Tools and Resources
We are committed to helping you find the information and resources you need to succeed in business. Browse through our informative guides and categorized information below. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact Us!
Other Business Tips and Resources
STARTING A BUSINESS
Startup Guide
Browse through this guide to find out more about the licences, permits and regulations that may apply to your business.
BUSINESS PLANNING
Business Plan Guide
Use this guide to learn what elements are considered essential in any business plan and the key points that should be included in each section of your plan.
QUICK LINKS
Below are the links to the forms needed to register your business as a legal structure only. For a complete description of the name search/registration process and a list of all other licences and regulations that may apply to your business, please refer to the Startup Guide listed above or contact us.
Sole Proprietor, Partnership or Tradename for an existing corporation
Use a credit card to register through Service Ontario’s online portal. Need help? Drop by our office or check out our step by step video.
Provincial Incorporation
Download the forms needed to incorporate provincially. No online service available.
Federal Incorporation
Download the forms needed to incorporate federally or complete the process online.
MARKET RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY BUSINESS, AND SHOULD NOT BE JUST A ONE-OFF ACTIVITY.
Successful businesses conduct research on a continual basis to keep up with market trends and to maintain a competitive edge. Regardless of whether you’re starting or expanding your business, the information you gather and analyze builds the foundation of good business decisions regarding what product or service you’ll offer, where your business should be located, how to price your product or service and how to advertise to your target market.
FREE MARKET RESEARCH REQUEST SERVICES
Secondary Market Research Service – Canada Business Ontario
Take advantage of free research services that could help you start or expand your business.
GUIDES AND TOOLS
How to Start Your Business in Sudbury
RBC Royal Bank Economics Research
Browse through analysis and forecasts of the economy and financial markets in Canada, the United States and key international markets.
SME Benchmarking Tool
Use this tool to find out how your business is doing compared to others in your sector.
SUDBURY DATA/STATISTICS
Sudbury Census Profile
Use this data to better understand the population of Greater Sudbury (or other cities) and compare it to another city, the province of Ontario or Canada.
Sudbury Health Profile
Get information on Sudbury’s health profile including health conditions, health behaviors, deaths, etc.
Sudbury Tourism
Discover local events as well as where to eat, sleep, shop and explore Greater Sudbury.
PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL DATA/STATISTICS
Demographics
Get data that sheds light on population characteristics such as location, age, income, education level, and more.
Labour and employment data
Find statistics and analysis related to the labour force, employment and income from official Canadian and international sources.
Canadian economy
Get the latest official economic indicators, which shed light on the performance of several segments of the Canadian economy.
Industry sector data
Find statistics that can help you better understand your industry, and study the latest trends that could impact your business.
Importing and exporting
Find Canadian and foreign trade statistics and other information that can help you to grow your business.
General research and statistics
Discover resources available through your local Canada Business Network Service centres, Statistics Canada, Canada’s government libraries and the United Nations.
Housing Market Information
Get up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Highway Traffic Counts
View average traffic volume information and accident rate information for each of the sections of highway under MTO jurisdiction.
FUNDING SOURCES
If you’re establishing or growing your business in Sudbury, you may be eligible for unique local or Northern Ontario incentives designed to encourage investment and job creation in the region.
Find government grants, loans and financing with the Canada Business Benefits Finder
Use this search tool to find government funding resources.
ARTICLES & RESOURCES
How to Get a Business Loan
Learn what your loan proposal should contain, what your banker looks for, common bank terms and tips to increase your chances of success.
7 deadly sins in borrowing money for your business
Avoid these common financing mistakes that could jeopardize your business’s future.
Buying a business
BDC’s advice on buying a business
Check out BDC’s advice on how to evaluate and finance the purchase of a business.
Canada Revenue Agency implications of buying a business
Find out what you need to know when you buy a business and its effects on CRA accounts/taxes.
Selling or Closing a Business
Succession Ontario
An online hub that provides centralized free resources and tools for selling and buying a small business in Ontario, with a focus on preparing businesses for smooth ownership transition.
BDC’s advice on selling your business
Find out how to sell a business and lay the groundwork for a successful transition.
Canada Revenue Agency implications of selling a business
Find out what you need to know when you sell a business and its effects on CRA accounts/taxes.
Closing your business Some things to do when closing a business include filing a final tax return, paying outstanding tax amounts, closing accounts and financing succession planning.
Considering bankruptcy
Get information on alternatives to bankruptcy and details on the process of bankruptcy, if you need to take that route.
BDC’s Financial ratio calculators
Use ratios to evaluate the performance of your business and identify potential problems. Each ratio informs you about factors such as the earning power, solvency, efficiency and debt load of your business.
BDC’s Financial Management Tips and Tools
Focus on your business’s financial health with tips and tools to help you control your finances, manage your cashflow, reduce expenses and make more profit.
