Franchising in Canada is strongly developed: it has been estimated that in Canada’s largest province of Ontario 40% of the retail sales are through franchised outlets.
Even if Canada is geographically very close to the United States of America, its market is generally friendlier to Asian entrepreneurs, especially coming from China. And the Chinese is the third most commonly spoken language after English and French.   
Canada has adopted the older Paris Convention about trade marks registration, but foreign franchisors intended to register their trade marks can choose to apply in their home jurisdiction. Because of large number of Chinese franchisors, there have been many disputes led to the development of some Chinese character marks because it is very easy to mistake similar marks for people unable to read Chinese characters.
There are some Canadian regions, as Ontario and Alberta, which have already developed their own franchise disclosure laws, while other provinces are in the process of adopting such laws. Only Québec hasn’t still developed any specific law to regulate franchising.

Franchising in Canada can trust in the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) which represents over 400 franchise companies and the professionals who support this way of doing business. CFA is dedicated to promoting and strengthening ethical franchising in Canada. To facilitate the resolution of franchise complaints and problems, both franchisors and franchisees can ask help to Ombudsman, a neutral, independent source providing advices. The Ombudsman service is free and funded by sponsorship donations made by the Franchise Community and supported by the Canadian Franchise Association.

The group Infofranchise is present also in Canada with its Franchise portal at the address: www.infofranchise.ca

The Franchise Show is the Canada’s largest franchise only show, promoted and organised by CFA.
It takes place in Toronto twice a year, usually in February and in October. It represents the great place to start a search for a franchise, acquire new knowledge about this system of doing business by attending the numerous seminars and conferences. People interested in starting a new business in Canada shouldn’t miss this unique event.

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Date: 13/02/2007
Source: Infofranchise

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