Holding Company Incorporation
Protect what your operating company builds.
A holding company sits above your operating business, owning its shares, real estate, or surplus cash so they’re shielded from operating risk and taxed on your terms. We incorporate holding companies federally and in every Canadian province and territory, structured to work with your existing corporate group.
jurisdictions covered
- Share structure built for inter-corporate dividends
- Coordinated with your existing operating company
- Reviewed by a registered paralegal firm
Incorporate your holding company anywhere in Canada.
A holding company is usually incorporated in the same jurisdiction as the operating company it sits above, but that isn’t required. We’ll help you choose the right jurisdiction for your group, then file it directly.
Ontario Holding Company
Incorporate your holding company under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, alongside an Ontario operating company.
Federal Holding Company
Incorporate federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act for a group with operations across provinces.
British Columbia Holding Company
Fast turnaround holding company incorporation for West Coast corporate groups.
Alberta Holding Company
Straightforward holding company registry filing for Alberta-based groups.
Quebec Holding Company
Incorporate with the Registraire des entreprises, including required French-language filings.
New Brunswick Holding Company
Bilingual holding company incorporation for Atlantic Canada groups.
Saskatchewan Holding Company
Incorporation through Information Services Corporation for prairie-based groups.
Manitoba Holding Company
A budget-friendly registry filing for Manitoba-based corporate groups.
Nova Scotia Holding Company
Incorporate through the Registry of Joint Stock Companies, with annual renewal required.
Newfoundland Holding Company
Incorporation through the Registry of Companies for Newfoundland and Labrador groups.
Prince Edward Island Holding Company
A compact, low-cost registry filing well suited to smaller corporate groups.
Yukon Holding Company
Incorporate through Yukon Corporate Affairs for territory-based groups.
Nunavut Holding Company
Territorial incorporation through the Nunavut registrar of corporations.
Northwest Territories Holding Company
Incorporation through the NWT registrar for territory-based groups.
From operating company to protected corporate group.
Review your structure
We look at your existing operating company and what you want the holding company to own.
Choose the jurisdiction
Usually matched to your operating company’s home jurisdiction, or federal for a multi-province group.
Articles filed
Share structure and articles drafted to support inter-corporate dividends and future estate planning.
Group structured
Certificate delivered; shares of the operating company transferred up as your advisor recommends.
Keep your risk, your surplus and your estate plan separate.
Move surplus cash, investments or real estate up into a holding company, out of reach of a lawsuit or creditor claim against the operating business.
Dividends can move tax-free between connected Canadian corporations, letting you reinvest surplus without triggering personal tax until you withdraw it.
Succession-ready
A holding company simplifies passing ownership to family or a trust without disrupting daily operations.
One structure
Own several operating companies under a single holding company for cleaner group reporting.
Every jurisdiction
We incorporate holding companies federally and in every province and territory.
Incorporating a holding company, explained.
What exactly is a holding company
A holding company is a corporation whose main purpose is to own shares in another company, along with other assets like cash, investments or real estate — rather than actively selling products or services itself.
Do I need a holding company if I already have an operating company?
Not always, but it’s worth considering once your operating company holds meaningful surplus cash, valuable assets, or you’re thinking about succession or estate planning. We can help you assess whether one makes sense for you.
What are the tax benefits of a holding company?
Dividends generally flow tax-free between connected Canadian corporations, letting you move surplus cash from an operating company into a holding company without immediate personal tax, deferring it until you withdraw funds personally.
Should my holding company be incorporated in the same province as my operating company?
It often is, for simplicity, but it doesn’t have to be. Some groups incorporate the holding company federally or in a different province based on their advisor’s recommendation.
Can a holding company own more than one operating company?
Yes. A single holding company can own shares in multiple operating companies, which is common for business owners running several ventures under one group.
Do I need a lawyer or accountant to set up a holding company?
We handle the incorporation and share structure, but the decision to create a holding company, and the share exchange used to move ownership up, should be reviewed with your accountant or tax lawyer first.