Business openings were stable in September 2021 (-0.1%; -59) after several months of increases in the number of openings. The change in business closures was also relatively small compared with previous months, decreasing by 0.6% (-252) in September following an increase of 21.2% (+7,370) in August. As a result, the number of active businesses was relatively unchanged since August but remained above February 2020 levels for the fifth consecutive month.
The number of business reopenings rose by 2.5% (+668) in September, but the number of entrants declined by 4.2% (-727). This decline coincides with rising new cases of COVID-19 and the introduction of proof-of-vaccination policies in several regions of Canada including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. The decrease in entrants was driven by Ontario (-5.6%, -385) and British Columbia (-6.0%; -185).
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