Fuel Costs, Tariff Pressures Hit Canada's Small Business Confidence in September, CFIB Business Barometer Shows

10:03 AM EDT, 09/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Small business confidence in Canada fell nearly 10 points to 47.9 in September, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's (CFIB) latest monthly Business Barometer released on Thursday. Long-term optimism fell below the 50-point threshold and has continued to decline since July, with internationally active firms reporting weaker sentiment than their domestically focused counterparts, said CFIB. "The renewed tariff uncertainty, along with rising gas and oil prices, are keeping small business confidence in check," wrote Andreea Bourgeois, CFIB director of economics, in the Business Barometer note. Price plans rose sharply to 3.3% from 2.6% in August, it added. Fuel costs remained the top cost pressure, cited by 62% of businesses, followed by taxes and regulation (61%) and wages (60%). Weak demand remained the main constraint on growth, cited by 49% of firms, while 41% continued to report skilled-labor shortages. Long-term optimism declined across nearly all provinces and sectors, said CFIB.