While this list is intended to describe the basic steps required to create a corporation, readers should be aware that it is not exhaustive, and that certain steps may be performed simultaneously.
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In Canada, incorporators can choose to incorporate in one of 12 provincial and territorial jurisdictions or one federal jurisdiction of incorporation. Provincial corporations are incorporated pursuant to the applicable provincial corporate statute, and only have the right to carry on business within the province or territory of incorporation. Another important difference between a federal and provincial corporation is the scope of protection given to the name of the corporation. Once a particular corporate name is registered as a federal corporation, no one else may use that name or a confusing name for their corporation anywhere in Canada. This federal corporate name protection is second only to trademark protection in terms of its scope and effectiveness for protecting business names.