A new poll on small business shows most Canadians have thought about starting their own business and believe being their own boss is less risky than working for someone else.
At 75 per cent, Alberta has the highest percentage of people in the country who have considered owning a business, according to the RBC survey. The national average is 60 per cent.
The survey has been released as Alberta has experienced its highest unemployment levels in decades. In July, the province’s unemployment rate rose to 8.6 per cent which is the highest it’s been in 22 years.
READ MORE: Alberta unemployment rate now higher than Nova Scotia’s
The poll also shows 79 per cent of Canadians believe working for themselves is less risky than working for someone else because they can control their own financial future.
“Many Canadians see business ownership as providing freedom and control over their career and financial future, but each one has their own motivations,” RBC Small Business vice-president Jason Storsley said.
“While a business may be similar in terms of industry, no two business owners are the same – so the services and advice they need to either launch or grow a business must cater to who they are as both people and owners.”
READ MORE: The biggest losers of the 2016 federal budget: small business, wealthy Canadians
According to RBC, the most common reasons Canadians would like to start a business is to have control over their career and wanting to be their own boss.
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The RBC survey found the three main factors to starting a business are opportunity, financing and passion.
The RBC Small Business Poll was done by Ipsos between August 11 and 16, when 1,200 surveys were completed.
READ MORE: Laid-off Alberta workers encouraged to pursue their own businesses
It was released two days before Alberta’s minimum wage rises by $1 to $12.20 an hour, gradually increasing to $15 an hour by 2018.
The positive for Alberta’s small business owners is the small-business tax will be cut to two per cent from three per cent Jan. 1, 2017.
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