Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, measuring 12-month business expectations, rose to 50 in October 2026 from 48.5 in September, reaching neutral territory. Sentiment improved in agriculture and finance but weakened in construction, manufacturing, retail and transportation. Short-term optimism, based on the three-month outlook, also edged up to 45.3 from 44.1, supported by stronger sentiment in arts and recreation, professional services, and health and education. Meanwhile, firms’ average planned price increases eased to 2.8%, while expected wage growth slipped to 2.2%. Hiring intentions deteriorated further, reaching their weakest level since the pandemic, with sharply more firms planning to lay off (22% vs 16% in September) than hire (11% vs 13%). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting nearly half of businesses, followed by shortage of skilled labour, while higher fuel, tax, insurance and wage costs continued to pressure operating expenses. source: CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Small Business Sentiment in Canada increased to 50 points in October from 47.90 points in September of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada averaged 59.76 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 November of 2026.

Small Business Sentiment in Canada increased to 50 points in October from 47.90 points in September of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada is expected to be 51.00 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
2026-09-24 12:20 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Sep 47.9 57.7 53
2026-10-22 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Oct 50.0 48.5 47
2026-11-20 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Nov 50.0


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 47.30 48.20 points Sep 2026
Manufacturing Sales MoM 0.10 1.50 percent Sep 2026
CFIB Business Barometer 50.00 47.90 points Oct 2026
Wholesale Sales MoM 0.50 -1.60 percent Sep 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
50.00 47.90 74.10 25.50 2000 - 2026 points Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Canada Small Business Sentiment Improves in October
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, measuring 12-month business expectations, rose to 50 in October 2026 from 48.5 in September, reaching neutral territory. Sentiment improved in agriculture and finance but weakened in construction, manufacturing, retail and transportation. Short-term optimism, based on the three-month outlook, also edged up to 45.3 from 44.1, supported by stronger sentiment in arts and recreation, professional services, and health and education. Meanwhile, firms’ average planned price increases eased to 2.8%, while expected wage growth slipped to 2.2%. Hiring intentions deteriorated further, reaching their weakest level since the pandemic, with sharply more firms planning to lay off (22% vs 16% in September) than hire (11% vs 13%). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting nearly half of businesses, followed by shortage of skilled labour, while higher fuel, tax, insurance and wage costs continued to pressure operating expenses.
2026-10-22
Canada Small Business Sentiment Slumps in September
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, measuring 12-month business expectations, fell to 47.9 in September 2026 from 57.7 in August, the lowest levels in three months. Short-term optimism, based on the three-month outlook, also declined sharply to 43.3 from 53, with confidence deteriorating in all sectors, although sentiment improved in information, arts and recreation. Long-term sentiment also broadly declined, excluding insurance and real estate and professional businesses. Meanwhile, firms’ average planned price increases jumped significantly to 3.3%, while expected wage growth remained largely unchanged at 2.4%. Hiring intentions remained weak, with more firms planning to lay off (16%) than hire (13%). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting nearly half of businesses, while higher fuel, tax, insurance and wage costs continued to pressure operating expenses.
2026-09-24
Canada Small Business Confidence Weakens in August
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, measuring 12-month business expectations, fell to 57.6 in August 2026 from 58.6 in June. Short-term optimism, based on the three-month outlook, also declined sharply to 52.4 from 57.6, with confidence deteriorating in manufacturing, construction, transportation and utilities, and information, arts and recreation. By contrast, long-term sentiment improved across most sectors, with agriculture the only exception (39.1 vs 39.2). Meanwhile, firms’ average planned price increases remained stable at 2.7%, while expected wage growth edged up to 2.5%. Hiring intentions were broadly unchanged, although more firms planned to lay off (15%) than hire (13%). Weak demand remained the most frequently cited constraint, affecting nearly half of businesses, while higher fuel, tax, insurance and wage costs continued to pressure operating expenses.
2026-08-21