As the holidays approach, Manitoba small business owners are preparing for the busiest and most uncertain season in years.
Across Manitoba, businesses are feeling the burden of rising costs, supply chain pressures and uncertainty, making this holiday season especially challenging.
This Saturday, November 29th, Small Business Saturday gives Manitobans a chance to support local entrepreneurs when it matters most.
Thanks to the latest Canadian Business Federation surveys, we've heard from thousands of small business owners who are facing growing challenges.
The economy is slowing, and so is Canadians' purchasing power. Tariffs and ongoing trade disputes with the US are driving up costs for suppliers. Worker strikes disrupt work. And rising costs of everything from utilities to property taxes and insurance are making it difficult for businesses to remain profitable.
Small business owners across Canada are extremely concerned. The owner of a specialty hobby store in Mississauga told us, “We're all hurting, every one of us. Economic uncertainty, tariffs and the Canada Post strike are too much for small businesses.”
A Winnipeg beauty salon owner reminded us of the broader impact: “Businesses like mine create local jobs, invest in community sustainability and promote Manitoba's reputation for quality, handcrafted goods, but we need tangible and accessible support to continue sustainable growth.”
In Saskatoon, an outdoor supply store owner shared his growing fear: “This is the first time I'm worried. Small businesses never seem to get the help they need compared to larger industries, even though we are the backbone of the local economy.”
And in Prince George, an auto parts store owner revealed a painful reality: “For the first time in five years, we couldn't afford pay raises for our own employees.”
Perhaps most starkly, the owner of an Edmonton manufacturing company put it bluntly: “We’re almost at the breaking point.”
These voices reflect a growing reality for small businesses across Canada. And yet, despite these challenges, local businesses continue to open their doors, serve their communities, and do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.
Small Business Saturday isn't just a shopping day. This is a chance for the people who come to us every day to shine. The cafe owner who knows your order, the mechanic who will deliver you at the last minute, the florist who will carefully pack your bouquet.
These are not faceless corporations.
They are your neighbors and they need your support.
Every dollar spent on a small business creates excitement in your community, supporting local jobs, charities, and even your kids' sports teams. In fact, 66 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community, while only 11 cents spent at large multinational businesses stays local.
Canadians care about local businesses. Nine out of 10 say they value their presence in their communities.
However, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to focus on large stores or online giants. The reality is that only one in three Canadians attempt to shop at independent retailers.
This Small Business Saturday, let's turn good intentions into action.
Choose small purchases on November 29th and maintain this momentum throughout the season.
Use tools like Amex Maps and the Shop Small directory to find amazing local businesses near you.
Share your support on social media with the hashtags #SmallBusinessSaturday and #FallinLovewithLocal and don't forget to leave a review or tell a friend. Every little step helps strengthen the businesses that make our neighborhoods feel like home.
Small business owners: Download the free Small Business Saturday toolkit and invite your customers to celebrate with you.
To governments: it is time to acknowledge the growing pressure and provide meaningful support. This means cutting red tape and providing relief to those on the brink of closure.
Let's make November 29 the biggest Saturday for small businesses by making shopping locally a joyful, everyday habit.
Supporting small businesses isn't just a good idea. This is how we keep our communities strong.
Tyler Slobojian is a senior policy analyst at Prairies & Northern Canada and Molly McCracken is a policy analyst; both work for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
