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How to write a business plan

How to write a business plan | cfib.

A business plan is an indispensable road map for your business’ success. While many entrepreneurs only write a plan in hopes of securing financing, smart entrepreneurs invest the time to create a plan that can take their business into the future.

A business plan is a living document, generally planning 3-5 years ahead. It outlines the direction a business intends to take to establish a customer base and start earning profits.

The key elements of a strong business plan include:

• Company Profile:   What is your business’s mission? What product or service do you offer? What is your competitive advantage in the market?
• Market Research:  What are the current trends in your industry? What are the characteristics and traits of your target market and what is the market share opportunity for your business? 
• Sales & Marketing:  What channels will you use to distribute your product? How are you going to reach your customers? Will the web and social media play a role in promoting your goods?
• Operations:   What will you need to run your business (equipment, space, staff, etc)?  Will you handle your own books or hire an accountant?  How will the business be structured – incorporated or sole proprietor?
• Financials:   How much money will you need to get your business off the ground? How will that money be allocated?  When do you expect to start earning money?

Need help developing your business plan - We have the resources to help.

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Business Plan Writer : An interactive tool created by Futurpreneur, the Business Plan Writer has been designed to simplify the business planning process. Not only is this tool dynamic, allowing you to customize your plan, it also provides tips & tricks and plenty of examples to guide you as you write.

Mentoring :  Futurpreneur Canada matches entrepreneurs (18 to 39) with a business mentor for six months and provides access to start-up resources, but without the financing. Mentors offer personalized support to help you launch and grow your business.

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Business plan writer

The interactive Futurpreneur business plan writer is designed to simplify the business planning process by allowing you to customize your plan. We also provide tips & tricks, and plenty of examples to guide you as you write.

Business plan example

Gain valuable insights from Futurpreneur’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Dominik Loncar, to learn how to articulate your vision with clarity and impact. We understand that writing a business plan can feel daunting, there’s so many pieces it’s hard to know where to start. So, to help you get started we’ve created a business plan example that includes insights and rationale from Dominik Loncar. He’s our Entrepreneur-in-Residence and he’s reviewed 100s of business plans from entrepreneurs.

Business plan essentials

Never written a business plan before? Fear not! With this crash course, you’ll be provided with an overview of the different components that make up a solid business plan ensuring you’re launch-ready and poised for success.

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What is a business plan and why do I need one?

A business plan is a written document that describes your business, its objectives and strategies, the market you are targeting and your financial forecast. It is important to have a business plan because it helps you set realistic goals, secure external funding, measure your success, clarify operational requirements and establish reasonable financial forecasts. Preparing your plan will also help you focus on how to operate your new business and give it the best chance for success.

Securing financial assistance to start your new business will be directly related to the strength of your business plan. To be considered a viable candidate to receive funds from a financial institution or investors, you must demonstrate that you understand every aspect of your business and its ability to generate profit.

A business plan is more than just something to show lenders and investors, it is also necessary to help you plan for the growth and progress of your business. Your business’s success can depend on your plans for the future.

Listed below are examples of questions to ask yourself when writing your business plan:

• How will I generate a profit?
• How will I run the business if sales are low or if profits are down?
• Who is my competition, and how will we coexist?
• Who is my target market?

What should be included in a business plan?

Although business plans can vary in length and scope, all successful business plans contain common elements. The following points should be included in any business plan:

• Executive summary (business description)

Identifying your business opportunity

Marketing and sales strategy of a business plan, financial forecasts of a business plan, other useful documentation, the executive summary (business description).

The executive summary is an overview of the main points in your business plan and is often considered the most important section. It is positioned at the front of the plan and is usually the first section that a potential investor or lender will read. The summary should:

• Include the main points from each of the other sections to explain the basics of your business
• Be sufficiently interesting to motivate the reader to continue reading the rest of your business plan
• Be brief and concise – no more than two pages long

Although the executive summary is the first section of the plan, it is a good idea to write it last – after the other parts of the plan have been finalized.

