Starting a business in Canada involves more legal paperwork than most new entrepreneurs expect. Registering a sole proprietorship, incorporating a corporation, filing the right documents with the government, getting a CRA business number, setting up your corporate minute book – all before you’ve made your first sale. Traditionally, you had two options: navigate the government websites and forms yourself and risk costly errors, or pay a lawyer $1,500 or more to handle it for you.
Ownr sits in the middle: guided, reliable Canadian business formation at a fraction of traditional legal costs. Backed by Royal Bank of Canada through RBC Ventures, Ownr has helped over 170,000 Canadian entrepreneurs register and incorporate their businesses – with sole proprietorship registration taking as little as 15 minutes and a cashback offer from RBC that can make the registration effectively free.
This review covers Ownr’s complete feature set, the pricing for sole proprietorship registration, provincial and federal incorporation, and ongoing annual compliance plans, the honest limitations (including the Canada-only scope and limited provincial coverage), and exactly when Ownr makes sense versus using a lawyer for more complex structures.
Important note: Ownr is a Canada-only platform serving Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. If you are outside Canada or in another Canadian province, this is not the right tool for you – check out our complete business formation guide for alternatives.
What Is Ownr?
Ownr (ownr.co) is a Canadian digital platform that simplifies business registration, incorporation, legal document creation, and ongoing corporate compliance for Canadian entrepreneurs. Founded in 2017 and operated by RBC Ventures (an affiliate of Royal Bank of Canada), Ownr has helped over 170,000 Canadian businesses get set up legally. The platform currently serves Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The core value proposition: instead of paying a lawyer $1,500+ or navigating complex government filing systems yourself, Ownr walks you through the entire process online, files everything electronically, generates all required legal documents automatically, and maintains your digital corporate records in one accessible dashboard. You save thousands compared to traditional incorporation, get documents prepared correctly, and complete the process on your own schedule.
For Canadian entrepreneurs building ecommerce businesses and dropshipping stores, having a proper legal business structure is essential from the start. A corporation provides liability protection, potential tax advantages, and the professional credibility that suppliers and payment processors often expect. Ownr makes getting that structure in place fast and affordable.
The RBC connection provides a particularly practical benefit: open an RBC business bank account within 60 days of registering with Ownr and receive up to $300 CAD cashback – effectively subsidizing your registration cost significantly, and in the case of sole proprietorship registration, more than covering the entire fee.
Pricing
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and include government filing fees unless noted.
Sole Proprietorship Registration: $49 CAD – Available in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. Process takes approximately 15 minutes. Includes: unlimited business name searches, business registration number, all required provincial documents, and secure cloud storage. Business license delivered via email within 1 business day in Ontario and Alberta; British Columbia takes up to 15 business days for name reservation.
The RBC cashback offer: open an RBC business bank account within 60 days and receive up to $300 CAD back. That makes the $49 sole proprietorship registration effectively free, with $251+ in net cashback.
Provincial Corporation Incorporation (one-time, government fees included):
- Ontario provincial: ~$499-$599 CAD
- Quebec provincial: ~$499 CAD
- Alberta provincial: $599 CAD
- British Columbia provincial: $699 CAD
- Federal incorporation (Ontario and Quebec only): $499 CAD
For context: government filing fees alone run $275-$380 depending on province. Ownr’s markup above government fees is modest relative to the guided process, document preparation, and ongoing compliance tools provided.
Ongoing Annual Plans (for corporations):
Online Minute Book Plan – $199/year: Annual Return Compliance Package (government filings, corporate resolutions, auditor waivers), digital minute book management, secure cloud storage, up to 3 user accounts, and chat support. Included free for the first year with any Ownr incorporation. One-off changes (address updates, director changes) cost extra per change on this plan. Optional GST/HST registration available. For perspective: annual returns through a law firm typically cost $450+ alone, making $199/year genuinely cost-competitive.
Managed Corporation Plan – $599/year: Everything in the Online Minute Book Plan plus: unlimited changes to directors, officers, and addresses; unlimited user accounts; Legal Agreement Library (NDAs, IP agreements, Terms of Service, Privacy Policies, Dividend Payout agreements); CRA registration for GST/HST and payroll numbers; priority support. Share management and employee/contractor management available as add-ons.
Optional Add-ons (Managed Corporation Plan): 3 managed shareholders $297/year (each additional $99/year); 3 managed employees/contractors $99/year (each additional $39/year); Employee Stock Option Plan $999/year.
Core Features
Business Registration and Incorporation: Ownr guides you through the entire process online with step-by-step prompts. For sole proprietorship, you complete the registration form, Ownr submits it electronically to the provincial registry, and you receive your business registration documents by email. For incorporation, you select your corporate structure, choose directors and officers, set share classes, and Ownr generates and files all required documentation electronically.
