Start Your Software Publishers Business in Burnaby Today
Ready to launch a software publishers business in Burnaby? This page offers a practical, step-by-step roadmap for NAICS 513210. You’ll get a clear overview of the nine essential requirements, plus the permits, licenses, and registrations you’ll need to operate legally in Burnaby. We break down upfront costs and give a realistic timeline from startup to first sale, so you know what to expect and when money moves. Think of this as your practical checklist for getting set up fast and staying compliant.
In this guide you’ll learn exactly what the nine requirements cover, including corporate registration in British Columbia, Burnaby business licensing, and tax registrations. We outline typical costs (incorporation, licenses, software tools) and provide a realistic timeline—often a few weeks to a couple of months—to get you selling. You’ll also find practical tips on choosing a business structure, protecting your IP, and staying compliant as you grow. This city-friendly guide helps Burnaby software publishers move from idea to launch quickly.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a software publishing business in Burnaby is CASL Anti-Spam Compliance. This is a legal obligation for any business that sends commercial electronic messages, so you cannot legally market, notify customers, or grow your list without meeting CASL rules. You must obtain proper consent, clearly identify who messages come from, and provide an easy unsubscribe option. Getting CASL right from day one is non-negotiable and helps you avoid penalties and reputational harm.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: Your day-to-day operations must also align with health, safety, and accessibility rules. Ensure you have WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to protect workers and comply with provincial standards. For communications and product accessibility, follow Accessibility Standards (Communications) so your content and software are usable by people with disabilities. If you hire staff, you’ll also need to manage payroll deductions and related payroll obligations as part of your ongoing operations.
Business Registration & Tax: You’ll need a Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency for tax and regulatory purposes, and, if you operate in BC under a name other than your personal name, BC Business Name Registration for Sole Proprietorship/Partnership. For your publishing outputs, obtain ISBNs (and ISSNs for serials) as applicable. And plan for GST/HST Registration if your revenue reaches the threshold or if you prefer to register voluntarily to simplify your tax administration.
Encouragement: To move forward, create a simple compliance checklist and tackle each item in steps—start with CASL, then secure WorkSafeBC coverage, register your business name and BN, and confirm ISBN/ISSN needs and GST/HST obligations. If you’d like, I can tailor a practical, 90-day action plan based on whether you’re a solo operator or partnering with others, and map out who to contact at the federal and provincial levels. You’ve got this—clear, stea
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a software publishers in Burnaby:
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CASL Anti-Spam Compliance RequiredCommunications businesses must comply with Canadas Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) including consent requirements, unsubscribe mechanisms, and sender identification. No registration required. CASL is a law regulating commercial electronic messages. Must obtain consent before sending marketing emails/texts, provide unsubscribe mechanism. Free guidance from CRTC. Maximum penalty $10 million.
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Copyright Law Compliance (Publishing) RequiredPublishers must comply with copyright law, obtain rights/licenses from authors and creators, register copyrights, and respect moral rights. Copyright law compliance for publishing. ISBN registration. Author agreements. Reproduction rights. Moral rights. Library and Archives deposit. Contact CIPO: 1-866-997-1936.
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ISBN/ISSN Registration RequiredBook publishers must obtain ISBN numbers, periodical publishers must obtain ISSN numbers, and comply with legal deposit requirements for Library and Archives Canada. ISBN/ISSN registration for publishers. Library and Archives Canada. Free for Canadian publishers. Mandatory for books. Contact LAC: 1-866-578-7777.
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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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Accessibility Standards (Communications) ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Communications and publishing businesses must comply with Accessible Canada Act requirements for accessible formats, communications supports, and customer service. Accessible Canada Act compliance. AODA for Ontario. WCAG 2.1 Level AA digital accessibility. Accessible documents. Alternative formats. Feedback mechanism. Training requirements. Ongoing compliance. Contact Accessibility Standards Canada: 1-833-854-7628.
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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 software publishers:
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The Open Spaces Program is an initiative by Prismatic Arts Festival and Neptune Theatre to assist traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities in the HRM arts community. The program provides free access to a rehearsal room, kitchen, and restroom facilities including power, lighting, and stage space. Artists of all disciplines and …
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The Lunenburg Foundation for the Arts provides grants for both emerging and established artists working across the full range of artistic media, as well as arts-based organizations. Grants are awarded based on artistic merit, financial need, and benefit to the arts in Lunenburg County. A jury chair is appointed by …
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The Trail & District Arts Council disburses $1,000 annually to performance, literary, or visual artists under 18 years of age towards arts training and development. The amount awarded to each applicant varies depending on the number of applicants and amounts requested. Training must take place within 12 months after the …
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The Town of Rosetown provides information and access to numerous cultural, sports, and recreation funding opportunities for individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations. Available funding sources include the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant, Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) Community Vitality Program, Creative Kids, Saskatchewan Arts Board grants, and the Rosetown & District …
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The Share and Connect: Indigenous Community Arts program seeks to empower Indigenous communities to control and develop their own arts and culture. It is a SK Arts program supported by funding from Sask Lotteries through the partnership between SK Arts and SaskCulture Inc. The program has two annual deadlines (January …
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