One year after the United States imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, 52 percent of Canadian small businesses no longer consider the U.S. a reliable trading partner, according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “Small businesses have faced massive uncertainty since the trade battle began last year,” said CFIB President Dan Kelly. “Small business owners have been dealing with the whiplash of trying to keep up with sudden changes and threats, including many that don’t happen or are revised within hours. With CUSMA coming up for review in the months ahead, the stakes are even higher.” Three-quarters of small businesses say the tariff fight has strained their relationships with U.S. partners or clients, up sharply from 49 percent in March 2025. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on tariff rates does not change the situation for most Canadian exports, it will bring some much-needed relief to the 27 percent of businesses hurt by tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant goods. Steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by both countries remain a major challenge for many small businesses, with 44 percent affected. Overall, more than two-thirds of Canadian small business owners continue to report being negatively affected by U.S. tariffs. CFIB research also found that few small businesses are accessing the federal Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Fewer than one percent have applied and 77 percent are entirely unaware the program exists. CFIB is calling on Ottawa to provide broad tax relief measures, such as a reduction in the small business tax rate from nine to six percent, to implement a rebate program for tariff-impacted SMEs and ensure government rebates and refunds are not treated as taxable income and stay focused on maintaining the CUSMA agreement to restore stability, reduce trade uncertainty, and protect the cross‑border supply chains small businesses rely on. (Canadian Federation of Independent Business – www.cfib.ca)………..
Salthill Capital reports that it has acquired the Belmont Town Centre, a 74,000 square foot neighbourhood plaza at Victoria Trail and 137th Ave in Northeast Edmonton. The property features a diverse mix of essential services and national brands, including Rexall Pharmacy, ScotiaBank and Tim Hortons. (Salthill Capital – www.salthillcapital.com)…………
Tissot, the high end Swiss watch brand, has opened a 650 square foot store in the Montreal Eaton Centre in downtown Montreal earlier this year. The boutique introduces a contemporary retail layout designed to showcase the brand’s iconic collections. The first standalone store in Canada is part of the company’s strategic expansion plan for North America. (Tissot – www.tissotwatches.com)…………….
Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni First Nation and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty announced the addition of over 38 acres to Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia through the Additions to Reserve process. The land addition, known as the McLaughlin Property, will be used for mixed residential and commercial purposes. The addition to reserve enables Eskasoni First Nation to support growing families with land to build modern housing and growing businesses with space to increase commercial opportunities. Along with the addition to reserve, Indigenous Services Canada is providing $534,750 to Eskasoni First Nation to further advance economic development in Cape Breton. The funds support the expansion of the existing community retail center to include a Dollarama which will provide new access to goods in the region and job opportunities for the community. Expanding land bases and supporting economic development supports a thriving community in Eskasoni First Nation and the greater Cape Breton region. Eskasoni First Nation is a Mi’kmaw community of over 4,500 members located on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake in Eastern Cape Breton Island. (Eskasoni First Nation – www.eskasoni.ca)………
Minto Apartment REIT announced on Friday that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has issued a final order approving the previously announced plan of arrangement pursuant to which an affiliate of Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Limited Partnership will acquire all of the REIT’s issued and outstanding trust units, other than Trust Units held directly or indirectly by Minto Properties Inc. and its affiliates and certain senior officers, in accordance with the arrangement agreement dated January 5, 2026. As previously announced, the REIT’s unitholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Arrangement. The REIT expects the Transaction to be completed in the second half of this year. (Minto Apartment REIT – www.mintoapartmentreit.com)…………
With a recently announced nationwide partnership, fashion retailer Joe Fresh has become the first ‘pure apparel’ retailer on the DoorDash delivery service in Canada. The addition of Joe Fresh marks the next step in DoorDash’s partnership with Loblaw, reflecting a shared focus on expanding customer access across everyday categories. Over 220 Joe Fresh stores are now shoppable on DoorDash across all provinces and one territory, providing a curated selection of apparel across women’s, men’s and children’s categories including rotating seasonal essentials, everyday basics like shirts and socks, activewear, and select graphic apparel (DoorDash – www.doordash.com)………..
Last week, First Capital REIT announced plans to redevelop the middle section of Westmount Centre in Edmonton, transforming the enclosed mall into an outdoor-access retail plaza by 2028, according to reports on CTV News. Originally opened in 1955 as an open-air shopping park, the centre was later enclosed and expanded several times. The 18 to 24 month project will add new retail space, pedestrian connections and landscaping, while maintaining operations for anchors including Safeway, Home Depot, Shoppers Drug Mart and Scotiabank during construction. (First Capital REIT – www.fcr.ca)…………….
Have a great week……..