Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Resources

Below is a list of useful legal and business websites. The Law & Business Clinic is not responsible for the content of external websites.

University resources

  • Entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University (opens in new window) : The research institute helps students and alumni start up for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations and community programs. It also provides information about online entrepreneurship learning modules and tools and networks, business plan competitions, funds and other resources.
  • Digital Media Zone (DMZ) (opens in new window) : DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University University is one of Canada’s largest incubators and multi-disciplinary co-working spaces for entrepreneurs. This hub of digital media innovation, collaboration and commercialization is home to both startups and industry solution-providers.
  • International Student Support (opens in new window)  (ISS): offers transaction and transformative student experience services to students all year round to help international students understand their legal status and obligations while studying in Canada.
  1. Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (external link, opens in new window) : A non-profit community based legal clinic serving low income members of the community who qualify for services and meet their case selection criteria such as employment insurance, employment standards, human rights, housing, immigration and refugee, domestic violence, social assistance, income security and general administrative tasks.
  2. Enterprise Toronto (external link, opens in new window) : An innovative public and private sector alliance created to provide one-stop sourcing of services and programs tailored to meet the needs of the Toronto's Entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is managed by the City of Toronto Economic Development & Culture Office (external link, opens in new window)  which offers services and programs in the areas of Small Business and Local Partnerships, Business Development and Retention, Investment Marketing, Economic Research and Business Information.
  3. Municipal Licensing and Standards Division (external link, opens in new window) : The Division issues business licenses and also provides information on obtaining, applying, renewing and fees associated with business licenses (external link, opens in new window) .
  4. City of Toronto FAQ about Business (external link, opens in new window) : Get quick answers to questions such as how do I start my own small business? How do I get a license to operate my business?
  5. Toronto Business Development Centre (external link) : TBDC’s Business Incubation Program offers access to business advisory support and a professional environment to help entrepreneurs establish their business. The Centre provides assistance in all phases of business creation and growth through seminars and the Business Incubation Program.
  6. MaRS Incubator: provides essential resources such as people, programs, facilities, funding, and most importantly, networking. It offers courses such as Entrepreneurship 101 that provides essential information to new entrepreneurs. Courses are offered in the heart of Toronto, allowing students greater and better access to effectively grow their business from an idea to a funded business.
  7. University of Toronto: Downtown Legal Services (external link) : Legal clinic offered by University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. Free advice and representation is provided by law students working under lawyer supervision.
  8. Osgoode Community & Legal Aid Services Programme (external link, opens in new window)  (CLASP): An interdisciplinary Student Legal Aid Service from York University. Students from Osgoode Hall Law School and the School of Social Work offer summary advice, referrals, and representation.
  9. Legal Aid Ontario: Toronto Workers’ Health & Safety Legal Clinic: A specialty community legal clinic which provides free information, legal advice, and representation to individuals facing health and safety problems in their workplace.
  1. Durham Community Legal Clinic (external link, opens in new window)  (DCLC): Free legal services for low-income residents in the region of Durham.
  2. Office of Employer Adviser (external link, opens in new window) : An independent agency of the Ministry of Labour that offers free, confidential services to assist employers in managing their workplace safety and insurance costs.
  3. Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic (external link, opens in new window) : Provides advice and representation in all matters under the jurisdiction of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. It also hosts support groups, workshops and seminars.
  4. Legal Aid Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : Legal Aid Ontario gives low-income people access to a range of legal services tailored to meet their legal needs.
  5. The Law Society of Upper Canada (external link, opens in new window) : The LSUC provides assistance in helping Ontario citizens find a legal professional to assist in setting up a business.
  6. Pro Bono Ontario: Law Help Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : This site has information about Pro Bono Ontario's projects. These projects serve people who are suing or being sued in civil (non-family) court, children and youth, businesses and charitable organizations.
  7. One-Source for Business to Service Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides entrepreneurs with hundreds of resources to help define, develop and grow a business. It provides information on financing, taxes, business registration, licensing, and more.
  8. Small Business Enterprise Centres (external link, opens in new window) : SBECs provide entrepreneurs with all the tools they need to start and grow their businesses. Each Centre is staffed with dedicated business professionals who help you determine what you need to do before, during and after launching your business.
  9. Canada Business Ontario – Business Start-Up Guide (external link, opens in new window) : The business Start-Up Guide provides entrepreneurs in Ontario with the information needed to set up a business. The Guide takes entrepreneurs through each stage of the set-up process from creating a business plan to how to manage and operate the business.
  10. Ontario Ministry of Labour (external link, opens in new window) : The site provides a guide (external link)  for businesses and employers on how to comply with employment standards regulation.
