Doing business in Canada: 8 good addresses
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick offer great potential for starting a business. Provided that you prepare your business well in a flexible sector and surround yourself with competent organizations.
Taken from this article Special Figaro “From East to West – You live in Canada, why not?”.This issue offers you to answer the questions you ask yourself as simply as possible. This with the help of practical texts, maps and statements of the French living in Canada.
According to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2018 ranking, Canada is the second best country to start a business after New Zealand. Strategically located New Brunswick and Nova Scotia represent the gateway for investors and business founders to markets in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Skilled workforce, low operating costs and unparalleled quality of life make it a preferred place to do business. Valerie, a former businessman in France, is waiting for his visa to go to New Brunswick, where he will open a franchise restaurant.
“I fell in love with this province on my first visit four years ago. People are friendly there, cities are on a human scale, the sea is not far away, nature is magnificent… And everything is possible there! ». Even if the franchise concept is a reliable way to start an entrepreneurial adventure, it is necessary to cultivate the project well and be surrounded by lawyers, accountants and specialized consultants for financial regulation. .
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“I have been working on this file for three years, Valerie says. I first went to the Franchise Expo in Moncton, then to the Paris expo, where I met Classe Affaires, a company that supports entrepreneurs in Canada to grow their businesses. I attended their scouting trip and during this trip I was able to meet with bankers, franchisees, real estate agents to better understand the market there. I discovered Canadian franchise concepts. I chose a Canadian restaurant chain because they know the market and know what works. Even if I have a certain know-how, I want to remain humble and use all the tools that the network can give me.”
Food trade, a French know-how known in Canada
Frédéric Tandy left his native Limousin in 2002 to spend several seasons in the restaurant business in Nova Scotia before settling permanently in 2005. Five years later, he opened Halifax’s first charcuterie, Charcuterie Ratinaud, which was relatively unknown in Canada. “I started from scratch, put all my savings into my business and took a loan from the bank. I stuck my head out of the water for three or four years because there was no help for me. But that was over a decade ago. Since then I have accompanied other French people to set up their own businesses, a French bakery, a chocolate factory, a pizzeria and quite a few organizations that facilitate the installation.”
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The main advantage of the region for business founders: taxes are much lower than in France. “And the reputation of French craftsmen who are known as quality professionalsFrederick adds. Therefore, there are many opportunities for French people who want to develop a small business in the food industry. But you need to be armed with courage, patience and motivation, because the hygiene rules are very different compared to France. Since Nova Scotia is predominantly English speaking, it is important to speak English.
Easier procedures than France
Pauline Lorentz and her husband will also begin opening a French restaurant in Tracadie-Sheila, northeastern New Brunswick. These people from Strasbourg, who came to Canada as workers in July 2019, were helped by two local organizations to set up their businesses. “With the Economic Development and Employment Network (RDÉE) specifically for French-speaking newcomers, we were able to benefit from coaching and workshops to build our business plan. details of the young woman. CBDC (Community Business Development Corporation), a non-profit organization that advises future entrepreneurs, gave us financial assistance, which allowed us to avoid a bank loan..
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For these few chefs and financial managers, New Brunswick was an obvious choice. “Everyone here knows each other, it’s family, Pauline reports. Setting up your business is much easier than in France. There are many organizations willing to help entrepreneurs, and we always deal with the same contact, which makes the process easier. We started our project 5 months ago and are preparing to present it to a commission of business leaders who will determine its viability. If approved, we will order the kitchen, goods and go! “.
Tristan Wende, Decathlon leader in the Atlantic provinces
“For two years, I have been involved in the development of Decathlon in the Atlantic provinces. After opening the first Decathlon in Halifax a year ago, I am now working on opening a small store in Moncton. You should know that when Decathlon opens in a country, everything has to be created without any help. When three colleagues and I landed in Montreal five years ago with guns blazing to launch Decathlon Canada, we had six months to explore the country and convince shareholders to come back. It was about identifying land, looking at available shopping centers, making connections, understanding how the commercial real estate market works… All four of us bought an apartment and divided roles depending on our skills. I was responsible for marketing, communication, building and store design. The entrepreneurial culture in Canada is very strong. Nova Scotia offers immigrant entrepreneurs the support system they dream of: French and English language courses, free skills assessments, employment follow-up… Setting up a Decathlon Canada business took us less than half an hour at a lawyer’s office. Administrative procedures are simpler here. You are given an appointment and greeted with a smile and patience. It changes your life!”
Good addresses for business
Nova Scotia:
The company with a dual French-Canadian culture advises and supports entrepreneurs in the economic development of their businesses. This allows you to better understand the markets and minimize the risks associated with overseas placement.
- Nova Scotia Economic Development Council (Cdéné)
Offers one-on-one business consulting, business plan development, marketing plans, referrals to funding sources, networking, mentoring program, seminars and information sessions.
www.cdene.ns.ca
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Under the Business Development Program, ACOA helps entrepreneurs to establish and expand their businesses with 0% credit for half of the required capital and up to 75% of personnel training, efficiency studies, quality control, marketing and sales, and environmental management systems.
- Future entrepreneur : A national non-profit organization offering funding, mentoring and support to young entrepreneurs aged 18-39.
www.futurpreneur.ca
In New Brunswick:
- Opportunities New Brunswick
The province’s economic development agency provides information on business establishment and development, export growth and market diversification.
https://onbcanada.ca
This business incubator offers entrepreneurs startup assistance, co-working space, training, administrative support and networking opportunities. Available in Fredericton, Moncton, Bathurst and Edmundston.
www.laruchechaleur.ca
https://ccedmundston.com
- Business Development Bank of Canada
There are many resource tools for immigrant entrepreneurs, including a free online self-study program on how to start a business in Canada.
www.bdc.ca
- Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)
Support the creation and expansion of SMEs by providing financial assistance, consulting and advisory services to entrepreneurs, training in business development and creation.
cbdc.ca
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