Documents automatically generated at incorporation include: Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Bylaws, First Director’s Resolution, Director’s Consents, First Shareholder’s Resolution, Notice(s) of Issuance, Subscription for Shares, Securities Register, Shareholders Ledger, and NUANS Report (name availability search). Your CRA Business Number is also registered as part of the process.
Digital Minute Book: Canadian corporations are legally required to maintain a minute book containing key corporate records. Ownr keeps your minute book digitally – all filings stored in an online dashboard accessible anytime without a trip to a lawyer’s office. For ecommerce entrepreneurs managing their business while traveling or working remotely, having corporate records in a cloud-accessible dashboard rather than a physical binder at a law firm is a meaningful practical advantage.
Annual Compliance Management: Ownr handles the ongoing compliance work Canadian corporations require: annual return filings with the provincial registry, corporate resolutions, auditor waiver filings, and reminders for upcoming deadlines. Forgetting annual filings can result in corporate dissolution or fines – the subscription handles this automatically.
Legal Agreement Library (Managed Plan): A library of legal agreement templates: NDAs, IP assignment agreements, Terms of Service, Privacy Policies, and Dividend Payout agreements. For ecommerce entrepreneurs hiring contractors, VAs, or establishing supplier relationships, having professional NDA and contractor agreement templates ready without engaging a lawyer for each document provides real practical value.
CRA Business Registrations: CRA Business Number registration is included with incorporation. The Managed Corporation Plan adds GST/HST program account registration and payroll number registration – the two most common CRA registrations Canadian small businesses need after formation.
Employee and Contractor Management (Add-on): Employment agreements and contractor agreements generated through the platform. Useful for ecommerce businesses hiring their first employees or onboarding contractors for fulfillment, customer service, or marketing tasks.
Ownr Perks: Access to partner discounts including Xero accounting software (50% off first 3 months), Tailor Brands logo design (50% discount), Jobber (20% off for 12 months), Etsy ($50 in ad credits plus 50 free listings), Bolt fulfillment ($500 account credit), TELUS Business (10% monthly savings), Staples Business Advantage membership, Geek Squad tech support discount, and Heirlume trademark services (20% off). Total perks value advertised as up to $16,000 depending on which offers you use.
RBC Banking Integration: Open an RBC business bank account within 60 days of registration for up to $300 CAD cashback. The integration makes business banking setup part of the same workflow as incorporation.
What Real Users Say
The review picture for Ownr is consistently positive among Canadian entrepreneurs and accountants, with clear and honest limitations documented.
According to Dupple’s March 2026 Ownr review (pricing verified February 2026), Ownr delivers on its core promise: idea to legally registered business in as little as 15 minutes for sole proprietorships. The $49 CAD sole proprietorship fee combined with the RBC cashback makes it one of the most cost-effective business registration options available in Canada. The incorporation process is well-guided for standard business structures. Complex structures (family trusts, holdcos with multiple share classes) require custom legal work beyond what Ownr can accommodate.
According to Savvy New Canadians’ Ownr review (March 2026), the platform has helped over 170,000 Canadian entrepreneurs and the annual return compliance pricing at $199/year compares favorably to the $450+ that law firms typically charge for the same annual return filing alone. The document quality produced at incorporation meets Canadian corporate requirements. The RBC cashback offer is confirmed as a genuine and straightforward benefit.
According to LedgerLogic’s February 2026 Ownr review – where the team incorporated two test entities (sole proprietorship and corporation) in Ontario and evaluated the end-to-end process, document quality, minute book completeness, and RBC account linking – Ownr is described as “the default recommendation for 95% of our new clients. It is cheaper, faster, and integrates directly with RBC for instant business banking.” Documented limitations: not suitable for complex structures like family trusts or holdcos, limited ability to create custom share classes without additional legal help, customer support is online-only with no phone option.
Pros and Cons
What I like about Ownr:
Dramatically cheaper than lawyer incorporation – typically $1,000-$1,500 less than equivalent services from a corporate lawyer for a standard incorporation. The RBC cashback offer of up to $300 CAD when opening an RBC business account effectively subsidizes the registration cost – and for sole proprietorship registration at $49, creates a net positive cash position. Government fees included in Ownr’s pricing means no surprise additional costs. The Online Minute Book Plan at $199/year is cheaper than what law firms charge for annual returns alone ($450+). Digital minute book access anytime from the dashboard. All core incorporation documents generated automatically and correctly formatted for Canadian requirements. RBC backing provides institutional stability. Ownr Perks provide meaningful savings on tools ecommerce entrepreneurs already need. 170,000+ Canadian entrepreneurs served since 2017.
What I’d flag:
Canada-only, and only four provinces currently: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. If you’re in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI, or the territories, Ownr cannot serve you – you’d need to incorporate federally (Ontario/Quebec only) or work with a local registry or lawyer. Not suitable for complex corporate structures (family trusts, holdcos, multi-class share structures). Online-only customer support – no phone support available. One-off changes cost extra on the base Online Minute Book Plan. Federal incorporation is only available for Ontario and Quebec-based businesses. Ownr is not a substitute for legal advice for complex situations.