GST/HST
GST/HST Information from Canada Revenue Agency
Learn the basics of GST/HST including registering, charging, collecting and remitting.
GST/HST and First Nations Peoples, First Nations bands, and band-empowered entities
Learn how GST/HST applies to goods and services purchased by/sold by First Nations People, Frist Nation bands, or band-empowered entities.
GST/HST on goods/services sold to other provinces or outside of Canada (Place of supply rules)
Learn the place of supply rules for determining whether a supply is made in a province and how GST/HST applies to the sale.
INCOME TAXES
Administers tax, benefits, and related programs for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories.
List of Business Expenses
Browse through the list of business expense items that you can claim.
Keeping Records
Learn the requirements for keeping records and supporting documents for your business.
How Payroll Works
Learn payroll steps, your responsibilities as an employer, and more.
Payroll Deductions Online Calculator
Calculate federal and provincial payroll deductions.
Income Tax Deductions
Learn your responsibilities related to deducting income tax from your employee’s income.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Learn when and how to deduct CPP contributions from an employee’s pensionable earnings.
Employment Insurance (EI)
Learn how to calculate EI deductions from your employee’s renumeration.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
Learn about your compliance responsibilities.
Workplace Health and Safety (Ministry of Labour)
Explore this website for health and safety regulations and prevention tips.
Employment Standards (Ministry of Labour)
Learn the minimum standards that employers and employees must follow.
Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP)
Learn how the ORPP will be phased in by 2020.
Your obligations when an employee leaves
Find out what your legal obligations are when it comes to an employee leaving your business, either temporarily or permanently.
Employee Management from BDC
Learn the tips to recruiting, managing and terminating employees.
MARKETING
Pricing
Learn about the three factors you should consider when setting a price for your product/service.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The E-Business Toolkit contains an introductory handbook How You Can Profit from E-Business and a series of booklets on a range of advanced e-business topics that are grouped into four theme areas.
How you can profit from e-business
Guide that demonstrates that not all e-business activities have to be complex or costly to achieve benefits. Those who are new to the world of e-business will find information and tools to help them get started.
OTHER E-BUSINESS & WEBSITE RESOURCES
Selling Online
Learn everything you need to get started in or improve online sales Find out how to get your business ready, create your website and attract customers.
Free and low-cost web analytics tools for your business
Discover the many tools available to help you track your company’s success online.
BDC’s Free Website Assessment Tool
Get professional feedback on up to 5 pages of your website.
Reporting Internet business activities to Canada Revenue Agency
Read through CRA’s tax information for businesses doing business over the Internet.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
CIPO is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada. Browse through their resources to discover the type of intellectual property that applies to you.
Canadian Copyrights Database
Search this database for all Canadian copyrights registered as of October 1, 1991.
License to play copyrighted music in your establishment
Get licensed by Entandem so you can legally and ethically play the songs your customers love hearing, while supporting creators of music.
Canada Border Services Agency
CBSA is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services. Browse through their resources for guides, checklists and reference tools related to importing and exporting.
Import-Export Program Account (Canada Revenue Agency)
If you import goods into Canada or export goods to other countries, you should register an account with the Canada Revenue Agency.
IMPORTING
Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Commercial Goods into Canada
This guide, by the Canada Border Service Agency, provides you with an overview of the commercial importing process for businesses importing goods into Canada..
EXPORTING
Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Commercial Goods from Canada
This guide, by the Canada Border Service Agency, provides you with an overview of the commercial exporting process for businesses exporting goods from Canada.
Checklist for exporting commercial goods from Canada
Use this checklist, in conjunction with the Step-by-Step Guide, to learn what you need to do before exporting goods from Canada.
Export Development Canada (EDC)
EDC provides products and services that include insurance, financing for Canadian companies and for their foreign customers, bonding solutions, as well as information on opportunities in international markets.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Registered charity vs non-profit organization
Learn the differences between the two for purposes of the Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act.
Other Useful Links
Start and Operate a Non-Profit
Starting A Non-Profit
CHARITIES
Applying for charity status
Learn if registration is right for your organization and how to apply.
Checklists for charities
Various checklists for activities, books and records, receipting, spending requirements, legal status, etc.
The Regional Business Centre offers free, personalized support to help newcomers start or grow a business in Greater Sudbury. We provide guidance on business planning, registration, permits, funding opportunities, and connections to local resources.
Please be aware that our services are focused on business development only. We are not involved in federal or legal processes related to status in Canada and there are currently no local programs that offer residency or status in Canada based on entrepreneurship.
For questions beyond business support, please consult the appropriate government department or a licensed professional.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Find out if your representative is authorized
Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBAC) services and programs are delivered locally by the Regional Business Centre and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.
