Canada Small Business Sentiment Improves in October

2026-10-22 12:16 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

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.



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