A Canadian Letter of Intent for Business Purchase (LOI) is a preliminary document that outlines the principal terms and conditions under which a prospective purchaser proposes to acquire a business enterprise in Canada. The LOI sets the framework for negotiation before the parties invest in formal due diligence, legal documentation, and closing procedures. While most LOI provisions are expressly non-binding, certain clauses — typically confidentiality, exclusivity (no-shop), and governing law — are designated as binding obligations that survive even if the transaction does not close.

In common law provinces, Canadian courts have examined the binding nature of LOIs through cases such as Bawitko Investments Ltd. v. Kernels Popcorn Ltd. (1991), where the Ontario Court of Appeal held that preliminary agreements may create binding obligations depending on the parties' intention and conduct. A well-drafted LOI must clearly state which provisions are binding and which are subject to the execution of a definitive purchase agreement. The standard language "subject to the execution of a definitive agreement" is the primary mechanism for preserving non-binding status.

In Quebec, the legal framework differs significantly. Articles 1375 and 1457 of the Civil Code of Québec impose a statutory duty of good faith (bonne foi) in pre-contractual negotiations. This means that even where an LOI is expressly non-binding, a party who negotiates in bad faith, abruptly terminates negotiations without justification, or misrepresents material facts may be liable for pre-contractual damages. This duty of good faith does not exist as a general statutory obligation in common law provinces, making the distinction critical for transactions involving Quebec-based businesses.

A Canadian Letter of Intent for Business Purchase is needed whenever a prospective buyer wishes to formalize its interest in acquiring a Canadian business before committing to the expense of full due diligence and legal documentation. An entrepreneur negotiating to purchase a small or medium-sized enterprise needs an LOI to demonstrate serious intent, establish a proposed purchase price in Canadian dollars, and secure a period of exclusivity during which the seller agrees not to entertain competing offers.

Private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and corporate buyers submitting bids for Canadian businesses use LOIs to present their proposed deal structure (share purchase or asset purchase), financing sources, and closing timeline. In competitive auction processes, the LOI serves as the vehicle for preliminary bids. The seller or its financial advisor evaluates the submitted LOIs and selects the most attractive proposal to advance to the definitive agreement stage.

Business owners planning succession through a sale to family members, key employees, or a management team use LOIs to memorialize the agreed-upon terms — including any vendor take-back (VTB) financing arrangements — before engaging legal counsel to draft the definitive purchase agreement. The LOI ensures both parties have aligned expectations on price, payment structure, transition responsibilities, and non-competition obligations before incurring significant legal costs.

Foreign purchasers acquiring Canadian businesses must address additional regulatory considerations. If the transaction exceeds the review threshold under the Investment Canada Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Supp.)), the LOI should include Investment Canada Act approval as a condition precedent. Similarly, if the transaction exceeds the pre-merger notification thresholds under Part IX of the Competition Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34), Competition Bureau clearance should be listed as a condition precedent to closing.

A valid Canadian Letter of Intent for Business Purchase must identify both parties by their full legal names and addresses, specify whether each party is an individual, corporation, or partnership, and describe the target business by its legal name and principal address. The LOI must specify the proposed acquisition structure — whether the transaction will be structured as a share purchase (where the buyer acquires the corporation's shares and inherits all assets and liabilities) or an asset purchase (where the buyer acquires specific assets and assumes only designated liabilities).

The purchase price provision must state the proposed price in Canadian dollars (CAD) and the payment terms, including any deposit, closing payment, and vendor take-back (VTB) financing. VTB arrangements, where the seller finances a portion of the purchase price over time with interest, are common in Canadian small and medium business sales. The LOI should specify whether the price is subject to adjustment based on working capital targets at closing, an earn-out tied to post-closing performance, or a holdback amount retained in escrow for indemnification claims.

Due diligence provisions should specify the scope of the buyer's investigation (financial statements, tax returns, CRA tax compliance certificates, corporate minute books, material contracts, employment agreements, intellectual property, environmental assessments), the timeline for completion, and the seller's obligation to provide reasonable access to the business's books and records. The exclusivity (no-shop) clause prevents the seller from soliciting or entertaining competing offers during the negotiation period. Confidentiality provisions prohibit both parties from disclosing the terms of the proposed transaction. The governing law clause must specify the applicable Canadian province, and the LOI should state whether it is binding or non-binding, with the recommendation that specific provisions (confidentiality, exclusivity, governing law) be binding regardless of the overall designation.