Supporting Canadian entrepreneurs to thrive in a global market

Canada has 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs today than 20 years ago, despite significant population growth. As the cost of doing business rises and regulatory burdens increase, businesses are struggling to invest in the very drivers of productivity: research and development, automation, digital technology and cybersecurity, to name a few.

The result is less innovation, lower competitiveness, slower growth, and ultimately, a drag on national productivity.

The Competition Bureau has found that there are fewer new businesses entering the market and dominant players in sectors like telecommunications, groceries and transportation continue to consolidate, leading to an overall decline in competition. As competition declines, so does the incentive to innovate, which ultimately results in fewer choices, higher costs and stagnant wages — conditions that erode long-term economic prosperity.

Despite these challenges, Canadians are aligned on the need for action. There is growing consensus that governments must step up to support entrepreneurship, reduce barriers to innovation and ensure that small businesses have the tools to grow and compete.

To build a more competitive, innovative and resilient economy, we must unlock the potential of entrepreneurs and create the conditions for success.

Five key recommendations for a more resilient trade economy

• Make it easier to access capital: unlock low-barrier funding so businesses can invest, grow and compete.
• Help small businesses scale: raise the small business tax threshold to give growing companies the runway they need to succeed.
• Boost innovation and tech adoption: support digital tools, IP protection and commercialization to turn Canadian ideas into global solutions.
• Cut red tape: modernize grants, streamline procurement and launch a small business concierge to help navigate federal programs.
• Create space for new players: rein in market concentration to drive competition, spark innovation and lower costs for Canadians.

About Inflection Point

Inflection Point is a plan for a competitive, productive and prosperous Canada. On behalf of our business community, we share 82 evidence-based public policy recommendations, across five pillars, backed and supported by both our business community and Canadians. Through extensive consultation with our membership, the business community and Canadians through roundtables, surveys and national opinion polling, the recommendations are for all political parties, elected officials and civil servants to consider how both the business community and governments have integral role in working together to address the challenges facing Canada.

Share your voice

The tariff situation is ongoing, complex and rapidly changing. The Calgary Chamber is actively advocating to all levels of government to support you through this uncertain time. To inform our advocacy, we have developed a 1-minute survey to better understand how tariffs are impacting your business.