The Paperwork
Needless to say, starting a business means a lot of paperwork to complete. Below are links to the licences and applications needed to get your new craft producing business off and running.
BizPal is an online service that helps you find the permits and licences you may require when starting, operating or growing a business in Manitoba. Check it out!
Pro Tip
Please note that wherever possible, the following links have been listed in the order that they should be applied for.
The Companies Office
THE COMPANIES OFFICE
The Companies Office is the place to go to register information about your corporation and business name. The office is also responsible for reviewing proposed business names to ensure that they are not confusingly similar to ones already on record in Manitoba.
Business Number (BN) Registration (Paperwork - Registering & Licensing)
BUSINESS NUMBER (BN) REGISTRATION
The BN is a numbering system that simplifies and streamlines the way businesses deal with government. It is based on the idea of One Business, One Number.
In order to obtain a Business Number in the province of Manitoba, you must be registered with a government program area that is part of the Business Number program. If you decide to register for any one of the programs listed below, you will receive a Business Number (BN).
- Manitoba Taxation
- Incorporating your business
- Business name registration
- Incorporating a cooperative
- Business Tax with the City of Winnipeg
- Licences and Permits with the City of Winnipeg
There are also federal government programs that use the BN - these programs are found at the Canada Revenue Agency's website.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Manufacturing Licence
CANADA REVENUE AGENCY (CRA) MANUFACTURING LICENCE
Before you can become licensed in Manitoba to manufacture beer, wine or spirits, you must first obtain all necessary Canada Revenue Agency licensing in the legal name of the applicant for the liquor licence. Contact a CRA representative about CRA requirements for manufacturing businesses or phone the Prairie Region Excise Duty Office at (403) 231-4124. Information on CRA licensing of beer manufacturers or CRA licensing for the manufacturers of spirits and wine can also be found on the CRA website.
Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba (LGA) Licensing
LIQUOR AND GAMING AUTHORITY OF MANITOBA (LGA) LICENSING
In Manitoba, liquor manufacturers are required to be licensed by the LGA. To learn about the licensing requirements, or for more information, visit the LGA website.
Zoning Regulations: Winnipeg & Downtown
ZONING REGULATIONS: WINNIPEG & DOWNTOWN
Proper zoning is a crucial step in determining where your operation will be located. For operations located in Winnipeg, please visit the City of Winnipeg Zoning Bylaw No. 200/2006 as well as the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning Bylaw No. 100/2004 for more information, or call the Zoning and Permits office at 204-986-5140.
(Please note that the actual bylaw uses the term microbrewery)
| Multiple- Use | Character | Downtown Living | Riverbank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brew Pub for on-site Dining Room consumption (kitchen and dining area: maximum 3,000 square feet) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X |
| Brew Pub for on-site Dining Room consumption (kitchen and dining area: maximum 10,000 square feet) | ✔ | ✔ | C | X |
| Brew Pub for on-site Dining Room consumption (kitchen and dining area: over 10,000 square feet) | ✔ | C | C | X |
| Brew Pub for on-site Dining Room/Lounge consumption | ✔ | C | C | X |
| Brew Pub or brewery with off-site retail or restaurant sales | C | C | X | X |
| ✔ - Permitted X - Prohibited C - Conditional (subject to review) | ||||
MAP LEGEND: (M) - Multiple-Use; (C) - Character; (D) - Downtown Living; (R) - Riverbank
Zoning Regulations: Rural Manitoba
ZONING REGULATIONS: RURAL MANITOBA
For operations outside of Winnipeg, check out the Province of Manitoba’s Community & Regional Planning – Rural Zoning site and choose the applicable site location.
Retail Sales Tax (RST)
RETAIL SALES TAX (RST)
The Retail Sales Tax (8%) is a tax on the retail sale of goods and services. It is calculated on the selling price before the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Your business is required to be registered for RST if you carry on business in Manitoba, selling taxable goods or services at retail; are a manufacturer in Manitoba; bring into or receive in Manitoba, taxable goods for use by your business. The Manitoba Taxation Division offers general RST workshops which provide an overview of how RST applies to goods and services and common RST errors and how they can be avoided. To register or view upcoming workshops, visit the Manitoba Taxation Division. To register for the RST, please visit TAXcess, Manitoba’s online tax service that allows business to file Retail Sales Tax electronically.
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GST)
The federal GST (5%) is a tax that applies to the supply of most property and services in Canada. You must register for a GST account if you provide taxable services in Canada in the course of your commercial activity or if you no longer qualify as a small supplier. For more information, visit the Canada Revenue Agency.
Excise Duty
EXCISE DUTY
Federal excise duties are imposed on spirits, wine, and tobacco products made in Canada under The Excise Act 2001, the federal commodity taxation system for the application of federal excise levies for alcohol and tobacco products. This includes provisions for payment, assessment and appeals, and updated enforcement provisions. Excise duties on beer continue to be imposed under The Excise Act. Locate the applicable publications relating the Excise Duty here.
Federal Acts & Trade Agreements
FEDERAL ACTS & TRADE AGREEMENTS
The Canadian Brewing Industry website lists the regulatory framework for those in the industry. This includes links to the Food and Drugs Act, Mandatory Nutrition Labeling, the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act and more.
Did you know that LCBO will perform chemical, microbiological, physical, and sensory testing on beverage alcohol products for external clients such as manufacturers and suppliers? For more information visit the Quality Assurance page on the LCBO website.
*Please note that product testing is not a licensing requirement in the province of Manitoba.
Pro Tip
Health Inspection
HEALTH INSPECTION
The mission of the Manitoba Health Protection Unit is to protect the health of Manitobans through education and intervention strategies designed to reduce health risks to the public. To contact a Public Health Inspector in your area, please phone the office nearest you. Review Manitoba’s Public Health Act, as well as Manitoba’s Health & Safety Act.
Regulating Food
REGULATING FOOD
Food production is regulated by both the provincial and federal governments. Production facilities require permits and registrations, and are inspected by government health officers. Review the federal acts and regulations dealing with food, as well as the Manitoba acts and regulations dealing with food. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is in charge of product quality control and will conduct an inspection for any reports of suspicious activity. Learn more about the CFIA.
Beverage alcohol manufacturing facilities may require licensing under The Environment Act. These licences are site-specific and require both a public and technical review as part of the assessment process.
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship
MANITOBA CONSERVATION AND WATER STEWARDSHIP
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has all the information you need to prepare an Environment Act proposal for your business. To learn more about the assessment and licensing process, the Information Bulletin Environmental Assessment and Licensing under The Environment Act is definitely required reading. When you’re ready to start your report your first stop should be the Environment Act Proposal Report Guidelines which will fill you in on all the requirements that need to be included in the report. Questions? The folks at Conservation and Water Stewardship are available to review the description of a specific business operation and advise if an Environment Act Licence is required for that facility.