Confidence among B.C. small businesses lowest in Canada, survey finds [Video]

Confidence is waning among Canadian small businesses, and nowhere in the country has it wavered as much as in British Columbia, according to a new survey.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says its February Business Barometer recorded long-term small business confidence falling nationally for the third consecutive month.

The survey found the biggest dip in B.C., with long-term confidence falling 3.7 points. B.C. was followed by Alberta (3.6 points), Manitoba (3.4 points) and Ontario (3.2 points).

“Canada got another tariff reprieve until early April, but the looming threat remains a constant concern for many small business owners, making it difficult to plan for the future,” CFIB senior policy analyst Emily Boston said.

“Small firms operate on tight margins, and results from our special survey on the impact of U.S.-Canada tariffs released earlier this month show that a majority are not prepared for the impact should the tariffs hit.”

The CFIB survey found that short-term confidence among B.C. …