Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index fell 3.7 points to 47.8 in August, ending a four-month climb toward the neutral 50 mark. Confidence weakened in most sectors, with notable declines in personal services (43.8), transportation (43.6), and financial services (36.2), while wholesale (53.3), construction (51.3), professional services (52.2), and agriculture (50) posted gains. Regionally, confidence dropped in most provinces but rose in New Brunswick (58.1), Manitoba (50), and Newfoundland and Labrador (46.7). Only four provinces remain above 50, where equal shares of entrepreneurs expect stronger and weaker performance. Hiring plans stayed muted, with weak demand cited by 49% of SMEs as the main obstacle. High insurance, tax and regulatory costs (63% each), along with wages (58%), also weighed on sentiment. Inflation pressures were stable, with prices up 2.7% and wages up 2.1%. source: CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 47.80 points in August from 50.90 points in July of 2025. Small Business Sentiment in Canada averaged 60.17 points from 2000 until 2025, 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 September of 2025.

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 47.80 points in August from 50.90 points in July of 2025. Small Business Sentiment in Canada is expected to be 45.00 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 59.00 points in 2026 and 60.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-07-17 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Jul 50.9 47.5 47.5
2025-08-21 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Aug 47.8 50.9 50.8
2025-09-18 11:00 AM
CFIB Business Barometer
Sep 47.8 45


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 48.10 48.80 points Jul 2025
Manufacturing Sales MoM 1.80 0.30 percent Jul 2025
CFIB Business Barometer 47.80 50.90 points Aug 2025
Wholesale Sales MoM 1.30 0.70 percent Jul 2025

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
47.80 50.90 74.10 25.50 2000 - 2025 points Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Canadian Small Business Confidence Weakens in August
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index fell 3.7 points to 47.8 in August, ending a four-month climb toward the neutral 50 mark. Confidence weakened in most sectors, with notable declines in personal services (43.8), transportation (43.6), and financial services (36.2), while wholesale (53.3), construction (51.3), professional services (52.2), and agriculture (50) posted gains. Regionally, confidence dropped in most provinces but rose in New Brunswick (58.1), Manitoba (50), and Newfoundland and Labrador (46.7). Only four provinces remain above 50, where equal shares of entrepreneurs expect stronger and weaker performance. Hiring plans stayed muted, with weak demand cited by 49% of SMEs as the main obstacle. High insurance, tax and regulatory costs (63% each), along with wages (58%), also weighed on sentiment. Inflation pressures were stable, with prices up 2.7% and wages up 2.1%.
2025-08-21
Canada Small Business Sentiment Improves in July
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index rose 3.4 points to 50.9 in July 2025, the highest since January and the second reading above the 50-point optimism threshold this year. Small business confidence is edging up but it remains at the breakeven point where equal shares of business owners expect stronger and weaker performances. Confidence improved among exporters (45.4 vs 36.8), importers (43.3 vs 37.6), and domestically focused firms (48.3 vs 43.4), but foreign traders remain more pessimistic. Sectoral sentiment was uneven, with optimism highest in health and education (55.6) and lowest in agriculture and finance (both 39.0). Six sectors posted readings above 50, a divided outlook. The labor market remains soft, with more firms planning layoffs than hirings. Insufficient demand, high uncertainty, and trade barriers continue to weigh on sentiment, although labor shortages are easing as hiring appetite declines. The short-term index edged up 1.3 points to 49.3.
2025-07-17
Canada Small Business Sentiment Improves to 4-Month High
Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long-term index, which reflects twelve-month expectations among small businesses, increased by 7.3 points to 47.3 in June 2025, from 40 in the previous month. This marked the highest level since February, driven by stronger expectations among both exporters, whose confidence climbed to 36.1 from 26.4 in May, and importers, whose outlook rose to 37.4 from 28.9. At the same time, businesses not engaged in international trade reported improved sentiment, with the index rising to 43.4 from 34.2. Despite the growing optimism, hiring intentions remain subdued. Full-time staffing plans show little momentum, indicating limited interest in expanding payrolls, while part-time employment trends also remain soft, reflecting cautious hiring behavior. Meanwhile, the short-term index, which measures three-month expectations, rose to 47.7 in June from 42.4 in the preceding month.
2025-06-19