PDF Version
Your guide to Services for Business for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs
Contents
1. Starting Your Business
2. Understanding Taxes
3. Capitalizing on Sector Information
4. Learning about Regulations
5. Innovating
6. Financing
7. Managing Human Resources
8. Exporting
9. Importing
10. Doing Business with Governments
11. Contacting the People Who Can Help You
About This Guide
This guide highlights programs and services that the Government of Canada offers to Aboriginal entrepreneurs or small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. We don't have room to list all the programs and services available, so each section presents just a glimpse at the many options available to you.
Want to learn more? Whether you're interested in one of the programs or services mentioned here or would like information about the full range of Government of Canada programs and services for your small or medium-sized business, just click, call or visit Canada Business today.
Your Guide to Services for Business for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs
Whether you’re testing the business waters or already immersed in a winning enterprise, the Government of Canada has resources that can help you get ahead.
Across the country, Canada Business is ready to provide you with helpful information, services and programs — on its website, by phone and through its network of walk-in centres. Canada Business is a leader in the delivery of integrated and authoritative services for business from federal, provincial and territorial governments and agencies, as well as a growing number of non-governmental partner agencies in your community.
Here’s how to get in touch with Canada Business:
Click CanadaBusiness.gc.ca
Call 1 888 576-444
Visit Canada Business locations and partners in your community. Click or call
for the service centre nearest you.
Successful business people recognize a good opportunity when they see one. And then they act on it. Take advantage of these resources to understand your customers better…run your business more smoothly …capitalize on new opportunities… boost research and development…outflank competitors… and much, much more.
1. Starting Your Business
Do it right: from initial concepts through planning to a firm foundation
Starting a business can be daunting. The Government of Canada provides a wide range of programs, services and tools to help you meet that challenge. By consulting Canada Business, you can:
• Get valuable information about business planning, market research, taxation, financing and e-commerce from the Business Start-up Assistant.
• Prepare three-year business plans using the Interactive Business Planner.
• Enrich your business plan with detailed financial and employment data on small businesses by industry for Canada, the provinces and territories from Performance Plus.
• Evaluate your proposed or existing business with the Online Small Business Workshop, a self-directed learning tool.
• Connect with advisors and information tailored to your unique requirements — whether your business is located in urban, rural or remote settings — through the Aboriginal Business Service Network.
• Gain practical information, tools and advice for just-in-time solutions to management challenges by using the Managing for Business Success program.
• Capitalize on business planning resources, customize benchmarking tools and cost calculators, and complete many business-related tasks online, such as filing for a patent. These are just some of the interactive applications that Strategis offers you.
• Research a variety of topics of interest such as financial assistance, taxation and regulations by consulting the Aboriginal Info-Guides.
Discover how to launch a successful business by reading Journey to Success: Aboriginal Women’s Business Planning Guide.
• Get help in acquiring surety-bonding, which private and public sector organizations often require when awarding contracts to qualified Aboriginal contractors.
• Learn more about intellectual property — its importance and strategic value to your business — and get answers to questions most often asked by entrepreneurs.
2. Understanding Taxes
Stay on top of reporting requirements, access secure online services, or apply for tax credits for scientific research and experimental development
You can run your company better when you know how your business decisions will affect your taxes. By taking advantage of the tax information and services available from the Government of Canada, you can:
• Find answers to virtually all tax-related questions, as well as forms, tax packages, guides, schedules and information circulars.
• Get information on tax-exemption that may apply to the income of businesses owned by Status Indians, as well as information on tax exemption related to GST/HST.
• File your corporation information (T4, T4A, T5, etc.) and GST/HST returns electronically over the Internet.
• Pay your taxes electronically through your financial institution’s telephone or Internet banking service.
• Ask the government to electronically process certain financial and non-financial actions, such as money transfers or the reissuing of lost statements, on your account.
• Calculate the Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and federal, provincial and territorial tax deductions for all pay periods using downloadable software called Tables on Diskette.
• Fulfill reporting requirements by advising the government that you (or your client) have no payroll deductions to submit by using the TeleReply system.
• Apply for scientific research and experimental development investment tax credits for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery and equipment.
3. Capitalizing on Sector Information
Unearth support and contacts specific to your business
Whether you’re looking for information on potential customers or your competitors, you can mine a rich vein of useful business data from the Government of Canada, all conveniently organized by sector.
Aboriginal Business Canada provides financial support to help eligible entrepreneurs take advantage of business opportunities linked to certain sector-specific major developments. Here’s a brief look at some of the sector-specific programs and services available.
Manufacturing industries
• If your business deals with advanced manufacturing technologies — or would like to — look into the Solutions for Advanced Manufacturing program. You can get information about combining innovative manufacturing techniques and machines with information technology, microelectronics and new organizational practices. It’s all about staying competitive globally by boosting productivity and quality and cutting costs.
• If you operate in traditional textile manufacturing, you can diversify a portion of your production into higher-value, niche-market or innovative textile products with financial help from the Canadian Textiles Program.
Resource industries
• See a future for renewable sources of energy — water, solar, wind and earth energy? Consult Canada Business to discover the latest technology…find out about business opportunities…locate industry conferences…learn about renewable-energy companies — information that you can harness to fuel your own renewable energy business.
• Capitalize on economic opportunities in the forestry sector with assistance from the First Nations Forestry Program.
• Receive funding to improve fisheries management and capacity, or obtain commercial fishing opportunities, vessels and gear, with the support of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy.
Construction industries
• Stay up-to-date with Canada’s National Construction Codes through National Research Council Canada’s (NRC’s) national code centre, an indispensable source of information for building, fire and plumbing officials, educators and construction professionals.
Service industries
• If your company operates in the arts and cultural industries, you may be eligible for funding from Canadian Heritage. The Canada New Media Fund can assist you in researching, developing and marketing Canadian new media products.
• Exhibit and sell your work, or develop an exhibition history needed to apply for financing or grants from arts-funding groups, with support from the Indian and Inuit Art Centres Acquisition and Exhibition Program.
Technology industries
• The technology industry is changing faster than any other, but you can stay on top of these changes by getting the latest annual figures on the Canadian information and communications technology sector: revenues…employment…gross domestic product…research and development expenditures…capital outlays… trade…salaries…and more.
• Access world-class researchers and leading-edge technologies to get your small or medium-sized IT business off the ground with help from Communications Research Centre Canada’s Innovation Centre.
Tourism
• Access the tools and strategic information you need to succeed in tourism — including detailed research and information, industry news delivered to your inbox each day, early access to new programs, and marketing opportunities and tools — and capitalize on this country’s potential as a high-demand travel destination.
Programs supporting sustainable development
Regardless of what industry sector your business is in, energy costs represent a substantial portion of business overhead and can directly affect your bottom line. Take advantage of programs and information, rebates and incentives designed for industry from
Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency:
• Commercial Building Incentive Program — for the design of energy-efficient buildings
• EnerGuide for Existing Buildings — for energy audits, feasibility studies and retrofits
• Dollars to $ense Energy Management Workshops — for buildingoperation advice
• Vehicle Fleet Initiative — for information and assistance to reduce fleet operating and maintenance costs through energyefficient practices
4. Learning about Regulations
Understand the regulations that apply to your business in your region
The Government of Canada can help you manage a number of activities related to regulation:
• Complying with Canada’s tax legislation and regulations.
• Abiding by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. If you’re demolishing a building…remediating contaminated land…opening a public campground…dredging a harbour...or undertaking any number of projects that require an environmental review, you’ll be able to find out how to meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
• Protecting intellectual property such as products, processes, logos or songs. The Government of Canada grants and registers ownership for six types of intellectual property: patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, integrated circuit topographies and plant breeders’ rights.
