Launch Ready · Session 5 of 8
Rules of the Road
Registering, licences, CRA basics and insurance in Ontario
Launch Ready · Session 5 of 8
Rules of the Road
Registering, licences, CRA basics and insurance in Ontario
Toronto Public Library · York Woods Branch
Entrepreneur in Residence · Fall 2026 · Leo Bailey
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Session 5
Today's session
1
Sole proprietor or corporation
2
Registering, licences and CRA basics
3
Insurance and common pitfalls
You leave with
A personalized checklist of exactly what your business needs
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Good news
Getting legal is simpler and cheaper than most people think.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Choose your structure
Sole proprietor or corporation
| Sole proprietor | Corporation | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (Ontario) | $60, valid 5 years | $300, plus a name search |
| Your personal liability | You are the business | Separate legal entity |
| Taxes | On your personal return | Separate corporate return |
| Paperwork | Light | Annual returns and records |
| Best for | Starting and testing | Growth, risk, partners |
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Step by step
Registering in Ontario
1
Choose and search your name. Check the Ontario Business Registry.
2
Register online. ontario.ca/businessregistry gives your Master Business Licence.
3
Get a Business Number. Free from the CRA. Used for HST and more.
4
Open a business bank account. Bring your Master Business Licence.
5
Check city and industry licences. Some businesses need one before opening.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Licences and permits
You may also need…
1
A City of Toronto licence
Many business types, from food to personal services.
2
Public health approval
Anyone making or serving food to the public.
3
Home-based rules
Zoning and condo rules can limit home businesses.
4
Industry regulators
Alcohol, trades, childcare and others.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
CRA basics
When you need to charge HST
$30,000
in taxable sales over four calendar quarters
- Under that, you are a 'small supplier' and HST registration is optional
- Over it, you must register, collect 13% HST in Ontario, and file returns
- Registering early can let you claim back HST you pay on business costs
General information only. Confirm details at canada.ca/taxes or with a tax professional.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Records
Keep records the CRA expects
Every sale
Invoices or a simple sales log.
Every expense
Receipts, even photos on your phone.
Keep six years
The CRA can ask for records going back six years.
Know what you can deduct
Supplies, phone, part of a home office and more.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Insurance
Protect yourself and your customers
1
General liability
If a customer is hurt or their property damaged.
2
Product liability
If you make or sell food or products.
3
Home business coverage
Home insurance usually excludes business use.
4
Professional liability
If you give advice or services.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Avoid these
Common pitfalls
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| Operating under a name you never registered | Register for $60 online |
| Mixing personal and business money | Separate account from day one |
| Passing $30,000 without registering for HST | Track sales every month |
| Selling food from home without approval | Check public health rules first |
| Letting your licence expire | Set a renewal reminder now |
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Your turn · 7 minutes
Pen and paper · use your handout
Build your compliance checklist
- Go through the handout line by line
- Tick what applies to your business
- Circle anything you are unsure about
- Write one step you will take this week
Circled items are perfect questions for today's Q&A or a one-on-one.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Take home
What you are leaving with
Your structure: sole proprietor or corporation
Registration, Business Number and HST basics
Your personal compliance checklist
Next week
Marketing on a Community Budget
Questions? Book a one-on-one session.
Launch Ready · Session 5 · Rules of the Road
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
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Tip: use ← → to move through the slides, F for full screen.
Session 5
Today's session
Sole proprietor or corporation
Registering, licences and CRA basics
Insurance and common pitfalls
You leave with
A personalized checklist of exactly what your business needs
Good news
Getting legal is simpler and cheaper than most people think.
Choose your structure
Sole proprietor or corporation
| Sole proprietor | Corporation | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (Ontario) | $60, valid 5 years | $300, plus a name search |
| Your personal liability | You are the business | Separate legal entity |
| Taxes | On your personal return | Separate corporate return |
| Paperwork | Light | Annual returns and records |
| Best for | Starting and testing | Growth, risk, partners |
Step by step
Registering in Ontario
Choose and search your name. Check the Ontario Business Registry.
Register online. ontario.ca/businessregistry gives your Master Business Licence.
Get a Business Number. Free from the CRA. Used for HST and more.
Open a business bank account. Bring your Master Business Licence.
Check city and industry licences. Some businesses need one before opening.
Licences and permits
You may also need…
A City of Toronto licence
Many business types, from food to personal services.
Public health approval
Anyone making or serving food to the public.
Home-based rules
Zoning and condo rules can limit home businesses.
Industry regulators
Alcohol, trades, childcare and others.
CRA basics
When you need to charge HST
$30,000
in taxable sales over four calendar quarters
- Under that, you are a 'small supplier' and HST registration is optional
- Over it, you must register, collect 13% HST in Ontario, and file returns
- Registering early can let you claim back HST you pay on business costs
General information only. Confirm details at canada.ca/taxes or with a tax professional.
Records
Keep records the CRA expects
Every sale
Invoices or a simple sales log.
Every expense
Receipts, even photos on your phone.
Keep six years
The CRA can ask for records going back six years.
Know what you can deduct
Supplies, phone, part of a home office and more.
Insurance
Protect yourself and your customers
General liability
If a customer is hurt or their property damaged.
Product liability
If you make or sell food or products.
Home business coverage
Home insurance usually excludes business use.
Professional liability
If you give advice or services.
Avoid these
Common pitfalls
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| Operating under a name you never registered | Register for $60 online |
| Mixing personal and business money | Separate account from day one |
| Passing $30,000 without registering for HST | Track sales every month |
| Selling food from home without approval | Check public health rules first |
| Letting your licence expire | Set a renewal reminder now |
Your turn · 7 minutes
Pen and paper · use your handout
Build your compliance checklist
- Go through the handout line by line
- Tick what applies to your business
- Circle anything you are unsure about
- Write one step you will take this week
Circled items are perfect questions for today's Q&A or a one-on-one.
Take home
What you are leaving with
Your structure: sole proprietor or corporation
Registration, Business Number and HST basics
Your personal compliance checklist
Next week
Marketing on a Community Budget
Questions? Book a one-on-one session.
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved. Shared with Launch Ready participants for personal use. Please don’t copy, republish or resell.