TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Start-up Regulations
3. Municipal Regulations
4. Labelling Regulations
5. Specific Industry and Product Regulations
6. Other Regulations

1. Introduction

This document is intended to provide general business licencing information for a number of specific industries and is best used as a starting point when researching regulations.

For regulatory or legal questions, it may be useful to contact a lawyer that deals with business regulations through the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service.

For further information:
call 1-800-268-8326
visit the website: Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

BizPaL - Business Permits & Licences

BizPaL is an online service that walks Canadian businesspeople through the process of finding comprehensive information about permits and licensing requirements from all levels of government.

For further information:
see the document: BizPaL - Business Permits & Licences
visit the websites:
BizPaL
ServiceOntario - BizPaL - the online business permit and licence service

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Find out how accessibility standards, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, will affect business in Ontario. Businesses and organizations in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards in five important areas: Customer service, transportation, information and communications, built environment and employment.

For further information:
visit the website: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

Government of Ontario - Regulatory Registry

The Regulatory Registry is a one-stop website that makes it easier for businesses to find out about the Government of Ontario's regulatory proposals that may affect them and to learn about regulations recently approved by the Lieutenant-Governor-In-Council (LGIC).

For further information:
call 1-866-668-4249
visit the website: Government of Ontario - Regulatory Registry

2. Start-up Regulations

Business Start-Up Info-Guide

The Business Start-Up Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that may apply to individuals starting a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document: Business Start-Up Info-Guide

Taxation Info-Guide

The Taxation Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations related to taxation that may apply to individuals starting or operating a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document: Taxation Info-Guide

3. Municipal Regulations

Each municipal government has the authority to issue its own business licenses within its jurisdiction. Since there is no uniformity throughout the country regarding municipal licenses for businesses, you should consult with the appropriate local officials to determine whether your business will be affected by local regulations and licensing requirements.

Businesses (including home-based businesses) must also meet the zoning by-laws that control property uses in their municipalities.

For further information:
visit the website: Association Municipalities of Ontario
see the document: Permits and licences

4. Labelling Regulations

The label you put on your product is an important way of communicating the value of your product to potential customers. You can use the label to sell the benefits of your product to your clients, but you must follow a few rules about labelling when you do so. The rules are more restrictive for some types of products than others, and you should research the labelling requirements for your product carefully before finalizing your label.

For further information:
see the sub-heading Product Labelling in the document: Marketing regulations and standards

Labelling Claims

Specific laws were enacted to ensure that the information on labels is not false or misleading and to ensure prescribed products are labelled in accordance with Regulations.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the websites:
Information for Small and Medium Enterprises
Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers

Labelling Assessment Tools

The Labelling Assessment Tools provide a quick method for obtaining general information on how to design and check the labelling of products to meet the labelling requirements of federal legislation.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the websites:
Labelling Assessment Tools
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act

Labelling - Packaging Consumer Products (Non-Food)

The Competition Bureau administers the packaging and labelling of pre-packaged non-food products at all levels of trade.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the websites:
Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations
Consumer Packaging and Labelling

Labelling - Textiles

The Competition Bureau administers the Textile Labelling Act and the Canadian Care Labelling Program at all levels of trade which specify the requirements for the labelling and advertising of consumer textile articles.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the websites:
Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations
Care Labelling of Textiles

CA Number Registration and Database

A CA number is a five-digit identification number preceded by the letters CA. Companies use this number to meet provisions of the Textile Labelling Act.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the website: CA Identification Number

Food Labelling

All producers, manufacturers, advertisers, importers and retailers of food products are subject to food labelling requirements.

For further information:
call 1-800-442-2342
visit the websites:
Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising
Retail Food

Fair Labelling Practices Program

Consumer protection and fair competition for industry. Standards apply to the net quantity, quality, composition, labelling and advertising of all foods in Canada.

For further information:
call 1-800-442-2342
visit the website: Fair Labelling Practices Program

5. Specific Industry and Product Regulations

Cosmetics Regulations

Manufacturers of cosmetics must print certain information on the labels of each product including its ingredients.

For further information:
call 1-866-662-0666
visit the websites:
Cosmetics Program
Cosmetics Regulations

Natural Health Products Regulations

The Natural Health Products Regulations apply to the importation, distribution, storage, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, and sale of natural health products.

For further information:
call 1-888-774-5555
visit the websites:
Natural Health Products Compliance Guide
Natural Health Products Regulations
Product Licensing

Medical Devices

The Medical Devices Regulations establish standards for the proper labelling of medical devices, notification and material used, as well as evidence establishing the safety of a device and proper recall and correction procedures.

For further information:
call 1-800-267-9675
visit the websites:
Medical Devices
Class of Medical Devices
MDALL - Licensed Medical Devices

Broadcasting and Telecommunications

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system and all telecommunications common carriers under federal jurisdiction.

For further information:
call 1-877-249-2782
visit the websites:
Broadcasting Sector
Telecommunications Sector
Statutes & Regulations

Oil and Gas

The Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act administers oil and gas operations on Canada lands.

For further information:
call 613-995-0947
visit the websites:
Natural Resources Canada - Energy Sector
Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act

Metal Mining Effluent Regulations

The Regulations apply to all operating metal mines in Canada. The Regulations impose limits on releases of cyanide, metals, and suspended solids, and prohibit the discharge of effluent that is acutely lethal to fish.

For further information:
call 1-800-668-6767
visit the websites:
Metal Mining Effluent Regulations
Environmental Acts, Regulations and Agreements

Industrial Hemp Regulations

The Industrial Hemp Regulations control the activities relating to importation, exportation, possession, production, sale, provision, transport, sending, delivering and offering for sale of industrial hemp.

For further information:
call 613-954-6524
visit the websites:
Industrial Hemp Regulations
Industrial Hemp Regulations - Application for a Licence
Controlled Substances and Precursor Chemicals
Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Hemp

Firearms Act and Regulations

Requirements relating to starting a firearms business, including a museum and any private-sector organization that possesses firearms.

For further information:
call 1-800-731-4000
visit the websites:
Canadian Firearms Program
Firearms Act and Regulations
Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD)
Importing Firearms, Firearm Parts and Ammunition
Firearms Act
Fee Waiver and Refund
Licensing
Information and Services for Businesses

6. Other Regulations

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) sets out ground rules for how private sector organizations may collect use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities.  Personal health information collected, used or disclosed by these organizations is also covered.

For further information:
call 1-800-282-1376
visit the websites:
A Guide for Businesses and Organizations
Privacy Guide for Small Businesses: The Basics
see the document: Privacy and your Business

Music License

Performances of music in public, i.e. offices, stores, etc., require a licence. This licence is necessary whether the music is performed by live or recorded means.

For further information:
call 1-800-557-6226
visit the website: Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act

As of May 31, 2006, the Ontario government prohibited smoking in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places. The legislation also strengthened measures to ensure only those 19 years of age and older can buy cigarettes and phased out the display of tobacco products beginning May 31, 2008.

For further information:
call 416-327-7737
visit these websites:
Smoke-Free Ontario: Legislation
Smoke-Free Ontario Act

Building permits

The Building and Development Branch administers the Building Code Act (BCA) and the Ontario Building Code (OBC). These codes govern the construction of new buildings as well as the renovation and maintenance of existing buildings.

For further information:
call 416-585-6666
visit the website: The Ontario Building Code (OBC)

Related Reading

• Business Guides
• Regulations, Licences and Permits

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.