Moncton, July 15, 2025 – With nearly seven in ten (68%) small businesses having experienced disruptions due to construction projects across the country, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) continues to urge provincial and municipal governments in Atlantic Canada to compensate small businesses when construction interrupts business operations.
“Construction season has started, and both provincial and municipal governments need to take responsibility when they impact small businesses for prolonged periods,” said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, CFIB’s Atlantic Vice-President.
As highlighted in CFIB’s report Hard Hats and Hard Times: Public Construction Impacts on Small Businesses, 22% of business owners reported that disruptions have had a major impact on their business. When public construction projects extend beyond their established timelines, it prolongs the impact of these disruptions. While each construction project is unique in its duration, scale and disruptiveness, the most common issues affecting 58% of businesses are traffic congestion, dust, debris, and noise. Customers and staff having trouble accessing their business or finding parking (49%), significant stress (23%) and lack of notice (33%) also impact small businesses in construction zones.
“We are not asking governments to stop upgrading roads or repairing sewers. Public infrastructure projects are important, but when they span months or drag on, it unfortunately can lead to significant financial burdens on businesses,” Gauthier added.
Over two-thirds of businesses (68%) say they should be compensated by government when a public construction project has a major impact on their business operations. Currently, the Municipalities of Calgary and Montreal have established construction mitigation funds to support small businesses. CFIB urges municipal and provincial governments in Atlantic Canada to follow suit and support small businesses during periods of major construction by establishing comprehensive construction mitigation plans, which include funding to offset costs for impacted businesses, improved planning and communication strategies, and clarification of the responsibilities of each order of government.
Louis-Philippe Gauthier, Atlantic Vice President
(506) 961-5706
Louis-Philippe.Gauthier@cfib.ca
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized enterprises, representing 100,000 members across all sectors and regions—including 10,200 across Atlantic Canada, employing over 124,000 people. CFIB works to increase the chance of small business success by advocating for policy change, offering expert advice and tools, and securing exclusive savings for members. Learn more at cfib.ca.