Many of Canada’s small businesses are witnessing an increase in crime as the cost of living climbs.

Only two per cent of small business owners say crime has declined in their community in the past year, compared to the 50 per cent who say it has increased,

according to a new survey

by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Shoplifting was already on the rise, with thefts under $5,000 up 14 per cent year over year in 2024 and 66 per cent since 2014, according to a

Statistics Canada report

in July 2025. Overall, police reported 182,361 incidents of shoplifting under $5,000 in 2024.

“Owners should not be spending more time and money managing theft, vandalism and safety risks than running their business,” Kayode Southwood, CFIB senior policy analyst, said in a release.

“Some business owners have told us they’ve spent thousands of dollars on installing security cameras or replacing smashed windows. Some have even said they’d rather take the pandemic over the crime they’re dealing with now.”

Safety has also become a major concern for retailers, with more than 90 per cent saying shoplifters are exhibiting more violence compared to 2022, while violent incidents were up 61 per cent, according to a Retail Council of Canada

report

in September 2025.

The trade association said the average shoplifting incident results in a loss of $363 last year, with total losses amounting to $1.04 billion.

“We have seen retailers closing retail locations across various markets in Canada where it is no longer sustainable to operate,” it said in the report.

The CFIB is calling on all levels of government to adjust the Criminal Code to deal with repeat offenders, improve law enforcement response times and institute security rebates to help small businesses prevent crimes.

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“Everybody deserves to feel safe in the community where they’re trying to earn an honest living,” Southwood said. “Too many owners tell us they lie awake at night watching their security cameras, hoping no one breaks in again.”

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