Looking to start your own business in the stunning province of Alberta but aren’t sure where to begin? You’re in the right place. At Little Dragon Media, we’ve been helping Alberta entrepreneurs take their first steps for years, from business registration to launching marketing initiatives with services like Google Ads and SEO.

---

NOTE: To Register Your Business in Alberta, we recommend Ownr by RBC. Check out our review of Ownr for more details.

---

Starting and registering a new business in Alberta, Canada, involves several steps to ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal regulations. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you launch your Alberta-based business, whether you’re in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer or anywhere else in AB:

Choose an Alberta Business Structure

Choosing the right business structure impacts taxes, liability, and other legal obligations. If you’re unsure, consult a business lawyer or accountant. Common business structures in the Wild Rose Country include:

• Sole Proprietorship: You are personally responsible for all aspects of the business, including income and losses.
• Partnership: Two or more individuals share responsibilities and profits.
• Corporation: Creates a separate legal entity, where the corporation pays taxes, and shareholders pay personal taxes on dividends.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Allows profits to pass through to owners’ tax returns, providing liability protection with simplified taxes.

Business Name Registration

Choose a unique business name and check its availability with the Alberta Corporate Registry or NUANS system. If your business name is different from your legal name, you’ll need to register it. Also, consider securing a domain name for your website, ideally with .com or .ca, depending on your target audience.

If you’re targeting customers strictly in Alberta or Canada, I recommend a dot ca. If you are planning to expand to the U.S. or internationally, I’d go with a dot com.

Register for a GST Number

Businesses with annual revenues over $30,000 must register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This registration is essential for managing taxes on sales within Alberta and Canada.

Obtain a Business License

In Alberta, business licensing varies by municipality. It’s essential to confirm requirements for your business type and location to avoid penalties. Key points:

• Local Regulations: Requirements may differ by city, such as Edmonton or Calgary.
• Business Type: Certain businesses (e.g., food services, health, construction) often have additional licensing needs.

Business Number (BN)

If you’re hiring employees or plan to engage in certain regulated activities, you’ll need a Business Number (BN) from the CRA for use across tax and payroll accounts.

Register with WCB Alberta

Employers in Alberta must register with the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) if they hire employees. This insurance coverage protects employees from work-related injuries or illnesses.

Open a Business Bank Account

To streamline financial management and simplify tax preparation, open a dedicated business bank account separate from your personal finances.

Pro Tip: Consider hiring a part-time accountant or bookkeeping service to help with monthly financial records, starting as low as a few hundred dollars a month. This is something I personally wish I had done in the first year of opening my business, as it ended up costing me a lot of money (and stress!) to manage my finances by myself.

Register for Payroll Deductions (if applicable)

For employers, payroll deductions are essential. Register with the CRA to handle income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI) deductions for employees.

Register for Import/Export (if applicable)

If your business involves trade, you may need to register with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and secure the necessary permits.

Comply with Health and Safety Regulations

Depending on your type of business, complying with Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations is important for maintaining a safe and legally compliant workplace, especially if you are starting a restaurant, healthcare related or food-based business.

New Alberta employers must identify and mitigate workplace hazards, provide adequate safety training, and establish protocols for emergency responses and incident reporting. Your employees have the right to be informed about potential hazards, participate in safety activities, and refuse unsafe work without retaliation.

For many businesses, creating a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is required to promote ongoing safety improvements and ensure adherence to OHS standards. Through these measures, businesses help protect employees and foster a safe, productive work environment.

Get Business Insurance

Don’t disregard insurance for your business! Many companies have been ruined by lawsuits and other issues that could have been covered by a proper insurance policy.

I recommend you consider various forms of business insurance, such as liability or property coverage, to safeguard your assets and mitigate risks. We’ve discussed business insurance options extensively on this website. If you’re looking for a userfriendly and comprehensive business insurance policy, we recommend Zensurance, but we encourage you to compare prices and policies from different providers.

---

Alberta New Business FAQ

Who can register a business in Alberta?
Anyone 18 or older, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and non-residents, can register a business in Alberta.

Do I need to register my business in Alberta?
Registration is required if you earn over $30,000 annually, operate under a business name distinct from your personal name, or if you form a partnership or corporation.

How long does it take to register?
Sole proprietorships and partnerships can usually be registered within a day online, while corporations may take 1-5 days.

How do I register my business name?
You’ll need a unique business name, conduct a name search, and register it if you’re not using your legal name.

What are Alberta’s business structures?
Alberta supports sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and other structures like Limited Partnerships (LP) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP).

Where can I get financing, loans or grants for my Alberta small business?

First, I recommend checking the available grants you may qualify for, depending on your specific situation and type of business. I’d start with the Alberta.ca Small Business Resources website. Business Link Alberta can help connect new business owners with all types of free support and advice. Invest Alberta is another amazing resource to check for grants available in the province. Finally, the Government of Canada also has a Grant Finder Resource you should check out.

If you don’t qualify for any grant and need other forms of financing, check with your local bank or credit union first. They may have special funding programs for startups. We’ve covered various businesss loans financing options in Alberta on this website as well.

---

Starting a business in Alberta is an exciting venture. With this guide, you’re ready to tackle the key steps needed to set up, register, and launch your business successfully in Alberta. For extra support, consider a professional registration service like Ownr to make the process smoother. Check out our Ontario business registration article if you are planning to incorporate, open or register a business in Ontario.