How do I send a demand letter to a business rather than a person in Ontario?

Sending a demand letter to a business in Ontario requires identifying the correct legal entity. A business might operate as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, and this affects both how you address the letter and how you would later name the defendant in a lawsuit.

For a corporation, the letter should be addressed to the corporation's registered name (not just its trade name), usually at its registered head office. You can search Ontario's corporate registry through the province's online services to confirm the correct legal name and registered address of a provincially incorporated company. Federal corporations are searchable through Corporations Canada.

If the business is a sole proprietorship registered under a business name, you should address it to the owner personally as well as the business name. For a general partnership, you can address the letter to the partnership or to individual partners.

Delivering the letter to the business address is generally sufficient for a demand letter, though registering the mail or using courier provides delivery proof. If the business ignores your letter and you proceed to court, you will need to properly identify and serve the defendant. Getting the legal name right from the start avoids delays and complications down the line.