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
April 2026
The April 2026 Your Voice survey of 1,611 small business owners shows firms facing low confidence in government support, rising costs, and trade uncertainty. Many are absorbing costs or raising prices, while tariffs—especially on steel and aluminum—are driving a shift away from U.S. trade toward domestic markets, particularly Ontario, amid continued shipping and border challenges.
Low business owners' confidence in government support
SME confidence in government support is low at all levels, with only about one in four businesses feeling
supported. Small businesses need governments to take concrete action to support them and improve business conditions.
A challenging business environment marked by rising fuel costs
Rising fuel costs are the leading pressure on businesses (58%), followed by taxes squeezing margins (48%). Other operating costs and economic and political uncertainty (both 43%) are further making it difficult to do business.
Small business strategies to manage rising fuel costs
To cope, most businesses are absorbing higher fuel costs (71%) or raising prices (48%), reducing margins and weakening demand in an already uncertain trade environment.
Tariff impacts accelerate move away from U.S. trade
Steel and aluminum tariffs are the most damaging, accelerating a shift away from U.S. trade. Nearly
three‑quarters of firms are pivoting domestically—primarily toward Ontario—while Asia and the EU are key alternatives, though high shipping costs and border frictions limit broader diversification.
Mandate vote
Businesses shared their views on key advocacy issues through our Mandate Vote supported by short, neutral backgrounders.
Pricing fairness: A majority support prohibiting the use of personal data/algorithms to charge different prices for the same good.
High‑speed rail: Views are mixed on proceeding with a Toronto–Québec City high‑speed rail corridor.
Tax compliance: A clear majority support compensating small businesses for collecting and remitting GST/HST.
Explore more April 2026 insights and our extensive survey collection below.
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