Small Business Week | October 19–25, 2026
Watch this special Small Business Week message from North Vancouver Chamber CEO Jonathan Mosley, highlighting the importance of small businesses and why supporting local matters more than ever.
Small businesses are at the heart of our community, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.
They’re the local coffee shop where you meet your neighbour, the law firm that prepares your will, the hair salon that gets you ready for a big event, or your child’s daycare.
These businesses support local families, drive our economy, and contribute to the vibrancy that makes North Vancouver such a special place to live, work, and play.
This Small Business Week (October 19–25), we recognize the diversity, resilience and invaluable contributions of small businesses, both here in North Vancouver and across the country.
In Canada, 98.2 per cent of all businesses are small businesses, employing 100 people or fewer. In British Columbia, small businesses account for 41 per cent of all jobs and more than half of private sector employment. They also contribute 32 per cent of provincial GDP, above the national average of 29 per cent.
But beyond celebration, small businesses also need support. Building and maintaining a successful business is hard. In fact, it’s getting harder.
We regularly hear about the challenges they are facing through our ongoing engagement with local businesses. Hiring and retaining staff remains difficult, largely due to insufficient affordable housing and transportation options. Rising costs and ongoing trade and economic uncertainty add to these pressures.
That’s why the North Vancouver Chamber advocates on behalf of local businesses and provides practical resources to support their success. We also work with partners like the BC Chamber of Commerce to amplify our collective voice and share resources. Most importantly, we listen.
And there’s something each of us can do to make a difference. Whether it’s stopping by a neighbourhood cafe, choosing a local service provider, or shopping at an independent retailer, every purchase helps support local jobs and keeps more dollars circulating in our community.
When you support a small business, you’re investing in the people, families, and entrepreneurs who strengthen our local economy and enrich our community.
This Small Business Week and beyond, let’s continue to support the local businesses that help shape the character and spirit of North Vancouver.
#ShopTheShore. Support local.
Jonathan Mosley
CEO, North Vancouver Chamber
