Guide to Starting a Business

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TYPES OF BUSINESSES

Sole Proprietorship
With this type of business organization, you are the sole owner, and fully responsible for all debts and obligations related to your business. All profits are yours to keep. Because you are personally liable, a creditor can make a claim against your personal assets as well as your business assets in order to satisfy any debts.

Partnership
A partnership is a non-incorporated business that is created between two or more people. In a partnership, your financial resources are combined with those of your business partner(s), and put into the business. You and your partner(s) would then share in the profits of the business according to any legal agreement you have drawn up.

Corporation
Another type of business structure is a corporation. Incorporation can be done at the federal or provincial/territorial level. When you incorporate your business, it is considered to be a legal entity that is separate from its shareholders. As a shareholder of a corporation, you will not be personally liable for the debts, obligations or acts of the corporation. It is always wise to seek legal advice before incorporating.

Co-operative
A co-operative is owned and controlled by an association of members. It can be set up as a for-profit or as a not-for-profit organization. This is the least common form of business, but can be appropriate in situations where a group of individuals or businesses decide to pool their resources and provide access to common needs, such as the delivery of products or services, the sale of products or services, employment, and more.

Societies
Societies are non-profit organizations within Nunavut incorporated under the Societies Act. Five or more persons may apply to incorporate a society under the Societies Act (Nunavut) for any benevolent, philanthropic, charitable, religious, provident, scientific, artistic, literacy, social, educational, sporting or other useful purpose other than the carrying on of a trade or business.

Requirements for types of businesses in Nunavut:

RETAIL OUTLET +
  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • If Business makes $30,000.00 a year or more, need GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Business may require WSCC Inspections
  • Business may require Fire Inspections
  • Business may require Health Inspections
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contracts with GN, business requires NNI Regulations
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contract services, NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contract services, QIA Designated Inuit Firm List


CONSTRUCTION +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Liability Insurance Coverage
  • NNI Regulations
  • NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • Designated Inuit Firm List


Interpreter Translator +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • If Business makes $30,000.00 a year or more, GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • NNI Regulations
  • NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • QIA Designated Inuit Firm List


Tourism (Outfitting) +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Liability Insurance coverage ($2 Million Dollar Public Liability Insurance)
  • Tourist Outfitter’s Licence (Fee Residential $75.00; Non-Resident $225.00) payable to Government of Nunavut
  • Tourism Establishment Licence (Fee Varies) payable to Government of Nunavut
  • A detailed and specific list of all areas (including GPS coordinates) where the operator plans to operate in Nunavut in the current operating season
  • Access and permission to use designated Inuit-owned lands (if applicable)
  • Copies of Vessel Operator Proficiency Certification documents and/or Captain’s licences held by the operator, the operator’s staff and/or subcontractors as required by Transport Canada regulations (if applicable).
  • NNI Regulations
  • NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • Designated Inuit Firm List


Consulting & Services +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance $200.00
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue AgencyIf Business makes $30,000.00 a year or more, GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • NNI Regulations
  • NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • Designated Inuit Firm List
  • OPTIONAL: Liability Insurance Coverage

Restaurant +
  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contracts with GN, business requires NNI Regulations
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contract services, NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • OPTIONAL: If a business is going to do contract services, QIA Designated Inuit Firm List
  • Business requires WSCC Inspections
  • Business requires Fire Marshals Inspections
  • Business requires Health Inspections

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Catering +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • NNI Regulations
  • NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • QIA Designated Inuit Firm List
  • OPTIONAL: If business owns a building, business requires WSCC Inspections
  • OPTIONAL: If business owns a building, business requires Fire Marshals Inspections
  • OPTIONAL: If a business owns a building, business requires Health Inspections


Accommodations (Bed & Breakfast or Hotel) +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business Licence (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Liability Insurance Coverage
  • Tourism Establishment Licence (Fee Varies)


Taxis +

  • Drivers’ License: Class 4, Class 3, Class 2, Class 1
  • Vehicle Registration and License Number
  • Liability Insurance Coverage
  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business License (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries)
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency


Daycare +

  • WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Municipal Business Licence (Fee Residential $100.00; Non-Resident $500.00)
  • Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  • Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • GST Number from Canada Revenue Agency
  • Require WSCC Inspections
  • Require Health Inspections
  • Require Fire Marshals Inspections

STAGE 1 Planning and Research

  1. Establish A Committee. Provide Kakivak Association with the names of at least 5 people who have agreed to be part of your committee.
  2. Apply for Society Status from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries) Fee $50.00
  3. Provide at least 3 letters of support from community groups saying that they support the idea of developing a new daycare. One letter must be from the Municipality. Other groups: Elder’s Association, HTO, women’s groups or Childcare Associations.
    • Develop a questionnaire and send it out to the community. Have people either write down their answers or do interviews with them and record their answers.
    • Gather all the information together and compile a report.
    • Ask questions like: Do you have children? Between the ages 0-6; Do they need childcare?; Where is your child being cared for now? Would you use this new daycare facility? Would you be willing to pay for daycare? Is yes, how much?;
      What hours and days would your child or children need daycare? Why do they need care?; Are you working, going to school. Carving, sewing, hunting, etc.?Perform a Community Needs Assessment and submit a report on the needs assessment.
  5. Provide a letter signed by at least 8 working or studying Beneficiary parents who would be interested in using your daycare.
  6. Provide a briefing note to Kakivak Association outline the group’s vision of an Inuit Daycare example: language or operation, programming, staffing, selection of children, design if facility, etc.
  7. Send a letter to Kakivak Association requesting additional funding for the next stage of development. Include a budget and a work plan with specific objectives and a clear timeline.

