Some self-employed just call themselves that and are more or less working “under-the-table”, collecting their pay without income tax or CPP deductions and then instead of setting some aside, reporting their income, and remitting income tax directly, they just keep it all and hope for the best.

Is that “bogus self employment” or just plain tax evasion?

The important thing for legitimate above-board self-employed is to make sure their affairs are as ordered as the traditional employed: set money aside for taxes, probably paid in quarterly installments to Revenue Canada. Even better, incorporate and pay yourself less witholding, in other words, have your corporation deduct taxes and CPP and remit on your behalf.

I found that once I started drawing a salary from my own corporation which was making deductions “at source” other benefits followed (like having an easier time obtaining credit or applying for a mortgage).