Canada-China Business Survey 2025/2026: Summary Report
Executive Summary
Since CCBC’s last survey in 2023, the global business environment has become increasingly complex as rising protectionism, supply chain diversification, and geopolitical uncertainty have required greater pragmatism from business and political leaders alike.
As a new Canadian government has taken office, our latest survey, conducted in late 2025 to early 2026 captures how Canadian and Chinese companies active in the bilateral business environment are adapting to changing policy and market realities.
CCBC’s regular survey of the Canada-China economic landscape collects views from the ground up to build a full picture of the road ahead for trade and investment, commercial challenges, and market performances.
Big Takeaways
- Resilience defies the gloom. Despite geopolitical headwinds, profitability is up on both sides of the Pacific for Canadian and Chinese firms that have navigated relations and positioned themselves to expand their market ambitions.
- Geopolitics evolves, obstacles remain. While global tensions still shape business, specific frictions have shifted. For Canadian companies, spillovers from U.S.-China relations have superseded Canada-China ties as a driving influence, while public opinion has eased as a challenge for Chinese firms.
- Pragmatic re-engagement underway. As Prime Minister Carney has taken steps to recalibrate and improve economic relations with China, and as Canada advances its diversification strategy, Canadian companies have likewise elevated China as a priority market and adopted a more positive outlook on their business prospects there.
The full and extended version of the report is available exclusively to CCBC members. Please contact your regional CCBC Chapter Director to request access:
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- Atlantic Provinces & Quebec: Claire Zhang
- Ontario & Manitoba: Jeff Zhang
- Prairies & British Columbia: Lotta Ygartua
- Beijing: David Perez-Des Rosiers
- Shanghai: Edward Dai
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For media inquiries, please contact Jacky Yu.
The full and extended version of the report is available exclusively to CCBC members. Please contact your regional CCBC Chapter Director to request access:
-
-
- Atlantic Provinces & Quebec: Claire Zhang
- Ontario & Manitoba: Jeff Zhang
- Prairies & British Columbia: Lotta Ygartua
- Beijing: David Perez-Des Rosiers
- Shanghai: Edward Dai
-
For media inquiries, please contact Jacky Yu.
CCBC thanks its survey sponsors:
Acknowledgment:
The 2025-2026 Canada China Business Survey is a collaborative project conducted by the Rotman Institute for International Business at the University of Toronto for the Canada China Business Council.
Authors:
Dr. Walid Hejazi: Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Daniela Stratulativ: Senior Advisor – International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment
Bijan Ahmadi: Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, Canada China Business Council