Promote:
Invest in Canada
A short guide for companies expanding into Canada: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Canada at a glance
Population
41.7 million
The World Bank reports a population of 41,651,653 in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Canada population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$2.32 trillion
The World Bank reports GDP of US$2,319,899,772,425.92 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, Canada GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$55,698
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$55,697.7 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, Canada GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.7%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 1.7 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Canada real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
3.1%
Statistics Canada reports that consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in the 12 months to September 2026, in its release of October 19, 2026.
Source: Statistics Canada, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$67 billion
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$66,974.893 million in 2025, in UNCTADstat data.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment inflows, Canada, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Source: IMF, Canada 2025 Article IV staff report (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
Invest in Canada is the federal investment attraction body, set up as the Invest in Canada Hub under the Invest in Canada Act.
Source: Justice Laws, Invest in Canada Act (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
The Telecommunications Act requires a telecommunications common carrier to be Canadian-owned and controlled, with at least 80 percent of voting interests held by Canadians, unless an exception applies.
Source: Justice Laws, Telecommunications Act (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Finance Canada's Foreign Trade Zone page lists no zones; it describes duty and tax relief programs that apply anywhere in Canada.
Source: Finance Canada, Foreign Trade Zone page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Canada
- Check whether the investment needs a notification, a review or a national security review under the Investment Canada Act.Innovation, Science and Economic Development CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ISED, Investment Canada Act home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Incorporate federally with Corporations Canada, or choose a province or territory; each province keeps its own registry.Corporations CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Corporations Canada, federal incorporation (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Register the federal corporation in each province or territory where it will do business.Corporations CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Corporations Canada, registering in a province or territory (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Register a non-resident business for a Business Number and the tax program accounts it needs.Canada Revenue AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CRA, register as a non-resident doing business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 5 more set-up steps
- Keep a register of individuals with significant control and file that information with Corporations Canada.Corporations CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Corporations Canada, individuals with significant control (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Check the sector statute for ownership limits, such as the Telecommunications Act and the Canada Transportation Act.Department of Justice CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Justice Laws, Telecommunications Act (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Apply for work permits for foreign staff who will work in Canada.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: IRCC, Work in Canada (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Open a bank account; the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says a bank must confirm identity from original identification before it opens an account.Financial Consumer Agency of CanadaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: FCAC, opening a bank account (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask about the SR&ED tax incentives and about duty and tax relief programs that apply anywhere in Canada.Canada Revenue AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CRA, SR&ED tax incentives (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Invest in Canada and CBSA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
National investment promotion agency
Invest in Canada
Promotes foreign direct investment in Canada and coordinates government, private-sector and other efforts on it.
Visit Invest in Canada (opens in a new tab)Source: Justice Laws, Invest in Canada Act (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Industry and innovation ministry
ISED
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Runs notification and review of foreign investments under the Investment Canada Act.
Visit ISED (opens in a new tab)Source: ISED, Investment Canada Act home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Federal company registry
Corporations Canada
Handles federal incorporation, the register of individuals with significant control and filings by federal corporations.
Visit Corporations Canada (opens in a new tab)Source: Corporations Canada, federal incorporation (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
Immigration department
IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Runs work permits and other immigration services for foreign staff of businesses that set up in Canada.
Visit IRCC (opens in a new tab)Source: IRCC, Work in Canada (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Finance ministry
Finance Canada
Department of Finance Canada
Publishes the Foreign Trade Zone page that describes duty and tax relief programs for investors.
Visit Finance Canada (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance Canada, Foreign Trade Zone page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and border agency
CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency
Receives export declarations through the CERS Portal and sets the exporter reporting rules.
Visit CBSA (opens in a new tab)Source: CBSA, Exporters' guide to reporting (opens in a new tab) · as of October 21, 2024
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
CRA
Canada Revenue Agency
Issues the Business Number and registers non-resident businesses for tax program accounts.
Visit CRA (opens in a new tab)Source: CRA, register as a non-resident doing business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
Canadian Chamber
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Certifies certificates of origin online and offers ATA Carnets for border clearance.
