Forming a Limited Partnership in Canada: A Guide

Published by:
Nontle Nagasawa

Reviewed by:
Alistair Vigier
Last Modified: 2024-05-28
Are you looking to set up a limited partnership in Canada?
Limited partnerships are an attractive option for investors who want to contribute capital to a business venture without being involved in its day-to-day management.
A limited partnership in Canada consists of one or more general partners who manage the business and have unlimited liability and one or more limited partners with limited liability.
Several essential steps exist if you consider forming a limited partnership in Canada. The first step is to choose a name that complies with the naming requirements in the applicable provincial or territorial legislation.
You can search on the provincial or territorial government’s website to ensure your chosen name is available.

Establishing a Limited Partnership in Canada
Next, you must file a declaration or application for registration with the relevant government. The declaration or application must include the name of the limited partnership, the address of the registered office, the name and address of each general partner, and the term of the limited partnership.
Depending on the province or territory you’re incorporating into, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a partnership agreement, pay additional fees, or obtain permits.
Once your limited partnership is registered, it is important to create a partnership agreement. This agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of each partner and sets out the terms of the partnership.
It’s important to include details such as each partner’s contribution, the profit-sharing arrangement, and the procedure for dissolving the partnership.
It’s recommended that you seek the advice of a lawyer when drafting a partnership agreement to ensure that it’s legally sound and protects the interests of all partners.
Creating a Partnership Agreement
After a partnership agreement, you must open a bank account for your limited partnership. This is where you’ll deposit the partners’ capital contributions and manage the partnership’s finances. It’s important to keep accurate financial records of the partnership’s transactions and file annual tax returns.
As a general partner, you’re responsible for managing the business and ensuring that limited partners do not participate in management.
If a limited partner becomes involved in managing the business, they may lose their limited liability status. It’s important to ensure that all partners understand their roles and responsibilities in the partnership.
Limited partnerships in Canada are subject to ongoing legal and regulatory requirements. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to register with regulatory bodies or obtain permits. It’s important to stay current with these requirements to ensure that your partnership remains compliant.
Opening a Partnership Bank Account
Forming a limited partnership in Canada requires careful planning and consideration. It’s vital to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements and to create a partnership agreement that protects the interests of all partners.
Seeking the advice of a lawyer who specializes in business law can help ensure that your partnership is structured properly and that you comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Limited partnerships (LP) do not exist without first meeting the legal requirements.
Managing Limited Partner Liability
An LP combines some of a partnership’s advantages with some of a corporation’s. It has two kinds of partners: general and limited partners.
An LP must have one or more of each kind of partner. A general partner has the same liabilities, rights, and duties as a partner of a general partnership.
A limited partner is primarily an investor. A listed partner’s ability is restricted to capital contribution or investment, the total amount he or she agreed to contribute to the business.
The limited partner is not otherwise liable for the business debts. Nor are they responsible for the obligations of the partnership.
Creating a Limited Partnership within Canadian Jurisdiction
This form of business organization permits investors to protect some limitations of their liability. However, it still allows them the income tax advantages of a partnership organization. That is, the partners can include this partnership income with other income.
They can deduct their share of business losses against their income.
Limited partnership units are like shares in that they are fully transferable. This is subject to any restrictions in the limited partnership agreement. Also, securities law may apply. Someone may trade shares or any other security on the stock market.
This allows the LP to raise capital for the business from outside investors, like a corporation.

