Canmore Economic Development Authority Canmore and MD of Bighorn Start-Up Checklist

§ Community Futures Centre West (CFC West) – First business resource in the Bow Valley region. CFCWest will meet with you in their Canmore sub-office or in your place of business to provide business counseling, whether for start-up, tune-up, assistance in financing arrangements, or other. 1-877-603-2329 www.cfcwest.com. Also explore their partnership with GoForth Institute which offers small business training, start-up guides, templates and self-assessments for would-be entrepreneurs.

§ The Business Link is probably the most comprehensive source of information available to Alberta entrepreneurs, containing everything from industry regulations, marketing research tips, business start-up guides, legal agreements, business tune-ups, and more: www.canadabusiness.ab.ca

BizPal is an innovative project that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to the information on permits and licences that they need to establish and run their businesses. This unique partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments is designed to cut through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter.

§ Business Consultants, Lawyers, Accountants, – The Bow Valley has many qualified counselors, consultants & professionals ready to assist with your business decisions. In particular, a qualified financial professional is essential to smart business operations. Check the online business directory for local practitioners at www.canmore.ca

§ Market Research: Obtain local stats/info from www.canmorebusiness.com Check Stats Canada, and other sources. Industry publications, journals and Industry Associations are an excellent source of data. Look up business customers & competitors on www.canmore.ca Online Business Directory.

§ Business Plan guides are available through banks, accountants, software programs, consultants and if you have internet access there is a wealth of information at your fingertips. The Business Link: The Business Plan & You is a good document to start with. For more templates and information, try: More Business Plan Templates.

2. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS and/or TRADE NAME

Canmore Registry

104-837 Main St. Canmore

403-678-9320

Banff Registry
Lower Level 229 Bear St., Banff
(403) 762-2177 www.banffbureau.com

§ Decide how your business will be structured: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Incorporation, Cooperative. Your accountant and lawyer can help you determine the best choice for your business.

§ Decide on a name for your business. You may be legally challenged if your business carries a name similar to another. In Alberta, you may conduct a name search through your local Registry Office or for corporations; you may request an actual NUANS Report, again through the local office.

§ Sole Proprietors will not need to register with corporate registries if they are carrying on business in their own name however they may choose to register a Trade Name to gain credibility with their banks and customers.

§ Location: Decide on the best location for your business and obtain approval or a CONFIRMATION OF ZONING certificate for the uses you intend on that premise. Ensure that your business can meet all development & zoning regulations and at the same time attract the market you need for success. See detailed planning requirements following for more information. Contact the Community Planning Departments to check if your business will be eligible in the location you have in mind.

§ Some industries require further regulating. For example, Food & Beverage establishments need to follow Health & Safety Standards - Calgary Health Region - Public Health Inspection (403) 678-5536 or (403) 762-2990. To find out if your business is regulated, Contact: Alberta Government Services, Consumer Services Division 1-877-427-4088. See the document Provincial Business Licenses and Registrations

§ Canada Revenue Agency: Most businesses are required to deduct corporate income tax, GST, import/export taxes, and payroll deductions. Businesses will be assigned the same single Canada Revenue Agency Business Number (BN) for all of the accounts that apply. For information or to register:

§ Alberta Employment Standards: Know and understand employer/employee relation regulations. Contact the Employment Standards Branch of Alberta Labour and/or the Canmore Job Resource Centre.

§ Workers' Compensation Act (WCB) - In Alberta, most employers are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance for all of their workers and must notify the WCB-Alberta within 15 days of hiring their first worker. (403) 517-6000 For further information see the document Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) - Alberta or http://www.wcb.ab.ca

§ Make sure your business is adequately insured for accidents, liability, theft and any other risks. Your insurance agent is the best source of expertise.

8. BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT - To open a Business Account at most banks and credit institutions, you are FIRST required to hold either a municipal Business Registry number or provide proof of a Registered Trade Name or Certificate of Incorporation.

