Business conditions in Canada, second quarter of 2026

Release date: May 27, 2026
More information PDF version
Infographic: Business conditions in Canada, second quarter of 2026
Description: Business conditions in Canada, second quarter of 2026

Top obstacles expected by businesses over the next 3 months Table summary
This table displays the results of Top obstacles expected by businesses over the next 3 months , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  Percentage of businesses
Inflation 48.8%
Cost of inputs 28.4%
Transportation costs 26.5%
Recruiting skilled employees 24.4%
Interest rates and debt costs 23.5%
One-third of businesses expect at least one labour-related obstacle over the next 3 months Table summary
This table displays the results of One-third of businesses expect at least one labour-related obstacle over the next 3 months , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  Percentage of businesses
Recruiting skilled employees 24.4%
Shortage of labour force 16.9%
Retaining skilled employees 16.1%
2 in 3 businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months Table summary
This table displays the results of 2 in 3 businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  Percentage of businesses
Very optimistic 22.4%
Somewhat optimistic 44.4%
Somewhat pessimistic 15.8%
Very pessimistic 5.1%
Don’t know 12.3%

19.2% of businesses used artificial intelligence (AI) over the last 12 months to produce goods or deliver services

Top 5 AI applications these businesses used over the last 12 months Table summary
This table displays the results of Top 5 AI applications these businesses used over the last 12 months , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  Percentage of businesses
Data analytics 36.6%
Text analytics 34.5%
Virtual agents or chat bots 28.2%
Natural language processing 27.0%
Large language models 24.8%

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, second quarter of 2026.

More information

Note of appreciation

Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

Standards of service to the public

Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients.

Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2026

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified: