Toronto's Rogers Centre is the world's first all-purpose sports and entertainment stadium with a fully retractable roof.

Ontario's regulatory environment is similar to other advanced economies. Compliance is relatively easy and straightforward. Regulations are transparent in intent and regulatory authorities in Ontario offer consultation and advice to ease understanding and help meet requirements.

Business regulations serve Ontario citizens by ensuring fair business practices, consumer and citizen safety, community welfare and care of the natural environment.

Corporations may be incorporated under federal or Ontario law. All corporations, partnerships and sole proprietors which carry on business or identify themselves to the public under a name other than their own must register under the Business Names Act before commencing activities in Ontario.

For more information about registering a business name, please visit the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services' website at www.cbs.gov.on.ca.

Businesses in Ontario may require licenses designed to protect the public interest in areas such as product safety and service quality. In most cases, licenses involve nominal costs, and are subject to periodic renewal. Mandatory federal and/or provincial licenses are required for the use, application or sale of certain items or services such as food, drugs, alcoholic beverages, wood products, optical lenses, motor vehicle operations, and others. Municipal licenses may be required for businesses such as contracting and taxi operation.

Land use regulations are for the most part administered by municipalities through planning boards which designate areas for residential, commercial, light industry, heavy industry, noxious industry, greenbelt or parkland. There are now legislated timeframes for dealing with applications. An application for rezoning, for example, must be dealt with by planning authorities within 90 days.

Construction in Ontario is governed by the Ontario Building Code. It ensures the structural adequacy, healthy environment and fire safety of buildings. All existing buildings are governed by the Ontario Fire Code which establishes minimum standards for fire safety.

Environmental regulations guarantee a sound basis for long-term sustainable and healthy economic development. Regulations governing discharges to air, water and land arise mainly from three laws: the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Pesticides Act, administered by the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE). For example, under the Environmental Protection Act, a company that produces liquid industrial or hazardous waste must register with MOE giving details of the composition of the waste. It must also use a MOE-approved waste carrier and ship to a MOE-approved waste receiver, documenting each shipment with manifests sent to the Waste Management Branch of the Ministry.

It is illegal to give waste to a non-approved carrier or use a non-approved waste disposal site. Persons who manage and dispose of wastes require approvals issued by the Minister of Environment.

For more information see the MOE web site at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca.

Labour regulations ensure safe, productive and equitable workplaces.

In Ontario, there are regulations on minimum wages, hours of work, overtime pay, vacation pay, public holidays, termination and severance, and pregnancy and parental leave.

The regulation of occupational health and safety is an important means of maintaining high quality and productive workplaces. In Ontario, both employers and employees share this responsibility, primarily through the creation of joint Health and Safety Committees. Regulations for the labelling and use of hazardous material also helps maintain safe and productive workplaces.

The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, creed, colour, age, sex, marital status, ancestry or place of origin. Ontario's Human Rights Commission has the authority to investigate complaints pertaining to human rights, and to mediate, conciliate, rule and order compliance with legislation. For more information please contact the Ministry of Labour's web site at http://www.gov.on.ca/LAB/.