to complete over 90 transactions through the new online registry, including registering a new business and dissolving an existing one. Government services will be accessible online 24/7, with instant fulfilment and automated notices.
Ontario’s businesses and not-for-profit corporations are overdue for a new business registry that meets the needs of our modern economy and rapidly expanding digital world. Our government’s new Business Registry will help ensure businesses can access the services they need quickly and efficiently in order to reduce their costs and allow them to focus their time and energy on rebuilding from the impacts of COVID-19.
Ontario businesses and not-for-profit corporations can register to receive more information and instructions on how to access the Business Registry once it goes live.
I look forward to launching the Ontario Business Registry to help save businesses time and money and enable them to grow and flourish in our province.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Ross Romano
Minister of Government and Consumer Services
Overview
Online government services are critical, not only to individual citizens, but also to businesses and not-for-profit corporations of all sizes.
To serve Ontario better, we are launching the Ontario Business Registry, which will offer simpler, faster, and more convenient access for organizations that are registered, incorporated or licensed to carry on business in Ontario.
This new online registry will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will make it easy to interact with the government. Businesses and not-for-profit corporations will be able to complete over 90 transactions through the new online registry, including registering a new business and dissolving an existing one.
Sign up
As the launch date approaches, we will update this page and email you with information you’ll need to access the new registry.
Sign up to receive emails with the latest information.
Law, accounting and search firms
When the new registry launches, intermediaries like law and accounting firms will continue to complete transactions on behalf of businesses and not-for-profits via authorized Service Providers or by mail.
Qualified intermediaries
The following qualified intermediaries will also have the ability to complete transactions by email:
- lawyers and paralegals governed by the Law Society of Ontario
- Chartered Professional Accountants governed by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
- law clerks filing under the direction and guidance of a lawyer governed by the Law Society of Ontario
- members of OAPSOR (Ontario Association of Professional Searchers of Records) who regularly file with the ministry on behalf of corporations and other entities, law firms and accounting firms
In the future, qualified intermediaries will be able to complete transactions directly in the Ontario Business Registry.
Service counters
Starting October 18, the Toronto ServiceOntario counter located at 375 University Avenue will be closing, and service counters across the province will no longer endorse articles submitted under the Business Corporations Act.
Note: qualified intermediaries that need documents processed urgently will be able to visit the Toronto ServiceOntario counter located at 375 University Avenue, by appointment only.
Annual return
The Corporations Information Act annual return process has changed.
- As of May 7, 2021, the annual return forms are no longer available for download from Canada.ca.
- As of May 15, 2021, the annual return can no longer be filed with the Canada Revenue Agency.
- As of May 15, 2021 and until the Ontario Business Registry launches on October 19, 2021, corporations are exempted from the annual return filing requirement, if the return is due during this period. Find out more information about the regulation.
We will update this section as more information is available.
Contact us
Contact us by email if you have questions about signing up for the new Ontario Business Registry. Alternatively, you can call ServiceOntario at: