Small Business Owners Prefer Pandemic Over Rising Crime, CFIB Study Reveals
According to new research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, skyrocketing crime and social disorder have become daily realities for many Canadian entrepreneurs. The study shows that half of the country's small businesses report the problem is only getting worse, with many owners expressing a startling preference for the challenges of the pandemic over their current circumstances.
Growing Safety Concerns Among Business Owners
The CFIB's findings indicate that members are growing increasingly concerned about their safety and security. Kayode Southwood of the CFIB emphasized that business owners should not be spending more time and money managing theft, vandalism, and safety risks than actually running their operations. He noted that the financial and emotional tolls have become exhausting for many entrepreneurs.
"Some have even said they'd rather take the pandemic over the crime they're dealing with now," Southwood revealed, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Crime Statistics and Provincial Breakdown
The CFIB's data correlates with national crime trends tracked by Statistics Canada. The study found that:
- Fifty percent of business owners reported a net increase in crime in 2025
- Thirty-seven percent said crime levels remained unchanged
- Only two percent reported a decrease in criminal activity
When broken down provincially, business owners in Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest complaints about rising crime among federation members, followed by Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The report notes that Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province showing a steady rise in both crime rate and crime severity index since 2020, while Manitoba and Saskatchewan continue to report the highest crime rates and severity levels.
Personal Safety Measures and Financial Burden
Nearly half of business owners reported concern over the safety of themselves, their staff, and customers. Many have resorted to extreme measures including:
- Locking doors during business hours
- Reconfiguring schedules so employees aren't working alone
- Spending thousands of dollars on enhanced security systems
- Replacing smashed windows and repairing vandalism damage
Forty-nine percent of those polled expressed concern about the safety of their business, staff, and customers, with these concerns largely matching national crime trends when examined provincially.
Calls for Government Action
The CFIB is calling on the federal government to implement meaningful changes, including:
- Strengthening consequences for repeat and organized offenders through Criminal Code amendments
- Establishing service standards to ensure prompt police response
- Streamlining reporting processes for business owners
- Considering security rebates to help offset protection costs
- Ensuring business owners have input on policies that directly impact them
Eighty-nine percent of surveyed business owners believe stronger penalties for organized retail theft rings are most needed, while sixty-seven percent say the government needs to consult with small business owners to determine how best to support them.
"Everybody deserves to feel safe in the community where they're trying to earn an honest living," Southwood stated. "Too many owners tell us they lie awake at night watching their security cameras, hoping no one breaks in again."
The study underscores the growing crisis facing Canadian small businesses as they navigate increasing security challenges while trying to maintain operations in an uncertain economic climate.
