As we enter 2026, I’d like to acknowledge the vital role that small and medium-sized businesses play in shaping Canada’s society and economy. There are 1.1M businesses in Canada and 98% of them are a small business serving as the heartbeat of their communities and acting as places where purpose, creativity, and connection thrive side by side.
The past year has been one of challenge and possibility. In our annual Work Relationship Index, only 15% of Canadian knowledge workers report having a healthy relationship with work — a sharp decline compared to last year. Yet, what the data reinforces is something entrepreneurs have always understood. While external disruption will come and go, 85% of the factors that shape our work experience are within control. For small business owners, that means leadership, clarity, culture and technology remain powerful levers in shaping the year ahead.
Resilience will continue to be a defining theme in 2026. We know Canadians have experienced rising expectations and constant change, with 58% saying demands have increased. These pressures mirror what entrepreneurs face, often balancing multiple roles with limited resources. Amid these challenges, there is a clear path forward. Fulfillment, people-centric leadership, and the right tools significantly improve how people feel about their work. When teams feel supported and equipped, productivity and growth naturally follow.
We’re also seeing the next generation reshape the future of work. By the end of 2030, Gen Z will make up a third of the workforce. As many are entrepreneurs, leading side ventures and writing their own roles, they bring a desire for autonomy, purpose, and continuous learning. Their mindset offers inspiration to all navigating uncertainty.
As you plan for the year ahead, I encourage you to embrace change with confidence. Invest in your people and empower them with modern technology (especially AI-enabled tools), staying rooted in the purpose that brought you into business in the first place. When we put people at the centre of our business, resilience becomes a shared capability and growth becomes a shared outcome.
I wish every Canadian entrepreneur a successful, fulfilling and future-ready year!
Michelle Biase
President and Managing Director, HP Canada
Michelle Biase serves as the President and Managing Director of HP Canada, where she spearheads the national go-to-market strategy and execution to accelerate business transformation and foster operational growth. Michelle is responsible for overseeing both direct and indirect sales engagements across HP’s diverse portfolio, which includes personal systems, print and workforce products and solutions for commercial, consumer and public sector segments.
