Small businesses prefer workforce adjustments over layoffs to deal with tariffs in Canada: poll [Video]

Small and medium business leaders say they could have to make minor adjustments to their operations in the short term to cope with widespread U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

The poll of 50 small and medium enterprise leaders across Canada, conducted by the trade services arm of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, found measures such as reduced hours or hiring freezes are preferred over significant layoffs if those companies are affected by the 25 per cent levy.

However, the World Trade Centre Toronto says 63 per cent of surveyed businesses anticipate cutting or delaying investments in research and …