Start Your Business Here

Whether you’re an established company or just starting your first business, there are always questions. Here at the City of St. John’s Business Information Centre, our knowledgeable staff can help find the answers.

We know our way around town and we’d be happy to introduce you to the right people. On a complementary basis, we can connect you to the programs, resources and contacts you need, regardless of what stage your business is at.

We can help you navigate the regulatory process, and simplify your experience with staff that are well-connected with their colleagues across city departments.

The Business Information Centre provides connections to business and financing resources, research, economic data and customized demographic profiles. And if you still have questions, we can also provide:

– General statistics on St. John’s for investors, businesses, residents, and policy makers
– Macro-economic research about industries, demographics, and population
– Presentations on the State of the Economy

You can also visit our Publications page for a copy of Starting a Business in St. John’s, current and previous copies of our Economic Snapshot newsletter and much more business-related information.

Conveniently located at 348 Water Street, the Business Information Centre is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (UTC -02:30). You can also reach us at 709-576-8107 or business@stjohns.ca to book an appointment or to arrange a video call. Get in touch. We’re here to help.

The Development Team: Here to Help

If you are a property developer looking for help with the development process, contact our Development Team. We’re here to help! The Development Team can provide information on the issues for the development of a specific site and the requirements of the City of the St. John’s for the proposed development. Email: planning@stjohns.ca to arrange a meeting.

Permits and Regulations

An important first step is to review our A Guide to Municipal Regulations for Business. This guide provides an overview of the regulations, permits, processes, procedures and taxes as they apply to businesses in the City of St. John’s. And as every business is unique, it’s always beneficial to contact us directly at 709-576-8107 or business@stjohns.ca

Entrepreneur Support System

St. John’s offers a strong network of organizations from industry-specific associations, a technology incubator and government institutions committed to developing and supporting entrepreneurs and startups. The St. John’s ecosystem is recognized for its technological excellence, with key start-up organizations including:

Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce
Government and Public Institutions
Entrepreneurship Support and Training
Technology, Innovation and Others
Black Business Initiative Canada Business Information Services Centre for Social Enterprise (C4SE) Econext
Canada Learning Code City of St. John’s Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP) OceansAdvance (OA)
Genesis College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Newcomer Entrepreneurship Training Program, Association for New Canadians Research Innovation Office
Growth Accelerator, a Futurpreneur initiative Horizon TNL YMCA Business Planning Program TechNL
Junior Achievement Industry, Energy and Technology, Govt of NL
Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship (MCE)
Propel ICT National Research Council (NRC)
Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios – Craft Business Incubator
St. John’s Board of Trade

 

Funding:

 

Community Groups:

 

Maker Space:

 

Coworking Spaces:

 

Real Estate

From downtown Class A office towers to new energy efficient suburban office space, St. John’s has office and industrial space that’s right for your business.

Average costs in Q4-2023:

  • $34.86 (gross) per square foot of office space
  • $16.43 (gross) per square foot of industrial real estate

 

The City’s MapCentre provides additional land use planning and zoning information.

Municipal Tax

For all tax information, rates, MIL rates and property assessment FAQs, please check the City’s website here.

Provincial Tax

Source: Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Finance

Newfoundland and Labrador maintains a favourable business tax climate. A number of credits and incentives are designed to encourage economic growth in strategic areas. Visit gov.nl.ca for additional information.

 

Corporation Income Tax

General Rate: 15.0%

Small Business: 2.5%

Effective January 1, 2024, small business owners in the province will apply a reduced rate of 2.5% (previously 3%) to determine their corporate income tax payable instead of the general corporate income tax rate of 15%. 

Financial Corporations Capital Tax

General Rate: The province of Newfoundland and Labrador does not impose a general capital tax.

Financial Services: 6.00%

Health and Post Secondary Education Tax (Payroll Tax): Payroll tax, at a rate of 2%, is payable by employers whose annual remuneration in this province exceeds $2.0 million.

Overview

Advantages

Key Sectors / Industries

Interactive Investment Map