• Deciding whether to incorporate your business or operate it as a sole proprietorship or partnership.
• Dealing with the wild animal and plant trade and the export or import of hazardous wastes.
• Guarding personal information from identity theft. By law, businesses must protect personal information collected from customers and use it only for approved purposes.
• Registering commercial vehicles, operating as a common carrier, transporting dangerous goods.
• Acquiring commercial fishing licences, operating recreational harbours and meeting marine safety requirements. Discover how you can ensure you are in compliance with the habitat protection provision of the Fisheries Act if you are thinking about developing a project in or around water.
• Dealing with an individual or a corporation that has filed for bankruptcy or has been put under receivership by a creditor.
5. Innovating
Develop, exploit and protect your ideas
When you innovate, you stay a step ahead of your competitors. The Government of Canada offers a number of programs and services to foster innovation and sharpen your competitive edge. These programs and services will help you to:
• Develop new products, improve processes and invest in new technologies. Aboriginal Business Canada provides financial assistance to eligible businesses for projects involving innovation.
• Exploit business opportunities in the North in conjunction with regional economic development programming from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
• Launch new economic pursuits and innovative approaches to development with support from INAC’s Innovation and Knowledge Fund for businesses in Canada’s three territories.
• Turn your innovative research and development projects into commercially successful products and services. The National Research Council Canada’s (NRC’s) Industrial Research Assistance Program offers technical and business advice and funding to help your business reach its full potential.
• Find out about protecting your ideas, locating partners and financing, building prototypes, and marketing your products or services.
• Tap into one of the world’s richest sources of information on scientific, engineering, technical and medical research.
• Take advantage of research and training programs and world-leading design, fabrication and testing facilities where you can access state-of-the-art equipment, from wind tunnels to wave tanks.
• Investigate opportunities to license and exploit new technologies in such diverse fields as aerospace, biotechnology, manufacturing and information technology.
• Grow your innovative technology-driven company by co-locating at one of NRC’s world-class research facilities available in locations across the country, and gain access to outstanding research expertise and services.
• Apply for scientific research and experimental development investment tax credits for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery and equipment.
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6. Financing
Find and manage money for your business
If you’re looking to finance your small or medium-sized business, contact Canada Business. You can get an extensive directory of Canadian financial providers and quickly locate providers that fit your needs. You’ll also find information on different types of financing and financial providers, as well as tips to help you secure the financing you need.
Below you will find some of the funding opportunities and programs that the Government of Canada offers to eligible self-employed entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses. Government financial institutions and programs can provide the kind of local economic development and financial and consulting services that private sector financial institutions are not equipped to offer.
• Obtain funding toward starting your business or expanding an eligible community-owned business from Aboriginal Business Canada.
• Access loans and financial services from Aboriginal Capital Corporations, a national network of Aboriginal-owned financial institutions that operate in partnership with the Government of Canada.
• Receive funding for a range of planning, financial and training services geared to tribal councils, First Nations and Inuit communities, all from the Community Economic Development Program.
• Get assistance for First Nations, Inuit and Innu community-based economic development projects through the Community Economic Opportunities Program.
• Get flexible financing, venture capital and affordable consulting services from the Business Development Bank of Canada for every stage of growth for your small or medium-sized business.
• Qualify for up to $250 000 in financing from financial institutions for small businesses under the Canada Small Business Financing Program.
• Obtain funding for and advice on starting businesses in developing countries as part of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Industrial Cooperation Program.
• Establish effective partnerships between Canadian Aboriginal organizations and their counterparts in Latin America to foster sustainable development for indigenous peoples of Latin America through CIDA’s Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program.
• Qualify for capital leases up to $250 000 for new or used equipment under the Capital Leasing Pilot Project.
• Borrow up to $1 million or receive grants of up to $500 000 from NRC to develop projects that are both innovative and commercially viable.
• Receive funding for research and development projects that will produce economic, social and environmental benefits.
