Canadian businesses back federal economic plan, but want results
Regulatory burden remains the biggest barrier
Sixty-seven per cent of business leaders said regulatory requirements have created institutional gridlock, and 65 per cent said overregulation and higher taxes are actively hindering their ability to scale.
When asked what Ottawa should prioritise to strengthen the economy, respondents ranked removing red tape and accelerating regulatory reform as their top demand, tied at 50 per cent with fast-tracking a West Coast oil pipeline. Accelerating major infrastructure projects followed at 47 per cent, with tax reform including corporate tax adjustments and investment incentives cited by 43 per cent.
Lachlan Wolfers, National Leader of KPMG Law and based in Toronto, said business leaders are calling for a focused, disciplined approach. “Business leaders want governments to stay focused on actions within Canada’s control,” Wolfers noted, emphasising economic resilience as the underlying goal.
Tariffs are reshaping pricing across the country
Canada’s trade tensions with the United States are also leaving a visible mark on pricing behaviour. Two-thirds of survey respondents said they have adjusted their prices to account for some or all tariff-related costs, with 31 per cent passing through the full impact to customers. Only 39 per cent reported making no pricing changes despite tariff pressures.
The survey was conducted before Ottawa and Washington exchanged a new round of tariff threats in late July 2026, including a reported 50 per cent U.S. tariff threat on select Canadian exports and a 10 per cent “forced labour” surcharge; meaning the actual pricing pressure facing Canadian businesses today may be considerably more acute than these figures suggest.
