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Canada’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act

Canada’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act

The Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act provides federal, not-for-profit corporations with a new set of rules that are modern, flexible and better suited to the needs of today’s not-for-profit sector.

The Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act provides federal, not-for-profit corporations with a new set of rules that are modern, flexible and better suited to the needs of today’s not-for-profit sector.

By incorporating at the federal level your organization has:

  • Heightened name protection: Corporations Canada applies very tough tests before granting a company the right to use a particular name. When a company’s name is approved, it is protected across the country—a status second only to trademark protection. (Please note: the Province of Quebec does not currently provide data to the government of Canada’s NUANS search system. For your own protection, if you are doing, or intend to do business in the province of Quebec, you should search the Quebec corporations database at Registraire des entreprises du Québec as well.

  • Right to carry on business anywhere in Canada: federally incorporated companies can carry on business anywhere in Canada, and the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) does not set restrictions regarding the province or territory where the head office is located, corporate records are maintained and annual general meetings are held.

  • Recognition: federal incorporation is often considered a sign of distinction; companies incorporated under the CBCA receive global recognition as Canadian companies.


Visit Corporations Canada for more information on creating and maintaining a not-for-profit corporation

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