Spring Bloom: Canada sees surge in small business creation as weather warms
Microbusiness density – the number of small businesses per 100 people – rose, on average, by +11.8% across all Canadian territories and provinces in April 2024
The Northwest Territories and Nunavut saw the biggest April rise of +17.1%, followed by Yukon at +13.7%
Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec saw the 4th, 6th and 7th biggest rises respectively
The figures come from Venture Forward, GoDaddy's multi-year research initiative which analyses data from 770,000 Canadian online small businesses
TORONTO, April 2, 2025 /CNW/ -- April is the peak month of the year for starting a new business in Canada, new GoDaddy research shows.
Based on analysis of 2024 figures, microbusiness density – the number of small businesses per 100 people – rose, on average, by +11.8% across all Canadian territories and provinces. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut saw the biggest April rise of +17.1%, followed by Yukon at +13.7%. Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec saw the 4th, 6th and 7th biggest rises respectively.
The figures come from Venture Forward, GoDaddy's multi-year research initiative which analyses data from 770,000 Canadian online small businesses (with fewer than 10 employees).
Small businesses can generate huge gains for local Canadian economies in 2025
This seasonal rise in small business creation last year bodes well for April 2025 and beyond. Local Canadian businesses act as the backbone of the Canadian economy and bring huge benefits to local economies and communities.
GoDaddy's data finds that almost half (46.4%) of small business owners in Canada employ two or more staff, 42% generate over $5,000 in monthly revenue, and over half (55.6%) aspire to grow their business by hiring more staff and opening physical locations in the months ahead.
The barriers to starting a small business have never been lower
The small business 'Spring bloom' also coincides with it being easier than ever for people to set up a new company. According to GoDaddy's research, over a quarter (27.3%) of small business owners report needed less than $500 to start their business.
And with AI tools such as GoDaddy Airo supporting business owners on their journeys, the barriers to setting up a small business have never been lower. Just under three in ten (27.7%) Canadian small business owners report using AI to help them run their business.
Young Lee, Canada Market Lead for GoDaddy, commented: 'In times of economic uncertainty, Canadian small businesses remain a vital force for resilience and innovation. From coast to coast—including more remote regions like Yukon and the Northwest Territories—entrepreneurs are not only driving job creation but also strengthening local communities.
'GoDaddy's Venture Forward research underscores that April is a key month in the small business calendar, with many dreams and ideas being turned into reality. At GoDaddy, we are committed to ensuring the positive benefits of the 'Spring bloom' of small business creation are felt for many months to come. We are supporting Canada's entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and insights they need to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities for growth.'
Increase in Microbusiness Density Between March 2024 and April 2024 and Rank by Canadian Province
[source: GoDaddy Venture Forward]
Rank
Province
Increase in MD Density
1st
Northwest territories and Nunavut
17.1 %
2nd
Yukon
13.7 %
3rd
Alberta
13.3 %
4th
Manitoba
12.5 %
4th
Ontario
12.5 %
5th
Nova Scotia
12 %
6th
British Columbia
11.3 %
7th
Newfoundland and Labrador
11 %
7th
Quebec
11 %
8th
Prince Edward Island
10.1 %
9th
New Brunswick
9.9 %
10th
Saskatchewan
7 %
About Venture Forward
Venture Forward is a multi-year research initiative, which analyses data from over 770,000 Canadian small businesses with 0-9 employees - conducted by GoDaddy to quantify the impact of these businesses on the Canadian economy and their local communities.
