Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which measures 12-month business expectations, climbed to 58.3 in July 2026 from 50.1 in June, reaching its highest level since tensions in the Middle East began. The short-term optimism index, based on the three-month outlook, also rose sharply to 57.0 from 47.2. Confidence improved across sectors, with most remaining in positive territory, although persistent uncertainty continued to weigh on near-term sentiment. Meanwhile, firms' average planned price increases eased to 2.7% from 3.0%, while expected wage growth held steady at 2.3%. Hiring intentions improved modestly, as the share of businesses planning to add full-time staff increased to 15% from 13%, exceeding those expecting to reduce headcount (11% vs. 12% previously). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting half of all businesses, while higher fuel, taxes, insurance, and wage costs continued to pressure on operating expenses. source: CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Small Business Sentiment in Canada increased to 58.30 points in July from 50.10 points in June of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada averaged 59.86 points from 2000 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 74.10 points in April of 2002 and a record low of 25.50 points in March of 2025. This page provides - Canada CFIB Business Barometer Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Canada CFIB Business Barometer - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Small Business Sentiment in Canada increased to 58.30 points in July from 50.10 points in June of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada is expected to be 53.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada CFIB Business Barometer is projected to trend around 60.00 points in 2027 and 55.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-19 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Jun 49.6 46.3 56.5
2026-07-23 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Jul 58.3 50.1 49.9
2026-08-21 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Aug 58.3


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 47.60 45.60 points Jun 2026
Manufacturing Sales MoM -0.10 1.30 percent Jun 2026
CFIB Business Barometer 58.30 50.10 points Jul 2026
Wholesale Sales MoM 2.70 0.00 percent Jun 2026


Canada CFIB Business Barometer
CFIB’s Business Barometer tracks small business confidence, expectations and operating conditions in Canada. It was revised as of the May 2009 issue. It is based on the same survey question on 12-month future business performance expectations collected annually 1987-2000, quarterly 2001-2008 and monthly since late 2008. The index is a weighted average of response scores: 100 for stronger performance, 50 for same performance, and 0 for weaker performance. The data are not seasonally adjusted.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
58.30 50.10 74.10 25.50 2000 - 2026 points Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Canada Small Business Confidence Hits Five-Month High
Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which measures 12-month business expectations, climbed to 58.3 in July 2026 from 50.1 in June, reaching its highest level since tensions in the Middle East began. The short-term optimism index, based on the three-month outlook, also rose sharply to 57.0 from 47.2. Confidence improved across sectors, with most remaining in positive territory, although persistent uncertainty continued to weigh on near-term sentiment. Meanwhile, firms' average planned price increases eased to 2.7% from 3.0%, while expected wage growth held steady at 2.3%. Hiring intentions improved modestly, as the share of businesses planning to add full-time staff increased to 15% from 13%, exceeding those expecting to reduce headcount (11% vs. 12% previously). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting half of all businesses, while higher fuel, taxes, insurance, and wage costs continued to pressure on operating expenses.
2026-07-23
Canada Small Business Confidence Rises in June
Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, rose to 49.6 in June 2026 from 46.3 in May. The short-term optimism index, based on the 3-month outlook, declined to 46.1 from 48.1 in the prior month. Sentiment weakened across most sectors, namely retail (48.5 vs 53.6), transportation and utilities (45.3 vs 46.7), agriculture (43 vs 45.5) and accommodation and food services (38.8 vs 47.3), with most also recording short-term declines. The average price increase edged down to 3% from 3.1%, while average wages moderated to 2.3% from 2.4%. Although staffing intentions improved, labor market sentiment remained weak, with more firms planning to lay-off (13% vs 16% in May) than hire (12% vs 14%). Low demand remained the most commonly cited supply-side constraint, reported by 53% of firms. On the cost side, fuel prices continued to be the dominant constraint on input supply.
2026-06-19
Canada Small Business Confidence at 1-Year Low
Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, fell sharply to 46.3 in May 2026 from a downwardly revised 58.0 in April, marking the lowest reading in a year. The short-term optimism index, based on the 3-month outlook, also declined by roughly 7 points to 47.9, reflecting weaker sentiment. The decline in long-term expectations was broad-based across sectors, with some of the steepest drops recorded in retail (53.4 vs. 63.5), health and education (51.7 vs. 61.5), hospitality (47.3 vs. 57.1), and agriculture (44.6 vs. 53.3). Meanwhile, the average price increase eased to 3.1% from 3.2% in March, although remaining elevated, while the average wage growth remained unchanged at 2.4%. Full-time hiring intentions remain weak, with more firms planning to cut staff (16%) than expand their workforce (14%).
2026-05-22