The latest quarterly data from the Small Business Index shows small business employment in Canada declined by 97,000 jobs (-1.82%) in the second quarter of 2025. At the end of Q2-2025, small businesses employed 5,273,000 people. The data is seasonally-adjusted.

Sector with the largest decline: professional services

The professional services sector (NAICS 54) had the largest decrease in small business employment in Q2-2025. The fastest rate of decline, however, was in the finance and real estate sector (NAICS 52-53). The information, arts, and recreation sector (NAICS 51) had the largest increase and fastest growth. See the table below for details.

Region with the largest decline: British Columbia

Among the five regions currently included in the Small Business Index, British Columbia had the largest decrease and fastest decline in small business employment in Q2-2025 (data for the Territories region is not currently available). The Atlantic was the only region with small business employment growth. See the table below for details.

Methodology: For more information about the sample, data sources, and calculations used in the Small Business Index, read the full methodology here.