New West Partnership Trade Agreement

Last updated on August 1, 2023


About the trade agreement

Extraprovincial companies and organizations include:

  • B.C. companies that do business in other provinces
  • Companies from other provinces that do business in B.C.

Making it easier to do business in other provinces. The New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA) removes the need to file multiple registrations and reports between between B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. For example, it means that businesses and organizations don't need to:

  • Pay business registry fees in B.C.
  • File annual reports in other provinces

Who can participate

Cooperatives, incorporated companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships can participate. They're required to:

  • Register in the provinces where they do business and keep information up to date about their head office, attorney, company name and status (e.g. amalgamation or continuation to another jurisdiction)
  • Have an attorney represent them in each province where they do business - to receive notices and confirmations of filing in that province
 

Register as an extraprovincial company or cooperative


Register to do business in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Step 1: Incorporate a company, incorporate a cooperative or register a partnership in B.C.

Step 2: Search and reserve your business or organization name (fee required).

Step 3: Submit registration through the appropriate province’s registry (no fee).

Cooperative associations can update information with registries in Alberta and Saskatchewan at the same time information is registered in B.C.

Email BCRegistries@gov.bc.ca to find out how to update co-op information in Manitoba.

Limited liability partnerships can update information with registries in Alberta and Saskatchewan at the same time information is registered in B.C. 



 

Change a company or cooperative name


B.C. companies or cooperatives registered in in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Step 1: Change the name in B.C.

Step 2: Search and reserve your business name (fee required).

Step 3: Submit registration through the appropriate province’s registry (no fee).


Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba companies or cooperatives registered in B.C.

Request and reserve a name online ($30 fee). Select name request type: "Extraprovincial Change of Name."

If you're also adding, changing or removing an Assumed Name, complete the Notice of Cancellation of Assumed Name form (PDF, 456KB).

Once the name reservation is complete, go to:

  • Corporate Online > Other filings, services and paper forms > B.C. Extraprovincial Company Filings > “No Login Required” section
  • Select: Notice of Change of Extraprovincial Name

 

Change attorney information


B.C. companies or cooperatives registered in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Submit updates or changes through the appropriate province’s registry (no fee).

If an attorney resigns, appoint a new one as soon as possible. If not, the corporation’s extraprovincial registration could be cancelled.


Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba companies or cooperatives registered in B.C.

Go to Corporate Online > Other filings, services and paper forms > B.C. Extraprovincial Company Filings > “No Login Required” section. Choose:

  • Notice of Appointment of Attorney to add an attorney
  • Notice of Revocation of Attorney to remove an attorney
  • Notice of Change of Address of Attorney to change the address

 

Change head office or jurisdiction


B.C. companies or cooperatives registered in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Submit updates or changes through the appropriate province’s registry (no fee).


Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba companies or cooperatives registered in B.C.

Go to Corporate Online > Other filings, services and paper forms > B.C. Extraprovincial Company Filings > “No Login Required” section. Select: Change of Head Office or Jurisdiction.


 

Correct information for an extraprovincial company or cooperative

To correct an error or omission in registration, complete the Application to Correct the Corporate Register form (PDF, 557KB). Before sending the form to the registry, contact the registry team at 1-877-526-1526.

B.C. cooperative associations should complete the following form to amend registration in Alberta or Saskatchewan:

B.C. limited partnerships should complete the following form to amend registration in Alberta or Saskatchewan:

 

Cancel extraprovincial registration in B.C.


B.C. companies or organizations registered in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

For companies or organizations that are dissolved, registration in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba will automatically be cancelled.

If the business or organization remains active, submit cancellation through the appropriate province’s registry (no fee).

Cooperative associations should complete the following forms to cancel registration in Alberta or Saskatchewan:

Limited partnerships should complete the following forms to cancel registration in Alberta or Saskatchewan:


Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba companies or cooperatives registered in B.C.

For companies or organizations that have dissolved, B.C. registration is automatically cancelled.

If the business or organization remains active:

  • Go to Corporate Online > Other filings, services and paper forms > B.C. Extraprovincial Company Filings > “Login Required” section
  • Select: Notice of Ceasing to Carry on Business in B.C.

 

Reinstate an extraprovincial company or cooperative


B.C. companies or cooperatives registered in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Step 1: Restore a cooperative or incorporated company or complete the steps to start a partnership (partnerships cannot be restored).

Step 2: Contact the appropriate extraprovincial registry for more information about restoration:


Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba companies or cooperatives registered in B.C.

Restore a cooperative or incorporated company or complete the steps to start a partnership (partnerships cannot be restored).


 

Sole proprietorships or general partnerships do not need to register

Sole proprietorships or general partnerships doing business in other provinces not need to register. They do need to have licenses and permits required by local governments where they operate.

Ask for help

Contact the BC Registries helpdesk for help Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The registry does not provide business or legal advice.

Email: BCRegistries@gov.bc.ca
Toll free: 1 877 526-1526
Victoria: 250 387-7848

Support and services

For additional support with BC Registries filings, visit a Service BC location or call 1-877-370-1033.  Visit Support with BC Registries filings for your service options. Please note that Service BC does not provide legal or financial advice.

Explore business resources and support services from the Small Business Branch or Small Business BC.