How to incorporate a business in Quebec

It is recommended that a professional (lawyer or notary) be mandated to incorporate a corporation. In addition to filing articles of incorporation with a suitable corporate structure that complies with the legislation, the professional organises the company, in particular to issue shares, adopt internal regulations and elect the company's directors and officers .

However, it is possible for the public to file the articles of incorporation and receive a certificate of incorporation and business number. Here are the steps to follow to do so.

1. Filing of articles of incorporation

The Enterprise Registrar offers an online service to facilitate the filing of articles of incorporation. Click on "Access the service" at the following link: http: //www.registreentreprises.gouv.qc.ca/fr/sepf/services_ligne/la-constitution-et-la-continuation/S00435a.aspx

You should then choose "File Articles of Incorporation with Initial Declaration", which is the quickest method of incorporation. This takes you to the online form for filing articles of incorporation. The following information is required to be entered:

• The name and address of the founder(s) of the company
• Choose between a numerical designation (e.g. 123456 Quebec Inc.) or a company name
• The name of the company, if applicable, and its English version (optional)
• Description of share capital, restrictions on transfer of securities or shares, limitations on activities and other provisions (professional advice is recommended)
• Fixed number ofdirectors, or alternatively a minimum and maximum number

Once all the information has been completed, the Articles of Association can be filed, and a payment of $347 is required (fee in 2021). An application number is then assigned, which should be noted.

2. Initial statement

Within 48 hours of filing the articles of association, the initial declaration must be completed. The online form is available at the following link http://www.registreentreprises.gouv.qc.ca/fr/sepf/services_ligne/l-immatriculation/S00434a.aspx

Click on "Access the service", and then choose " corporation or company". You must then enter the application number obtained after filing the articles of association.

Several pieces of information about the company are then requested, including the address of the registered office, the names and addresses of directors and the 3 shareholders with the highest number of voting rights, the 2 main activities of the company and the number of employees. The names of directors are particularly important as those named in the initial declaration will have the mandate of first directors, and will have to proceed with the organisation of the company.

When all the information is entered, the declaration can be submitted.

3. Receipt of the certificate of incorporation

Once the Articles of Incorporation and Initial Declaration have been filed and the $347 (2021) fee has been paid, all that remains is to wait for the Certificate of Incorporation. This is sent by email if the "contact person" section of the Articles of Incorporation form has been set to "email" instead of by post.

Generally, the certificate for a corporation numbered company is obtained within minutes. For a corporation with a corporate name, we generally wait between 24 and 48 hours (during business days). On the certificate, the date of incorporation, which is generally the date of transmission of the articles of incorporation, as well as the Quebec enterprise number (NEQ) are indicated.