• Obtain local investment funds to finance your small business for start-up…receive business advice and help with your business plan…get exporting tips…and attend entrepreneurial training workshops. All this and more is available through the Community Futures Organizations.
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7. Managing Human Resources
Recruit, employ, train and manage your staff
Need information on recruiting, hiring, managing or training employees? The Government of Canada can provide solutions to help you tackle any number of common human resource activities:
• Registering employees with the Canada Pension Plan
• Meeting federal minimum hourly wage regulations
• Hiring foreign workers
• Posting job openings
• Finding qualified employees
• Providing job opportunities for persons with disabilities
• Enrolling employees in the Employment Insurance program
• Keeping proper records of employment
Here are some of the other ways that your company can benefit from the Government of Canada’s human resources programs and services:
• Design and deliver Aboriginal training and employment services to meet the unique needs of your community with support from the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy.
• Get assistance to employ Aboriginal people in the mining, hydroelectric, and oil and gas sectors and find the Aboriginal workers your business needs in other sectors.
• Understand labour and workplace regulations, take advantage of employee-training programs and capitalize on wage subsidies. Service Canada lists your primary sources for all human resource-related services and programs.
• Match the right employees to your job openings by searching a database of more than one-quarter million job seekers.
• Access a comprehensive network of online training and funding programs, as well as partnership initiatives.
• Hire specialized graduates and have their salaries paid. The National Research Council will pay the salaries of specialized graduates for certain periods to help your small or medium-sized business conduct research and development.
8. Exporting
Spread Canada’s reputation for quality and innovation around the globe
Selling your goods and services in the international marketplace can be a challenge, but the rewards can be great. There are a variety of useful tools and resources available that can help:
• Find the information and support that your Aboriginal business requires to take its products and services global.
• Promote your Aboriginal firm’s export business to audiences around the world by participating in Canada’s Virtual Aboriginal Trade Show.
• Cover the cost of your marketing, financial and business services and expand your markets with financial assistance from Aboriginal Business Canada.
• Start on the right track with the popular Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting and the Roadmap to Exporting. Available online and in print, both provide clear, useful information for every stage of the export process and include contacts and resources.
• Sharpen your skills by taking advantage of training offered in various locations across Canada. Courses and workshops cover key aspects of international trade: export-readiness, market research, international marketing, financing, logistics and more.
• Identify leads and do market research using various online tools and services. There is a wide range of free help available from various departments and agencies.
• Access a range of international services provided by trade commissioners located in over 150 cities around the world. Or get advice from trade commissioners working in regional offices across Canada. Register for the Virtual Trade Commissioner, a personalized web service offering market information and business leads that match interests.
• Identify sources of financing to assist you in achieving success. Find out how to obtain working capital, financing, insurance and market advice. There are various programs and agencies that provide such services to help minimize your risks and even give you a competitive edge.
• Expand to new markets by accessing an array of services including credit insurance, bonding and guarantees, political risk insurance, direct loans to buyers and lines of credit in other countries to encourage potential customers to buy Canadian and increase your access to working capital.
• Enhance your product’s potential for market acceptance by accessing calibration and measurement services to ensure your product is appropriate for export to foreign markets.
9. Importing
Bring the world to Canada’s door
Whether you have an established business or are a new start-up, if you’re planning to import goods into Canada, you need to prepare and operate your venture properly. The Government of Canada offers lots of great help:
• Get access to regional import information from the Importing Info-Guides available online. These practical guides contain useful advice specific to your province or territory.
• Be aware of the proper process for importing commercial goods into Canada. The Step-by-Step Guide to Importing is designed to help first-time or infrequent importers and guide them through the necessary steps.
• Comply with regulations regarding prohibited or controlled imports, and determine when special permits, inspections or conditions are required in order to allow imports into Canada.
• Find important border information with the Border Information Service Online. This resource gives you access to important information in a convenient navigable format on travel exemptions, trade agreements, exchange rates and much more.
