Start Your Burnaby Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Today
This page helps aspiring entrepreneurs start a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) in Burnaby under NAICS 561330. You’ll get a practical overview of the six regulatory requirements, the permits you may need, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline from idea to launch. It’s designed to be friendly and actionable, so you can move forward with confidence rather than confusion.
What you’ll learn: a simple breakdown of each of the six requirements, what documents to prepare, and where to file in Burnaby and British Columbia. We cover licenses, registrations, insurance, and any payroll or HR-related permits, plus the costs you should plan for (government fees, legal and accounting help, and ongoing compliance). You’ll also get a clear timeline with milestones, so you know when to expect approvals and setup steps.
Why Burnaby for a PEO: a growing business community near Vancouver, accessible talent, and local resources that support service firms. The NAICS 561330 framework keeps your focus on HR outsourcing while you build a compliant, scalable operation.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This government-issued ID is required before you begin any business activity, including hiring staff or remitting taxes. Without a BN, you cannot legally operate; this is NON-NEGOTIABLE and enforced by federal agencies. Getting your BN in place first keeps you compliant and unlocks access to payroll, tax remittance, bank accounts, and government programs.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: In addition to the BN, your day-to-day operations must meet health, safety, and privacy obligations. The key item is WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to ensure a safe workplace. If you handle personal information in your administrative services, PIPEDA compliance also applies and should be built into your processes. Keeping these operational requirements up to date helps protect employees and your clients.
Business Registration & Tax: Beyond the BN, you’ll typically handle BC Business Name Registration for a trade name used by a sole proprietorship or partnership. You’ll also set up GST/HST Registration for handling sales tax and Payroll Deductions Registration to manage employee withholdings. These registrations are essential for accurate reporting, tax compliance, and payroll administration.
Encouragement: When you’re ready, take the next steps with a simple plan: confirm your business structure, apply for the BN, then add the BC Business Name registration if needed; set up GST/HST and payroll deductions; arrange WorkSafeBC coverage and privacy policies. If you’d like, I can help sketch a practical starter checklist to keep you organized without feeling overwhelmed.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a professional employer organizations 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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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.
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PIPEDA Compliance (Administrative Services) ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Administrative services handling personal information (employment agencies, credit bureaus, investigation services, document preparation) must comply with federal privacy law including consent, security, and breach notification. PIPEDA compliance for administrative services. Privacy policy. Consent management. Data minimization. Breach notification. Contact OPC: 1-800-282-1376.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your professional employer organizations:
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Three-stream grant program for Nunavut-based artists, businesses, and organizations: (1) Getting Started/Arts Creation/Training — supports education, training, art supplies, equipment; (2) Arts and Culture Development — supports collaborative arts initiatives, exhibitions, shows, and touring; (3) Infrastructure Development — supports studios and cultural tourism infrastructure. Annual call for proposals.
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Provided contributions to settlement, employment, and community organizations delivering programs addressing employment barriers for racialized newcomer women, including work placements, mentorships, job counselling, and support for gender- and race-based discrimination. Program renewal ended in 2025; no new open call as of early 2026. Over 2,200 racialized newcomer women were served …
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