Can I move my Ontario corporation to become a federal corporation?

Yes. The process is called continuance or redomiciliation. An Ontario corporation can apply to continue under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) by following the procedures set out in both the OBCA and the CBCA. The result is that the corporation ceases to be an Ontario corporation and becomes a federal corporation, while retaining all its existing contracts, assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations.

Why might you do this? Common reasons include wanting a single national corporate name right, expanding operations significantly outside Ontario, preparing for a transaction with investors who prefer CBCA companies, or aligning with a corporate structure that suits your governance or residency situation.

To complete a continuance, shareholders typically must approve the move by special resolution (two-thirds majority), articles of continuance must be filed with Corporations Canada, and the Ontario Business Registry must issue a certificate of discontinuance. After the process, the corporation files annual returns with Corporations Canada rather than the Ontario Business Registry.

The reverse — a federal corporation continuing into Ontario — is also possible. Once continued, the new incorporating statute governs the corporation going forward, including any differences in director residency requirements, governance rules, and filing obligations.