Canada is exceptionally entrepreneurial! It’s impossible to deny that small and medium businesses (SMB) are the lifeblood of the Canadian economy. With a little push to take their business online, small businesses could easily double their impact. We’re kicking off Canada’s Small Business Week with a statistical snapshot based on data from the Business Development Bank of Canada, along with data from other sources for comparison.
Canada’s Entrepreneurs
The top five most entrepreneurial provinces in Canada are:
- Ontario (35%)
- The Prairies (21%)
- Quebec (21%)
- British Columbia (16%)
- Atlantic Canada (7%)
Canada’s top entrepreneurial major centres in 2013 (according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business):
- Greater Calgary
- Saskatoon
- Greater Toronto
- Greater Edmonton
- Sherbrooke
- City of Edmonton
- Regina
- Kelowna
- St. John’s
- Saguenay
The top five industries attracting new Canadian entrepreneurs are:
- Construction
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Business Services
- Wholesale and Retail
- Healthcare and Social Assistance
According to a TNS Canada survey conducted for Scotia Bank this Fall, the top three reasons for starting a small business are:
- Jumping on an opportunity (24%)
- Pursuit of a lifelong dream to be their own boss (16%)
- Making a career/life change (15%)
The golden entrepreneurial age range is 25-40, and men are more likely than women to start a new business. British Columbians start the most new businesses. Immigrants are almost twice as likely to start a new business in Canada.
Canadian Small-Medium Business Statistics
- Small and medium businesses in Canada contribute more than half of this country’s gross domestic product.
- 98.2% of businesses in Canada have less than 100 employees. That’s over 1.1 Million businesses!
- 86% of exporting companies in Canada have less than 100 employees.
- 43,200 Canadians became self employed and hired employees in 2011 alone.
Imagine What We Could do if We Better Utilized Technology
- 18% of small-medium businesses in Canada sell online (Statistics Canada states 10% sold online last year). Those who don’t are missing out on a huge market, including 51% of Canadians who shop online (spending an estimated 21 Billion last year) and 80% who research online before buying. TD Bank reported recently that 65% of shoppers who want to support Canadian small businesses, are seeking the ability to make payments or shop online.
- 50% of Canadians with mobile phones are SmartPhone users. 89% of Canadian SmartPhone users have purchased something online in the past year, according to recent research from Leger and SAS Institute. Businesses that get online and are mobile-optimized have a significant advantage. They can grow from there to mobile commerce and omni-channel sales.
- 60% of Canadian small businesses plan to invest in technology. 83% of those that do invest in technology enjoy a positive return on the investment through increased competitiveness, higher efficiency and productivity gains.
We are so proud to be a part of Canada’s successful entrepreneurial scene. We ask that you please support Canadian small businesses and encourage others to do the same, which will ultimately guarantee Canada’s economic success and keep its citizens employed.
How are you celebrating Small Business Week?
Sources:
Business Development Canada Infographic
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Communities in Boom 2013 Report: Canada’s Top Entrepreneurial Cities
Scotiabank – Products & Services
✔ You may also be interested in reading:
Canadian Consumers Seeking Small Businesses Online (Statistics)
7 Ways to Reach More of the 19 Million Canadian Facebook Users
Canadian Online Shopping and Digital Demands (2013 Statistics)
Digital Platforms Support the Canadian Economy (Infographic)
Canadian Digital Behaviour for Businesses (Statistics)
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses & brands in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
I blog often and I really appreciate your information. The article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
If it weren’t for small businesses practically nobody would be employed, yet the government does practically nothing for them. Helping them grow would do a great deal for the country.
Great snapshot! We live in a great country!
Happy small business week! The stats make me proud to be Canadian. I look for small business almost every time I shop and I’d love to see more online. Here’s my money…come get it!