Ownr vs Alternatives for Canadian Entrepreneurs
| Option | Cost | Speed | Guidance | Ongoing Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownr | $49-$699 CAD | 15 min – 2 days | High | $199-$599/year |
| DIY (Government Portal) | $275-$380 CAD (gov fees only) | Days-weeks | None | Manual |
| Corporate Lawyer | $1,500-$3,000+ CAD | Days-weeks | Highest | $450+/year |
Ownr vs DIY government registration: The DIY route through provincial government portals costs only the government filing fee ($275-$380 depending on province), but provides no guidance, no document preparation, and no digital minute book. Error risk is higher for first-time incorporators, and the time cost is significant. Ownr’s markup above government fees buys accurate document preparation, guided process, and ongoing compliance infrastructure. Ownr vs corporate lawyer: A corporate lawyer provides the highest level of legal advice and handles complex structures that Ownr cannot. Cost is typically $1,500-$3,000+ CAD for a standard incorporation. For straightforward business structures, Ownr delivers equivalent outcomes at a fraction of the cost. For complex structures (holdcos, trust structures, multiple share classes, US or international operations), a lawyer’s involvement is genuinely warranted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ownr?
Ownr (ownr.co) is a Canadian digital platform backed by RBC Ventures (Royal Bank of Canada) that helps entrepreneurs register sole proprietorships and incorporate corporations in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. Founded 2017. Has helped 170,000+ Canadian businesses get legally registered. Services: business registration ($49 CAD), incorporation ($499-$699 CAD depending on province), digital minute book, annual compliance management ($199-$599/year), legal agreements, CRA registrations, employee/contractor management. Up to $300 CAD RBC cashback available when opening an RBC business account.
Is Ownr legitimate?
Yes. Ownr is a legitimate Canadian service operated by RBC Ventures, an affiliate of Royal Bank of Canada. Ownr’s incorporation work results in official filings with the applicable federal or provincial corporate registry. Documents produced are legally valid Canadian corporate documents. Over 170,000 Canadian businesses have used the platform since 2017.
Which provinces does Ownr cover?
Ownr currently serves Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec for both sole proprietorship registration and provincial incorporation. Federal incorporation is available through Ownr for Ontario and Quebec. Entrepreneurs in other Canadian provinces must use alternative approaches – filing directly through local registries, incorporating federally (and registering extra-provincially), or working with a lawyer.
How much does Ownr incorporation cost?
Sole proprietorship registration: $49 CAD (all provinces served, government fees included). Provincial corporation incorporation: $499-$699 CAD depending on province (government fees included). Federal incorporation: $499 CAD (Ontario/Quebec only). Ongoing annual compliance: $199/year (Online Minute Book) or $599/year (Managed Corporation). The first year of Online Minute Book is included free with incorporation.
Is Ownr right for complex business structures?
No. Ownr works well for standard business structures – single-class shares, standard directors and officers, straightforward ownership. Complex holdcos, family trusts, multi-class share structures requiring custom legal drafting, or businesses with unusual regulatory requirements should involve a corporate lawyer. Ownr itself recommends professional legal consultation for complex situations.
What is the RBC cashback offer?
Open an RBC business bank account within 60 days of registering with Ownr and receive up to $300 CAD cashback. The cashback amount varies based on business type and province. For sole proprietorship registration at $49 CAD, this creates a net positive cash position. For incorporation, it significantly offsets the one-time incorporation fee.
My Verdict on Ownr
Ownr earns an 8.0/10 for Canadian entrepreneurs in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, or Quebec who need to register a sole proprietorship or incorporate a standard corporation quickly and affordably – without paying $1,500-$3,000+ for a corporate lawyer to handle a straightforward business structure.
The combination of dramatically lower cost than lawyer incorporation ($1,000-$1,500 savings for standard incorporations), a guided process that produces correctly formatted Canadian corporate documents, digital minute book management replacing physical binders at a law office, ongoing compliance plans cheaper than annual law firm retainers, the RBC cashback offer that largely subsidizes registration cost, and the institutional backing of Royal Bank of Canada makes Ownr the default recommendation for most standard Canadian small business formations.
The honest deductions: the Canada-only and four-province limitation means this review is only relevant for a portion of the EP audience. Online-only support is a genuine drawback for complex questions. And Ownr is not a substitute for a corporate lawyer when your business structure involves any complexity.
For Canadian ecommerce entrepreneurs building their first dropshipping store, consulting practice, or service business in Ontario, Alberta, BC, or Quebec: Ownr is the fastest, most affordable path to a legal business structure with ongoing compliance tools built in.
Build your ecommerce business with these free resources from Ecommerce Paradise:
- Free Beginner’s Guide to High-Ticket Dropshipping
- Free Mini Course
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Or if you want personalized guidance on building your ecommerce business, check out our private coaching program or join the Ecommerce Paradise community. I wish you guys the best of luck out there.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
