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More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that this is more than a health crisis â it is also a crisis for small businesses. Before it is over, we will lose thousands of small businesses, especially in retail, hospitality and tourism. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimates one in six small businesses is at risk of closing.
These losses are extremely damaging for Canadaâs economy. Small businesses represent 97.9 per cent of all Canadian businesses, contributing almost half of the GDP generated by the private sector. Collectively, small businesses are the countryâs largest employer, putting more than 8.4 million Canadians to work. Every small business we lose means the economy loses jobs, productivity, entrepreneurial talent and investment.