About GoDaddy
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company's AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy's expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
Air Canada ordered to resume operations during binding arbitration
An Air Canada plane is pictured at a gate at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, in Montreal. On Saturday morning, all flights were cancelled after flight attendants went on strike. Photo Graham Hughes/EPA Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Hours after Air Canada flight attendants went on strike and the airline indefinitely paused all flights, the Canadian government intervenued Saturday and ordered operations to resume. Jobs Minister Patty Haju ordered the company's management and the union back to participate in binding arbitration to hash out their differences on wages and compensation. It wasn't known when flights will resume after opereations were paused early Saturday. "After eight months of negotiations by the parties, and after meeting with both parties last night and urging them to work hard to reach a deal, it is disappointing to have to conclude today that Air Canada and CUPE flight attendants are at an impasse and remain unable to resolve their dispute," she said in a statement released Saturday aftetnoon Eastern time. "The government firmly believes that the best deals are reached by the parties at the bargaining table. It has now become clear that this dispute won't be resolved at the table. Canadians are increasingly finding themselves in very difficult situations and the strike is rapidly impacting the Canadian economy." She invoked Section 107 of the Canadian Labor Code, which directs the Canadian Relations Board to arbitrate the dispute. "I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute," she said. "Despite the parties' resolution of several key differences, the CIRB is best positioned to help them find a solution on the outstanding items." Also, she extended the terms of the existing agreement until a new one is determined by an arbiter. "This decision will help make sure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are not impacted because of cancelled flights," she said. "Further, the shipments of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ tissue, over 40% of which are moved by Air Canada, should continue to reach their destinations." The Air Canada union asked her to direct the parties to enter into binding arbitration. More than 130,000 travelers worldwide fly on the airline daily. Canada's largest airline has more than 1,000 flights, including 170 international ones, and from 50 Canadian airports. Between more than 50 U.S. airports and Canada, there are 430 daily flights. Locked out at 1:30 a.m. EDT were 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Air Canada Express, with regional 300 flights and operated by Jazz Aviation and PAl Airlines, is not affected. The flight attendants went on strike at 12:58 a.m. EDT. Picket lines had been set up at airports throughout Canada, the CBC reported. The last negotiations were on Friday night and no new talks were scheduled. On Wednesday, the airline served the union a statutory 72-hour lockout notice in response to the union's 72-hour strike notice. Air Canada was canceling flights ahead of the work stoppage. "The carriers have since been gradually reducing their schedules of about 700 daily flights to manage the labour disruption created by CUPE's strike notice," the airline said. "Some 130,000 customers will be impacted each day that the suspension continues. At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiate a renewal to its collective agreement with CUPE." The airline said it "deeply regrets the labor disruption is having on customers." Wesley Lesosky, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees' Air Canada component, told the CBC it is up to the airline when they would be back on flights. The airline hadn't responded to the media site. Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr earlier said after an agreement, it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. The carrier advised people not to go to the airport if they are booked on the airline. "Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional canceled flights and their options," the airline said. "For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel." Compensation differences Flight attendants want to be compensated for work before the flights take off and after they land. Typically with most airlines, they get paid only for the hours they are in the air. The airline, in its latest offer, proposes a 38% increase in total compensation that "would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada." The union said a proposed 8% raise in the first year is offset by inflation. Hajdu told The Canadian Press on Friday that it is "critical" for the two sides to return to the negotiating table. "It's very important that we stay focused on the two parties," Hajdu said. "They have the primary responsibility to solve this. This is a corporation and a union who have all the tools they need, as well as tools from the federal mediation service, to get this deal done." On Friday, the minister said she wasn't ready to intervene in the dispute, and saw a path forward to a deal because most issues have been resolved. The union accused her of speaking "on behalf" of the company. "Every party has expressed support for our effort to end unpaid work, except for the governing Liberal Party," Lesosky said during a news conference Thursday. Hajdu posted Friday on Facebook that she met with both sides. "It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts." Travel options The carrier advised people not to go to the airport if they