The Ontario government has launched a new modern Ontario Business Registry system today, October 19, 2021.  The new Ontario Business Registry offers simpler and faster access to many services and documents for organizations that are registered, incorporated, or licensed to carry on business in Ontario.

Some key features about the Ontario Business Registry are:

 

1. Searching for a business or not-for-profit corporation

Anyone can now do a free search of the Ontario Business Registry to get basic information about a business or not-for-profit corporation.  The basic information includes the corporation’s full name, Ontario corporation number, incorporation date, type of corporation, status of the corporation, governing jurisdiction and registered / head office address.  In the past, one would need to get a paid report through the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (“MGCS”) or through a service provider.  However, one would still need to pay a fee in order to get further information such as a Profile Report which would include a list of directors/officers on record with the Ontario Ministry, copies of governing documents such as Letters Patent and Supplementary Letters Patent, and a Certificate of Status.  As we have blogged about earlier the information available on non-profit corporations is far less than for example the Federal government provides.   Hopefully, the Ontario government will improve the OBR as time goes on.  To search the new Ontario Business Registry, click here.

2. Accessing your existing business or not-for-profit corporation

If you have an existing business or not-for-profit corporation that was registered or incorporated before October 19, 2021, you can now access your business or not-for-profit corporation profile and make online filings.  However, one would need a Company Key which is a password (similar to a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you use for banking transactions).  In order to obtain a Company Key, please visit this link.  The request for a Company Key will be sent within 3 business days of receipt of request to the official email address on file with MGCS, or the registered/head office address if there is no official email address on file.

Once you have a Company Key, you can access your business or not-for-profit corporation profile and make online filings here.  Keep in mind that when logging in the first time, you are required to create a ONe-key ID and a ServiceOntario account.  ONe-key is a unique electronic credential that allows you to communicate securely with online Government services.  To create a One-key ID and password, please visit this link.

 3. Creating a new business entity or non-for-profit corporation

You can now create a new business entity or not-for-profit corporation using the new Ontario Business Registry.   In most cases for a non-profit incorporated in Ontario, it may still make more sense to establish a Federal corporation under the CNCA.

 

Click here to access the new Ontario Business Registry.

If your organization needs any assistance with changes as a result of the launch of the OBR and ONCA please contact us and we can be retained to assist.  We have extensive resources on the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (“ONCA”) for groups who wish to bring their non-profit into alignment with ONCA and also groups who wish to move their Ontario non-profits to the Federal Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (“CNCA”).   Also, we have courses that might be helpful.