BizMapBC
Make BizMapBC your starting point for researching commercial and neighbourhood area profiles of Vancouver's key business improvement areas.

Business Plan Workshop
The Canada Business Service Centres have developed an interactive business planner, using a question and answer format, that will help you prepare a 3-year business plan with financial projections.

If you've already written your business plan, check out these resources to make sure your plan is complete.

Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides comprehensive business information, market research, export services advice and seminars for people looking to start businesses in British Columbia.

BC Corporate Registry
This BC Ministry of Finance website explains how to register your company name and provides an overview of corporate reporting requirements. You can also download complete information packages, forms and fee schedules.

OneStop Business Registration
If your business name has been approved, you can use the OneStop Business Registration website to register as a vendor for provincial sales tax with the BC Consumer Taxation Branch, register as an employer with the Workers Compensation Board of BC, and apply for a business number account with Canada Customs and Revenue for GST, payroll deductions and corporate income tax.

Business Licence Application
To carry on business in the city of Vancouver, you must have a business licence. Business licence applications must be made in person at Vancouver city hall. Read this page to ensure that you have all the documentation you need before you go.

Federal Incorporation
Incorporating federally allows your company to carry on business anywhere in Canada using its own name, and there are no restrictions on where the company is located. To evaluate whether or not this is the right option for your business, look at the Corporations Directorate web page.

Strategis
Offered by Industry Canada, Strategis is a massive business information website featuring Canadian company directories, sector information and economic analysis among other things.

Canadian Importers Database
A key database listing companies that import specific items into Canada through Customs.

NAFTA
Make sure you're familiar with NAFTA rules for trade with the United States and Mexico. Also visit Canada Border Services Agency's technical publications page for importers, exporters and their agents to know the customs and tax implications of your trade activities.

ExportSource
ExportSource is Team Canada Inc's online resource for export information. The wide range of tools is designed to help Canadian companies become export-ready, expand their export potential or break into new markets. Canadian entrepreneurs can find the best sources of export services with the help of the Roadmap to Exporting, available in print, on CD-Rom or online. The popular Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting will walk them through the exporting process. Or Canadian entrepreneurs can prepare their own export plan with the Interactive Export Planner.

Canada Export Centre
Located in Vancouver's downtown business district within two blocks of the World Trade Centre and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Canada Export Centre is a 17,000 square foot high-profile export exhibition hall and learning centre.

InfoExport
This website is offered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and contains market reports by country and sector intended to help Canadian companies identify foreign business opportunities and learn about external markets.

SourceCan
This free e-marketplace, set up by Industry Canada, Canadian Commercial Corporation and HyperNet Inc, matches up Canadian companies and services with business opportunities posted by domestic and foreign corporations and governments.

Export Development Corporation
EDC provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services.

North Star Trade Finance
An export finance company based in Greater Vancouver offering term and floor plan financing, insured by EDC, to foreign buyers of Canadian goods.

iTrade Finance Inc.
An export finance company based in Greater Vancouver offering term and floor plan financing, insured by EDC, to foreign buyers of Canadian goods.

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association
CME is the influential national business association for Canadian businesses involved in manufacturing and trade. CME publishes the Canadian Trade Index, which provides detailed information regarding over 32,000 Canadian companies.

Western Economic Diversification
WD's mandate is to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada. This page lists some of WD's resources for exporters.

Nudeal
A trade leads website hosted by a Vancouver-based software company.

BC trade events
A listing of trade events in BC by the Pacific Regional Trade Network