One of the first questions every entrepreneur asks before starting a company is: how much does it cost to incorporate in Canada? The honest answer is that it depends on the province you choose, whether you file federally or provincially, and whether you do it yourself or use a registration service. This guide breaks down every cost — government fees, service fees, and the hidden expenses most guides forget.
Government Filing Fees by Province (2026)
Every Canadian incorporation requires a government filing fee paid directly to the provincial or federal registry. These fees are set by government and apply regardless of who files your paperwork.
| Jurisdiction | Gov't Filing Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (CBCA) | $200 CAD | Online via Corporations Canada |
| Ontario | $300 CAD | Online via Ontario Business Registry |
| British Columbia | $350 CAD | Online via BC Registry Services (+ $30 name approval for named corps) |
| Alberta | $275 CAD | Via authorized registry agent (LEAR) |
| Quebec | $397 CAD | Via Registraire des entreprises (REQ), as of 2026 |
| Manitoba | $300 CAD | Companies Office of Manitoba |
| Saskatchewan | $265 CAD | Corporate Registry of Saskatchewan |
| Nova Scotia | $454.75 CAD | $336.40 incorporation + $118.35 business registration fee |
| New Brunswick | $262 CAD | $250 + $12 Royal Gazette publication |
| Prince Edward Island | $250 CAD | Base fee; additional name search and publication fees apply |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $270 CAD | Online; $300 CAD by paper filing |
| Northwest Territories | ~$350 CAD | Verify with NWT Corporate Registry |
| Yukon | $345 CAD | Corporate Affairs, Yukon |
| Nunavut | ~$320 CAD | Verify with Nunavut Corporate Registry |
All government fees listed are approximate and subject to change without notice. Always verify the current fee directly with the relevant federal or provincial registry before filing. These fees are separate from SimplyfyBiz service fees.
NUANS Name Search: $13.80
If you are incorporating federally or in most provinces under a named corporation (e.g., "Maple Tech Inc." rather than a numbered company like "1234567 Ontario Inc."), you need a NUANS Report. NUANS stands for Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search and checks your proposed name against existing Canadian corporate names and trademarks.
A NUANS search costs $13.80 CAD (as of 2026) and is valid for 90 days. British Columbia maintains its own name-approval system separate from NUANS, and Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the territories use a Name Reservation process instead — your service provider handles this as part of the incorporation process. SimplyfyBiz includes name clearance in all incorporation plans.
Service Fees: DIY vs Done-for-You
Beyond government fees, your options are: file yourself, hire a lawyer, or use a registration service like SimplyfyBiz.
| Option | Service Fee | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (government portal) | $0 | File yourself — no support, easy to make mistakes |
| Corporate lawyer | $1,500–$5,000+ | Full legal counsel, custom share structure, minute book |
| SimplyfyBiz Premium | $249 + gov't fees | Federal or provincial incorporation — Articles of Incorporation, CRA Business Number, incorporation filing |
| SimplyfyBiz Enterprise | $349 + gov't fees | Federal + provincial incorporation — everything in Premium, plus one provincial registration included |
See SimplyfyBiz full pricing →
Hidden Costs People Forget
Beyond the upfront filing fee, there are several costs that surprise first-time incorporators:
- Extra-provincial registration: If you incorporate federally but carry on business in a province, you may need to register extra-provincially there. Ontario requires only a free Initial Notice filing for federal corporations. BC and other provinces charge a separate registration fee — costs vary by province. Each province where you carry on business may require its own filing.
- Annual returns: Every corporation must file an Annual Return each year. Federal Annual Returns cost $12 CAD online. Provincial annual returns range from $20–$106 CAD depending on the province. Missing a filing can lead to dissolution.
- Minute book: A corporation is legally required to maintain a minute book containing Articles of Incorporation, shareholder resolutions, director resolutions, and share register. Physical minute book kits cost $100–$300 from legal suppliers; SimplyfyBiz prepares your foundational minute book documents as part of every incorporation plan.
- Registered agent / address: Some provinces require a registered office address within the province. If you're operating remotely, you may need to pay for a registered agent service ($50–$200/year).
- Corporate tax return (T2): Corporations must file a T2 corporate tax return annually. An accountant typically charges $500–$1,500 for a small corporation's T2 filing.
Sole Proprietorship vs Corporation: Cost Comparison
If you're deciding between the two structures, cost is a legitimate factor. A sole proprietorship is significantly cheaper to start and maintain.
| Cost Item | Sole Proprietorship | Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Gov't registration fee | $60–$150 CAD (name reg.) | $200–$400 CAD (varies by province) |
| SimplyfyBiz service fee | $149 CAD | $249–$349 CAD |
| Annual return | $0 (renew every 5 years in ON) | $12–$75 CAD/year |
| Tax filing | T1 personal return (add Schedule T2125) | T2 corporate return ($500–$1,500/year) |
| Minute book | Not required | Required by law |
| Approx. Year-1 total | $209–$299 CAD | $449–$749 CAD |
The cost difference is real, but incorporation pays off once your business earns more than ~$50,000/year — the 9% federal small business corporate tax rate is significantly lower than the top personal tax rates. See our incorporation guide and sole proprietorship guide for a full comparison.
Is It Cheaper to Incorporate Federally or Provincially?
Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada costs $200 CAD — less than every province. Federal corporations carrying on business in Ontario only need to file a free Initial Notice (no government fee) under Ontario's Corporations Information Act, keeping the total at $200. For BC, a separate extra-provincial registration fee applies. Each province has different rules and costs for federal corporations operating locally.
For a business operating in only one province, federal incorporation is typically cheaper or equal upfront — but factor in extra-provincial registration if required and the need for a registered office in a Canadian province.
Why Nova Scotia and Quebec Cost More
Nova Scotia's $454.75 CAD fee is actually two fees bundled together — a $336.40 incorporation fee plus a mandatory $118.35 business registration fee, filed together. See our Nova Scotia registration guide for the full breakdown. Quebec's $397 CAD fee, filed through the Registraire des entreprises, reflects Quebec running an entirely separate provincial registry system with its own rules, including a French-language requirement for corporate names — covered in our Quebec incorporation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest province to incorporate in?
Saskatchewan ($265 CAD) has one of the lowest provincial base fees. Federal incorporation ($200 CAD) is the least expensive option upfront. For Ontario-based businesses, federal incorporation at $200 plus a free Initial Notice is cheaper than Ontario's $300 provincial fee. Fees change — always verify with the relevant registry before filing.
Does the SimplyfyBiz fee include government fees?
No. Government filing fees (the amounts paid to the provincial or federal registry) are always separate and paid directly to the government. SimplyfyBiz's service fee covers preparation, filing, and delivery of your corporate documents. The total cost is SimplyfyBiz service fee + government fee. See full pricing →
Can I incorporate for free?
You can file directly through the government portal yourself (no service fee), but you still pay the government filing fee. Ontario's Ontario Business Registry, BC's BC Registry Services, and Corporations Canada all have online portals. DIY incorporation works, but errors in Articles of Incorporation (wrong share structure, missing restrictions) are difficult and costly to fix later.
How much does it cost to incorporate in Ontario specifically?
The Ontario government filing fee is $300 CAD. Using SimplyfyBiz, your total would be $300 (government) + $249–$349 (SimplyfyBiz service fee depending on plan) = $549–$649 all in. A lawyer would charge $1,500–$5,000 in addition to the $300 government fee.