Launch Berry Farming (Excluding Strawberry) in Burnaby Today
This page offers a practical, friendly roadmap to starting Berry farming (excluding strawberry) in Burnaby under NAICS 111334. You’ll get a clear overview of what you need to launch, from the basics of setting up your business to the six practical requirements. Expect straight-talk on permits you’ll likely need, the costs to budget, and a realistic timeline to get your berries growing.
You’ll walk away with a six-step requirements overview that covers essential steps: land-use and zoning checks, obtaining a business license, water and environmental permits, setting up farm infrastructure, safety and labor considerations, and provincial registrations. We spell out what permits you’ll need, typical costs, and how long the process usually takes in Burnaby, so you can plan with confidence and avoid surprises.
Burnaby’s proximity to Vancouver’s markets, supportive local farming networks, and strong demand for local berries make this a smart place to grow your berry operation. This city–crop combo gives you fast access to customers and resources to help your venture thrive.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a berry farming business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This federal registration is legally required to open accounts with the Canada Revenue Agency and to interact with other government programs, and you cannot legally operate or file taxes without it. Securing a BN is the foundation for everything else you’ll do as a business in BC, so treat it as non-negotiable.
Mandatory operational requirements cover health, safety, and permits. Enrolling in the On-Farm Food Safety Program helps you meet essential food safety standards, which can improve buyer confidence and market access. If you plan to hire workers, you must have WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration in place, which protects your team and your business and is required by law for employers. Even if you’re selling directly from the farm, it’s wise to understand local health and safety guidelines and keep any necessary permits or inspections up to date.
Business registration and tax requirements go hand in hand with your day-to-day operations. You’ll need BC Business Name Registration if you operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership, and you should also obtain GST/HST registration if your revenue hits the applicable threshold or if you want to reclaim input tax credits. If you plan to have employees, set up Payroll Deductions Registration to handle withholdings properly. These steps ensure you’re compliant with provincial and federal rules and ready to grow.
You’re on the right track—take the next steps with confidence. Start by securing your BN, then register your BC business name, explore GST/HST obligations, and set up payroll and workers’ compensation coverage as needed. If you’d like, I can map out a simple checklist with concrete links and timelines to get your Burnaby berry farm up and running smoothly.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a berry (except strawberry) farming in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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On-Farm Food Safety Program ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Many commodity sectors require on-farm food safety programs (e.g., CanadaGAP for produce, CQA for beef/dairy). Demonstrates compliance with food safety practices from farm to gate. On-Farm Food Safety Program. CFIA-recognized programs. CanadaGAP for produce. CQA for pork. Proaction for dairy. Contact CFIA: 1-800-442-2342.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your berry (except strawberry) farming:
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50% cost-share grant under the Sustainable CAP framework (2023–2028) with two streams: On-Farm Irrigation (up to $17,500 for purchases or $6,000 for upgrades per parcel, max $35,000/fiscal year) and On-Farm Water Supply (max $40,000 per applicant over the 2023–2028 program period). Continuous intake subject to available annual funding.
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A $25.7M program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership open to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations. AAFC contributes up to 70% of eligible costs (max $1M/year or $5M over 5 years; $100K/year or $500K for national fair projects). In-kind contributions capped at 15% of total. Priority intake closed May 30, 2025; …
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A non-refundable BC personal and corporate income tax credit equal to 25% of the fair market value of eligible agricultural products donated to qualifying registered charities in BC. Available for donations made between February 16, 2016 and December 31, 2026. The credit is claimed in addition to the regular charitable …
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The Agricultural Living Laboratories Initiative (now operating under the Agricultural Climate Solutions — Living Labs program) is a $185-million, 10-year federal initiative that brings together farmers, scientists, and sector stakeholders to develop and evaluate innovative technologies and practices in real-world farm conditions. Fourteen living labs across Canada were launched in …
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The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative (AYGI) was a wage subsidy program under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada designed to attract youth to environmentally focused careers in agriculture. It offered two streams: the Green Farms Stream (subsidizing on-farm youth internships up to $10,000 per intern) and the Green Internships Stream (subsidizing …
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