A new year brings renewed momentum and for Canada’s small businesses, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of real opportunity.
Small businesses remain the backbone of Canada’s economy, accounting for nearly two thirds of private-sector jobs and close to half of national GDP. You drive innovation, fuel local communities, and set the pace for growth across every sector. As the economy evolves, your ability to adapt, compete, and scale has never mattered more.
Digital media will be central to that growth. It is no longer an experimental channel or a secondary tactic. Digital advertising enables small businesses to reach new customers far beyond their immediate geography, build lasting relationships with existing audiences, and manage growth with precision and flexibility. The tools are more accessible, more measurable, and more effective than ever, allowing businesses of every size to compete with confidence.
What makes this moment especially powerful is how dramatically the advertising ecosystem has evolved in your favour. Capabilities once reserved for large enterprises are now within reach of small businesses. Today, you can access local and national TV inventory directly from your desktop, create compelling content with modern creative tools, and connect with customers across the full funnel, from awareness to loyalty. Scale, creativity, and performance now work together, not in opposition.
This momentum is reinforced by Canada’s broader ambition to lead globally in AI and digital infrastructure. Governments are doubling down on digital adoption because small businesses play a critical role in that vision. Your participation, innovation, and willingness to embrace new tools are essential to Canada’s economic competitiveness in the years ahead.
With growth comes responsibility. As small businesses scale, understanding emerging policies around privacy, consumer protection, competition, and AI becomes a strategic advantage. The most successful businesses are not waiting for change to happen to them. They are staying informed and actively engaged.
That is why we built Digital Means Business: to help Canadian small businesses navigate digital growth with clarity, confidence, and practical support.
As 2026 gets underway, the message is simple. The tools are here. The opportunity is real. And your next phase of growth is well within reach.
Sonia Carreno
President, IAB Canada
Sonia Carreno is President of IAB Canada and a passionate advocate for Canadian small businesses. She works at the intersection of industry, policy, and innovation to help businesses navigate digital growth with confidence. Through initiatives like Digital Means Business, Sonia is focused on making digital advertising more understandable, accessible, and effective for entrepreneurs across the country.
