Every year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) ranks cities across Canada for how well they support and promote entrepreneurship.

"There are multiple factors that determine a city's entrepreneurial potential - from the drive of its residents to external factors such as property tax and investments in infrastructure," said Ted Mallett, CFIB vice-president and chief economist. "This year, some of the top scores go to resource-rich regions of Canada - not only because of the resources they have, but also because being entrepreneurial has always been a deep-seated part of the psyche and culture of these areas."

Big City Business

The cities (those with a population of 150,000 or more) that scored best and were determined to be the friendliest cities/economic regions to start a new business are:

  1. The Calgary periphery (Alberta)
  2. Edmonton's periphery (Alberta)
  3. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  4. Regina, Saskatchewan
  5. Kelowna, British Columbia
  6. City of Edmonton (Alberta)
  7. Toronto's periphery (Ontario)
  8. Guelph, Ontario
  9. City of Calgary (Alberta)
  10. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Mid-sized City Commerce

The top 10 mid-sized cities (with a population under 150,000) that scored best are:

  1. Lloydminster Alberta/Saskatchewan (the provincial border runs through town)
  2. Fort McMurray, Alberta
  3. Camrose, Alberta
  4. Grand Prairie, Alberta
  5. Fort St. John, British Columbia
  6. Brooks, Alberta
  7. Collingwood, Ontario
  8. Thetford Mines, Quebec
  9. Saint-Georges, Quebec
  10. Medicine Hat, Alberta

No matter where you choose to start-up, or operate your business, Canada is full of opportunity. Of course, with every opportunity there is risk; risk that is often out of your control. It is for times like these, where business insurance can help protect everything you are working so hard for. Business insurance can help protect you from a significant loss that could have a devastating impact on your business making it an important part of any business plan.

Want to learn more about business insurance? Read:

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