Bureaucracy is always the next Final Boss Monster

Protip: Don't let the ease of registering your business with your province fool you: name your business, click, click, click, pay $60, here is your certificate.

Protip #2: It appears that in the process of building your business, no one at any point ever will ask you for this provincial number. It is the FEDERAL number that you need. For everything. Brilliant.

The federal registration has proven to be far more necessary and far more challenging. Not because of the forms, the paperwork or even the government instructions in english and en francais. There isn't even a charge for this service.

Allow me to explain...

You are teased into thinking that if you register online, they will issue your business number immediately from all advice you will find anywhere on the internet. This may be true. However, there is a verification process that will not me to register by this method. It claims that I may, possibly, perhaps already have such a number and that I should use the phone registration to get better results.

Ok. Got the number. Tried calling.

If there are too many calls, a recording informs you as such and asks you to call again later. No option to hold. They helpfully offer you the option of using their automated menu. The best result that I was able to yield was a reference back to how easy it is to register my business online or an invitation to call again later. Worst choose-your-own-adventure book ever.

Sigh.

I called 19 times until it allowed me to privilege of being placed on hold. Told me that there was an up to 30 minute hold time but the automated system offered to call me back, if I wished. Did I ever wish.

Got a call back to be placed on hold automatically for six minutes.

Deep breath.

The agent, though polite, gave me more details of the challenge. If I do not have a Business Registration number, this needs to be verified BEFORE they can provide me with a new Business Registration number. Neither the call centre and the online portal can assist you as if they cannot find you as this does not actually mean that you do not have a Business Registration number.

Therefore, I was referred to mail in the required form to their offices in PEI where they will promptly review my application over approximately 15 business days.

I wrote a friendly message on a sticky note that I included with the application ("Know that we appreciate all of your hard work, thank you!") though this might certainly backfire and require another form or two to be completed.

Undeterred, there is still more inventory listing work to be done. Please don't ask me what happens or who I call if the 15 business days pass and nothing happens. We will place our faith in this well-oiled machine but still say some prayers.


We would love to share your Sidequest Story! If you have started a business or side hustle, if you're thinking of doing it or if you have no idea whatsoever of what you want to do, we would love to share your story.  We find that when the buyer knows you better, they are more likely to buy.  We don't mind if you mix in some advertisement, sales pitch (ugh!) or simply supportive thoughts for other Sidequesters going through the same thing.

Email: mysidequest@sidequester.ca and let us know what you want to do!  There is no charge for posting but we will give a final editorial review and might provide some suggestions.  You will be provided with a final draft before we publish.  All submissions will become the property of Sidequest Loot but will not be used without your consent.  We like to provide an author name but can limit this to first name or name of your business, if you wish.

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