Every other month, CFIB members lend their opinions to 'Your Voice,' a survey exploring a variety of current topics. The latest takeaways are showcased in a series of informative charts that summarize these findings.
Your Voice Highlights
December 2025
The December 2025 edition of Your Voice captures the latest views of 1,663 small business owners across Canada. Small business owners reported mixed experiences in 2025, reflecting an uneven economic environment. While many described the year as average, a significant share saw either strong or weak performance, highlighting a split in business conditions. These challenges were compounded by trade tensions with the U.S., rising costs, and low awareness of federal tariff supports. Business owners are calling for practical federal actions—greater certainty, fewer barriers to doing business, and broad tax relief—to navigate these pressures and support growth.
Business Performance
Results show mixed experiences in terms of business performance—revenues, profits, and sales. While ‘average’ was the most common single response (28%), combined good (37%) and poor (35%) ratings were higher and nearly equal, indicating a split in business conditions. Smaller businesses were more likely to report a poor year than their larger counterparts.
Impact of Canada–U.S. Trade War
More than half of owners report higher expenses due to the trade dispute, along with reduced profits, lower revenue, and supply chain issues. Importers most often face higher costs, reduced profits, and supply chain disruptions, while exporters report reduced revenue and profits.
Government Priorities
Business owners want the federal government to reduce trade uncertainty with the U.S., lower internal trade barriers, cut red tape, and offer broader tax relief. Expanding trade opportunities beyond the U.S. also ranks high.
Tariff Support Awareness
Awareness and uptake of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative is very low, only 13% are aware of this federal program and 1% have applied.
End of the U.S. De Minimis Rule
Over half of exporters previously relied on the rule. Its elimination is leading to higher prices for U.S. customers, increased export and administrative costs, and reduced export activity.
Explore more December 2025 insights and our extensive survey collection below.
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