  11. Ontario Business and Economy (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides advice and support for starting or growing a business in Ontario. It also provides information on government services, forms and information to help start, operate and grow a business.
  12. Start a Business: Young Adult (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides links to government programs that provide the tools and resources for young entrepreneurs to launch their own small business in Ontario.
  13. Ontario Immigration – Doing Business in Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : This site assists immigrants to Ontario in starting up a business. The site directs entrepreneurs on registering or incorporating a business, business laws and regulations, how to get government advice, and business financing.
  14. Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities – Starting a Business (external link, opens in new window) : The Ministry provides links to resources to help young entrepreneurs start up a business.
  15. Women in Business Guide (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides a guide to assist women in starting up a business.  From small independently run businesses to hi-tech corporations, women entrepreneurs are making their mark on the economy.  This guide provides help in navigating regulations, financing, taxation, training and mentorship.
  16. Health and Safety Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides information on the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its applicability to small businesses.
  17. Ontario Securities Commission (external link, opens in new window) : The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is an independent Crown corporation that is responsible for regulating the capital markets in Ontario. It provides information to Companies raising funds.
  18. Ontario Ministry of Finance – Credits, Benefits, and Incentives (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides information on tax credits available to businesses in Ontario.
  19. City of Oshawa, Business Development (external link, opens in new window) : The City provides a number of national and provincial funding resource programs to assist the start-up and growth of small businesses in Oshawa and Durham Region.
  20. Hamilton Economic Development (external link, opens in new window) : The Small Business Enterprise Centre in Hamilton assists entrepreneurs in starting and developing new Hamilton based businesses.  Experts are available to assist in building a comprehensive and well-thought-out business plan to help achieve success.
  21. Ontario WorkinfoNet (external link, opens in new window)  (OnWIN): OnWIN specializes in providing links to work and career related websites in Ontario.  It provides information of financing a start-up business.
  22. Business Development Centre (external link, opens in new window) : This Centre provides business registration and incorporation, accounting, monthly bookkeeping, payroll and reporting to small and medium size businesses.  The website provides a step-by-step guide in starting and registering a business in Ontario.
  23. Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE) (external link, opens in new window) : ONE is a collaborative network of organizations across Ontario, designed to help innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers connect with services and programs to help them innovate and gain a competitive advantage.  ONE provides educational programs, advisory services, customer development support, and information on financing and investors.
  24. Ontario Centre of Innovation (external link, opens in new window) : Funded by the Government of Ontario, OCE focuses on fostering and training the next generation of innovators. Their main focus is to raise awareness on projects that will not only deliver the greatest economic benefits, but also those who will have a positive social impact on communities.
  25. Communitech: (external link, opens in new window)  Located in Kitchener, Ontario, this hub’s vision is to help tech companies start, grow and succeed. It has programs to help entrepreneurs connect nationally and internationally, access capital, access and attain top talent, and much more.
  26. Accelerator Centre (external link, opens in new window) : Located in the heart of Waterloo’s technology community, Accelerator Centre is focused on helping small tech companies become the next success story. It offers intensive programs of education and business to help small companies enter their desired marketplace and become industry influencers.
  27. Invest Ottawa (external link, opens in new window) : Invest Ottawa delivers economic development programs and initiatives that increase entrepreneurial momentum, wealth and jobs in the City of Ottawa and its surrounding region.  It provides programs in the areas of entrepreneurial mentorship, start-up development, business incubation services, commercialization, targeted sector development, investment attraction, business retention, expansion, and global trade development.
  28. Corporate/Non-Profits Clinic (external link, opens in new window)  (Pro Bono Ontario): Are you starting a business or non-profit? This free advice service and legal clinic can help you. Complete the application form online. If you are staring a non-profit/charity, check out the online charity tool box. 
  29. Small Business: Advice, Support, Services, Regulations (external link, opens in new window)  provides information on how new or existing small businesses can get advice, support and information on government regulations.
  30. A not-for-profit service, JusticeNet (external link, opens in new window)  is available to individuals living in Ontario with a net family income under $59,000, who are ineligible for provincial legal aid. Lawyers working with the program offer their services at a reduced rate, based on income and number of dependents.
  31. CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario (external link, opens in new window) ): produces free legal information in print and online, in English and French and other languages, on many topics including housing, family law, refugee law, consumer law and social assistance.
  32. Markham Small Business Help (external link, opens in new window) : Training, programs, and support for businesses based in Markham.
  1. Legal Line (external link, opens in new window) : Offers multilingual legal information and pre-recorded answers to legal questions by telephone.
  2. Industrial Accident Victims Group of Ontario (external link, opens in new window) : A charitable not-for-profit community-based legal clinic that has provided free legal services to injured workers in Ontario since 1975.
