78% of Canadian SMEs are betting on growth in 2026

Key figures

Released on October 15, 2026 and based on a survey of 2,500 Canadian business owners and executives, the BDC report paints an encouraging picture:

• 78% of SMEs are focused on growth, up from 67% last year.
• 88% took at least one step to improve productivity.
• 64% gained new customers in their region, and almost a third elsewhere in Canada.
• 22% made artificial intelligence a priority this year, up from 14% last year.

Entrepreneurs' priorities

• Expansion: 46%
• Improving profitability: 40%
• Attracting new local customers: 31%
• Cutting costs: 28%

Notably, among small businesses directly hit by US tariffs, 58% expanded their products or services, compared with 39% of SMEs overall.

What it means for businesses in Laval and Montreal

The message is clear: businesses that invest in productivity and in their local customer base move forward. For a merchant, that often comes down to simple steps: a faster payment system, clear sales reports, a loyalty program and an online presence that makes customers want to come back.

In Laval, Laval économique also supports SMEs with growth strategy, financing, digital transformation, recruitment and export. It is a free resource worth knowing.

Our take at Metalaser

We see it every week in the field: merchants who modernize their register, speed up checkout and care for the customer experience save time and build stronger loyalty. Growth often starts with a few well-chosen tools.