Registering a Canadian Corporation

Are you registering a Canadian corporation?

Any entity applying to register a Canadian corporation to include any of the terms listed below must obtain unconditional written consent from Engineers Canada before being able to obtain a Certificate of Incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act.  

Steps for Acquiring Consent

1. Obtain Permissions from Provincial or Territorial Engineering Bodies

   The applicant must obtain a consent from the engineering regulatory body in each province or territory where the entity intends to advertise, offer or provide services, and request permission for the use of the corporate name. Each authorization must be dated within 30 days of the application date.

   Example: A corporation based in Ontario that intends to advertise, and provide services in Ontario and Alberta must receive permissions from the Professional Engineers Ontario and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.

   Contact information for all the engineering licensing bodies can be found here.

2. Undertaking Letter

   The applicant must send a signed letter to Engineers Canada requesting consent to use the relevant term(s) in the corporate name. The letter must include the following:

   • Confirmation of Jurisdiction: list each province or territory where the corporation intends to advertise, offer or provide services.
   • Licensure Commitment: confirm that the corporation and/or its employees will obtain and maintain licensure as required by the provincial and territorial engineering regulatory bodies in each jurisdiction where it will operate.
   • Extended Jurisdiction: pledge to seek additional consent if the corporation plans to expand its services beyond the jurisdiction initially identified.
   • Quebec Acknowledgement: recognize that services cannot be advertised, offered, or provided under the proposed name in Quebec.
   • Regulatory Compliance: agree to comply with all applicable provincial and territorial statues, regulations, and bylaws governing the engineering profession.
   • Attach Permission Letters: include copies of the permission letters from each applicable engineering regulatory body.
   • Trademark Disclaimer: agree that use of the relevant term(s) in the corporate name does not confer any trademark rights, and such rights are disclaimed.

   A sample letter requesting consent is available here.

3. Where to send application

   Please send both (a) the consent from the relevant engineering regulatory body (dated within 30 days of the application date); and (b) the signed letter requesting consent from Engineers Canada, via email to Light.Go@engineerscanada.ca.

   Processing your application will take approximately 15 business days.