Launch Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities in Burnaby
This page gives a practical, step-by-step roadmap to starting a Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities business in Burnaby (NAICS 624120). You’ll get a clear overview of six essential requirements, plus the permits, licenses, and cost estimates you’ll face on the way from idea to opening day.
You’ll learn exactly what to prepare: the six requirements overview, the permits and licenses you’ll need, typical startup costs (training, insurance, equipment, and staff), and a realistic timeline from planning to launch. The language is plain, with practical tips to stay compliant and avoid surprises.
Burnaby is a great fit for this service. The city has a growing need for reliable in-home and community-based support, a supportive local business climate, and easy access to healthcare networks. It also offers helpful resources for small businesses—grants, mentorship, and networking groups—to help you launch confidently. With a solid plan, you can launch a trusted, compliant service that helps people stay independent and connected in a community you’ll love.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This is your official government identifier for taxes and program accounts, and you cannot legally run your service without it. The BN is what you’ll use to file taxes, handle payroll, and register for other programs as you grow. Getting this in place early makes every other step smoother and keeps you compliant from day one.
Beyond the BN, there are essential operational requirements to protect clients and staff. If you hire caregivers or other workers, WorkSafeBC coverage is mandatory to ensure your team is protected and your workplace complies with provincial rules. You’ll also need to set up payroll processes (including payroll deductions) so you can properly remit income tax and other withholdings. Having clear health and safety practices and training for staff helps you meet expectations for high-quality care and reduces risk.
On the business registration and tax front, you’ll want to consider BC-specific registrations and charitable options. Register your BC Business Name if you plan to operate under a name other than your own. If your goal is to run a charitable organization that provides social services, you may pursue Registered Charity Status with the Canada Revenue Agency. GST/HST registration becomes necessary if your revenues meet the threshold or if you want to claim input tax credits, and Payroll Deductions Registration with the CRA is required if you have employees.
Next steps: assemble your plan and documents, then tackle BN registration first. From there, decide if you’ll pursue charity status, and set up WorkSafeBC coverage, payroll, and GST/HST as needed. Take it one practical step at a time—you’re building a compliant, capable service that can truly support the elderly and people with disabilities in Burnaby.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a services for the elderly and persons with disabilities 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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Registered Charity Status (Social Services) RequiredMany social service organizations operate as registered charities to receive tax-exempt status and issue donation receipts. CRA registration and compliance required. CRA registers charities federally (T2050 application). Ontario: Extra-Provincial Corporations Act for foreign charities. Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) for provincial incorporation. Charitable purpose required. Annual T3010 filing. Disbursement quota rules. ONCA transition completed Oct 2024. Contact CRA Charities: 1-800-267-2384.
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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.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your services for the elderly and persons with disabilities:
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Two streams: Community-Based (up to $25,000 for local projects led by and for seniors) and Pan-Canadian ($1M–$5M for national collective impact initiatives). The most recent Community-Based intake closed September 17, 2025; Pan-Canadian intake closed November 2023. Next call dates have not been announced as of early 2026. The program runs …
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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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