Guide to Federal Incorporation

The purpose of the "Guide to Federal Incorporation to help small business incorporate federally" is to give the reader a general overview of federal corporate law under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). It provides the basic knowledge and tools that business owners and operators need to incorporate and operate a corporation under the federal corporate law. You can access the guide by selecting from its table of contents below.

PDF Version – Guide to Federal Incorporation to help small business incorporate federally (PDF 1 685 191 KB — 60 pages)

• Preface
• Chapter 1 – Why Should I Incorporate?
• Chapter 2 – Incorporating
• Chapter 3 – Other Formalities
• Chapter 4 – Next Steps in Organizing Your Corporation
• Chapter 5 – Keeping Your Corporation in Good Standing
• Chapter 6 – Other Obligations of the Corporation
• Chapter 7 – Organizing Your Corporation: The Directors
• Chapter 8 – Organizing Your Corporation: The Shareholders
• Annex A – Example of Completed Articles of Incorporation (corporate name and one class of shares)
  • Completed Articles of Incorporation (PDF Version, 240 KB — 1 page)
  • Completed Initial Registered Office Address and First Board of Directors (PDF Version, 430 KB — 1 page)
• Annex B – Example of Completed Articles of Incorporation (numbered name and two classes of shares)
  • Completed Articles of Incorporation (PDF Version, 238 KB — 1 page)
  • Completed Initial Registered Office Address and First Board of Directors (PDF Version, 266 KB — 1 page)
• Annex C – Examples of By-Laws
• Annex D – Examples of Notice of Annual Shareholders' Meeting and of Minutes of an Annual Shareholders' Meeting
• Annex E – Examples of Resolution of the Directors and of Resolution of Shareholders
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary of Terms
• Contacts
• Links of Interest for Small Businesses