How to Open a Small Business in Alberta

Opening a small business in Alberta, Canada ranges in ease from no effort to moderately easy, depending on the business structure you select. The differences in structure are based on the number of owners involved and the amount of liability they wish to expose themselves to.
All businesses registrations are done through the authorized service providers. They charge the government fees and fees for the services provided. The Alberta website advises shopping around as the fees charged by the authorized service providers vary widely.

Things You'll Need

• List of owners names and addresses
• List of limitations or restrictions

Instructions

Sole Proprietorship

1. 

   Partnerships

   The simplest business structure possible in Alberta is the sole proprietor format. If a sole proprietor operates the business under his own name (John Smith, carpenter for example) he is not required to register the business with the Provence. If he is using a business name or Doing Business As (DBA), (JS Carpentry for example) he is required to register the name with the authorized service provider. A sole proprietor is liable for all actions of the business.

2. 

   Corporations

   All partnerships must be registered with the authorized service providers. Full partnerships share equally in profits, expenses, and liabilities. Limited partners vary their profits and exposures to the degree set out in a partnership agreement. The agreement is set out in the initial filing but can be amended later.

3. 

   Registering

   Corporations can be single-owner or shares can be sold to the public. Canadian corporations provide no protection from liability unless they are "limited". The limited or an appropriate abbreviation must be included in the name.

4. The authorized service provider will do a NUANS check to make sure the business name you have selected is not already in use. They will then record the business structure you have selected, including owners' names and addresses, any limitations on partners, or corporate structures.
   After completing the forms and collecting their fee, the authorized service provider will issue a registration number. The company is effective immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to registering business, Alberta requires certain professions to be licensed by the Consumer Services department. The link to the list is provided below.

References

• Guide to starting business in Alberta
• Business Registries in Alberta
• Consumer Services License list