The CFIB’s Business Barometer in Canada, a long-term index reflecting 12-month forward expectations for business performance in the country, fell to 56.4 in December of 2024 from the upwardly revised 59.8 in the previous month, which was the highest since mid-2022. The drop indicated a slowdown in small business sentiment, aligned with the Bank of Canada’s warning that the prolonged period of restrictive rates dampened aggregate demand in the economy. Retail (52) and hospitality (51.7) sectors remained well below their long-term averages, weighing on the index. Still, information, arts, and recreation (67.7 and financial services (66.3) carried their strong momentum into the end of the year. source: CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 56.40 points in December from 59.70 points in November of 2024. Small Business Sentiment in Canada averaged 60.73 points from 2000 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 74.07 points in April of 2002 and a record low of 30.84 points in March of 2020. 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 January of 2025.

Small Business Sentiment in Canada decreased to 56.40 points in December from 59.70 points in November of 2024. Small Business Sentiment in Canada is expected to be 55.00 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 57.60 points in 2025 and 59.00 points in 2026, according to our econometric models.




Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2024-11-29 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Nov 59.7 55.8 56.3
2024-12-30 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Dec 56.4 59.8 55
2025-01-24 12:00 PM
CFIB Business Barometer
Jan 56.4 56.2


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 48.60 49.10 points Nov 2024
Manufacturing Sales MoM 0.50 2.10 percent Nov 2024
CFIB Business Barometer 56.40 59.70 points Dec 2024
Wholesale Sales MoM -0.70 1.00 percent Nov 2024

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
56.40 59.70 74.07 30.84 2000 - 2024 points Monthly
NSA


News Stream
Canada Small Business Sentiment Slows
The CFIB’s Business Barometer in Canada, a long-term index reflecting 12-month forward expectations for business performance in the country, fell to 56.4 in December of 2024 from the upwardly revised 59.8 in the previous month, which was the highest since mid-2022. The drop indicated a slowdown in small business sentiment, aligned with the Bank of Canada’s warning that the prolonged period of restrictive rates dampened aggregate demand in the economy. Retail (52) and hospitality (51.7) sectors remained well below their long-term averages, weighing on the index. Still, information, arts, and recreation (67.7 and financial services (66.3) carried their strong momentum into the end of the year.
2024-12-30
Canadian Small Business Optimism Highest Since Mid-2022
The CFIB’s Business Barometer in Canada, a long-term index reflecting 12-month forward expectations for business performance in the country, rose to 59.7 in November 2024 from 55.8 in October, reaching its highest level since May 2022. This uptick reflects a general increase in optimism across most sectors, although some, including construction, personal services, information, arts, and recreation, showed little change, while the health and education sectors saw a slight decline. Excluding agriculture (49.3), long-term optimism across most industries ranges from the mid-50s to the 70s, signaling a broad economic recovery. On the pricing front, the average price increase indicator held steady at 2.5, while the average wage increase slightly declined, also settling at 2.5. Meanwhile, full-time staffing plans remain more subdued than usual for this time of year.
2024-11-29
Canadian Small Business Optimism Edges Higher
The CFIB’s Business Barometer in Canada, a long-term index reflecting 12-month forward expectations for business performance in the country, edged up to 55.8 in October 2024 from an upwardly revised 55.1 in September. Sectoral confidence differed widely, with improvements seen in construction (56.8 vs 54.6), manufacturing (56 vs 54.6), wholesale (53.7 vs 51.2), finance and insurance (62.5 vs 55.6), and professional and business services (62 vs 59.3). In contrast, a decrease was recorded for agriculture (43.5 vs 47), retail (54.6 vs 55.3) and hospitality (51.7 vs 54.8). Meanwhile, full-time staffing plans were very timid, with 11% of SMEs looking to hire and 10% of entrepreneurs looking to reduce their personnel. On the price front, the average price increase indicator edged up slightly to 2.5, while the planned average wage increase for the next 12 months rose modestly to 2.7.
2024-10-31