An MBL, an abbreviation for Master Business Licence, is a declaration registering a business name, issued via Service Ontario. People wanting to establish a small business in Ontario can effortlessly apply online, receiving the final paperwork via email within two business hours. In basic terms, the MBL provides a framework for setting up a business, catered to three specific scenarios.

MBL provides the following:

1. Registration is valid for a 5 year period
2. The ability to operate a business name within Ontario
3. To open a Bank account, tax accounts, obtain cheques, business cards
4. Advertise and promote the business name

MBL does not provide the following:

1. Name protection against other business names in Ontario
2. Corporate tax benefits
3. Continual registration
4. Flexibility to make changes to the registration