Industries with Least Riskiest Business Environments in Canada in 2026

• 1. Automobile Wholesaling in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  High prices have become the signature challenge for the industry, as rising costs for materials like plastics spill over, pressuring companies to strategically price their offerings. Meanwhile, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that manufacture and sell cars directly to consumers remain a genuine challenge, prompting the industry to focus on competitive pricing to maintain its market appeal. Notably, the end of the iZEV program, which once provided economic incent...

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• 2. Gold & Silver Ore Mining in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Gold and silver ore mining continues to thrive as production levels remain elevated, driven largely by Canada's significant gold deposits, which account for over 98.0% of revenue garnered from gold product sales. Early in the current period, in 2021 and 2022, industry returns fell from pandemic-era highs; during the pandemic, escalating gold prices attracted investor attention because of gold's unique properties as a countercyclical asset, offering a hedge against inflation and market volatil...

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• 3. Dairy Wholesaling in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Companies in the Dairy Wholesaling industry in Canada wholesale various dairy products, including raw milk, processed milk, butter, cheese, cream, ice cream and yogurt, to downstream customers, such as grocery stores and food service establishments. Over the past five years, the industry has experienced relatively solid growth, as consumers have increased their consumption of various dairy products, resulting in increased demand from downstream customers and a rise in the production of many i...

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• 4. Media Streaming, Social Networks & Other Content Providers in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Canada’s media streaming and content provider industry is in the throes of a sweeping transformation, driven by dramatic shifts in consumer behaviour and technological advancement. In recent years, cord-cutting has reached an all-time high, with traditional TV subscriptions experiencing their steepest single-year drop yet. Over 10 million Canadian households are now exclusively subscribed to at least one streaming platform, a telling sign of how thoroughly digital services have eclipsed the o...

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• 5. Renewable Power in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Renewable power producers have endured declines, largely because of drought conditions impacting hydroelectric generation in provinces like British Columbia and Manitoba. These challenges have led to increased reliance on electricity imports and have raised operational costs, hindering profit. However, Hydro-Québec's resilience, because of more favourable conditions, has allowed it to maintain stability and even expand its market share. Industry revenue has been decreasing at a CAGR of 1.9% o...

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• 6. Auto Mechanics in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Auto mechanics provide mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance for various vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans. The industry is typically stable because, regardless of the state of the economy, cars still require regular maintenance. However, mechanics have faced volatility over the past five years as the Canadian economy has fluctuated in the years following the pandemic. The number of vehicle registrations has consistently increased over the past five years, creating a steady...

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• 7. Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Over the last five years, the industry has reflected responses to evolving inventory strategies and shifting trade conditions. Companies have scaled back on earlier stockpiling practices intended to address supply concerns, moving toward leaner, more demand-driven inventory models. These changes reduced the need for extensive forwarding services, leading to more cost-conscious and flexible scheduling of goods movement. Companies responded by investing in system upgrades and partnering with su...

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• 8. Automobile & Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Canadian automakers have faced severe volatility through the current period, especially given prominent offshoring trends over the past two decades. Higher labor costs, smaller markets and lower economies of scale have encouraged automakers in Canada to prioritize the United States and Mexico, leading to greater import exposure. Most notably, passenger vehicle production volumes have plummeted in Canada, with a majority of automakers instead prioritizing SUVs and light trucks. Regardless, tot...

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• 9. Bars & Nightclubs in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  Facing shifting social trends and a pandemic, bars and nightclubs in Canada have seen a slump in recent years. Canadians are increasingly choosing to consume alcohol at home, with per capita alcohol intake dropping over the last five years. Additionally, bars faced stiff competition from restaurants and alternate entertainment outlets serving alcohol. To the industry's benefit, revenue has recovered from the pandemic low, albeit expected to remain below the pre-pandemic...

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• 10. Semiconductor & Other Electronic Component Manufacturing in Canada

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 4

  The Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing industry in Canada is experiencing a dynamic period influenced by regional trends and global shifts. Over the past several years, geopolitical forces, including tensions between the US and China, have significantly reshaped trade routes. The pressure to prioritize domestic manufacturing has aligned well with Canada's resources, however, allowing local manufacturers to maintain profitability despite cheaper l...

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