AGP Executive Report

Public Safety & Small Business: B.C. is launching 12 new regional hubs under a Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative, targeting about 420 repeat offenders blamed for street disorder and property crime that hurts local retailers and services. Workplace & Skills: A Fraser Institute study says 64.7% of Canadian teachers (grades 6–12) haven’t been trained to spot student AI use—raising pressure on schools and education budgets. Women in Entrepreneurship: Federal Women Entrepreneurship Strategy funding adds $173.7M to expand loans, training and mentorship for women business owners, including the Women’s Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (up to $50,000). Tax Compliance: Numetrica warns small businesses about CRA risk areas like GST/HST errors, payroll remittances, poor record keeping, and shareholder loan mismanagement. Tech & Cyber Risk: Five Eyes intelligence partners warn AI-enabled cyberattacks could be months away, urging governments and corporate leaders to act now—especially relevant for SMEs with limited security teams. Business Growth Reality Check: New research questions whether “being your own boss” reliably improves finances or life satisfaction, saying outcomes depend on how people build their business. Local Infrastructure: Ottawa signals support for adding a Kingston stop to the proposed high-speed rail plan, with details still to come.

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Funding: Federal Minister Rechie Valdez announced $173.7M over five years to keep the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy going, aiming to boost women’s access to financing, training and networks. Transport & Infrastructure: Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says Ottawa has a “strong preference” for adding a Kingston stop to the proposed Quebec City–Toronto high-speed rail plan, with VIA connections via a hub station. Broadband for Rural Canada: The Canada Infrastructure Bank and partners will invest $165M to expand broadband service in Manitoba, targeting about 7,800 underserved rural households. Embedded Lending for SMBs: Parafin secured a new credit facility led by Goldman Sachs to extend embedded lending through platforms like Amazon, DoorDash, Gusto and TikTok Shop. Direct Selling Innovation: MONAT won the DSA Canada Industry Innovation Award for social commerce, including TikTok Shop and its Meta Affiliate Program. Local Business & Safety: A Toronto law firm released a report naming the city’s highest-risk intersections, pointing to driver behaviour and complex multi-lane corridors. Energy & Skills Pipeline: York University launched a new professional master’s in Sustainable Energy Systems to train leaders for Canada’s energy transition.

Entrepreneurship & Growth: Canada’s future depends on entrepreneurs, with a spotlight on the Hunter Prize’s push to reverse declining entrepreneurship and back practical ideas (including Alberta’s Cypress Energy founder Don Archibald). Local Business & Community: Georgian College’s Henry Bernick Awards celebrated regional entrepreneurs, adding an Emerging Entrepreneur category for student founders. SME Finance & Banking: Tangerine CEO Terri-Lee Weeks says innovation must improve client outcomes as the bank reshapes its wealth-building tools for more Canadians. Startups & Hiring: A Toronto creator and former recruiter shares job-market tips, urging candidates not to over-customize résumés and to negotiate confidently. Food & Retail Success: A Toronto couple turned a viral Asian street snack into a GTA dessert chain, expanding to eight locations in two years. Cyber & Risk: New market reports point to fast growth in web application firewalls and revenue-based financing—signals SMEs will keep facing tougher digital threats and more funding options. Policy & Oversight: Canada’s banking regulator moves to lower capital levels to spur more lending at a key economic moment. Business Reputation: Abaxx Technologies pushes back on misinformation, asking CIRO to look into potentially manipulative trading.

Community & Local Business: Midland Pride’s third annual Pride at the Park drew families and allies, with a clear focus on supporting queer-owned businesses and local artisans. Education & Skills for SMBs: Georgian College’s Spring Convocation (June 22–24) will recognize new graduates and honour business and community leaders—an indirect boost for regional talent pipelines. Climate-Tech & Agriculture: Physical AI is moving into sustainable greenhouse agriculture, betting on AI to improve yields while cutting water and pesticide use. Indigenous Research Funding: Canada’s CFI Northern Fund is investing $10M in Northern research, including a new Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre and an Indigenous Knowledge App—helping local labs and community-led projects. Small Business Resilience: Flooding in Val-des-Monts, Que. has reopened most roads, but Route 307 near Chemin Corriveau remains closed, a reminder of how weather can disrupt local operations. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: A Toronto couple turned a viral Asian street snack into Tanghulu Tanghulu, now operating eight GTA locations. Workforce & Growth: BDC highlights barriers for SMEs entering defence work, pointing to a “three-speed divide” where many firms still sit on the sidelines.