are booked on the airline. "Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel," the airline posted. Air Canada is partnered with Star Alliance, which includes more than 20 airlines, including Lufthansa and United Airlines. Code-sharing flights might be affected. The New York Times listed ideas for travelers. Travelers can change flight dates and receive a one-time $50 credit per passenger or opt for an airline credit equal to the value of the ticket for one year. Travelers are eligible for a full refund requested through the app or website. The airline said it will attempt to rebook travelers on other airlines. Canada's second-biggest airline is WestJet Airlines, though it has many fewer international destinations. Because of peak summer travel, options may be limited. Keelin Pringnitz and her family were returning from a European vacation to Ottawa, but were left stranded at Heathrow Airport in London. "It was an end of my maternity leave kind of trip," Pringnitz told CBC. "We went to the Faroe Islands and Norway, travelling through Air Canada to London." She said they could fly to the United States, but no assistance once they land there. "It didn't go over well with the line," she said. "Nobody really seemed interested. Everybody seemed a little bit amused almost at the suggestion, or exasperated, because it is a bit ridiculous to offer to take stranded passengers to a different country to strand them there." For those with travel insurance, some plans include trip cancellations, including a strike. The U.S. Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over Air Canada flights that depart from the U.S., has a similar policy like the Canadian government. Refunds must be given within 30 days and rebooked if possible. There is no mandatory compensation for delays. "For U.S. travellers, the key now is to think strategically," Anton Radchenko, AirAdvisor's founder, said in a statement to USA Today. "Don't just look for the fastest alternative route; look for the most stable one. This may mean flying via smaller, less congested hubs like Detroit or Minneapolis, where rerouting is easier, or securing refundable one-stop connections through partner airlines before seats vanish. "Keep all receipts, track your communications with the airline, and, if possible, pay with a credit card that includes trip interruption coverage. Above all, treat this strike as a high-impact event that demands proactive planning, not reactive scrambling."
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Air Canada flight attendant strike: Here's how many SFO flights are affected
An Air Canada flight attendant strike morning appeared to be behind the airline's 18 cancelled flights at San Francisco International Airport Saturday morning, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike Saturday morning after union officials declined the airline's request to have the Canadian government to arbitrate ongoing contract disputes, the Associated Press reported. The strike forced Air Canada to suspend operations Saturday, the airline said. The airline and the union representing the flight attendants have negotiated for eight months over but remain at an impasse, particularly over pay issues and the issue of unpaid work flight attendants are required to perform while planes aren't flying. It was not immediately clear how long the strike would last, but the airline issued a 72-hour lockout once the union informed Air Canada officials of their intent to strike, the airline said. Most cancelled flights were expected to affect travellers coming or going from Canada. Air Canada reported Saturday morning that a total of 623 flights were cancelled as a result of the strike, impacting about 100,000 travelers in total.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Bourbon blues: Five months into ban, Canadian bars running dry of Kentucky whiskey
Canadian bars that stocked up on Kentucky Bourbon are running on fumes five months into its nation's ban on US booze – yanking popular cocktails from menus or slapping on a premium for the scarce commodity. In March, provinces ordered their liquor stores to yank all American products from their shelves, in retaliation for the Trump administration slapping 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. One Canadian bar owner told The Post he stocked up on half gallons of Kentucky Bourbon to survive the trade war. 3 Rafferty, who stocked up in March, is down to his last few bottles of Bourbon. Courtesy of Johnny Rafferty 'When Ontario said it was going to take every American brand off the shelf, I went nuts,' said Johnny Rafferty, owner of Rose and Crown bar in Toronto. Rafferty bought six cases in March, each containing six bottles of the Bluegrass State spirit. 'When I showed up, they just had these monster bottles,' he said. 'I pretty much grabbed whatever I could.' He's now down to his last four — two bottles of Jim Beam, one Jack Daniel's and a Bulleit. 'If these tariffs lift, I think it'll be a free for all,' he said. 3 Canada pulled US booze from shelves back in March in response to US tariffs. REUTERS Another bar owner meanwhile has been overcharging customers who are desperate for a taste of Kentucky whiskey — the now rare liquor. 'Because it's in limited supply, I charge more for it, right?' Scott Swain, manager of Danu Social House told CBC News. 'It's a premium product right now.' 3 Except for Alberta, other provinces have stuck with the ban, even five months in. VCG via Reuters Connect Bourbon makers in Kentucky had slammed Canada's ban as a 'disproportionate response' to the trade war. Alberta — where some have warmed to the idea of a 51st state — lifted the US booze ban in June to help ease trade negotiations, but other Northern provinces have shown no sign of relenting.
