filecanada.ca

Start your Canadian business in one place.

filecanada.ca helps you choose the right structure, launch with confidence, and stay organized with a guided setup built for Canadians.

Get StartedSee how it works
How it works

A guided path from idea to incorporated.

Replace a stack of confusing government forms with a calm, modern flow built for first-time Canadian founders.

Step 01

Answer a few questions

Tell us what you are building, your stage, revenue expectations, and whether you plan to operate alone or with others.
Step 02

Get a recommended path

See whether a sole proprietorship, named corporation, or numbered corporation makes the most sense for your situation.
Step 03

Follow your setup checklist

Track your next steps, organize documents, and stay on top of compliance tasks.

Built for Canadian founders.

filecanada.ca is built for Canadian founders, with province-specific workflows rolling out one at a time. Ontario is first so the experience can be precise before we expand nationwide.

  • Sole proprietorship registration through ServiceOntario, with the right business name search built in.
  • Named or numbered Ontario corporations via the Ontario Business Registry - Articles, bylaws, and minute book templates included.
  • Ontario-specific compliance: Initial Return, annual resolutions, HST thresholds, and CRA accounts.
3-minute questionnaire

Pick a path that fits you - not a template.

A short, plain-English questionnaire compares sole proprietorship and incorporation against your situation. No accounts, no jargon, just a clear answer.

  • · Liability, revenue, and naming preferences
  • · Solo founder vs. partners or shareholders
  • · Plans to hire, raise capital, or rebrand
Try the questionnaire
Step 1 of 520%

What kind of business are you building?

Pick the option that best describes your day-to-day. We'll use this to shape the rest of the questionnaire.

Sole Proprietorship

Simple registration, personal liability.

Canadian Corporation

Limited liability and tax flexibility.

Founder dashboard

One workspace for the whole launch.

After your recommendation, your dashboard tracks documents, tasks, and compliance reminders so post-launch life stays calm.

Formation in progressID:ON.FOUNDER.2941
Progress

2 of 6 tasks done

Province

Ontario

Numbered or named corporation supported.
Structure

Canadian Corporation

Recommended for your projected revenue.

Next steps

  • Reserve corporate nameNUANS pre-search complete
    Completed
  • Appoint directorsAt least one Canadian-resident director required
    In progress
  • Register CRA Business NumberAuto-prepared after incorporation
    Not started
Document Vault
NUANS ReportReviewed
PDF
Articles of Inc.Awaiting signatures
DOCX
Bylaw TemplateStandard Canada v1
DOCX
Compliance Radar
Initial ReturnDue Jul 2, 2026
HST registrationRequired at $30k revenue
Open the dashboard preview
Frequently asked

Answers, before you start.

Short, practical answers to what most founders ask before getting started. The full FAQ has more.

01Who is filecanada.ca for?
Canadian founders launching their first business - freelancers, consultants, contractors, ecommerce sellers, and first-time founders who want a clear, modern alternative to the patchwork of provincial portals.
02Which provinces do you support?
Ontario is supported first, including both numbered and named corporations. British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec are next on the roadmap.
03Should I incorporate or stay a sole proprietor?
It depends on liability, revenue, and naming. The questionnaire compares both paths against your situation in under three minutes and explains the tradeoffs in plain language.
04Will you help with CRA registration?
Yes. Once your structure is selected, the dashboard tracks Business Number registration, GST/HST thresholds, initial returns, and other compliance milestones.
See the full FAQ

Ready to start your Canadian business?

Take the 3-minute questionnaire, get a recommended path, and start your launch checklist. No payment required.

Read the FAQGet Started