In this section of your business plan, you will describe what your business is about – its products and/or services – and your plans for the business. This section usually includes:

• Who you are
• What you do
• What you have to offer
• What market you want to target

Remember that the person reading the plan may not understand your business and its products and services as well as you do, so try to avoid using complicated terms. It is also a good idea to get someone who is not involved in the business to read this section of your plan to make sure that anyone can understand it.

Some of the things you should explain in your plan include:

• Whether it is a new business venture, a purchase of an existing business or the expansion of an existing business
• The industry sector your business is in
• The uniqueness of your product or service
• The advantages that your business has over your competition
• The main objectives of your business
• Your legal business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)

You can also include the date the business was registered/incorporated, the name of the business, its address and all contact information.

A strong business plan will include a section that describes specific activities that you will use to promote and sell your products or services. A strong sales and marketing section demonstrates that you have a clear idea of how you will get your product or service into market and can answer the following questions for the reader:

• Who are your customers? Do some research and include details of the types of customers who have shown an interest in your product or service. You can describe how you are going to promote yourself to potential customers.  
• How are you going to reach your customers? You should know your customers and the best methods to reach them. Research will help you identify the most effective way to connect with your selected audience, whether it is through the Internet, over the telephone or by in-person contact.  
• Who is your competition? Once you understand this, you need to research their strengths and weaknesses and use this information to assess potential opportunities and threats to your business.  
• How are you going to position your product or service? Describe what makes your product or service unique to the market you are trying to target.  
• How are you going to price your product or service? This information will outline your pricing strategy, including incentives, bulk pricing and/or group sales.

Don't underestimate the importance of this part of your plan. Investors need to know that you and your staff have the necessary balance of skills, motivation and experience to succeed. This section describes the people working in your business and how you plan to manage your activities. Information in this section can include:

• A brief organizational layout or chart of the business
• Biographies of the managers (including yourself)
• Who does what, with a brief job description of each position
• The needed skills of each position
• Any other relevant information related to personnel

It is also a good idea to outline any recruitment or training plans, including the cost and the amount of time required.

The operations section of your business plan will outline your daily operational requirements, facility requirements, management information systems, information technology requirements and any improvements you may have planned. This section usually includes information like:

• Daily operations – descriptions of hours of operation, seasonality of business, suppliers and their credit terms, etc.  
• Facility requirements – this includes things like size and location, information on lease agreements, supplier quotations and any licensing documentation    
• Management information systems – inventory control, management of accounts, quality control and customer tracking  
• Information technology (IT) requirements – your IT systems, any consultants or support service and an outline of any planned IT developments

Your financial forecast turns your plan into numbers. As part of any good business plan, you need to include financial projections for the business that provide a forecast for the next three to five years. The first 12 months of forecasts will have the most details about costs and revenues, so investors can understand your strategy.

Your financial forecasts should include:

• Cash flow statements – cash balance and the cash flow pattern for the first 12-18 months, including working capital, salaries and sales
• Profit and loss forecast – projected level of profit based on your projected sales, the costs of providing goods and services and your overhead costs
• Sales forecast – the money you expect to make from sales of your product or service

Some other things to consider include:

• How much capital do you need (if you are seeking external funding)?
• What security can you offer to lenders?
• How do you plan to repay your debts?
• What are your sources of revenue and income?
• Forecasts should be covering a range of scenarios
• Reviewing risks and developing contingency plans to offset the risks
• Reviewing industry benchmarks/averages for your type of business

It is important to do your research to find out how your business compares to other small businesses in your industry.

The following sections are not always required, but can enhance any business plan:

• Implementation plan – this section lists estimated dates of completion for different aspects of your business plan, targets for your business and accomplishments. Appendices – these should include supporting material, such as licences and permits, agreements, contracts and other documentation that support your business plan.

Who should write my business plan?

Your business plan should be prepared by you, the entrepreneur. It is your business and your plan, but do not hesitate to ask for help from your management team, consultants, accountants, bookkeepers, copy editors or other experienced people.  

