Data Reference Standard on the Business Number

1. Preamble

• 1.1. This data reference standard provides Government of Canada departments with a consistent way to present the business number (BN) in their systems and datasets.
• 1.2. The BN is a unique, nine-digit number assigned to a business that is used as the standard identifier for all transactions between businesses and the Government of Canada.
• 1.3. The Canada Revenue Agency is the designated issuing organization for the BN.
• 1.4. The steward of this data reference standard will review the data format in Appendix A as required to ensure it remains current.
  • 1.4.1. Data reference standard stewards:
    • Canada Revenue Agency, Business Returns Directorate
    • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Strategic Policy and Data Governance Directorate
• 1.4.2. Data reference standard custodian: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Office of the Chief Information Officer of Canada

2. Effective date

• 2.1 This data reference standard takes effect on May 7, 2024.

3. Requirements

• 3.1. This data reference standard provides details on the requirements set out in subsection 4.4 of the Directive on Service and Digital.
• 3.2. Service owners, data practitioners and other individuals who interact with data must:
  • 3.2.1 Ensure the BN is used as the standard identifier for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations during all of their transactions with the Government of Canada.
  • 3.2.2 Use the data format in Appendix A to describe BNs in their systems and datasets.
  • 3.2.3 Validate the BN and business identity information stored in their systems and datasets.

4. Application

• 4.1 This data reference standard applies to departments described in section 6 of the Directive on Service and Digital.
• 4.2 This data reference standard applies to datasets and systems developed after the effective date of this data reference standard.

5. References

• 5.1 This data reference standard should be read in conjunction with the following:

Policy instruments

• Policy on Service and Digital
• Directive on Service and Digital
• Standard for Managing Metadata
• Data and metadata reference standards

Additional information

• BN Adoption (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
• BN Web Validation Look-Up Tool (accessible only via login)

6. Enquiries

• 6.1 For interpretation of any aspect of this data reference standard, contact ServiceDigital-ServicesNumerique@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
• 6.2 For information on validating BNs and business identity information, contact the BN Adoption mailbox at ISED (bnadoptionne@ised-isde.gc.ca). ISED is the federal lead in promoting the use of the BN across the Government of Canada.

Appendix A: Data format