How to Start a Business in Quebec, Canada

1. Pick the right legal structure

In Quebec, the main legal structures are sole proprietorship (entreprise individuelle), partnership, and incorporation. Each has trade-offs in liability, tax treatment, and administrative load.

• Sole proprietorship | fastest and cheapest, but you are personally liable for all debts.
• Incorporation (provincial, via REQ) | protects personal assets, opens tax planning options, costs ~$367 CAD to file as of 2026.
• Federal incorporation (via Corporations Canada) | gives Canada-wide name protection, costs $200 CAD online but adds an extra Quebec extra-provincial registration.

Most growth-oriented Quebec founders incorporate provincially. It is the right default unless you specifically need federal name protection.

2. Reserve your name and register with the REQ

All Quebec businesses must register with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ) within 60 days of starting operations. Registration produces a NEQ (Numéro d'entreprise du Québec) | a 10-digit number you'll use everywhere.

Search and reserve your business name through the REQ online portal before incorporating. The name must comply with Quebec's Charter of the French Language: a French version is required, and the French name must appear at least as prominently as any other.

3. Get your CRA Business Number, GST and QST accounts

Open a Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency. The BN is the federal anchor for all your tax accounts: payroll, corporate income tax, import/export, and sales tax.

Register for GST/HST with the CRA and QST with Revenu Québec once your worldwide taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 in any single calendar quarter or in the four preceding quarters. Many founders register voluntarily from day one to claim input tax credits on startup expenses.

4. Open a business bank account

Bring your NEQ, CRA Business Number, articles of incorporation, and government-issued ID. Major Canadian banks (RBC, BMO, TD, National Bank, Desjardins) all offer dedicated business onboarding. Newer options like Wise Business and Float exist but are best as a complement to a traditional account, not a replacement.

5. Set up accounting and bookkeeping early

Choose accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero, or Wave for very small operations) and connect your bank feed from day one. Set your fiscal year-end with intent | most Quebec corporations pick a date that gives them runway after their busiest season. Decide whether you'll do bookkeeping in-house or hire a part-time bookkeeper from month one.

6. Build a credible brand and website

A credible business needs three things online: a clear positioning statement (what you do, for whom, and why now), a professional logo and visual identity, and a website that explains your offer with pricing signals and an easy way to contact you. In bilingual markets like Quebec, a French-first or fully bilingual site is non-negotiable for trust and reach.

7. Get paid: contracts, invoicing, and payment processing

Connect Stripe (or Square, PayPal, Moneris) to accept card payments. Prepare a standard service agreement and invoice template. Decide your default deposit policy (50% upfront is common in services), your refund policy, and your payment terms (Net 15 or Net 30). These three documents save weeks of friction over your first year.

8. Launch and acquire customers

Pick one acquisition channel that matches your offer | outbound sales for high-ticket B2B, content marketing for considered purchases, paid ads for proven offers, partnerships for niche markets. Set a weekly target (calls made, content shipped, ads spent), and commit to running it for at least 90 days before judging. The most common reason new businesses stall is jumping channels every two weeks.

How much does it cost to start a business in Quebec?