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Create Your Business Plan

Your business plan is a document that should grow with your business. It should undergo constant revisions as your business evolves and expands.

Navigation:

• What Your Business Plan Will Do For You
• Sample Business Plans
• General Business Planning Help

What Your Business Plan Will Do For You  

• Be a reality check! It will force you to identify your business strengths and weaknesses.
• Help you figure out your budget.
• Provide a clear direction, which can keep you focused and help eliminate stress.
• Be your timetable for operations
• Help you coordinate all the diverse activities that go into running your business.
• Serve as a resume when you seek lenders, suppliers, investors or partners.
• Ensure you evaluate the market for your product or services and size up the competition.
• Provide a clear starting point for future business planning.

Sample Business Plans  

Bplans.com This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here .

Center for Business Planning The MOOT CORP® Competition simulated the experience of entrepreneurs pitching investors for funding. Although the competition is no longer held, the business plans presented by MBAs from the best business schools in the world can still be found on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine.

Templates  

Futurpreneur - Business Plan Writer An interactive, online, tool that allows you to customize your business plan. Includes tips & tricks and can be downloaded to a word, excel or PDF file.

Business Development Canada (BDC) - Business Plan Template This is one of the best downloadable business plan templates. The business plan contains 2 sections, with a glossary and user guide.

Canada Business Site An excellent source for financing, permit, and business planning information. Includes a complete list of useful templates.

SCORE SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

General Business Planning Help  

Small Business BC (SBBC) SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post  on the topic.

GoForthInstitute An excellent collection of free resources for entrepreneurs on diverse subjects. Of particular interest are the How-To Guides, templates and samples, and business calculators. They also offer low-cost video training.

Small Business Planner, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) This website includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle. Watch their series of business planning videos here .

Need information on business research as you write your business plan? Check out our Beginner's Guide to Business Research , or go to our collection of 100+ Industry  Guides for industry-specific research help.

Free business plan template

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Download a business plan template and start bringing your ideas to life. Choose a one-pager, or multi-pager. Or try Xero accounting software for free.

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Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.

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Getting started with the business plan template

We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.

Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from "I should" to "I did".

Are you looking forward to the bookkeeping and accounting that comes with a new business? Na, we didn’t think so. Xero can automate a lot of that stuff away for you.

One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

Financing your business

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Plan on making business fun

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.

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Invest in the future of your business by taking the time to create or update your business plan using our free template.

The importance of your business plan

Perhaps the most important document for any new business is a business plan. Yet too many business owners fail to sit down and prepare or update one.

A business without a plan is adrift. Decisions are made reactively based on the owner’s emotions, rather than prudent research. Employees, vendors, investors and other stakeholders (as well as the owner) are unclear about the direction of the company. That lack of focus results in wasted dollars, energies and resources as the company zigzags along instead of following a well-planned straight line to its goals.

Writing a business plan can seem a daunting task. Many entrepreneurs simply don’t have the time, inclination or the proper tools.

Business planning template

We have developed a template that makes creating your Business Plan easy. And it’s free !

This template guides you through all of the steps required to complete a proper business plan. It has explanations of the terms and definitions. It lets you add your own thoughts and comments.

Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll have a business plan complete with cover page, contact information, financial tables, product descriptions and marketing details. You can save and print the plan, or send it electronically to anyone.

Use your plan to move your business forward with confidence, to motive your team, or to present to investors or lenders.

Depending on how much research and preparation you’ve already completed, creating your plan won’t consume much time at all. While it’s very easy, don’t worry if you get stuck because help is available throughout the process.

Take your plan to the bank

Once you’ve completed your business plan, you may take it to a Scotiabank  Small Business Advisor . The advisor can review your plan, supply feedback, and, if requested, help you to explore your financing options.

Get feedback on your plan

Asking people to review your plan will make it stronger because you’ll receive valuable feedback. Share it with your accountant, lawyer, financial advisor and trusted businesspeople so they can offer their suggestions to improve your plan. If you are really worried about someone reading your secrets, consider attaching a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to the plan. An NDA is a legal document that prevents others from sharing your information with unauthorized parties.

