Female entrepeneurs
Entrepreneurial ambition in Canada is rising to levels not seen since before the pandemic. According to the 2025 RBC Small Business Poll, 59% of Canadians say they aspire to own a business — the highest share since 2017.
The findings suggest Canadians are not only dreaming of entrepreneurship but see it as a realistic path forward. Eight in 10 respondents (81%) said small business ownership is a viable way to earn a living. The results also show resilience among current entrepreneurs, with six in 10 saying they have pivoted their strategies in the past year to keep up with shifting economic conditions.
But while the RBC poll highlights a growth in entrepreneurial aspirations, official labour force data shows only a fraction are currently self-employed.
According to Statistics Canada, as of March 2025, about 2.7 million Canadians were self-employed, representing 13.1% of all employed workers. This is slightly below the pre-pandemic average of 14.9%.
And among those who are self-employed, roughly 1.9 million are “own-account” workers — entrepreneurs running businesses without employees — which equals about 9.4% of the workforce.
“Small business owners have faced many hurdles in recent years – from the pandemic to supply chain disruptions and now shifting tariffs,” Karen Svendsen, RBC Senior Director Small Business and Partnerships, said in a statement. “They continue to pivot, adapt, and find new ways to serve Canadians in meaningful ways.”
Despite those various challenges, the appetite for small business remains high across the country. The RBC poll found:
Ontario: 68% of residents aspire to own a business, the highest in Canada
Atlantic Canada: 62% report entrepreneurial ambition
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba: 60% in each province are driven to chart their own professional path forward
Quebec: 45%, the lowest level among provinces
This geographic split highlights regional differences in both optimism and perceived opportunity. Ontario’s strong showing aligns with broader trends in business formation, while Quebec’s lower numbers reflect a more cautious outlook.
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Among current business owners, adaptability has become a defining trait. According to the survey, 61% adjusted their business strategy in the past year, and 51% made significant changes to their business model. Nearly half (46%) said today’s economy demands greater proactivity, while 43% see risk-taking as essential to long-term success.
Yet despite ongoing concerns — 56% of small business owners cited inflation and tariffs as top challenges — optimism remains high. Three-quarters (75%) of owners said they are adapting well to volatility, and 76% described themselves as resilient. Many are planning investments in areas such as digital upgrades, brand-building and market expansion.
“For small business owners, resilience is not just about weathering the storm – it’s about using challenges as a springboard for reinvention and long-term growth,” Svendsen said in the release.
The poll results reflect a renewed confidence in entrepreneurship despite economic uncertainty. For aspiring business owners, the data suggests there is growing recognition of small business as a sustainable career path. For policymakers and lenders, it underscores the importance of supporting entrepreneurs with access to financing, mentorship and practical business tools.
RBC highlighted several initiatives available to Canadian entrepreneurs, including its collaboration with Futurpreneur Canada, Ownr for online business registration, as well as Moneris for payment solutions.
The release also cites resources such as The Founder’s Journey Online Course, offered in partnership with RBC, which is a free step-by-step digital course for aspiring entrepreneurs.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.