Business Outlook Survey—Third Quarter of 2026

Results from the Business Outlook Survey and the Business Leaders’ Pulse indicate that firms’ sentiment improved in the third quarter. Most survey responses were collected before Canada-US trade talks broke down and new counter-tariffs were announced. Firms reported better outlooks for domestic and export sales, and investment intentions remained robust. Expectations for input and selling price growth and for inflation eased but remained elevated. Responses collected after trade talks broke down suggest that renewed trade tensions are dampening firms’ sentiment and export and investment outlooks. The new tariffs and counter-tariffs are putting upward pressure on costs, prices and inflation expectations.