Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Institutional links

Business Guides
- Info-Guides & "How-to" Guides
Podcasting
- Canada Business Audio Workshop
Multilingual Documents
Proactive Disclosure

Proactive Disclosure

E-Business Info-Guide

Last Verified: 2010-04-01

What is Electronic Commerce?
Programs and Services for E-Business
Financing
Regulations
Taxation
Other Resources

1. What is Electronic Commerce?

Electronic Commerce is any commercial activity, such as the buying and selling of goods and services, conducted over electronic networks (e.g. local phone lines, high-speed digital cable, etc.) that link electronic devices (e.g. fax machines, computers). E-Commerce includes the following activities:

commercial transactions conducted by Internet, telephone and fax;
electronic banking and payment systems;
trade in digitized goods and services;
electronic purchasing and restocking systems (supply chain management);
business-to-business exchange of data;
delivery of goods and/or services purchased (order fulfilment); and
customer service

For further information:
see the documents:
E-Business
What is E-business?
Planning for E-business

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

2. Programs and Services for E-Business

Retail Interactive

Retail Interactive is an on-line resource centre created by The Retail Council of Canada and Industry Canada to provide Canadian retailers with the most current information, tools, and publications on e-commerce in the retail industry. The e-retailer profile section offers practices, success stories and information for retailers in the context of global best practices.

For further information:
visit the website: Retail Trade

BDC Consulting

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers customized consulting solutions for the complex challenges you face everyday as a Canadian entrepreneur.

For further information:
see the document: BDC Consulting

ebiz.enable

ebiz.enable is an E-Business portal designed specifically to guide businesses through the issues and options encountered in implementing E-Business strategies. It is a comprehensive online resource that allows you to explore the questions, answers and solutions relevant to your company and its success in the global online environment.

For further information:
visit the website: ebiz.enable

Electronic Commerce Branch

The Electronic Commerce Branch is responsible for encouraging the development and adoption of e-business in Canada.

For further information:
visit the web site: Electronic Commerce Branch

Information and Communications Technologies

Business sector information and links to suppliers that can help E-Commerce enable your business.

For further information:
visit the website: Information and Communications Technologies

SME Direct

SME Direct is designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). It offers a collection of numerous diagnostic and benchmarking tools, informative Web sites, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources to assist you in your decision-making.

For further information:
visit the website: SME Direct

Using E-Commerce to do Business with the Government

MERX - The Electronic Tendering Service

MERX is an Internet-based electronic tendering system that advertises government contracting
opportunities to potential bidders across Canada.

For further information:
visit the website: MERX
see the document MERX: Electronic Tendering Service

3. Financing

Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide

This document is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs available to individuals starting a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document: Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide

Financing for Established Businesses Info-Guide

This Info-Guide provides an overview of some of the main financing options for individuals operating a business in Ontario, including programs offered or supported by the government.

For further information:
see the document: Financing for Established Businesses Info-Guide

4. Regulations

Businesses on the Internet/Traditional Businesses

In general, all existing laws that apply to traditional commerce apply equally in an electronic environment (for example, laws governing business formation, business name registration, taxation, consumer protection, deceptive advertising, importing/exporting, product safety, product standards, criminal code, inter-provincial trade treaties, intellectual property and liability, etc.). A company must comply with the law of any jurisdiction where it is deemed to be "carrying on business", which is particularly important for businesses using E-Commerce to compete globally.

Business Regulations Info-Guide

This document will assist you in navigating federal, provincial and municipal regulations that apply to a number of industries and businesses in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document: Business Regulations Info-Guide

E-Business and Selling to Non-Ontario Customers

E-Business often involves selling to jurisdictions outside of Ontario. This fact sheet provides basic information on what may be required when selling to non-Ontario customers.

For further information:
see the document: E-Business and Selling to Non-Ontario Customers

5. Taxation

Dealing with Business Taxes

All businesses must be aware of the various taxes that may apply to their product or service. Depending on the type and location of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

For further information:
See the Taxation Info-Guide

Other Resources:
Ontario Ministry of Revenue: 1-866-668-8297
Small Business Tax Help (MOR)

Canada Revenue Agency: 1-800-959-5525
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Exporting and Export Permits

The application of export rules for goods and services, including downloadable digitized goods, is the same in the electronic world.

For further information:
see the documents:
Exporting - Preparing for World Markets Info-Guide
Exporting - Entering World Markets Info-Guide

If you currently need an export permit to sell your product overseas, you will need one to sell it over the Internet to people in foreign countries. The issuance of Export Permits is administered by the Export Controls Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Division provides assistance to exporters in determining if export permits are required. It also publishes brochures and Notices to Exporters.

For further information:
please call 613-996-2387
visit the website: Export and Import Controls

Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce

The Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce was endorsed by federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for consumer affairs in January 2004. The Code is intended to establish benchmarks for good business practices for merchants conducting commercial activities with consumers online.

The Code contains information on the following:

Information Provision;
Language;
Contract Formation and Fulfilment;
Online Privacy;
Security of Payment and Personal Information;
Complaint Handling and Dispute Resolution;
Unsolicited E-mail;
Communications with Children.

For further information:
visit the website: The Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce

6. Other Resources

Web Sites of Interest

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.