Small Business Month runs the full month of October in Canada. It’s the one stretch of the year when funding programs, free training, and business events all cluster in the same few weeks, which makes it the easiest time of year to get something useful done for your business.
Whether you call it Small Business Month or Small Business Week, it’s October when Canadian small businesses are recognized and celebrated nationwide for their entrepreneurship, resilience, and collective contribution to our country’s success.
Small Business Month encapsulates the heart and soul of Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit, from job creation to fostering innovation. This annual celebration stands as a testament to the invaluable contributions of small businesses to Canada’s economy and local communities.
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Key Small Business Statistics, there were 1.08 million small employer businesses in Canada as of December 2024, representing 98.2% of all employer businesses. They employ more than 10 million people, and small businesses contribute an estimated 36.7% to Canada’s gross domestic product.
In the spirit of Small Business Month, we’ve compiled a list of resources that Canadian small business owners, entrepreneurs, and early-stage startups can explore to grow their entities and thrive. These resources cover a wide range of topics, from learning and growth to financial support and risk mitigation.
Where Can Canadian Small Businesses Find Free Learning Resources?
Below is a short list of learning and growth resources for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups:
- Startup Canada helps early-stage startups and entrepreneurs connect with industry experts, peers, and resources to build successful businesses. Best for: pre-revenue founders and first-time entrepreneurs.
- The Canadian Chamber of Commerce provides a range of learning resources, including business continuity planning, information on Canada’s anti-spam legislation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training. Best for: owners with employees who need compliance guidance.
- The Retail Council of Canada offers industry research, health and safety guides, a jobs board, training programs, and support to small retail businesses. Best for: independent retailers and e-commerce sellers.
- The Canadian Franchise Association assists business owners exploring franchise opportunities, networking, and franchisee education.
- The Zensurance Small Business Insights Blog offers articles with marketing tips, apps for business owners, productivity tips, risk mitigation and safety recommendations, and how-to guides for starting a small business or entering a profession.
- BDC Small Business Week has events from October 19 to 25 that are free and open to any entrepreneur, whether or not you’re a BDC client. Registration opens in early October.
What Financial Help Is Available for Canadian Small Businesses?
The 2026 Zensurance Small Business Confidence Index survey of 1,000 Canadian business owners found inflation is the single biggest concern for business owners (35%), followed by the pressure of raising prices without losing customers (23%). Gas prices landed third (13%).
To cope with rising costs, 53% have cut non-essential spending, and 39% have raised prices. More concerning, four in 10 (39%) have funded their businesses with personal credit cards or home equity this year. When your business runs on your personal credit line, a single bad month stops being a business problem and starts being a household one.
These resources may help offset the financial challenges business owners are facing:
- Small Business Grants: Many grants are available for small businesses and startups to apply for to fund and grow their ventures.
The Zensurance Small Business Grant awards one $10,000 grant and five $1,000 grants to eligible Canadian small business owners, self-employed professionals, and entrepreneurs. Applications for the latest grant closed September 9, but visit our grant web page to leave your email, and be notified when the next one opens.
Other available Canadian small business grants include Futurepreneur Canada (financing and mentorship for owners aged 18 to 39), Government of Canada grants and financing (a searchable federal database), and Mitacs (funding for projects connecting Canadian academia and industry).
- Small Business Perks: Various organizations and governments provide perks and discounted services to small businesses. Zensurance also offers an ever-expanding partner list of money-saving offers through the Zensurance Perks program.
- Small Business Financing: The federal government provides a small business financing program to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders, as does the Business Development Bank of Canada. For early-stage companies raising outside capital, the Canadian International Angel Investors and the National Angel Capital Organization connect founders with angel investors.
3 Things to Do Before Small Business Month Ends
A month of celebration is nice. A month of action is better. If you do nothing else in October, do these:
- Apply for one grant. Just one. Most owners never apply because the paperwork looks worse than it is. Block two hours and submit a single application.
- Attend one free session during BDC Small Business Week (October 18 to 24). Pick something outside your comfort zone, like pricing, AI tools, or succession.
- Review your business insurance coverage. Not renew it. Review it. If your revenue, staff count, equipment, or services changed this year and your policy didn’t, you may have a gap you don’t know about.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Month in Canada
When is Small Business Month in Canada?
Small Business Month runs the entire month of October in Canada. It is also called Small Business Week by BDC. Their events take place October 18 to 24.
Is Small Business Week the same as Small Business Month?
No. October is Small Business Month nationwide. BDC Small Business Week is a specific week within October, organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada.
What grants can Canadian small businesses apply for?
Options include Futurepreneur Canada, federal programs listed in the Government of Canada grants and financing database, Mitacs funding, and the Zensurance Small Business Grant.
How many small businesses are there in Canada?
As of December 2024, Canada had 1.08 million small employer businesses – 98.2% of all employer businesses – according to ISED’s Key Small Business Statistics.
How much does small business insurance cost in Canada?
Insurance companies determine the cost (annual premium) of a policy based on several factors about your business and operations. Many business owners pay as little as $450 per year for $2 million in coverage. Your final price depends on factors like your industry, location, number of employees, revenue, claims history, and the products or services you offer.
Why Does Your Small Business Need Liability Insurance?
Business liability insurance is vital to any small business’s or self-employed professional’s risk mitigation and business continuity plan. Liability insurance is not only necessary, it’s an investment in your business’s financial wellness.
Without insurance, one unexpected accident or lawsuit, cyberattack, or damage to your business, such as a fire, can upend your company and potentially lead to bankruptcy.
Here’s the part that connects back to that 39%. If you’ve funded your business on a personal credit card or home equity, an uninsured claim doesn’t stop at your business. It follows you home.
Fill out our online application for a free quote in minutes.
Our team of licensed brokers will shop our network of 50+ insurers to find the right coverage for your business, answer your questions about what coverage you should have in your policy, what coverage limits you need, and provide recommendations to minimize your liability risks.
– Reviewed by Brandon Bowie, Sr. Broker and Team Lead, Professional Lines, Zensurance.
– Updated September 21, 2026.
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