Canmore Business Start-Up Checklist	Search This Site
1. Research & Planning 2. Register Your Business or Trade Name with Corporate Registries 3. Meet Local Development, Zoning & Land-Use Regulations 4. Obtain a local Business License 5. Meet Industry Regulatory Requirements 6. Register your company for Taxation & Payroll Deductions 7. Obtain necessary Worker’s Compensation (WCB) Coverage & Insurance 8. Obtain a Business Bank Account from your bank 9. Open Your Doors & Start Working	Partners in Economic Development Town of Canmore Tourism Canmore The Biosphere Institute BOWDA Mountain Arts Foundation Canmore Community Housing Corporation Downtown Canmore Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) Associate Membership Canmore Business Registry
1. RESEARCH & PLANNING § Community Futures Centre West (CFC West) – First business resource in the Bow Valley region. CFCWest will meet with you in their Canmore sub-office or in your place of business to provide business counseling, whether for start-up, tune-up, assistance in financing arrangements, or other. 1-877-603-2329 www.cfcwest.com. Also explore their partnership with GoForth Institute which offers small business training, start-up guides, templates and self-assessments for would-be entrepreneurs. § The Business Link is probably the most comprehensive source of information available to Alberta entrepreneurs, containing everything from industry regulations, marketing research tips, business start-up guides, legal agreements, business tune-ups, and more: www.canadabusiness.ab.ca BizPal is an innovative project that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to the information on permits and licences that they need to establish and run their businesses. This unique partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments is designed to cut through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter. § Business Consultants, Lawyers, Accountants, – The Bow Valley has many qualified counselors, consultants & professionals ready to assist with your business decisions. In particular, a qualified financial professional is essential to smart business operations. Check the online business directory for local practitioners at www.canmore.ca § Market Research: Obtain local stats/info from www.canmorebusiness.com Check Stats Canada, and other sources. Industry publications, journals and Industry Associations are an excellent source of data. Look up business customers & competitors on www.canmore.ca Online Business Directory. § Business Plan guides are available through banks, accountants, software programs, consultants and if you have internet access there is a wealth of information at your fingertips. The Business Link: The Business Plan & You is a good document to start with. For more templates and information, try: More Business Plan Templates. 2. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS and/or TRADE NAME Canmore Registry 104-837 Main St. Canmore 403-678-9320 Banff Registry Lower Level 229 Bear St., Banff (403) 762-2177 www.banffbureau.com § Decide how your business will be structured: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Incorporation, Cooperative. Your accountant and lawyer can help you determine the best choice for your business. § Decide on a name for your business. You may be legally challenged if your business carries a name similar to another. In Alberta, you may conduct a name search through your local Registry Office or for corporations; you may request an actual NUANS Report, again through the local office. § Sole Proprietors will not need to register with corporate registries if they are carrying on business in their own name however they may choose to register a Trade Name to gain credibility with their banks and customers. § Register your business with Alberta Corporate Registries through the Canmore Registry or Banff Registry (or any registry office in Alberta where you find vehicle licensing, etc). If you will be carrying on business beyond Alberta or outside of Canada, it recommended you register your business with Corporations Canada www.strategis.gc.ca 3. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT & ZONING PERMITTING § Location: Decide on the best location for your business and obtain approval or a CONFIRMATION OF ZONING certificate for the uses you intend on that premise. Ensure that your business can meet all development & zoning regulations and at the same time attract the market you need for success. See detailed planning requirements following for more information. Contact the Community Planning Departments to check if your business will be eligible in the location you have in mind. Town of Canmore Planning & Development (403) 678-1511 Business License (403) 678-1503 Canmore Civic Centre (403) 678-1500 902 - 7th Ave www.canmore.ca Town of Banff Planning & Development (& Licensing) (403) 762-1215 Banff Town Hall www.banff.ca MD of Bighorn #8 Planning & Development, 403-673-3611 Exshaw www.mdbighorn.ca Backcountry Permitting: Lands outside of municipal boundaries will have designated & sometimes restricted uses to protect our most precious resource for your business success - the beautiful mountain environment. If your business is going to operate anywhere beyond our municipal boundaries, contact the managing authority based on its location and determine what uses and permits might be required to operate your business. Banff National Park (403) 762-1530 Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation & Culture Alberta Parks & Protected Areas Permit Coordinator (403) 851-2207 4. OBTAIN A CANMORE BUSINESS LICENSE All businesses carrying on business in the Town of Canmore are required to hold an annual municipal business license. Unless you are a sole proprietor, you will be required to produce a copy of your trade name search/reservation. Business licenses are available through your municipal offices (see item #2 above). There is no business license requirement if you are carrying on business in the MD of Bighorn only, although development approval may be required (see item #3 above). 5. MEET INDUSTRY REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS § Some industries require further regulating. For example, Food & Beverage establishments need to follow Health & Safety Standards - Calgary Health Region - Public Health Inspection (403) 678-5536 or (403) 762-2990. To find out if your business is regulated, Contact: Alberta Government Services, Consumer Services Division 1-877-427-4088. See the document Provincial Business Licenses and Registrations 6. TAXATION & PAYROLL REGISTRATIONS § Canada Revenue Agency: Most businesses are required to deduct corporate income tax, GST, import/export taxes, and payroll deductions. Businesses will be assigned the same single Canada Revenue Agency Business Number (BN) for all of the accounts that apply. For information or to register: Canada Revenue Agency (Calgary) 220 - 4th Avenue South East Calgary, Alberta T2G 0L1 Toll-free: 1-800-959-5525 http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca § Alberta Employment Standards: Know and understand employer/employee relation regulations. Contact the Employment Standards Branch of Alberta Labour and/or the Canmore Job Resource Centre. 7. WCB & INSURANCE § Workers' Compensation Act (WCB) - In Alberta, most employers are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance for all of their workers and must notify the WCB-Alberta within 15 days of hiring their first worker. (403) 517-6000 For further information see the document Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) - Alberta or http://www.wcb.ab.ca § Make sure your business is adequately insured for accidents, liability, theft and any other risks. Your insurance agent is the best source of expertise. 8. BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT - To open a Business Account at most banks and credit institutions, you are FIRST required to hold either a municipal Business Registry number or provide proof of a Registered Trade Name or Certificate of Incorporation. 9. Open Your Doors & Start SELLING!