STAGE 2 Site / Location Identification

  • Identify one or two potential daycare sites: either buildings that can be renovated or sites for a new building.
  • If renovating, contact the Child Development Officer of the GN Dept. of Education to find out what inspections should be done on the building before proceeding with renovations.
  • If building, contact the Child Development Officer of the GN Dept. of Education to find out the regulations and guideline for designing a Childcare facility.
  • Develop a draft budget for building or renovating. Identify sources of funding for the building/renovating such as Government of Nunavut, community Groups, Municipality, Kakivak Association.
  • Make a request to Kakivak Association to have funds put in reserve for the development of your daycare. Funding is subject to demand and availability.
  • Kakivak Association will put these funds in reserve for a set period of time usually allowing for materials to arrive by sealift plus one building season. A schedule for the release of funds will be developed.

STAGE 3 Construction

Build the daycare. Provide documentation for use of funds to Kakivak Association

Filling out applications for Business Licences:

Workers’ Safety & Compensation Commission
All businesses require WSCC Certificate of Compliance and have to renew it each calendar year from January to December.

  • Certificate of Compliance calendar year from January to December.
  • Renew every December of each year.
  • Fee of $200.00

Municipal Business Licence

All Businesses require Municipal Business Licence and has to renew it each fiscal year from April to March.

  • Copy of WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • Application for Municipal Business Licence
  • Residential $100.00
  • Non-Resident $500.00
  • Municipal Business Licence from April to March of each fiscal year.
  • Renew Business Licence every March for new fiscal year

NNI Regulation

Any business who operates services, contracts require NNI Regulations.

  • Fill out application for NNI Regulation
  • A copy of WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • A copy of Municipal Business Licence
  • A copy of BN from Nunavut Legal Registries
  • A copy of BN from CRA

Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency

Every business requires Business Number (BN) from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to operate a business in Nunavut.

  • Fill out application online through Canada Revenue Agency

Business Number from Nunavut Legal Registries (Corporate Registries)

Every business requires Business Number from Corporate Registries, business types: Sole Proprietor, Corporate, and Non-Profit Society.

  • Fill out application for Legal Registries
  • A copy of WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • A copy of Municipal Business Licence
  • Application for corporate registries (sole proprietor, corporation, non-profit society)
    Fee of $50.00
  • To incorporate as a Society or Corporation, it is recommended to hire a lawyer to incorporate.

For a Sole Proprietorship:

  • Certified copy of a Certificate of Status of Business Name issued by the Department of Justice, Nunavut
  • Legal Registries Office (867) 975-6590
  • Business Licence from the local Hamlet/Municipality
  • Statutory Declaration and Nunavut ID from Owner and Resident Manager

For a Partnership:

  • Certified copy of a Declaration of Partnership issued by the Department of Justice, Nunavut Legal
  • Registries Office (867) 975-6590
  • Business Licence from the local Hamlet/Municipality
  • Statutory Declaration and Nunavut ID from all Owners and Resident Manager

For an Incorporated Business:

  • Certificate of Compliance (annual filings) issued by the Department of Justice, Nunavut Legal Registries Office (867) 924-6790
  • Articles of Incorporation issued by the Department of Justice, Nunavut Legal Registries Office (867) 975-6590Certificate of Compliance issued by the Workers’ Safety Compensation Commission (867) 975-8500
  • Business Licence from the local Hamlet/Municipality
  • Statutory declaration and Nunavut ID from all Owners and Resident Manager
  • Shareholder Register maintained at the Records Office of the Corporation
  • If any, all agreements affecting control and ownership of the business
  • If any, all By-Laws affecting control and ownership of the business

For a Co-operative Association:

  • Letter of Compliance issued by the Department of Economic Development and Transportation (867) 975-7800
  • Certificate of Compliance issued by the Worker’s Safety Compensation Commission (867) 979-7800
  • Business Licence from the local Hamlet/Municipality
  • Statutory Declaration and Nunavut ID from Resident Manager
  • List of Members maintained at the Records Office of the Association
  • If any, all agreements affecting control and ownership of the business
  • If any, all By-Laws affecting control and ownership of the business

NNI Secretariat Contact Details

nni@gov.nu.ca
Tel: 867-975-7800
Toll free 1 888-975-5999

QIA Designated Inuit Firm List

Any business who operates services, contracts require Designated Inuit Firm List

  • Fill out application for QIA Designated Inuit Firm List
  • A copy of WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • A copy of Municipal Business Licence
  • A copy of BN from Nunavut Legal Registries
  • A copy of BN from CRA
  • A copy of NNI Regulation Number
  • A copy of NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • A copy of NTI Beneficiary Card

NTI Inuit Firm Registry

  • Any business who operates services, contracts require NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • Fill out application for NTI Inuit Firm Registry
  • A copy of WSCC Certificate of Compliance
  • A copy of Municipal Business Licence
  • A copy of BN from Nunavut Legal Registries
  • A copy of BN from CRA
  • A copy of NNI Regulation Number
  •  A copy of NTI Beneficiary Card