New data shows rising shoplifting rate, deepening safety concerns and growing pressure on small businesses across Canada
Charlottetown, April 8, 2026 - Half (50%) of Canadian small business owners report that crime has increased in their community over the past year, while only 2% report a decline, according to the latest research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
The findings align with national crime data. Police‑reported shoplifting of $5,000 or under rose 14% in 2024 compared to 2023, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase and a 66% surge since 2014. Together, Statistics Canada data and CFIB research paint a clear picture: Main Street is facing sustained pressure from crime.
“Business owners across Prince Edward Island are feeling increasing pressure as crime, including a noticeable rise in shoplifting, continues to impact their day-to-day operations. Many are having to spend more time and money on security and repairs, which takes away from running and growing their businesses. There’s a clear need for practical solutions, including better tools to report incidents, timely police response, and supports that help businesses both prevent crime and recover when it happens,” said Frederic Gionet, Director of Legislative Affairs. “For many small businesses, this is yet another hidden cost at a time when expenses across the board, from wages to energy, rent, and insurance, are already rising. There needs to be stronger confidence across the community, from business owners to staff to customers, that these issues are being properly addressed.”
Nearly half of business owners also report concerns about their own safety, and the safety of their staff and their customers. Many have resorted to changing their operations, from locking doors during business hours to implementing buddy systems, and limiting shifts where employees work alone.
“Small businesses hire local people, serve their neighbours, and help keep our main streets active and welcoming,” added Gionet, “but many owners are feeling the strain, with the growing concerns around safety and the sense that too much of the burden is falling on them. Governments have an opportunity to step up with practical, on-the-ground measures that make a real difference for small business owners.”
CFIB is calling on all levels of government to:
- Follow through with meaningful Criminal Code changes to better address repeat and organized crime.
- Set service standards to improve law enforcement response time when business owners report a crime, such as introducing faster and more streamlined police reporting processes with consistent follow up.
- Invest in practical supports, such as security rebates, to help small businesses prevent and recover from incidents while longer-term solutions are developed.
- Ensure small businesses have a seat at the policy discussion table, as their experience is essential to developing effective policy.
With more businesses closing than opening in Canada, crime is another pressure making it harder to start and sustain a business. “Governments need to take practical steps to improve safety and restore confidence for small business owners. Feeling safe shouldn’t be a luxury for small business owners,” Gionet concluded.
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Frédéric Gionet, Director, PEI/Atlantic
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
C: 506-961-2793
frederic.gionet@cfib.ca
Methodology
CFIB’s October survey findings are based on 2,899 responses from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflects responses received from October 9-24, 2025. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 1.82 per cent, 19 times in 20.
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses, with 103,000 members across every industry and region. In Atlantic Canada alone, CFIB represents more than 10,000 members, over 900 of them in PEI, and collectively employ more than 124,000 people in the region (10,200 in PEI). CFIB advocates for policy change at all levels of government, provides expert advice and tools, and negotiates exclusive savings to help business owners succeed. Learn more at cfib.ca.
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