• Undertake market research by using various useful online tools. They will help you evaluate global market trends and identify opportunities in product categories.
10. Doing Business with Governments
Use the right tools for the job
The Government of Canada buys about $13 billion worth of goods and services from thousands of suppliers annually. The government makes most of these purchases through Public Works and Government Services Canada, which buys everything from flu vaccines to paper clips.
• Increase opportunities for your Aboriginal business to secure contracts from government departments and agencies through the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business.
• Improve your access to government business. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises collaborates with industry associations and individual businesses on training, information, development of support tools and participation in Government of Canada procurement policy changes.
• Stay up to the minute with government-contracting opportunities. The Government Electronic Tendering Service is an online system that advertises contracting opportunities. Operated by an independent contractor, the system is commonly referred to as MERXTM.
• Find information on purchasing practices, contracting opportunities and key contacts. Business Access Canada offers purchasing information for buyers and sellers.
• Get tax information on contracting with the Government ofCanada and learn how to report contract income. Canada Revenue Agency provides information for businesses and self-employed individuals.
• Discover contracting and partnering opportunities with both domestic and foreign governments. Join SourceCAN for free and gain access to over 2500 global tenders published daily.
• Build your proposal with the help of Statistics Canada, which can provide you with financial statistics, as well as statistics on Canadian industries and products, labour, trade and small business.
11. Contacting the People Who Can Help You
Get in touch with Canada Business
Here’s a list of government organizations and programs that may be of interest and value to your small or medium-sized business:
• Canada Business: Your One-Stop Government of Canada Business Contact (CanadaBusiness.gc.ca)
• Aboriginal Business Canada (www.abc-eac.gc.ca)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (www.agr.gc.ca)
• Business Access Canada (www.contractscanada.gc.ca)
• Business Development Bank of Canada (www.bdc.ca)
• Canada Revenue Agency (www.cra-arc.gc.ca)
• Canada Small Business Financing Program (www.strategis.gc.ca/csbfa)
• Canadian Commercial Corporation (www.ccc.ca)
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca)
• Canadian Heritage (www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/pubs/2004/index_e.cfm)
• Canadian Intellectual Property Office (www.cipo.gc.ca)
• Canadian International Development Agency Industrial Cooperation Program (www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/inc)
• Canadian Tourism Commission (www.canadatourism.com)
• Communications Research Centre Canada (www.crc.ca)
• Community Futures Development Corporations (www.communityfutures.ca)
• Corporations Canada (www.corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca)
• Environment Canada (www.ec.gc.ca)
• Export Development Canada (www.edc.ca)
• FedNor (www.fednor.ic.gc.ca)
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
• Government Electronic Tendering Service / MERXT (www.merx.com)
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (www.hrsdc.gc.ca)
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (www.ainc-inac.gc.ca)
• Industry Canada Strategis (www.strategis.gc.ca)
• Innovation in Canada Portal (www.innovation.gc.ca)
• International Trade Canada — Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (www.infoexport.gc.ca)
• National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (www.irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca)
• Natural Resources Canada (www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca)
• Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (www.privcom.gc.ca)
• Public Works and Government Services Canada (www.pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca)
• Regional Trade Networks (www.exportsource.ca/rtn)
• Statistics Canada (www.statcan.gc.ca)
• Team Canada Inc (www.exportsource.ca/finance)
• Telefilm Canada (www.telefilm.gc.ca)
• Transformative Technologies Program (www.tpc.ic.gc.ca)
• Transport Canada (www.tc.gc.ca)
For information on services for individuals available:
• ServiceCanada.gc.ca; 1 800 622-6232 (1 800 O Canada)
November 2005
Cat No. Iu70-4/25-2005E-PDF
ISBN 0-662-42029-2
54343E
BDC | Business development bank of Canada | Banque de developpement du Canada
http://www.bdc.ca/default.htm [2008/04/28 10:08:22 AM]