Entrepreneurship in Canada Drops Sharply in Q1: Equifax

Canadian Entrepreneurship Declines, Challenges Build As Companies Fall Behind with Lenders

Equifax Canada data shows a sharp drop in Canadian entrepreneurship and that businesses are cutting back on credit

Entrepreneurship in Canada drops sharply in Q1: Equifax

In the first quarter of 2026, entrepreneurship dropped sharply in Canada, and more companies fell behind on payments to lenders, according to data from Equifax Canada. The volume of active young businesses (two years and younger) decreased by nearly 39% year over year in the first quarter. There were 122,107 such businesses in Q1 2026 compared with 199,062 in Q1 of 2025, Equifax Canada said via email on Tuesday. “[E]scalating operating costs, pe…