Business Number

Business Number Service

The Business Number (BN) Service is an innovative multi-partner project providing the ability for each BC business interacting with the public sector to be assigned a Business Number – a unique 9 digit number issued to business entities by the Canada Revenue Agency that makes working with the public sector simpler, easier, and more convenient.

The BN Service has laid the groundwork for service delivery spanning the full spectrum of business-government interactions from business registration through to maintenance of basic records to (eventual) full reporting and remittance processing.

Adopted in March 2004 in BC as a common identifier, the BN is issued automatically to all new corporations in British Columbia. A BN is also required by sole proprietorships, general partnerships and others having a licence or relationship with a BC BN partner. BC BN partners are listed below.

OneStop’s Business Number Partners

OneStop is promoting the BN as the basis for business interactions with public sector agencies at all levels.

The Partners participating in the Business Registration Service and offering their registration type for business owners includes:

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AGENCIES:

• Ministry of Citizens’ Services:
  • British Columbia Electronic Identification Office (business BCeID)
  • BC Registry Services (sole proprietorships and general partnerships)
• Ministry of Housing and Social Development:
  • Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (restaurant [food-primary] liquor licence application)
• WorkSafeBC (employers registration)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

• Canada Border Services Agency (import/export account)
• Canada Revenue Agency (GST/HST, payroll deductions, and corporate income tax accounts)

Other OneStop Business Number Partners that use the BN as a common identifier include:

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AGENCIES:

• Ministry of Citizens’ Services:
  • BC Registry Services (Corporate Registry)
• Ministry of Housing and Social Development:
  • Employment and Labour Market Services Division
  • Liquor Distribution Branch

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

• Industry Canada (Corporations Canada)
• Public Works and Government Services Canada (Supplier Registration Information Service)