CFIB / Sage / Payworks 2025: only 10% of Canadian SMBs have digital tools fully integrated; $1.60 ROI per dollar invested

Claim: CFIB / Sage / Payworks 2025 survey of 1,683 Canadian SMB owners (Apr-Jun 2025):

"Only 10% have fully integrated [digital tools] across operations." "Digital tools boost productivity by 29% on average, generating $1.60 for every dollar invested."

Source: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/research-economic-analysis/digital-transformation-how-small-businesses-in-canada-are-leveraging-ai-and-technology-for-growth-and-productivity (September 29, 2025)

Confidence: Verified.

Companion data:

• BDC: "Only one in five Canadian businesses has achieved a high level of digital maturity." "More than half show low levels of maturity." (https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/blog/digital-sme)
• BDC 2022 (still cited): "Only one in 20 businesses use digital technologies effectively." "60% have a website and 34% analyze customer data."
• BDC LIFT (April 2026): "Only 30% of Canadian SMEs used AI in 2025 — yet those businesses were 24% more productive."
• QuickBooks Canada: ~60% market share of Canadian small-business accounting software
• ServiceTitan US industry survey (April 2025): "Almost half (49%) [of commercial specialty contractors] continue to use spreadsheets" (vendor survey, US-focused, directionally relevant)

The defining Canadian SMB number: 10% fully integrated. The other 90% is where the structural opportunity lives — for Candid clients AND for Candid as the agency that helps them get there.