Do I need a licence for my business?

Certain business activities require a permit or licence, generally granted by government (federal, provincial or municipal). To determine whether you need to apply for a permit or licence, enquire with the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre at (800) 567-2345, access the licensing summary at their Web site, or contact the Entrepreneurship Centre. To ensure your business complies with Ottawa's by-laws, visit the business licencing section of the City of Ottawa Web site, or consult our Business Key Contacts (PDF) for appropriate contacts.

Once you register your business name, you will receive a Master Business Licence from the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services (see "How do I legally register a business?").