Questions About Certification?
We're Here to Help. We protect the integrity of the "100% Canadian Owned" claim. Find detailed answers below regarding eligibility, fees, our rigorous process, and the future tax benefits we are working to secure for our members.
Eligibility, Ownership & Process
It means that 100% of your company's ownership (shareholders, UBOs, or equivalent) must be held by Canadian citizens, verified through our legal due diligence process. We do not certify minority ownership.
This step is mandatory to ensure the highest legal defensibility. It protects the integrity of the seal, making your status verified and credible for both consumers and regulatory bodies. Our certification is legally verified, not just self-reported.
No, but you must be a registered, active Canadian-based business of any type. We allow all types of legitimate Canadian business structures (sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, etc.) to apply, provided you can prove active operation and 100% ownership by Canadian citizens.
The duration depends largely on the complexity of your corporate structure. Once all documents are uploaded, the legal review and final audit typically take 2 to 4 weeks.
Yes. We use a secure fulfillment portal and legal due diligence process that includes file integrity hashing to protect your sensitive corporate data. Our primary goal is to verify your status, not to monetize your data.
Fees & Membership Term
The Membership Fee is the annual recurring cost that grants you the use of the Seal, access to member benefits, and fuels the lobbying efforts for tax incentives. The Initial Application Fee and Reprocessing Fee are one-time audit charges. There are no separate annual fees outside of the membership term you select.
The non-refundable fee covers the mandatory cost of engaging our network of licensed provincial lawyers to perform the necessary background checks and due diligence, regardless of the application's final outcome.
We offer multiple terms to provide membership savings and help you avoid the Reprocessing Fee associated with renewing and processing a new or renewed application. Locking in a longer term ensures uninterrupted status and lowers your annual cost.
The Reprocessing Fee covers the cost of a full re-verification audit. This is essential to ensure that your business's ownership status remains 100% accurate and legally current after 1-3 years, protecting the integrity and value of the certification for all members and consumers.
Yes. When your membership term concludes, you must renew your membership and pay the $300 Reprocessing Fee to undergo a re-verification audit. This is mandatory to keep your membership active, maintain your benefits, and ensure the ongoing accuracy of your certified status.
Yes. Membership and Application fees are applied per business entity. Each separate business requires its own distinct legal audit and license number. However, we streamline the management process: you can access, renew, and control all your certified businesses through a single client portal account for your convenience.
Business Eligibility & Scope (Retail & B2B)
No. Although there will likely be a lot of retail-based businesses that see our program as a great fit, we welcome applications from both B2C (Retail) and B2B (Business-to-Business) companies. Whether you sell directly to consumers or serve other businesses, proving your 100% Canadian ownership is a powerful differentiator.
Yes. We certify service providers across all sectors, from local trades and professional consultants (B2C) to industrial service contractors (B2B), provided they meet the 100% Canadian ownership criteria.
For B2B members, certification provides supply chain authority. Many Canadian companies and government entities prioritize domestic suppliers. Our Seal serves as instant, legally verified proof for procurement lists, tenders, and partners seeking to secure their domestic supply chain.
Yes, but with strict conditions. The specific franchise location must be a separate legal subsidiary that is 100% owned by Canadian citizens. We recognize that excluding Canadians who own and operate international franchises would be a disservice to our economy. While franchisees pay a royalty fee to the parent brand, the significant majority of revenue remains with the Canadian business owner. Our certification distinguishes these locally-owned businesses from corporate-owned foreign chains where 100% of the profits leave Canada.
Tax Incentives & Future Advocacy
No, not yet. Your membership fees are primarily focused on maintaining the integrity of the verification and providing current member benefits. A strategic portion is invested in lobbying to secure exclusive tax advantages for all certified members. We are working hard to make these a reality.
Your membership still provides immediate and permanent value: access to exclusive member benefits and ongoing additions that active members are entitled to, alongside a legally verified certification mark that builds trust with consumers and procurement officers alike, offering strong marketing differentiation and a competitive advantage over self-reported claims.
For Consumers & The Directory
Yes. Our directory is a free public utility designed to help Canadian consumers find and support verified local businesses. You do not need an account to search.
If a business is displaying our Seal but does not appear in our official registry, please contact us immediately. We take trademark infringement seriously to protect the integrity of our verified members.
Refund Policy
The $300 Application Fee is non-refundable as it covers the cost of the legal audit. However, if you paid your annual membership fee upfront, that portion will be refunded in full if your application is declined.
You may cancel your renewal at any time, but we do not offer pro-rated refunds for the remaining time on an active, verified membership term (1, 2, or 3 years).