Overview
Business decisions don’t happen in a vacuum. Laws, contracts, and regulatory obligations shape how organizations operate, define responsibilities, and determine where legal risk begins.
Basic Business Law introduces the fundamental legal principles that affect businesses in Canada. Designed for professionals without formal legal training, this course explores how the law applies to everyday business activities and workplace decisions. You’ll examine different types of business organizations, the foundations of contract law, and the legal remedies available when agreements are breached.
The course also covers key areas of liability, including negligence, occupier’s liability, and product liability, along with employment law and human rights legislation as they apply to workplace relationships and disputes. You’ll explore legal considerations related to credit transactions, collections, and sales agreements, as well as the role of insurance in managing business risk and meeting obligations under health and safety legislation. Learning is supported through case studies, discussion, and applied activities that emphasize real‑world relevance.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to identify common legal considerations in business situations, interpret how basic legal principles apply, and know when to seek appropriate legal guidance.
This course is ideal if you:
- want applied legal knowledge to support workplace decision‑making without pursuing formal legal training
- work in an office or professional role and need a practical understanding of contracts, liability, and legal risk
- are a skilled trades or technical professional dealing with agreements, clients, or compliance requirements
- bring professional or leadership experience from another country and want to understand Canadian business law fundamentals.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- analyze the legal principles governing business organizations and contract law to assess rights, obligations, and liabilities in various business and contractual relationships
- apply the basic principles of negligence, occupier’s liability, and product liability to assess legal responsibility in real-world scenarios
- evaluate employment and legal obligations to determine rights, responsibilities, and potential liabilities in workplace disputes
- analyze legal agreements and financial instruments in credit transactions
- apply legal principles to sales and debt collection processes
- evaluate key insurance concepts and major types of commercial insurance and apply the legal responsibilities of businesses under insurance law and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
If you're certified by a professional association, this course may qualify for continuing professional development (CPD) hours to help maintain your certifications/designations. Please check with your association to confirm eligibility.
This course aligns closely with the business competencies outlined in Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Blue Seal Certificate framework and may support your application. Learn more about earning the Blue Seal using SAIT Continuing Education courses.
Upcoming dates
Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.
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Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled, and blended courses, and one day before the start date for online self-paced courses.
After you've completed this course
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.
Costs
Textbook and reading list
Included in the purchase of this course, you’ll receive:
- Course content accessible online in Brightspace (D2L)
- Learning materials/hand-outs distributed in class.
Technology
To use D2L outside of classroom time, you’ll need:
- Access to your own computer or laptop with standard hardware/software requirements
- Internet access.
Note: Please bring your laptop or an internet-enabled device to class.
Financial support
Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.
Applicable certificates
This course applies to the following certificate programs:
- Certification type
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Certificate of Achievement
Train your team
Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.