Vancouver, October 16, 2025 – Small business confidence in British Columbia remained weak in October as the province’s record-setting strike continued to squeeze local businesses, according to the latest Business Barometer® from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). In response, CFIB is calling for the BC Government to give businesses access to private liquor distribution options.
Long-term small business confidence in B.C. remained virtually unchanged at 45.4 points this month, second-lowest in the country after Alberta and well below the breakeven point of 50, indicating more businesses expect weaker rather than stronger performance in the twelve months ahead. British Columbia’s historical average confidence index is 61.6 points.
“Confidence remains well below the historical average in B.C. because owners see the same pattern every week: fewer customers, higher bills, and now supply chains that do not function,” said Ryan Mitton, CFIB’s Director of Legislative Affairs for B.C. “Government should resolve this strike quickly and improve private liquor access so businesses won't be forced to close while their supply chains are held hostage. Small businesses tell us they want private options for liquor supply.”
During the 2022 BCGEU strike, 69% of small businesses supported expanding liquor and cannabis distribution to private wholesalers to avoid major supply disruptions. CFIB is calling for the province to enable private liquor distribution so restaurants, bars and retailers can keep operating.
“The strike is another blow to business owners who have already been through years of instability,” said Kalith Nanayakkara, CFIB’s Senior Policy Analyst for B.C. “Restaurants, bars, and private retailers are especially hard hit by the government’s liquor distribution shutdown. They didn’t start this strike, but they’re paying for it.”
When asked about the budget pressures faced by the provincial government and how best to fix them, 8 in 10 B.C. businesses support freezing ministry budgets at their current levels, with an equal amount wanting to reduce the size and cost of the public service.
“If government acts now, it will provide relief for struggling hospitality businesses and help them stay open through the holiday season,” Mitton added.
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Kalith Nanayakkara
Kalith.nanayakkara@cfib.ca
Methodology
October Business Barometer®: October findings are based on 596 responses from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflects responses received from October 1-7. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 4.0 per cent, 19 times in 20. Every new month, the entire series of indicators is recalculated for the previous month to include all survey responses received in that previous month. Measured on a scale between 0 and 100, an index above 50 means owners expecting their business’s performance to be weaker over the next three or 12 months outnumber those expecting stronger performance. Next Barometer release is on November 20.
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.
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