SME Market Pulse: Canada’s population fell for a third straight quarter, with StatsCan pointing to federal moves that cut temporary residents—an issue that could ripple into local demand for small businesses. Franchise Pressure: Tim Hortons is fighting back in a Quebec franchisee lawsuit tied to declining profits, a reminder that franchise economics remain a live risk for operators. Regulatory Watch: The UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Act kicks in with complaints-handling requirements and steep penalties, raising compliance stakes for any Canadian firms doing business with UK customers. Hiring & Growth: British Columbia’s latest BCPNP draw invited 279 high economic impact candidates, including wage-linked TEER 0–3 roles, signaling continued labour-focused immigration momentum. Local Business Delays: West Vancouver’s Batch beachside lounge is still stuck behind permits and red tape, pushing its summer opening later than planned. Fintech Expansion: Kenyan cross-border payments firm WapiPay secured a Canada MSB licence, aiming to scale foreign exchange and transfers with a regulated North American base. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: Futurpreneur’s 2026 delegation heads to the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit, backing Canada’s next wave of founders.

Canada business & investing: StatsCan says Canada’s population fell for a third straight quarter, tied to federal moves to reduce temporary residents—an issue that could ripple through labour markets and demand for small businesses. Franchise pressure: Tim Hortons is fighting back in a lawsuit defence, blaming Quebec franchisees for profit declines, keeping pressure on operators. Immigration & growth: British Columbia’s latest BCPNP draw invited 279 high economic impact candidates under its “Innovate” stream, signalling continued hiring-focused pathways for SMEs and skilled workers. Local business red tape: West Vancouver’s Batch beachside lounge is still delayed by permits, a reminder that summer openings can hinge on municipal approvals. UK compliance for small firms: The UK’s new data complaints rules are now law, with penalties up to 4% of global turnover—no exemptions for small businesses. Cross-border payments: Kenya’s WapiPay secured a FINTRAC MSB licence to operate in Canada, aiming to speed money transfers for growing fintech and remittance-linked SMEs. Trade & investment links: Dubai Chambers met Ontario groups to boost Canada–Dubai partnerships in AI, investment and market expansion. Entrepreneurship pipeline: Junior Market in Vancouver drew thousands and nearly $40,000 in sales from youth-run mini businesses.

Prebudget Consultations: Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says Ottawa will soon launch summer prebudget talks on practical tax changes and how Canada can better position itself for energy exports, critical minerals, defence and AI ahead of the fall 2026 budget. Criminal Code Overhaul: Royal Assent has restored mandatory minimums for child predators and passed major Criminal Code reforms aimed at cracking down on online sextortion and deepfakes, plus stronger protections for victims of gender-based and intimate partner violence. World Cup Impact on SMBs (Vancouver): Reuters reports a split reality for local shops near BC Place—some souvenir sellers are booming, while others get forced to pivot due to FIFA licensing rules. Local Housing Pressure (North Cowichan): Mayor Rob Douglas met Premier David Eby and housing minister Christie Boyle on homelessness and addiction, discussing supportive housing, treatment beds and a year-round shelter, with a new $5B housing/infrastructure fund now in play. Payments & Growth (Canada): SumUp is launching in Canada, expanding its simple payment tools to more merchants. Entrepreneurship Support: Futurpreneur announced Canada’s 2026 delegation to the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit in Vienna, backing youth business growth.

Women Entrepreneurs Funding: Federal Minister Rechie Valdez will announce significant new funding for women entrepreneurs in Alberta and across Canada on June 22 in Lethbridge, aiming to expand access to support for founders. Local Housing & Homelessness: North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas met Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Christie Boyle after a June 12 request for help, discussing village-style supportive housing, possible repurposing of the old Cowichan District Hospital, more treatment beds, and a year-round shelter/drop-in centre. SME Finance & Payments: SumUp officially launches in Canada, bringing its simple payment tools to its 38th market, while a separate “Conversations That Matter” segment highlights how VanCity credit union built non-traditional lending for working-class businesses. World Cup Impact on Small Business: Vancouver’s World Cup shows a split reality: some shops near BC Place are booming on souvenir demand, while others say FIFA licensing rules are squeezing them. Corporate Governance Watch: Bragg Gaming CEO Matevž Mazij resigned from the board after shareholders voted against his re-election, a reminder of how quickly investor sentiment can hit business leadership. Retail Survival: Toys “R” Us Canada owner Putman Investments is seeking court approval to buy store leases and assets to keep operating or rebrand, with a licence extending to Jan. 25, 2027.

