GETTING STARTED
Eager to get everything in place to start your career as an independent contractor? Let us help. Below you’ll find straightforward information on how to incorporate and how to gain a security clearance. If you have any questions about the information below, please don’t hesitate to call us.
How to incorporate in Ontario:
If you’re not sure where to start, you may wish to review the information provided by the Ontario government via Service Ontario .
Service Ontario
Choose a name for your corporation
As with a sole proprietorship or partnership, there are some restrictions on the names you may use. Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Business Services provides details on these restrictions. It is the responsibility of the incorporator to ensure the name for an Ontario business corporation complies with the Business Corporations Act and its regulations. Instead of choosing a name, you can elect to operate a numbered company, where a simple number is assigned to your corporation (i.e. 123456 Ontario Inc).
Conduct a name search
This is a necessary part of the incorporation process, which confirms no one else has a business or registered trade mark with the same name or similar to the name you've chosen. You must provide a current NUANS (New Upgraded Automated Name Search) report with your application for incorporation. This is not a requirement if you’ve chosen to go with a numbered company.
Search a business name
Complete the Articles of Incorporation
You can file electronic forms via Cyberbahn Inc., Dye & Durham, A Division of The Cartwright Group Ltd, or OnCorp Direct Inc. If you prefer to file using paper forms, you’ll need to purchase Business Incorporation forms from a lawyer, legal stationery store or other source.
Articles of Incorporation
Create a covering letter
This covering letter identifies the name, return address and telephone number of a contact for the corporation.
Covering Letter Details
File your application for incorporation
A completed application consists of 1) the completed Articles of Incorporation, 2) the covering letter, and 3) a current NUANS name search.
NUANS Name Search
For applications filed in person or by mail, the registration fee is $360. For applications filed electronically, the registration fee is $300 plus the fee charged by the primary service provider.
For more information, consult the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre .
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
How to Apply for a Government Security Clearance
Many positions within the Federal Government require a minimum of a Reliability Status security clearance. This can be acquired through Public Works and Government Services Canada , the department of the Canadian government tasked with personnel security screening.
Security Clearance Form
The form must be completed in detail and mailed to:
Canadian & International Industrial Security Directorate (CIISD)
Public Works and Government Services Canada
c/o Central Mail Room
Place du Portage, Phase III, 0B3
11 Laurier Street, Gatineau QC
2745 Iris Street, 2nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0S5
If you have problems accessing the forms, or would prefer printed forms, please contact:
Canadian & International Industrial Security Directorate (CIISD)
Public Works and Government Services Canada
E-mail: ncr.ciisd@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Telephone (NC Region): 613-948-4176
Telephone (Toll free): 1-866-368-4646
Fax: 613-948-1711
