The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released its Business Barometer for August. By industry, natural resources and agriculture remained the least optimistic, followed by personal services. On the other side of the spectrum, wholesale and transportation businesses posted the highest results. Nova Scotia was the most upbeat province at 68.0 index points, followed by Alberta (64.3), Ontario (63.1) … Read more
Two weeks in, the Port of Montreal strike is having a negative impact on a large number of small businesses that are already struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Nationally, one in five small business owners say the strike will hurt their company, but this number rises … Read more
Small business owners are joining forces to demand changes to the federal government’s COVID-19 aid programs through an online petition launched by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “Government needs to understand that there is a growing anger on the part of business owners who are left out by these critical supports,” said CFIB president Dan … Read more
One in seven small businesses are at risk of going under as a result of COVID-19 in addition to the ones that have already closed, warns the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in a new report. “Small businesses are big players in our economy, so minimizing business losses is critical to recovery. Right now both … Read more
With the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program coming to an end this week and another month’s rent coming due, one in three small businesses say rent relief remains a critical missing piece for their recovery, according to a new survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “Three months into the launch of the … Read more
New data shows payment methods at small businesses have shifted away from cash toward electronic options like credit, debit and Interac e-Transfer. Despite this shift, sales remain concerningly low for this time of year, according to the latest data on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s Small Business Recovery Dashboard, part of its #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign. “While consumer … Read more
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is pleased the government has finally released details of what the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will look like for the summer and fall of this year. Assuming the legislation passes, small businesses will be able to make their staffing plans for the rest of the year with a better … Read more
New survey data on small business staffing issues reveal a significant challenge for employers in rehiring or finding the workers they need to safely reopen their businesses, reports the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “It is clear that CERB has created a disincentive to return to work for some staff, especially in industries like hospitality and … Read more
Three quarters of small businesses have taken on debt as a result of COVID-19 and 68 per cent of those with debt estimate it will take more than a year to pay off, according to a new survey published the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s Small Business Recovery Dashboard. “Recovery is going to be a slow slog and both governments’ … Read more
Dan Kelly, President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, issued a statement: “The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is disappointed that [the July 8] economic and fiscal snapshot from the federal government did not provide details on how the federal aid programs will be retooled for economic recovery,” he said. “While the government’s investment of an additional $50 … Read more
