Can a Quebec corporation operate across Canada?

What is the difference between incorporation and registration?

Incorporation creates the legal person (your company) in its "home" province. Registration is the process of telling a "host" province that this legal person is doing business there.

People mix the two all the time. You only incorporate once. But you can be registered in 10 different provinces simultaneously if you have offices across the country. Each host province will charge you an annual registration fee to stay in their local database.

What defines "doing business" in another province?

Generally, you are deemed to be "doing business" (or having a permanent establishment) if you have a physical address, a resident employee taking orders, a warehouse, or if you hold specific operational licenses in that province.

Simply shipping products from your Quebec warehouse to Ontario customers via Canada Post usually does NOT trigger corporate registration in Ontario. Similarly, a Montreal consultant providing remote Zoom coaching to a client in BC does not need to register in BC.

What about GST/HST and QST?

Sales taxes are completely separate from corporate registration! Even if you don't need to register your corporation in Nova Scotia, you may still be legally required to charge and remit the 15% HST to the government depending on where your clients are located.

Always check the "place of supply" rules with your accountant. If you cross the $30,000 national sales threshold, you must collect the appropriate sales tax based on the province of your buyer, regardless of your corporate registration status.

How much does extra-provincial registration cost?

If you do need to register in Ontario (EPIN) or BC, expect to pay government fees ranging from $300 to $400, plus legal or agent fees to file the paperwork. You will also need to name an "Agent for Service" (someone with a physical address in that province) to receive legal documents on your behalf.