1. Consolidate your loans: Consolidating student loans will decrease the amount of money you must pay per month on your loans thereby making it easier for you to afford the payments. You should however be aware that consolidating will increase the overall amount you pay as this extends the repayment period. But it is a great way to afford your monthly payments.

2. You can defer you payments: There are several circumstances that can allow you to defer your student loans. These include half-time to full-time studies, unemployment or economic hardships. You can also defer if you are studying at an approved graduate fellowship program or if you are undergoing a rehabilitation program for the disabled.

3. Forbearance: This just like deferring your loans. The difference is that when you defer, you don’t make any payments but with forbearance, you will make payments on the interest of the loan. You’ll need permission from the lender and you’ll have to fall under some circumstances to qualify for this

Created in 1993 as a federal/provincial partnership and then transformed into a not-for-profit Society in 2002, Small Business BC is British Columbia’s key resource centre for business information and services.

Small Business BC involves the business community directly in its operations, which enables the development of private sector partnerships to complement and expand future services.

Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue are founding partners of Small Business BC and together are partners in bringing services, government programs and timely business information to local BC communities.

Small Business BC is member of the Canada Business network. Canada Business is a national point of service and the first place entrepreneurs go for government information, advice and support to help build their business. Canada Business offers business people access to a wide range of federal, provincial and territorial government services across Canada.

The innovative approach of Small Business BC has led to national and international awards and helped solidify its reputation as an exceptional business resource.

Vision

Small Business BC vision is to drive, motivate and inspire entrepreneurial growth and success in small businesses throughout BC.

Mission

Small Business BC, a public and private sector collaboration, is the comprehensive Business Development Resource for people exploring opportunities, launching new ventures and growing existing businesses.

Service Standards

At Small Business BC, you will find a knowledgeable and courteous staff, dedicated to effectively meeting your business information needs…

• We strive to make our services known to you.
• We treat you with courtesy and respect.
• We strive to provide our services in Canada’s two official languages.
• We strive to serve you through the method of your choice: in person, by telephone, fax, mail, e-mail and on the website.
• Our automated services are available for your use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Web site: Available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, except during periods of system maintenance. Broken links brought to our attention will be fixed immediately.
• Our business team answers phone calls promptly.
• You can access Small Business BC from all regions of B.C. without long distance charges.
• We provide current information, on federal and provincial government business-related products, programs, services and regulations that is accurate, helpful, relevant and timely.
• Information Documents: The top 30 provincial documents in our business information database are updated monthly and the remainder of the federal documents is updated every 9-12 months.
• If we are unable to provide an answer within one business day, we will provide you with an estimate of the time required to get back to you with an answer.
• If you must be referred, we provide you with the telephone contact or web links which will best assist you. We encourage you to report back on unsuccessful referrals.

Location

Small Business BC is located at “The Station”, where the Waterfront Skytrain, Seabus and West Coast Express meet.

82 – 601 West Cordova Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 1G1

Phone: 604-775-5525
Toll Free in BC: 1-800-667-2272
TTY (Teletypewriter):
1-800-457-8466
(Long distance charges accepted)
Fax: 604-775-5520
askus@smallbusinessbc.ca

Normal Hours of Operation

Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

- Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Enterprise Toronto is an innovative public and private sector alliance created to provide one-stop sourcing of services and programs tailored to meet the needs of the Toronto’s Entrepreneurs and small businesses. Enterprise Toronto can help you make good decisions during your business start-up and develop your management capabilities as your business venture grows.

Enterprise Toronto is managed by the City of Toronto Economic Development Office which offers services and programs in the areas of Small Business and Local Partnerships, Business Development and Retention, Investment Marketing, Economic Research and Business Information.

Our Mission
Our goal is to help entrepreneurs at the early and initial growth stage of their business by assisting them to make good business decisions, to develop their management capabilities, to link them to information concerning marketing, management, leadership solutions and sources of financing.

Our Vision
Enterprise Toronto’s vision is to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their full potential in their growth and development. Enterprise Toronto will be a dynamic vehicle that brings together a wide diversity of agencies, companies, not-for-profit agencies, associations, institutions and government(s) in innovative ways through strategic alliances to effectively service the needs of.

Contact

Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

5100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M2N 5V7
Tel: (416) 395-7434
Fax: (416) 395-7444

Near Yonge & Sheppard. Next to the Toronto Performing Arts Centre. Walk from the North York City Centre Subway.
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Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 2N2
Tel: (416) 392-6646
Fax: (416) 392-1794

At Queen & Bay. Walk from the Queen St. Subway
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Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

150 Borough Drive
Toronto, ON
M1P 4N7
Tel: (416) 396-7169
Fax: (416) 396-5088

Next to the Scarborough Town Centre shopping mall. Walk from the Scarborough Centre RT station.

Mission Statement

Our purpose is to provide a forum for the entrepreneur to network with like-minded individuals and learn how to be successful in initiating, organizing and managing new business ventures for profit while minimizing the risk of loss.

In order to attain our purpose we promote and practice sound business principles, develop an informal atmosphere to promote networking, provide topical speakers at monthly meetings and encourage members in the successful commercialization of their ideas, products and services. We believe that these activities will contribute to our continued growth as a respected organization for entrepreneurs.

Benefits to AEA Membership

Through formal meeting and individual relationships, learn how to:

• take advantage of services offered by individual members
• find a product or service
• develop your product or service
• protect your product or service (patent, copyright)
• set your own business plan
• find financial resources
• market your product or service
• find information on business and tax law
• maximize the investment of your time in networking

Membership in the AEA entitles you to:

• attend interesting and educational monthly meetings with topical speakers at a reduced rate
• network with other entrepreneurs
• receive special discounts from participating businesses
• serve on committees and executive board
• list your company in the AEA online directory
• a library card with The Business Link, so you can use their extensive collection of business resources at no extra charge

Contact the Alberta Entrepreneurs Association

By mail:
Box 52171
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2T5

By phone
1-888-207-3428

Source: http://www.aea.ab.ca

Choose from the links below for details about your role with the Ministry of Revenue from registering right through to closing your business.

• Business Start-up and Registration
• Reporting and Remitting
• Address Changes
• Amalgamations and Ownership Changes
• Audit Information
• Objections and Appeals
• Closing your Business

Events

• PST - GST/HST Seminars
• Tax Information Forums

Forms and Publications

• Forms and Publications by Program
• Guide for Canadian Small Business
• Ontario Business Program Guide
• Small Business Guide
• Small Business Pointers relating to Retail Sales Tax

Programs of Interest

• Single Administration of Corporate Tax

Points of Reference

• Small Business Tax Administration Advisory Committee
  The Small Business Tax Administration Advisory Committee members represent small business owners in Ontario who work together with ministry representatives to improve the tax administration processes in Ontario.
• ServiceOntario Gateway for Business
• Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services
• Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
• Small Business Research and Policy

Useful tools

• Interactive Business Planner
  Helps you prepare a 3 year business plan for a new or existing business, using a question and answer format.

Source: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/resources/smallbusiness/