This Week’s Top Challenges Facing Canadian SMBs: Delivery, Trade, and Cyber Threats

By Robert Marshall

September 2, 2025

Canadian small businesses continue to show resilience even as they face a growing list of challenges. Rising delivery costs, shifting trade rules, and mounting cybersecurity risks all add pressure to already thin margins. Yet this is also a time of opportunity. The businesses that adapt quickly and find new ways to connect with partners are often the ones that come out stronger.

Here is a closer look at the most pressing issues in the news this week and what they mean for small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.

Delivery Disruptions Drive Up Costs

The ongoing Canada Post strikes have forced many businesses to rethink how they get products to customers. Private carriers such as UPS and FedEx have gained market share, but their services often cost more. For an SMB that relies heavily on online orders, those extra dollars per package add up quickly.

Some owners are experimenting with creative solutions. A few retailers in Toronto and Vancouver have begun pooling resources for shared courier services, while others are exploring regional fulfillment hubs to reduce distance-based costs. The lesson is clear: shipping can no longer be treated as a fixed background cost. It is now a strategic decision that directly impacts profitability.

Trade Tensions Fuel Local Momentum

Tariff uncertainty with the United States continues to weigh on Canadian exporters. For smaller firms that lack the financial cushion of larger corporations, even a modest tariff increase can push a deal from profitable to unsustainable.

At the same time, this disruption has spurred a renewed focus on local and domestic trade. “Buy Canadian” campaigns are gaining traction with both consumers and business buyers. Some SMBs that once looked south first are now finding strong demand within their own provinces or across Canada. Others are exploring export opportunities in Europe and Asia to reduce dependence on a single partner.

The message for Canadian SMBs is that while global markets remain important, cultivating strong local relationships is now more valuable than ever.

Cyber Threats Climbing

Cybersecurity has shifted from being a back-office IT concern to a frontline business risk. Reports show that Canadian SMBs are targeted by more cyberattacks than the global average. These attacks range from phishing emails that trick employees into sharing sensitive information to ransomware that locks down entire systems.

Many business owners are already devoting significant time to cybersecurity, some over 10 hours per week, yet still feel underprepared. For companies that lack a dedicated IT team, the gap can be even wider. The cost of a successful attack is not only financial but also reputational. Customers increasingly expect businesses of every size to safeguard their data.

Investing in prevention, training staff, and working with trusted local providers can drastically reduce the risk.

What These Trends Mean for Small Businesses

ChallengeImpact on SMBsDelivery disruptionsHigher fulfilment costs, uncertain timelines, and customer frustrationTrade volatilitySupply chain instability, increased costs, and export pressureCybersecurity threatsRisk of financial loss, damaged trust, and business downtime

Each of these challenges connects back to one theme: small businesses must be more agile and resourceful than ever.

Opportunities to Adapt and Grow

• Collaborative delivery strategies. Shared shipping arrangements, regional carriers, and technology that compares rates in real time can all help offset rising costs.
• Diversified sales channels. Businesses that strengthen local networks and expand into non-traditional markets will be better insulated against tariff shocks.
• Cyber readiness as a business priority. SMBs that make security part of daily operations training staff, keeping backups, and hiring reliable vendors are less likely to face a costly incident.

How Smarter Sourcing Makes a Difference

When business owners are stretched thin by rising costs and growing risks, efficiency becomes critical. One way to gain efficiency is through streamlined procurement.

With a request-for-quote system like the one built into CanDoBusiness, an SMB can post what they need once and receive multiple offers from verified Canadian suppliers. That means less time chasing quotes and more time comparing options that are already tailored to your requirements.

This approach helps businesses:

• Compare delivery and logistics providers quickly
• Find Canadian alternatives if trade routes are disrupted
• Source local IT or cybersecurity services without the cold-calling hassle

Rather than being a sales tool, the RFQ process is simply a practical way to cut wasted effort and find competitive partners when you need them most.

Looking Ahead

The news this week highlights a common thread. Small businesses in Canada are not only managing higher costs and risks but are also finding new ways to adapt. Delivery models are evolving, trade patterns are shifting, and cybersecurity is moving up the priority list.

The businesses that will thrive are the ones that stay informed, act quickly, and make strong local connections. Building resilience is not just about surviving disruption. It is about using change as a catalyst to improve operations, strengthen networks, and open new opportunities.

For Canadian SMBs, the message is clear: stay alert, stay local, and stay connected.