Canada Post: Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger told a parliamentary committee the crown mail service is planning “strategic pricing” and an online marketplace with low fees to win back small-business parcel customers after labour disruptions, alongside new five-year stability deals with CUPW. Workforce & skills: Royal Roads University and BCIT announced a partnership to expand flexible, career-focused education, with BCIT delivering courses at Royal Roads’ Langford campus starting in September and both sides exploring micro-credentials for reskilling. Local business pressure: Vancouver small businesses say FIFA World Cup crowds haven’t translated into sales, with some reporting drops in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside. Supply crunch hits makers: A Canadian contract supplement manufacturer says whey protein shortages and price spikes have made it hard to guarantee orders, squeezing small producers and their clients. Youth entrepreneurship: Futurpreneur reports a rise in Manitoba applications amid economic uncertainty, pointing to easier online access and growing interest in starting businesses. Education access: BCIT courses at Royal Roads’ Burnaby/Langford campuses aim to reduce barriers for underrepresented learners in skilled trades.

Workforce Training: RBC and eCampusOntario are expanding free, bilingual upskilling through the Skills for Jobs Canada platform, adding new courses to help Canadians handle career transitions. Education Partnerships: BCIT and Royal Roads University are swapping delivery sites—Royal Roads will run programs at BCIT’s Burnaby campus, while BCIT will offer courses at Royal Roads’ John Horgan campus in Langford, with registration open for September interior design and computer design. Small-Business Capital: Vancouver and Business Impact NW launched a $2.4M revolving loan fund to boost access to financing for small businesses. AI for Entrepreneurs: Ventora unveiled an AI business builder platform aimed at helping aspiring founders launch online businesses faster, using specialized agents for analysis, product creation, validation and marketing. SME Defence Access: BDC is pushing a “matchmaker” initiative to connect SMEs with government defence projects, aiming to demystify procurement for firms that face a high bar to enter. Canada Post Pricing: Canada Post CEO plans “strategic pricing” and an online marketplace with low fees to rebuild trust with small businesses after labour disruptions. Local Business Impacts: Calgary’s Victoria Park BIA released an independent study on how an elevated Green Line alignment could affect businesses and public spaces along the 10 Ave corridor.

Federal Debt Costs: A Fraser Institute study says Canadians will pay $94.4B in federal and provincial debt interest in 2025/26, or $1,845 to $3,348 per taxpayer depending on the province—another pressure point for small-business cash flow. Defence Procurement Gap for SMEs: BDC and The Icebreaker warn of a “three-speed” divide as defence ramp-ups create opportunity, but many SMEs struggle with procurement, compliance and financing; BDC is also looking at a “matchmaker” approach to connect firms to government defence work. SME IP Cooperation: Canada’s CIPO and Trinidad & Tobago’s IP office sign an MOU to strengthen IP collaboration—useful for cross-border entrepreneurs protecting brands and inventions. Medtech Talent Pipeline: Medventions and Mitacs launch a pan-Canada umbrella agreement to support medtech entrepreneurship fellowships, backing 39 internships over two years. Embedded Lending Expansion: Parafin lands a Goldman Sachs-led credit facility to scale embedded lending for small businesses inside platforms like Amazon, DoorDash, Walmart and TikTok Shop. Local Business Spotlight: Lethbridge’s Art and Craft Pizza shares how a pizza-truck start helped it pivot into a brick-and-mortar shop.

IP Cooperation: Canada’s CIPO and Trinidad & Tobago’s TTIPO signed an MOU to deepen intellectual property collaboration, including info-sharing, capacity-building, and support for entrepreneurs. Medtech Talent Pipeline: Medventions partnered with Mitacs via a new umbrella agreement to fund and expand medtech entrepreneurship fellowships across Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Trade & Investment: The Indo-Canadian Alliance Business Summit 2026 will run in Toronto and Ottawa in September, aiming to drive B2B meetings, investment, and tech collaboration. Immigration Pressure on Local Business: Mayors and chambers warn Ottawa’s reduced immigration targets are hitting municipal labour markets, housing, transit, and local economic development. Blue Economy Funding: AtlantiCan Growth Partners launched a blue-economy investment platform targeting CAD 100M–150M for Atlantic Canada aquaculture, marine tech, fisheries, and ocean innovation. Supply Chain Security: ECAM highlighted record cargo theft losses (nearly $725M in 2025) and the role of live video monitoring and AI detection. Startup Ecosystems: New Startup Genome rankings put Toronto-Waterloo at #13 globally and lift Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton in North America for funding runway and AI momentum. Food Security Support: Sysco Canada and Second Harvest marked a 26-year partnership with a $50,000 donation to reduce hunger and food waste. Tech for Legal Work: Lexis+ with Protégé launched in Canada, positioning AI workflows as a single, trusted interface for legal drafting and research.