Visit Canadian Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Canadian Chamber of Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Get advice
Indigenous business council
CCIB
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
Builds links between Indigenous businesses and corporate Canada.
Visit CCIB (opens in a new tab)Source: Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Women's business council
WBE Canada
Women Business Enterprises Canada Council
Connects women-owned businesses with larger corporate and public buyers and offers certification.
Visit WBE Canada (opens in a new tab)Source: WBE Canada, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Worth knowing
United States duties
Section 338 duties of 50 percent apply to certain Canadian alcohol, dairy and motor vehicle products from August 22, 2026; Proclamations 11064 and 11065 changed the scope from September 15.
What to do: Check the proclamations and Customs and Border Protection guidance for your product code before you quote.
Sources: Proclamation 11056, suspension of Section 338 duties, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); Proclamation 11064, scope change, Section 338 alcohol duties, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United States import bans
Proclamations 11061 to 11063 ban importation of certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy and motor vehicle products into the United States from September 29, 2026.
What to do: Confirm whether your product appears in the proclamation annexes before you schedule shipments.
Sources: Proclamation 11061, import ban, Canadian alcohol, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Proclamation 11062, import ban, Canadian dairy, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Canada's counter-tariffs
Canada's United States Surtax Order (2026) charges 15, 25 or 50 percent on listed United States goods from September 8, 2026; CBSA updated its notice on October 23, 2026.
What to do: Check the Order, Customs Notice 26-23 and the tariff item before you import from or route goods through the United States.
Sources: CBSA, Customs Notice 26-23, surtax on United States goods (opens in a new tab); Finance Canada, complete list of counter-tariff products (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
CUSMA joint review
The United States did not agree to renew the USMCA on July 1, 2026; it stays in force, and an October 5, 2026 notice opens comment for the 2027 review.
What to do: Check USTR's latest notice and Canada's CUSMA page before you sign long-term supply contracts.
Sources: USTR, statement on USMCA joint review, July 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab); USTR notice on 2027 USMCA review, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 6 more
Productivity and competitiveness
The IMF's January 2026 report says recent trade shocks have accentuated weaknesses in productivity and competitiveness, with elevated household debt a domestic vulnerability.
What to do: Check current trade measures and financing costs before you commit capital.
Source: IMF, Canada 2025 Article IV staff report (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Reserved sectors
The Telecommunications Act and the Canada Transportation Act set Canadian ownership requirements for telecommunications carriers and air carriers.
What to do: Check the sector statute and its licensing body before you design an ownership structure.
Sources: Justice Laws, Telecommunications Act (opens in a new tab); Justice Laws, Canada Transportation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
National security review
The Investment Canada Act allows review of investments of any size on national security grounds, and ISED revised its guidelines on March 5, 2025.
What to do: Read the guidelines before you sign, and ask your advisors whether to file early.
Sources: ISED, Guidelines on National Security Review of Investments (opens in a new tab); ISED, Investment Canada Act modernization page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Review thresholds
Net benefit review applies from C$1.452 billion in enterprise value for private-sector WTO investors in 2026, and from C$578 million in asset value for state-owned enterprises.
What to do: Confirm the threshold that applies to your investor type before you file.
Sources: Canada Gazette Part I, January 24, 2026, ICA amounts (opens in a new tab); ISED, Investment Canada Act review thresholds, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Beneficial ownership
Most corporations created under the Canada Business Corporations Act must keep a register of individuals with significant control and file it with Corporations Canada.
What to do: Collect ownership details early so the register is ready at incorporation.
Source: Corporations Canada, individuals with significant control (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Residential property ban
Non-Canadians are barred, with exceptions, from buying residential property in Canada until the ban's repeal, set for January 1, 2027 by the Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1.
What to do: Check the Act, its regulations and any later extension before you agree to buy residential property.
Sources: Justice Laws, residential property purchase ban Act (opens in a new tab); Justice Laws, Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
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Promote:Canada is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.