Domain names are the trailing parts of website addresses. They refer to the extensions such as .com, .net, .org, and .gov. They are also called top-level domains (TLDs). The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) classifies top-level domains in three types. They are country code top-level domains, generic top-level domains, and infrastructure top-level domains. Country code top-level domains are two-lettered extensions that refer to the sites registered in a particular country. For example, .uk indicates that the site is registered in the United Kingdom, and .in refers to sites registered in India. Canadian domain names end with the .ca extension.

In order to get a site registered with a .ca extension, an individual has to be a Canadian citizen or resident, or an organization that has a presence in that country or owns a registered Canadian trademark. CA domains are globally recognized and are accessible as other domains.

The responsibility for operating domain names, including the registration of second-level domains, is delegated to particular organizations. These organizations are referred to as "registry operators", "sponsors", or "delegates". In many countries, local authorities (NICs) are responsible for this administration, which asks for different requirements such as certificates of establishment, registration trademark, etc., In Canada, IP addresses used to be allocated out of the University of Toronto. Recently, it has been taken over by InterNIC, Canadas domain registration center.

There are many Internet service providers who can, on behalf of the interested group or individual, get the Canadian domain registration and act as their local representative by providing international trademark registrations, Canadian-specific domains and trademark registrations. Their other services include providing Domain Name Services (DNS), allocating a specific amount of web space and monthly traffic from few MBs to GBs, domain forwarding, and domain administration.