Government programs, services and contacts for businesses and entrepreneurs

BC Registries and Online Services

BC Registries and Online Services can answer questions about:

• Choosing a business type
• Naming your business
• Registering your business

Call 1-877-370-1033 to reach the helpdesk from 7:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday or email BCRegistries@gov.bc.ca

BC Registries and Online Services does not provide business or legal advice.

Corporate online

Corporate online provides online filings services to maintain companies in B.C.

Contact Corporate online by calling 1-800-663-6102

Local government

Talk to your local government to learn about business licences, mobile business licences and other business requirements.

Find a local government contact

The provincial government does not issue business licences.

Mobile business licences

Mobile business licences allow some types of businesses to work across participating communities. Please contact your local municipality to see if a Mobile Business Licence is available in your community.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada Citizen Services Centre supports businesses with: 

• Taxes
• Financing
• Permits and regulations
• Intellectual property
• Selling to government

Contact ISED by calling 1-800-328-6189 or visit their website to access chat services, online form, and more.

Service BC

Service BC provides services to businesses across the province. They can help businesses with:

• Forms and registrations
• In person payments for some online services
• BC Services Card account setup

Learn ways to connect with Service BC staff online and in-person at Service BC Centres.

FrontCounter BC

FrontCounter BC is a service to help find Provincial natural resource:

• Licences
• Permits
• Registrations

Find your FrontCounterBC office location and other ways to get help.

BC Bid

Use the BC Bid application to create, browse and compete on public sector business opportunities.

• Learn more about government procurement in B.C. 

Contact the BC Bid Help Desk by calling 250-387-7301 or emailing bcbid@gov.bc.ca

Buy BC membership

Apply to get the Buy BC logo and add it to your packaging and marketing materials, for free.

Contact Buy BC by emailing BuyBC@gov.bc.ca

Trade and Invest BC

Trade and Invest BC works with B.C. and international businesses. They can help your business get international investment or find new markets for your goods and services.

Contact Trade and Invest BC by calling 604-775-2100 or completing the Trade and Invest contact form.

Export Navigator Program

Export Navigator Program's community-based advisors provide free support and ongoing guidance to help your business grow outside of B.C. 

Contact Export Navigator by calling 1-855-667-2270 or emailing info@exportnavigator.ca

Trade Accelerator Program

Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a Canada-wide program that facilitates strategic growth and fosters international trade opportunities. TAP offers a range of skills, experience, and individual mentoring and coaching across a broad spectrum of fields.

Contact TAP by email at Info@wtcvancouver.ca

Provincial Sales Tax Branch

The Provincial Sales Tax (PST) Branch has advisors available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact an advisor by calling 1-877-388-4440 or emailing CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca

PST webinars and seminars

These informative one-hour webinars provide a high-level overview of how the PST may apply to your business. Each webinar consists of a presentation followed by an interactive question-and-answer period.

• Register for a PST webinar or seminar

eTaxBC

eTaxBC is a convenient online system for individuals and businesses to file returns, make payments and communicate directly to the B.C. Ministry of Finance.

Contact eTaxBC by calling 1-877-388-4440 or emailing CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca  

Small business venture capital tax credit

The small business venture capital tax credit is for corporations that invest in shares of a registered venture capital corporation or eligible business corporation.

Call 1-800-665-6597 if you have questions about the program.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Contact the CRA with federal tax questions about Income tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Payroll and Business numbers.

CRA Liaison Officer Service

The CRA offers free Liaison Officer services to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals to help them understand their tax obligations.

Employers’ Advisors Office

The Employers' Advisors Office (EAO)  advises on workers’ compensation issues for employers, potential employers and employer associations.

EAO advisors are available to help Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm by phone at 1-800-925-2233 or by emailing eao@eao-bc.org

Educational seminars 

The Employers' Advisers Office provides educational services to employers to increase employer understanding, compliance and to promote safe, healthy and respectful workplaces.

• Learn more about upcoming EOA seminars

Work BC

WorkBC offers employer resources to help you learn how to grow your business as well as hire, train, support and keep employees.

There are additional programs and resources available to help you create an inclusive workplace.

Find ways to contact WorkBC.

WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC is B.C.'s provincial agency that manages B.C.'s no-fault insurance system for workplace injuries. It provides resources for creating and managing a safe and healthy workplaces, reporting incidents and conducting investigations.

Learn ways to contact WorkSafeBC and find office locations

Provincial Economic Development Services

Specialized government staff are available throughout B.C. to provide free and accessible economic development services to businesses as well as local governments, Indigenous communities and economic development agencies.

Learn more about economic development services.

Pacific Economic Development Canada

Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) helps B.C. businesses to compete in domestic and global markets, create quality jobs and make connections with industry leaders.

Learn more by contacting PacifiCan or find your closest regional office. 

Economic preparedness

Explore Provincial guides and resources to help prepare your business for economic impacts or recovery from disaster events.

• Learn more about how to prepare your business for economic disruption
• Explore resources to help your business recover from disaster events

Learn more by emailing EconomicRecovery@gov.bc.ca.

Disaster Financial Assistance

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program is intended to help you recover from uninsurable losses caused by a disaster or emergency event, such as a flood, that has resulted in extensive or widespread damage.

For help or more information contact the Disaster Financial Assistance team by calling 1-888-257-4777 or emailing DFA.private@gov.bc.ca.

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