i have read in various thread how difficult it is to get a job in Canada for this reason we are thinking of starting our business my question is how do you go about setting up or buying a business especially when it is difficult to get a loan
we are thinking of relocating to Ontario most possible Toronto or BC what sort of business is very lucrative in this area.
any information on business would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.

As a very general observation ........you could consider looking at franchising, it may offer you benefits in terms of assistance and financing which might be easier than starting a completely new business from scratch.

A lot depends on your background experiences, skills set, attitude to risk etc..

Search the web, franchisee rankings are usually available indicating which ones are better than others.

From a personal point of view, I would want to be VERY familiar with a new country, city, area before I set up any kind of business and would try and get established with a regular job first

I hope to set up my own business in time in Toronto. It will almost certainly be food related.

We subscribe to INC magazine and whilst not specifically related to Canada it is a North American publication and a really good read with a huge section at the back on franchising as mentioned by the previous poster.

Its something we have considered too.....but as previous replies suggest need to be careful and understand the country, culture, customs, tax etc etc... a little more before on deciding the location or type of business.

I would also suggest a franchise being new to a country and especialy if you have no/little business experience. Though returns are possibly less at least you have a tried and tested model and branding to help you start out.

On my visit there earlier this year they did have Franchise show in Toronto which I think is a useful place to start. http://www.cfa.ca/

Good Luck
Mans

That make sense you are right

Another thing that you may also consider is to purchase an existing business.

That business is truly your own and you don't depend on some larger entity and financing the purchase could have more options. For example, it would be more likely to get financing of the purchase from the seller side; most of the business owners are willing to partially finance you in the business purchase since that is often in . Although, some collateral will likely be required for that, there are many sound and business creative options that could be done there. With your own business there are no limitations on growth, direction, management styles, etc... I think your question was geared mostly to finance but there are many aspects in purchasing business that could be as equally important.

BTW, I have represented both business buyers and sellers in California and now representing in Toronto - and being a fellow immigrant myself - would be happy to answer questions if you have. If interested, feel free to send me a private message

I'll be setting up a business from scratch. It takes a lot of research, travelling around, finding the right people who can help you , etc...
It's always a good idea to have a solid business ( marketing and financial ) plan before you start anything .

Remember this whilst researching.
Outside the City or Town Limits, it is then a municipality.
In such planning, conditions of use etc. do not exist, so you could open a pig farm 50 yds from someones front door and that neighbour would spend years in court trying to close you down.
In Cities and to a lessor extent Towns, it`s the same as anywhere in the UK regarding rules and regs`!

You might want to be very careful here as some municipalities have very detailed planning regulations.