Try our free business plan template

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Ontario's Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant

2021 Budget invests $1.7 billion in second round of payments for eligible small businesses

March 25, 2021

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TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing additional support to eligible small businesses to help with the ongoing costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Confirmed eligible recipients of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will automatically receive a second payment equal to the amount of their first payment, for minimum total support of $20,000 up to a maximum of $40,000. This support to help small business owners keep the doors open and workers employed is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy .

Today, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, reinforced the importance of this increased support at a virtual fireside chat hosted by the Canadian Club.

"One of the most significant inequities of the pandemic has been the impact on small business owners and their employees who have faced significant restrictions," said Minister Bethlenfalvy. "That's why in the  Budget yesterday we announced a second payment of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant — so that eligible small businesses will automatically receive a second payment in an amount equal to their first. Businesses in communities from Sarnia to Sault Ste. Marie have said this support is the difference between keeping the lights on and turning them off for good."

Through these two rounds of support, the Ontario Small Business Support Grant is projected to deliver an estimated $3.4 billion to approximately 120,000 small businesses across Ontario, protecting jobs through this difficult time. Businesses can use the support in whatever way makes the most sense for them. For example, some businesses could use the support to pay employee wages, while others may need support maintaining their inventory.

Launched in January, the Ontario Small Business Support Grant provides direct financial support to eligible small businesses that were required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown that came into effect in December 2020. Small businesses who have been determined as eligible recipients of the grant will automatically be entitled to a second payment in an amount equal to the first payment they receive. They will not need to apply again to receive this additional funding.

"Small businesses have faced some of the most difficult impacts of COVID-19, all while continually stepping up to help their communities and bringing forward their innovative ideas and solutions throughout the pandemic," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "We introduced the Small Business Support Grant to give businesses a helping hand, and today nearly 100,000 businesses have received over $1.414 billion in support. In the 2021 Budget we announced a second round of payments will be made to eligible recipients to make sure our small businesses continue to be supported as we get closer to our economy reopening."

Eligible business owners who have not yet applied for the grant have until March 31, 2021, to submit an application. A detailed list of businesses eligible for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant is available on the application page . Business owners can also visit Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport for more information about this grant as well as Ontario's other supports for businesses.

"Protecting our economy starts with protecting our small businesses and the people who pour everything into making them grow," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. "With this record investment, we're giving our small businesses the support they need to stay safe, stay solvent and see a brighter tomorrow.

Healthy people are essential for a healthy economy. With vaccines being distributed, hope is on the horizon. Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy provides the resources necessary to finish the battle with COVID-19, building on the government's record investments to protect health and jobs during the global pandemic.

• Eligible businesses can apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, as well as the Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment and the Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants through a single, hassle-free online application .
• Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.

"Ontario's Big City Mayors are pleased to see the provincial government committing more funds to support small businesses with the impact of COVID-19." - Mayor Jeff Lehman Chair, Ontario’s Big City Mayors

"The Ontario Small Business Support Grant has provided much needed capital to restaurants desperately struggling to survive the pandemic. Doubling the grant will help them cover costs to reopen and bring their employees safely back to work so that our industry can continue to play a key role feeding the recovery." - James Rilett Vice President, Restaurants Canada

• 2021 Budget - Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy
• Apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
• Ontario Provides More Than $1 Billion In Support for Small Business

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Ontario Creates is a Crown Agency of the Province of Ontario, established under the Development Corporations Act. As a classified agency, reporting to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario Creates files annual Business Plans with the Ministry detailing program goals, strategies and financial plans for the fiscal year. The Business Plan is an internal document which, once approved by the Minister, is posted on Ontario Creates’s website as part of Ontario’s Open Government initiative.

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Health and safety for small businesses

Learn about your health and safety responsibilities as a small business employer and how to get help keeping your workplace safe.

