Never work without a contract. A "handshake deal" is fine until money is involved. Having a written agreement protects your friendships and your bank account. You don't always need a $500/hour lawyer; these templates are a great starting point.
1. MusicContracts.ca
This site provides templates specifically drafted by Canadian entertainment lawyers. They cover everything from "Beat Leases" to "Band Agreements" and "Remixer Contracts." Because they are Canadian-specific, they reference the correct copyright laws and royalty structures (SOCAN, etc.).
2. The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM)
If you are a member, the CFM provides robust "Live Performance Contracts." These are the gold standard for gig bookings. They protect you against cancellation, non-payment, and unsafe working conditions. Venues take these contracts seriously.
3. LawDepot (General Business)
For more general needs—like a "Partnership Agreement" for your studio collective or a "Service Contract" for your mixing work—LawDepot offers customizable Canadian legal documents. You answer a series of questions, and it generates a contract tailored to your province.
4. "Split Sheets" (Essential Daily Tool)
A split sheet isn't a complex contract; it's a simple document that says "We wrote this song today, and we split the ownership 50/50." You should fill one of these out after every session with another writer. There are many free apps (like "Splits") that allow you to do this on your phone in seconds.