Start a Forest Nursery and Forest Products Gathering in Burnaby
This page gives you a practical, step-by-step guide to starting a forest nursery and gathering of forest products in Burnaby under NAICS 113210. You'll find a concise six-item requirements checklist, plus an overview of the permits, licenses, and local rules you’ll need. You'll also get quick wins with a six-item checklist covering registration, land-use and zoning considerations, permits, environmental and safety compliance, and licensing steps. Learn what Burnaby residents and entrepreneurs should know about setting up your nursery, gathering operations, and compliance costs.
You’ll learn the exact things to prepare: the six requirements you must meet, how to navigate Burnaby's business license and provincial forest-product permits, and the typical costs you should budget (land, equipment, stock, and ongoing compliance). We break down a realistic timeline from planning through launch, including permits, inspections, and setup milestones so you can stay on track.
Burnaby offers easy access to urban markets, green initiatives, and nearby forest resources—making it a strong fit for a forest nursery and forest products gathering business.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a forest nursery business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you cannot legally run your business or engage in official transactions without it. It’s non-negotiable: the BN is what you’ll use when you file taxes, handle government paperwork, and work with banks and suppliers.
In terms of daily operations, you’ll want to cover health and safety and any necessary permits. In British Columbia, WorkSafeBC coverage is mandatory for most employers, so you’ll need to ensure your workers are protected and that you follow safety rules, training, and reporting requirements. You should also be aware of Species at Risk Act Compliance: if your forest nursery or gathering activities touch species protected under SARA, you must follow those rules and obtain any required permits or protections. If you employ people, there are also payroll-related obligations that come into play.
For business registration and taxes, you’ll need BC Business Name Registration if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership under a name other than your own. You’ll likely need GST/HST Registration if you sell products or services over the threshold or choose to register voluntarily. If you hire staff, Payroll Deductions Registration with the CRA is necessary to handle income tax withholdings and contributions. These registrations help keep your finances visible and compliant as you grow.
Next steps: start with obtaining your BN from the CRA, then register your BC business name if applicable. Check WorkSafeBC for coverage requirements, review any Species at Risk Act obligations, and plan your GST/HST and payroll registrations as your operations expand. If you’d like, I can help map a simple 6-week action plan to get all these pieces in place and keep you on track.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a forest nurseries and gathering of forest products 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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Species at Risk Act Compliance ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Operations affecting endangered species must comply with SARA, obtain permits, and implement mitigation measures to protect threatened wildlife. Species at Risk Act (SARA) federally. Permits for activities affecting listed species. Recovery strategies. Critical habitat protection. Assessment by COSEWIC. Provincial ESA may also apply. Environmental assessment integration. Contact Environment Canada: 1-800-668-6767.
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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 forest nurseries and gathering of forest products:
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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 provincial personal and corporate income tax credit for arm's-length investors who purchase shares in certified eligible NL small businesses. The credit is 35% for businesses operating outside the North East Avalon region and 20% for businesses within the North East Avalon. Maximum annual credit is $50,000 per investor. Carry-forward: …
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The Ignite Program provides up to $300,000 to BC-based industry-academic teams for R&D projects in natural resources, applied science, and/or engineering. Projects must be at TRL 3 or above, have commercialization potential within 3 years, and secure 2:1 matching funds from industry or government sources. Funded by the Natural Resources …
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As BC's market development Crown corporation, FII co-funds market development activities for BC forest products primarily in export markets (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Vietnam, UK). Funding is delivered through a competitive Call for Proposals process; FII does not fund individual firms. The 2026/27 CFP closed January 15, 2026.
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The GAPP funds R&D projects involving active collaboration between academic researchers and private sector or public-sector receptor organizations. Genome Canada's total contribution ranges from $300,000 to $2,000,000 per project (up to 1/3 of total project budget), with required private sector co-funding matching or exceeding the Genome Canada share. Total project …
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