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Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act ( OHSA ), small business employers have many of the same duties as any other employer, including the following:

• to do everything they reasonably can to protect their workers in each situation
• to inform, instruct and supervise workers to protect their health and safety
• to make sure that every worker and supervisor takes the required training, including basic occupational health and safety awareness training , and keep records of that training

Put up health and safety posters

To make sure workers know their rights under the OHSA , workplaces in Ontario must put up posters and other information.

All workplaces

If your workplace is covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act , you must put up a:

• Health & Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here poster
• copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

This applies, even if you have fewer than 6 workers, but some requirements depend on the size of the workplace.

Workplaces with 6 or more workers

If you regularly employ 6 or more workers, you must also put up:

• a health and safety policy
• a workplace violence prevention policy
• a workplace harassment prevention policy

Most workplaces with 6 to 19 workers must have a health and safety representative, and should post their name.

Workplaces with 20 or more workers

Almost all workplaces that regularly employ 20 or more workers are required to have a joint health and safety committee, and to put up the names and work locations of the committee members.

Other posters to put up

You may be required to put up other posters about employment standards and workplace injuries. Find out what other posters you may have to put up by law.

Write and maintain workplace policies

Step 1: develop the policies.

If you regularly employ 6 or more workers you must write and post health and safety, violence and harassment policies, and make them available to your workers.

If you regularly employ 5 or less workers you do not have to put the policies in writing, unless you're ordered to by a Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspector.

Learn how to prepare a:

• health and safety policy
• workplace violence prevention policy
• workplace harassment prevention policy

Step 2: Create a program to implement the policies

In addition to preparing a health and safety policy, the employer must have a program in place to implement that policy. This program will be different depending on the hazards encountered in a particular workplace.

Program elements may include all or some of the following:

• worker training (for example new workers, WHMIS , new job procedures)
• workplace inspections and hazard analysis
• analysis of the accidents and illnesses occurring at the workplace
• a health and safety budget
• a formal means of communication to address promptly the concerns of workers
• confined space entry procedure
• lock out procedure
• machine guarding
• material handling practices and procedures
• maintenance and repairs
• housekeeping
• protective equipment
• emergency procedures
• first aid and rescue procedures
• electrical safety
• fire prevention
• engineering controls (for example ventilation)

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of program elements.

Step 3: Review the policies annually

These policies are your commitment to keeping your workers safe in the workplace and you must review them at least once a year.

Offer mandatory health and safety awareness training

By law, all workers and supervisors must take basic occupational health and safety awareness training . This helps them to understand their health and safety rights and meet their responsibilities.

Keep records of the training

By law, you must:

• keep a record of training completed by your workers and supervisors (you can use our free record keeping template )
• provide them with a proof of completion (for example, a signed statement or a certificate of completion)

Training resources

From the ministry of labour, immigration, training and skills development (free).

You can use a workbook or e-learning module for workers or supervisors .

If you want to develop your own training

Use the training program assessments for workers or supervisors to determine if your programs meet the legal requirements under Ontario Regulation 297/13 - Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training .

After the training is completed, test your employees with our knowledge check for workers and supervisors .

Teach workers how to safely do their jobs

To teach your workers how to do their jobs safely, you must provide:

• supervision
• safe work policies
• hazards in the workplace
• measures and procedures specific to your workplace and the worker's duties

This is especially important for new and young workers , who are more likely to be injured during their first month on the job than at any other time.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System ( WHMIS )

WHMIS is a Canada-wide system of laws put in place to:

• help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses
• help employers and workers learn about hazardous products or chemicals used at work

Under WHMIS , information on hazardous products must be delivered in 3 ways:

• worker education programs
• labels on the containers of hazardous products with detailed hazard and precautionary information
• safety data sheets

Learn more about WHMIS .

Select a health and safety representative or create a joint health and safety committee

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act , workers and employers must work together to keep the workplace healthy and safe.

One way to do this is by working with your workplace health and safety representative, or with your joint health and safety committee. They are responsible for identifying potential health and safety problems and bringing them to your (the employer's) attention. They can also make recommendations on improving health and safety in workplace.

