This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, accounting, or tax advice. The information contained herein is subject to change and may vary from time to time in your region. For specific advice applicable to your business, please contact a professional.
Fredericton is the capital of the province of New Brunswick. It’s known for having the highest concentration of craft breweries in the region, and is also home to Canada’s oldest high school, Fredericton High School, which first opened its doors in 1785. Those looking to move to this beautiful Atlantic region enjoy real estate prices up to 50% lower than in other parts of the country. The city has an impressive history and heritage, and opening a business in Fredericton is an exciting venture — here’s what you need to know to get started.
First Steps
Before you open your doors to the public, there are a few steps, such as choosing a name for your business, registering it, and applying for a business licence, that you must take.
Choosing a business name is important. The business name must be unique — it can’t be the same or similar to a name another business already uses. It should accurately describe your business and what you offer and can even include the location if you prefer. If you’re opening a restaurant, your business name can’t be just “Restaurant”, but it could be something like Fredericton Family Restaurant.
To ensure that no other business has the business name you desire, conduct a search. You can search for business names that are already taken using:
- Canada business registry
- A Google search
- NUANS
While you can conduct a business name search on your own, there are companies that can do the search for you — just understand these name search companies charge a fee for the service.
In New Brunswick, after you’ve chosen a business name, it’s necessary to hire a private company to perform a name search through NUANS. You can find a private sector company to perform this search for you following these steps.
When you receive your report, the company that performed the search will include a cover letter explaining whether your business name is viable. If the name is viable, submit your business name registration at the SNB Registry site.
Afterwards, it’s essential to register your business with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You’ll need your Business Number to complete your business licence application.
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Applying for a Fredericton Business Licence
The City of Fredericton requires everyone doing business within the city to have a business licence. This applies to both physical businesses and online businesses. The city uses BizPal for business licensing. Head to the BizPal website, click the Click to Begin button, and it’ll take you to the business licence and permit search page.
From here, type in the proposed location for your business and its industry, and the BizPal site will walk you through the rest of the process. BizPal is an excellent resource, as it does all the work for you and lets you know all the paperwork and steps you’ll need to fulfil to obtain your Fredericton business licence.
Once you’ve received your Fredericton business licence, you must display it conspicuously for anyone entering your business to see.
If you fail to follow the rules and regulations ascribed to businesses in Fredericton, the city has the right to revoke your business licence.
For information about:
Business licence fees
Businesses not allowed in Fredericton
Any other questions not covered above
Email service@fredericton.ca for additional information.