A Guide for Latino Entrepreneurs on Joint Ventures and Partnerships in Canada

Eddy Ramirez
April 8, 2025

For Latino entrepreneurs looking to establish a presence in Canada, understanding the concepts of Joint Ventures and Partnerships is a good way to educate themselves on the business world and take advantage of strategic opportunities to build their business and build successful business relationships.

This is the topic we will address today in our blog about corporate services in Canada. Here I will share a basic concepts guide on what a Joint Venture is, how it works and why it is a powerful tool for immigrants who want to undertake in a competitive environment like Canada. Read with me to the end and take note of each explanation - let's get started!

What is a Joint Venture and what are its characteristics?

A Joint Venture ( JV ) is a business arrangement between two or more parties that decide to collaborate on a specific project, sharing resources, risks and benefits. Unlike a traditional partnership, a JV is usually temporary and focused on a particular objective, such as developing a product, expanding into a new market or executing a large-scale project.

Among the main characteristics of a Joint Venture we can mention the following:

  1. It handles collaboration between parties, taking into account that two or more companies or individuals partner to achieve a common goal, for example, if both parties want to develop an innovative project or enter a new market .

  1. The duration is limited, as joint ventures are generally time-limited and terminate once the established objectives are met.

  1. They have legal independence. The companies involved maintain their legal and operational independence outside the agreement.

  1. Both parties share the costs, risks and profits as stipulated in the contract.

  1. Each party contributes specific resources, such as capital, technology, expertise or infrastructure.

  1. The agreement establishes rights, responsibilities, objectives and conflict resolution mechanisms.

  1. Important decisions are made jointly, ensuring a balance of power between the parties.

  1. They have a specific purpose. A Joint Venture is created for a specific project or activity, such as research, production or business expansion.

Why is the Joint Venture important for Latino entrepreneurs in Canada?

When you are an immigrant and want to start a business in a new environment, business partnerships are a great help, they allow you to combine resources, knowledge and experience with other local businesses or partners and open doors to collaborations that can make the difference between emerging or not in such a competitive environment as Canada. 

As a Latin entrepreneur, it is necessary to understand that a Joint Venture not only strengthens the possibilities for growth, but also positions you as a key player in the market. 

This is important because it provides access to local resources and expertise, as well as market knowledge, network building, and resource mobilization. In addition, the Joint Venture reduces risks, since by sharing costs and responsibilities the entrepreneurs minimize the possibility of financial losses and large operating expenses.

Another highlight of a Joint Venture is that of strategic expansion. As the well-run joint venture becomes a gateway to explore new industries or regions within Canada. This strengthens the credibility of customers and investors in the business.

What is a Company and what are its characteristics?

In the business context, a Partnership is a legal relationship in which two or more persons or entities share ownership, operation and responsibility for a business. This form of collaboration is established through a formal agreement and has key characteristics, such as:

  • Continuous duration: unlike temporary arrangements such as Joint Ventures, a Partnership is generally created for a long-term business.

  • Profit and loss sharing: the partners divide the profits and also assume the financial responsibilities of the business.

  • Legal entity: a corporation may be recognized as a separate legal entity, depending on how it is registered.

  • Joint decisions: business decisions are made jointly, and each partner has rights and obligations proportional to its share in the business.

The Partnership is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to combine resources, knowledge and experience to establish and operate a business in a cooperative manner.

Contractual regulations for Joint Ventures in Canada

The Joint Venture is regulated through private contracts between the parties involved and is subject to general contract and commercial laws. Here are some key points:

  • In most Canadian provinces, the joint venture is governed by the common law system , which allows the parties to maintain their legal independence and limit their liability as stipulated in the contract.
  • In Québec, which operates under a civil law system, Joint Ventures Joint Ventures may be interpreted differently, often as partnerships, which could imply a broader liability for the partners.
  • The contracts of Joint Venture should be clear and detailed, specifying contributions, responsibilities, benefit sharing, and dispute resolution.
  • It is important that the contract complies with applicable provincial and federal laws .
  • With respect to taxes and tax obligations, each party to a Joint Venture Joint Venture is responsible for reporting and paying taxes on its share of the income generated, according to Canadian tax laws.
  • For compliance with specific regulations, depending on the sector or industry, there may be additional regulations affecting the Joint Venture, such as licenses, permits or environmental regulations.

If you are considering forming a Joint Venture in Canada, it is essential to work with a specialized lawyer to ensure an agreement that complies with all the laws of the respective province and protects the interests of the parties involved. Our team of Canadian lawyers at Immiland Law Corporation can assist you.

Immiland Law Corporate Services 

At Immiland Law, we are strategic partners for the success of your business, offering a wide range of business legal services designed to cover all stages of your business life cycle. From the incorporation of your Joint Venture or Partnership to the resolution of commercial disputes, our team of highly qualified lawyers will provide you with personalized and forward-thinking legal advice. View corporate services here.

Joint Ventures and Partnerships can open doors to new opportunities and strengthen the position of your business in the Canadian market. So do not hesitate to contact us if you want to start your entrepreneurial journey in Canada.

I hope this topic has been helpful. Thanks for reading - see you in the next blog on How to reach solid agreements with your shareholders in Canada!

With love, 

Immiland Law Professional Corporation