Partners’ Roles and Responsibilities
A limited partnership has potential advantages. It is quite simple to form. However, an LP agreement will almost certainly be expensive to prepare. It also provides a vehicle to raise capital for the business without exposing the investors to unlimited liability.
This is because the limited partners are primarily investors and contribute capital to the business.
Limited partners also have limited liability. They are only liable to the extent of the capital they have agreed to contribute to the LP.
There are also tax advantages. An LP can take advantage of the income tax advantages of a partnership. That means a partner can include this partnership income with other income. Therefore, they can deduct business losses against their income when remitting income tax.
You can book a meeting with a business lawyer by contacting us.
General Partnership and Limited Partnership Canada
There are some disadvantages to limited partnerships. To form an LP to carry on business, the LP has to meet statutory requirements.
There is no limited liability for general partners. They are not limited in their liability for the business debts and obligations of the partnership. However, a person may be a general and a limited partner in an LP.
It is more regulated than a sole proprietorship or general partnership. To become an LP, a certificate must be filed. Further, an extensive limited partnership agreement must be prepared. Lastly, the partnership’s name is regulated.
Limited Partners
Limited partners have no management control and must do certain things to maintain their privileged position of limited liability. They may not take part in the management of the partnership and cannot provide services to the partnership.
If a limited partner carries on management duties, he or she may be deemed a general partner. The limited partner would lose limited liability protection. It is sometimes difficult to determine when a limited partner’s role in an LP becomes a management role.
Limited partners also receive limited protection. However, this protection is not to the same extent as that of minority shareholders in a corporation.
How is a limited partnership taxed in Canada?
A limited partnership in Canada is not taxed as a separate legal entity. Instead, the partnership’s income is attributed to each partner, who includes their share of the partnership’s income on their personal income tax return.
The general partner or partners are usually responsible for filing the partnership’s tax return, which reports the partnership’s income and deductions for the year.
The partnership’s income is then allocated to the individual partners based on their agreed-upon percentage of ownership as set out in the partnership agreement.
Each partner is responsible for paying their tax on their share of the partnership’s income at their tax rate. It’s important to note that the partnership itself is not subject to corporate income tax.
Critical Benefits of Forming a Limited Partnership for Canadian Entrepreneurs
Partners must consult with a tax professional to ensure they correctly report their share of the partnership income on their tax returns. Additionally, a tax professional can help identify any available tax deductions or credits that can reduce the amount of income tax payable.
Proper tax planning can help minimize each partner’s tax liability. Partners should consider structuring their partnerships to take advantage of all available tax incentives and credits.
They should also keep accurate records of their partnership’s financial transactions to comply with all tax laws and regulations.
How do you set up a limited partnership in Canada?
If you’re considering setting up a limited partnership in Canada, you must follow several essential steps.
The first step is choosing a name for your partnership that meets the naming requirements in the provincial or territorial legislation. You can conduct a name search on the government website to ensure that your preferred name is available.
Once you have a name for your partnership, you’ll need to file a declaration or application for registration with the relevant provincial or territorial government.
The declaration or application must include the name of your limited partnership, the address of the registered office, the names and addresses of each general partner, and the terms of the partnership. Additional documentation, fees, or permits may be required depending on the province or territory.
Setting Up a Limited Partnership in Canada
After your partnership is registered, you’ll need to create a partnership agreement that outlines each partner’s rights and responsibilities and sets out the terms of the partnership.
A partnership agreement should include details such as the contribution of each partner, the profit-sharing arrangement, and the procedure for the dissolution of the partnership.
It’s recommended that you seek the advice of a lawyer when drafting a partnership agreement to ensure that it protects the interests of all partners.
Once you have a partnership agreement, you must open a bank account for your limited partnership. This is where you’ll deposit the partners’ capital contributions and manage the partnership’s finances. It’s essential to keep accurate financial records of the partnership’s transactions and file annual tax returns.
Understanding the Basics: What is a Limited Partnership in Canada?
As a general partner, you’ll manage the business and ensure that limited partners do not participate in management.
If a limited partner becomes involved in managing the business, they may lose their limited liability status. It’s vital to ensure that all partners understand their roles and responsibilities.
Limited partnerships in Canada are subject to ongoing legal and regulatory requirements. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to register with regulatory bodies or obtain permits.
It’s important to stay current with these requirements to ensure that your partnership remains compliant.
Setting up a limited partnership in Canada requires careful planning and attention to detail. It’s recommended that you seek the advice of a lawyer specializing in business law to ensure that your partnership is adequately structured and that you comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.
What is an example of a limited partnership?
An example of a limited partnership is a real estate investment partnership. The general partner manages the properties and makes investment decisions, while the limited partners provide capital contributions and have limited liability.
The limited partners would share in the partnership’s profits but would not be involved in the day-to-day management of the properties.
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