Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, sank to 55.8 in March of 2026 from the over three-year high of 65.3 in the previous month. The sharp decline reflected the immediate impact of higher energy prices and inflation expectations following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which halted energy exports from the region. Consequently, the business barometer plunged for transportation and housing (-7.6 to 53.8) due to higher fuel costs and agriculture (-4.6 to 54.6) as the jump in natural gas and helium costs risked the supply for fertilizers. In the meantime, lower confidence was also noted for professional services (-4.1 to 59.4) and construction (-1.9 t 57.3). source: CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 55.80 points in March from 65.30 points in February of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada averaged 60.06 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 April of 2026.

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 55.80 points in March from 65.30 points in February of 2026. Small Business Sentiment in Canada is expected to be 61.10 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
2026-02-27 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Feb 64.8 59.3 59
2026-03-24 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Mar 55.8 65.3 61.1
2026-04-17 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Apr 55.8


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 47.50 49.30 points Feb 2026
Manufacturing Sales MoM 3.80 -3.00 percent Feb 2026
CFIB Business Barometer 55.80 65.30 points Mar 2026
Wholesale Sales MoM 2.30 -1.00 percent Feb 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
55.80 65.30 74.10 25.50 2000 - 2026 points Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Canada Small Business Confidence Plunges in March
Canada's CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, sank to 55.8 in March of 2026 from the over three-year high of 65.3 in the previous month. The sharp decline reflected the immediate impact of higher energy prices and inflation expectations following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which halted energy exports from the region. Consequently, the business barometer plunged for transportation and housing (-7.6 to 53.8) due to higher fuel costs and agriculture (-4.6 to 54.6) as the jump in natural gas and helium costs risked the supply for fertilizers. In the meantime, lower confidence was also noted for professional services (-4.1 to 59.4) and construction (-1.9 t 57.3).
2026-03-24
Canada Small Business Confidence Hits Highest Since 2022
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, climbed to 64.8 in February 2026, up from January’s revised 59.3. This marked the highest reading since April 2022, signaling renewed optimism among small businesses for the year ahead. Long-term confidence rose in all provinces except Saskatchewan. The short-term optimism index, reflecting a three-month outlook, surged 8.7 points to 61.2, highlighting a notable improvement in business sentiment.
2026-02-27
Canada Small Business Confidence Shows Cautious Optimism for 2026
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which tracks 12-month forward expectations for business performance, slipped slightly to 59.5 in January 2026, just below December’s three-year high of 59.9. The reading suggests that many small businesses remain cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. Confidence strengthened in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, with all four provinces posting index levels at or above 60. Meanwhile, the short-term optimism index, reflecting a three-month outlook, rose 4.2 points to 52.4, signaling a modest improvement. However, short-term confidence remains relatively subdued across all provinces, ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s, highlighting ongoing economic uncertainty at the start of 2026.
2026-01-22