9 out of 10 Canadian businesses are worried about the unpredictable weather this summer

Are you a business owner worried about the unpredictable weather in Canada? When so much is already on your plate - from supply chains, staffing and shifting tariffs, there's always something to manage. The last thing you want to deal with is weather-related disruptions.  

Yet the overwhelming majority of Canadian small business owners, around 93 per cent, have ranked unpredictable extreme weather at the top of their concerns, according to a new survey from KPMG.   

"Our new survey shows a significant trend in concern from CEOs in the two years since we started surveying the impacts of climate change on Canadian businesses. In 2023, they viewed extreme weather as a possible factor in their operational and risk plans. But today, it's absolutely a must-plan-for reality," says Roopa Davé, KPMG in Canada's National Climate Risk Leader.  

The globe might be warm, but Canada is warmer 

Global warming affects the world, but Canada is warming at twice the global average, leading to more frequent wildfires, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events. 

"As wildfires rip through parts of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, and after what we witnessed in L.A., it no longer matters where you live – whether it's in Canada's remote boreal forest or in the middle of a major city – the growing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events make everyone vulnerable," Davé stated in a recent press release.  

But for small businesses, the risk is even greater. 

The risks for small businesses 

Extreme weather events have impacted more than one-third (31 per cent) of Canada's small businesses, says a 2024 KPMG survey.  

The effects of extreme weather included sales losses, higher operating and insurance costs, and disruptions to the supply chain and water.  

For many small companies, protection against Canada’s increasingly extreme weather events can be difficult without preventive strategies. 

Proactive measures in an era where climate change is a persistent and increasingly costly reality should be a standard integration into business plans and mitigation strategies, says Doron Telem, partner and National ESG Leader for KPMG in Toronto.  

Here are some ways to protect your business against the onslaught of extreme weather.  

Keep up with your infrastructure 

The best way to protect your business from extreme weather is to ensure your building or store's infrastructure is already in top shape. This includes doing minor repairs and regular inspections of the building or roof. You should also check out any fire risks from electrical wiring to the landscape. 

For enterprises dealing with fleet management, it’s important to ensure gas tanks are full and have emergency kits onboard.  

Backups are essential 

Since technology is so integrated in business, it’s important to remember that it can fail, especially during extreme weather events.  

A backup generator is important when storms hit and the electricity goes out. This can make you a reliable business that people will remember as the heroes who stayed open during a power outage. Also, ensure your staff have extra battery chargers for their devices and that your critical information has a backup on the cloud. 

Be climate-ready  

Keep up with the weather daily this summer, and watch for signs of extreme weather. There are several websites dedicated to weather alerts, such as the Government of Canada’s weather alerts and the Weather Network's active alerts.  

It’s also wise to regularly review your commercial and property insurance policies, making sure sections discussing extreme weather conditions have the latest updates to deductibles and allowable claims. CAA Business Memberships include access to competitive commercial insurance.  

Having a plan in place and reviewing it regularly is the first step to protecting your business. You can read more about what to do in a natural disaster. 

Do business better 

Whether facing extreme weather or day-to-day roadblocks, CAA Business Membership offers access to commercial roadside assistance, commercial insurance, on-site Pit Crew services for fleet maintenance, group benefits and employee Memberships. 

Ask us how you can put CAA to work for you and your business.