  3. Canadian Bar Association (external link, opens in new window) : The CBA provides information on starting a business.  Topics include how to start a business, licensing and registration, and where to find more information.
  4. Service Canada: Starting a Business (external link, opens in new window) : The Government of Canada provides information and services for Canadians to start a business.  Programs offered include Micro Loans for Small Businesses, Women’s Enterprise Initiative Centres, Seed Capital Initiative, and the Start-up Financing Program.
  5. Canada Business Network (external link, opens in new window) : The Canadian Business Network is a government service for entrepreneurs. It provides steps (external link, opens in new window)  to assist Canadians in setting up a business. It also highlights (external link, opens in new window)  a few legal issues that businesses may encounter.
  6. Canada Revenue Agency – Businesses (external link, opens in new window) : Online services including payroll, GST, HST, Business Number Registration, and more.
  7. Guide for Canadian Small Businesses, Canada Revenue Agency (external link, opens in new window) : This guide provides information on starting up a new business in Canada. The Guide includes information on registration, GST and HST, payroll deductions and remittances, income tax, and audits.
  8. Service Canada – The Growth Capital for Indigenous Business Program (external link, opens in new window) : This program provides financing support for the start-up and expansion of small businesses by Indigenous entrepreneurs operating on or off reserves in Canada.
  9. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (external link, opens in new window) : The Privacy Guide for Small Businesses provides the basics on protecting information, building policies, and educating employees on privacy policy.
  10. Canadian Intellectual Property Office (external link) : A database that allows individuals to access 93 years of patent descriptions and images. This site allows individuals to search, retrieve and study more than 2 million patent documents.
  1. HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (external link, opens in new window) : A charitable not-for-profit community-based legal clinic that provides free legal assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario. They provide services including human rights, employment law, privacy law, family law, housing and tenant law, health law, immigration and refugee law, criminal law, and consumer and debt law.
  2. ARCH Disability Law Centre (external link, opens in new window) : A specialty legal clinic that practices exclusively in disability rights law – dedicated to defending and advancing the quality rights, entitlements, fundamental freedoms and inclusion of persons with disabilities with low income in Ontario.
  3. Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples Legal Clinic (external link, opens in new window) : Provides legal services in the area of immigration and refugee law, social assistance, landlord/tenant law, human rights and employment law to the Spanish-Speaking community across Ontario.
  4. 150+ Free Legal Resources for Start-ups (external link, opens in new window) : A list of 150+ free legal and law-related resources for Canadian start-ups and entrepreneurs.
  5. Canadian Youth Business Foundation (external link, opens in new window) : CYBF helps young entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 39, through the entire business life-cycle from pre-launch planning, to start-up, to implementation.  The organization provides coaching, financing, mentoring, and online business resources.
  6. Micro-Loans at KIVA (external link, opens in new window) : A non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
  7. Enactus Canada (external link, opens in new window) : This organization is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. It works side-by-side with people to create opportunity through their community projects and student entrepreneurs so that every person is empowered to live up to their full potential.  Enactus runs a Student Entrepreneur National Competition each year, which celebrates the commitment, determination and achievements of full-time students enrolled in a Canadian university or college who are simultaneously operating their own businesses.
  8. University of Guelph Catalyst Centre (external link, opens in new window) : This Centre provides resources and links for guidance on starting a company.  Topics include market research, conflicts of interest, protecting IP, and legal matters.
  9. Prosper Canada - formerly known as Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) (external link, opens in new window) : SEDI is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand economic opportunities for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation.  The organization provides tips and practical information on starting a business.
  10. Connect Legal (external link, opens in new window) : Connect Legal is a registered charity formed to provide legal education and assistance to low-resource immigrants in launching and growing independent businesses.  It provides seminars and legal information on starting up a business.
  11. The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (external link, opens in new window) : CFIB represents the interests of the small business community to all three levels of government in their fight for tax fairness, reasonable labour laws and reduction of regulatory paper burden.  Members are provided with information and answers on business related questions and issues.
  12. Crowdsourcing (external link, opens in new window) : This site provides crowdfunding platforms accessible to Canadians interested in creative content projects.
  13. Kickstarter (external link, opens in new window) : Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative projects. Anyone can launch a project on Kickstarter as long as it meets their guidelines.
  14. CAWEE (external link, opens in new window)  - Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs:
    The mission of CAWEE is to provide opportunities for women to empower other women in the development and advancement of their business and professional lives.
  15. Upside Foundation of Canada (external link, opens in new window) : Enables and allows founders of early-stage, high-growth Canadian companies to build social responsibility into their business by simplifying the process of donating to charities.