Canada’s CFIB Business Barometer long‑term index, which measures 12‑month expectations for business performance, rose to 58.5 in April 2026 after having dropped sharply to a downwardly revised 55.7 in March. The short‑term optimism index, based on a three‑month outlook, also edged higher, gaining roughly 1 point to 55.4.
Looking ahead over the next 12 months, confidence improved most notably in retail (63.7 vs. 62.7), information, arts and recreation (57.8 vs. 55.7), personal services (61.4 vs. 60.3) and construction (57.3 vs. 50.0). In contrast, sentiment weakened primarily in transportation and warehousing (52.9 vs. 53.8), professional and business services (57.4 vs. 59.6), and hospitality (57.1 vs. 58.2).
Meanwhile, the average planned price increase accelerated to 3.2% in April, the largest monthly gain since the tariff war last March. The average planned wage increase inched up to 2.4%, marking the first significant move after roughly 12 months of readings clustered around 2.2%.
