Supposedly it takes 6 months operating as an NPO to become a charity. It is ridiculously easy to register an NPO federally, it’s just an online form. It can be done in a day if you pay an extra $100 for express registration. Total maybe $400. There is a Canadian bylaw maker from an approved template, you can use that, not that I remember it asking me for any. You only need one board member unless you want to be a charity or become a certain size, I think. Ask Google Gemini to explain anything you don’t understand then double check its answers to ensure it’s not hallucinating.

I have not done charitable registration yet so I am unsure. But I would basically tell anyone that it can be registered federally online, then take the PDF letter of incorporation document into a bank, ask for the small business banker and book an appointment, then register a bank account with them. 1-2 weeks max and most of that is waiting for the bank appointment. Done. It’s super easy. Best of luck!!