Who is Required to Register?

As of January 1, 1994, all businesses operating in Québec are required to register in the enterprise register. Specifically, this obligation applies to the following:

• natural persons operating a sole proprietorship in Québec under a name that does not include both their first and last names;
• natural persons operating a tobacco retail outlet under a name that includes their first and last names;
• general and limited partnerships constituted in Québec;
• partnerships not constituted in Québec but that carry out an activity (including operation of a business) in Québec or have interest in land in Québec other than a priority or a mortgage;  
• legal persons established for a private interest that are constituted under Québec law;
• legal persons established for a private interest that are constituted outside of Québec (pursuant to a law of Canada, of another province/territory or another country, or constituted in Québec but having continued operating under a legislative jurisdiction other than Québec), are domiciled in Québec, carry out an activity (including operation of a business) in Québec, or have interest in land in Québec other than a priority or a mortgage.

Exemptions

The following are not required to register:

• natural persons operating a sole proprietorship under a name that includes their first and last names.
• non-profit associations that are not legal persons;
• public authorities.

Note:

You can voluntarily register so that your business is included on the public list. However, businesses that choose to register have the same rights and obligations as those that are legally required to register.

Definition of “active in Québec”

A person or partnership is presumed to exercise an activity or operate a business in Québec when it

• has an address in Québec or when, on its own behalf or through a representative acting under a general mandate, has an establishment or post office box in Québec; or
• has a telephone line in Québec; or
• carries out an activity in Québec for the purpose of profit.