If you employ 6 to 19 workers

If you regularly employ 6 to 19 workers, you typically must have a worker health and safety representative . The representative is selected by:

• the union, if the workplace is unionized
• workers at the workplace who are not managers or supervisors

Training is optional for health and safety representatives, but training programs are available to help them understand their duties.

Eligible small businesses can be reimbursed for health and safety representative training through Ontario’s Small Business Health and Safety Training Program.

If you employ 20 or more workers

Almost all workplaces that have 20 or more regularly employed workers must have a joint health and safety committee ( JHSC ). This committee includes worker and employer representatives.

Certification

At least one worker representative and one management representative on the JHSC must be certified. To do that they must take a 2-part training program, approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development's Chief Prevention Officer.

Find an approved training provider .

Use our health and safety checklist

To make sure you are following the Occupational Health and Safety Act , you can use our health and safety checklist. Consider completing it with your health and safety representative or joint health and committee members.

Download the checklist to your device and open it using the latest version of Adobe Reader .

What to expect during an inspection

Every day Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors visit workplaces for occupational health and safety inspections and investigations. Learn more about what you can expect .

Report a workplace incident

By law, you must notify certain people, within specific timeframes, if there is an incident in your workplace such as a death, injury or occupational illness.

Learn more about who you need to notify .

Your other duties

As an employer you have other responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act ( OHSA ). For example, you must make sure the equipment, materials and protective devices you provide are in good condition.

Depending on your type of business you may also need to:

• make sure your workers meet sector-specific minimum age requirements
• comply with the requirements in specific regulations, such as the regulations for construction, industrial, mining or health care sectors

Workers who are starting a new job, and young workers under 24, are three times more likely to be injured during their first month at work. Successful businesses look at the training of new and young workers as an opportunity to prioritize and encourage safety in the workplace. It is crucial to provide good training, ongoing coaching and supervision to new and young workers, in order to save lives.

Read the guide to the OHSA for more information about the duties of employers, supervisors, workers and others .

Get more help making your workplace safe

Many of Ontario's health and safety organizations offer sector specific advice, tools, services and training. For small businesses a majority of these services are free. Others have a fee. Contact these organizations or read their online resources:

Infrastructure Health & Safety Association ( IHSA )

Supports the construction, electrical and utilities, aggregates, natural gas, ready-mix concrete and transportation sectors

Examples of free resources:

• health and safety 101 orientation webinar
• eight best practices for small businesses and independent operators
• guideline for health and safety representatives ( PDF )

Public Services Health & Safety Association ( PSHSA )

Supports: the health care, education, municipal and provincial government, police, emergencies services sectors and First Nations.  

• small business resource manual with an easy-to-follow action checklist
• workplace violence risk assessment tool in any sector
• caught in the middle: the supervisor and occupational health and safety ( PDF )

Workplace Safety North ( WSN )

Support the forestry, mining, smelters, refineries, paper, printing and converting sectors.

• Ontario small business health and safety booklet ( PDF )
• small company health and safety program
• distracted driving on the job: study on causes and actions from a sector

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services ( WSPS )

Supports the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors.

• free small business advisory service with ten hours expert advice including a workplace walkthrough
• 6 ways to boost hazard awareness and reduce injuries among new and young workers
• stream Small Biz Safety Podcast and Agriculture and farm safety podcast

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers ( OHCOW )

Supports all sectors protecting workers and workplaces from occupational diseases, injuries and illnesses.

• HazardAssess App : 12 health and safety topics hazards and solutions
• Noise-induced Hearing Loss Audiogram Calculator for noisy work environment
• StressAssess : help identifying factors that can lead to stress and mental injury, and suggestions to address them

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Supports all sectors. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is an independent agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Definition of a supervisor

A supervisor is anyone who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker, whether or not they have the word "supervisor" in their job title.

For example, depending on their work responsibilities someone can be a supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act if they are a:

• business owner
• keys holder
• senior chef

As the employer, you are responsible for making sure a supervisor is qualified and knowledgeable about health and safety. Read the Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to learn more about the requirements and duties of a supervisor under the law.