Canada–Dubai Business Links: Dubai Chambers met Vancouver and B.C. entrepreneurship groups (Launch Academy, Invest Vancouver, Business Council of B.C., Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BCIT) to boost trade, investment, and innovation ties. Local Risk Planning: Vancouver is moving to build an inventory of buildings and rate earthquake risk, aiming to guide screening and policy to cut damage in a major quake. SMB Tech for Sales: SalesCloser launched a self-serve multimodal AI website agent for real-time visitor help, with text chat and live audio-visual handoffs. Child Care HR Software: Brandon’s Curbridge Group rolled out Directors Desk, a sector-specific HR toolkit for early learning centres with templates and consultant support. Cybersecurity Basics: BBB’s tip sheet pushes small businesses to create a simple digital defense plan—start by scanning devices/data, then safeguard with policies and training. Health-Care Investment: Suncor-backed funding installed Alberta’s first photon-counting CT scanner at the University of Alberta Hospital, promising faster scans and lower radiation. Payments Expansion: SumUp entered Canada, expanding its simple payment solutions to its 38th market. Venture/Mining Updates: Trident Resources reported high-grade gold intersections at Saskatchewan’s Contact Lake project, and Yorbeau Resources confirmed director election results in Quebec.

Payments & SMB support: SumUp officially launches in Canada, bringing its card reader and Payment Links to help small merchants accept in-person and remote payments with no monthly fixed costs. Employee benefits made easier (BC/Yukon): Pacific Blue Cross rolls out EasyBlue, a digital platform to streamline quoting, onboarding and enrollment for small business health plans. Local trade push: The Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade announces an India Trade Mission (Feb. 8–22, 2027) to help regional businesses diversify and explore opportunities across major Indian cities. International investor outreach: Ghana plans Invest Ghana Business Forums in Canada and the U.S. tied to World Cup visibility, aiming to attract FDI into sectors like energy, agribusiness and tourism. Community business ecosystem: Chinatown West hosts a documentary screening and Cantonese dinner/dumpling demo to spotlight local small businesses and efforts to protect the neighbourhood amid gentrification. Business leadership spotlight: Telus CEO Darren Entwistle is named UVic’s Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year, with the telecom giant also building its new BC office hub.

Small Business Advocacy: CFIB says Ottawa is sidelining small firms as Parliament heads for summer break, with 55% of owners saying they wouldn’t recommend starting a business in Canada and 73% saying they don’t feel supported by the federal government. Payments for SMEs: SumUp officially launches in Canada, offering the SumUp Go card reader and Payment Links with no monthly fixed costs, aiming at the 1.1 million employing businesses in the country. Cross-border Money Moves: CadRemit rolls out a “50 for 50” rewards campaign to boost onboarding and international transfer activity using its CMT Points system. Tech for Local Resilience: Kelowna’s Back Road Intel uses sensors and AI to monitor backroads and evacuation routes, helping emergency officials assess which routes are viable during wildfires. Business Environment Watch: A Fraser Institute study argues Albertans’ net contribution to federal finances prevents other provinces’ taxpayers from paying about $1,000 more a year to keep Ottawa spending steady. Rural/Community Growth: An Ottawa-based art collective will bring 11 Douglas County creators to a World Cup pop-up market at Kansas City’s Union Station.

Small Business Advocacy: New CFIB polling says Ottawa’s spring session left small firms feeling ignored, with 73% saying they don’t feel supported and 55% saying they wouldn’t recommend starting a business right now. Local Tech for SMBs: B.C.’s Kootenays is getting about $100,000 for the KAST TechEdge initiative to help rural businesses adopt digital and AI tools with trusted local support. LegalTech Funding: Vancouver’s Caseway raised $1.5M pre-seed to build AI systems for complex legal documents and workflows. SMB Finance Tools: Smart Clerk says 6,000+ entrepreneurs have adopted its AI bookkeeping platform, expanding bank connectivity for tax-ready reporting in Canada and the U.S. Community & Giving: Sysco Canada and Second Harvest marked 26 years with a $50,000 donation, while BC kids in Trail raised $625.50 for JoeAnna’s House through a lemonade stand fundraiser. Policy Watch: An Ontario-area MP introduced a bill to cut federal GST on used vehicle sales, arguing it’s unfair and hits affordability.