Majority of Canadian Municipalities Underperform in Supporting Small Businesses, CFIB Finds

08:21 AM EDT, 09/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Over half of Canadian municipalities assessed aren't establishing the conditions needed for small business success, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in a note published on Tuesday. In its first Municipal Report Card, CFIB found that, based on data collected up to Dec. 31, 2025, 39 municipalities received an F grade, 18 earned a D, five achieved a C-, and only three managed a C. Municipalities ranked higher generally adopted measures such as more equitable commercial property taxes, targeted property tax relief, streamlined permitting processes, digital licensing, transparent permit timelines, enhanced construction mitigation policies and user-friendly online services for small firms, added CFIB. CFIB urges municipalities nationwide to address property tax unfairness, provide small business relief and align spending with growth and inflation. It advocates reducing red tape by eliminating duplicate permits, sharing clear service standards and creating user-friendly online portals for feedback. Additionally, CFIB recommends supporting businesses affected by construction, strengthening mitigation policies and establishing dedicated procurement portals to improve access to contracts.