Launch Your Saint John Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders Business

This page offers a practical, step-by-step guide to launching a Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders business in Saint John under NAICS 115115. You’ll get a clear overview of the eight requirements you must meet, plus what permits and registrations are needed and the insurance to arrange. It also covers startup costs and a realistic timeline to move from planning to operation, so you can launch with confidence.

You’ll learn a concrete road map: exactly what the eight requirements involve, which permits and registrations apply in Saint John, the types of coverage and bonding to secure, and the expected startup costs. The guide also lays out a practical timeline—from initial planning to your first season—and offers tips for building a reliable crew-leadership operation and staying compliant with labor rules.

Saint John is a smart fit for this business. The city has an active farming community, good access to transport and workers, and a supportive local business climate that can help you grow. With the right plan, you can serve local growers efficiently while building a scalable operation aligned with NAICS 115115.

Business Type
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders
Location
Saint John

Requirements Overview

The most critical requirement for operating a farm labor contracting business in Saint John, New Brunswick is New Brunswick WorkSafeNB Employer Coverage. This coverage is legally required for any employer who hires workers, and you cannot legally hire or supervise crew leaders without it. It is non-negotiable: without WorkSafeNB coverage you may face penalties and cannot lawfully run your crew operations.

Mandatory Operational Requirements: In addition to the WorkSafeNB coverage, you’ll need a solid health and safety program, ongoing safety training for crew leaders and workers, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Establish clear hazard assessments, emergency procedures, and a simple, consistent way to report and follow up on any incidents. Also plan for any local permits or regulatory requirements that might apply to farm labor activities in your area, and ensure everyone understands the safety rules and procedures you’ve put in place.

Business Registration & Tax: Legally operate by completing the core registrations. ⭐ REQUIRED: Business Licence from Saint John (or your local authority). ⭐ REQUIRED: Business Number (BN) Registration with the Canada Revenue Agency. ⭐ REQUIRED: New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) if you’ll trade under a name other than your own. Depending on your structure, you may also need Partnership Registration or NB Corporation Registration. For taxes, ⭐ REQUIRED: GST/HST Registration if your revenue meets the threshold. If you have employees, ⭐ REQUIRED: Payroll Deductions Registration.

Encouragement and next steps: Start by confirming your business structure (sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation) and then tackle the registrations in this order: SNB, BN, Business Licence, and GST/HST as needed. Set aside time to build your health-and-safety plan aligned with WorkSafeNB requirements, and connect with the local regulatory teams for any specific Saint John nuances. You’ve got this—taking these steps will put you

Detailed Requirements

Here are the specific requirements for starting a farm labor contractors and crew leaders in Saint John:

  • Business Licence Required
    General business licence required to operate a business in City of Saint John. Apply to City of Saint John for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Saint John Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
  • Business Number (BN) Registration Required
    A 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).
  • New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) Required
    Businesses in New Brunswick must register their business name with Service New Brunswick if operating under a name other than the owner's legal name. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and trade names. Registration provides legal recognition and is required for business operations and licensing. Registration can be completed online through SNB Online. Business name registrations for sole proprietorships and partnerships must be renewed every 5 years. To register a business name in New Brunswick: 1. Conduct name search ($13.80) 2. Complete registration through SNB Online 3. Pay $112 registration fee (includes Royal Gazette) 4. Receive certificate of business name 5. Renew every 5 years ($62) 6. Report any changes as required
  • Partnership Registration Conditional
    Required for partnerships. Registration of partnerships. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • NB Corporation Registration Conditional
    Required if incorporating in New Brunswick. Incorporation under NB law. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • GST/HST Registration Conditional
    Required 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.
  • Payroll Deductions Registration Conditional
    Required 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.
  • New Brunswick WorkSafeNB Employer Coverage Conditional
    Required if you have employees in New Brunswick. Employers in New Brunswick must register with WorkSafeNB (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission) and maintain coverage for workers. WorkSafeNB provides insurance coverage for workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Most employers are required to register, with limited exceptions. Registration must occur within 10 days of commencing business operations or hiring the first worker. Employers pay assessments based on their classification unit rate and assessable payroll. To register with WorkSafeNB: 1. Determine if you're in a mandatory industry with 3+ workers 2. Register with WorkSafeNB online or by phone 3. Report assessable payroll annually 4. Pay premiums based on industry rate ($1.18/100 avg 2024) 5. Maintain coverage and report workplace injuries 6. Experience rating affects rate (+80% to -40%)

Funding & Grants

Available funding programs that may apply to your farm labor contractors and crew leaders:

  • 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; …
  • 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 …
  • 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 …
  • The Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AgGGP) was a $27 million, five-year contribution program administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, representing Canada's contribution to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. It provided funding to eligible institutions for GHG mitigation research in four priority areas: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural …
  • BCSRIF is funded 70% federally (DFO) and 30% provincially (BC). Phase 2 provided $128.55M for 73 projects. Covers up to 100% of eligible costs for non-commercial organizations; commercial recipients receive 50-90% depending on size. Available for BC-based projects until March 31, 2026. Applications assessed competitively on merit.

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