Better Way Alliance

Wealth inequality is one of the greatest threats to a stable society.

Without a solid balance, local businesses & our workers suffer.

Great video by Bravos Research detailing what has happened historically under similar conditions to what Canada and the US are going through now.

Ontario's minimum wage went up on Oct 1.
Good for workers, good for small businesses.

What's actually killing biz?
Toronto retail rent jumped 142% in 5 years.
That's an extinction level increase.

Here's how we save good jobs and businesses: betterwayalliance.ca/the-fixed-co...

Infographic with dark background and teal border. Large yellow text asks 'What's really squeezing small businesses?' with 'squeezing' in red text. Below is an illustration of a hand gripping green dollar bills. White text states 'Our 5-year Toronto analysis shows that fixed costs - rent, insurance & utilities - are increasing far faster than minimum wages.' Bottom shows Better Way Alliance logo with tagline 'Where Good Business Grows' and yellow arrow.

Infographic showing 'Retail rent up 142% since 2019' in large yellow and red text. Contains two data visualizations: a year-over-year comparison chart showing decline from $19.54 in Q4/19 to $17.39 in Q1/20, and a commercial retail square footage chart comparing Q3/23 ($28.01) to Q3/24 ($47.21), showing 68.5% increase. Bottom text reads 'For a 1,000 sq. ft. space, that's +$27,670 extra/yr after 5 years.' Data credited to Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. Better Way Alliance branding at bottom.

I spent last month analyzing Toronto business costs to figure out what's actually squeezing small businesses.

Turns out commercial rent jumped 142% over 5 years while wages went up 23%. For a typical 3 employee micro-business, rent increases cost $1,540 MORE per year than wage increases.

👇👇👇

A constant hiring cycle b/c you can't retain staff is expensive & exhausting.

BWA Director Lili Locke breaks down our approach to ethical employment on TIAO's Forward Motion podcast: more than minimum wages, paid sick days, stable scheduling.

👂👂 to the full ep: www.tiaontario.ca/cpages/forwa...

Canada's Ethical Employer Network | Better Way Alliance Canada's Better Way Alliance supports business owners who care about community, good jobs, and sustainable growth. We are where good business grows.

We KNOW business can be done better.

Good jobs create resilient businesses - which in turn build thriving neighbourhoods.

We're empowering Canadian business owners who care about community. Join a network rooted in values, good ideas, and shared success.

betterwayalliance.ca

From nursing student to up and coming Calgary entrepreneur Despite studying to be a nurse, Bill Zheng wanted to help people on a larger scale, so he co-created RadiCare and the Pop-up Care Village, two organizations dedicated to helping at-risk individuals…

Bill Zheng isn’t a typical entrepreneur.
While studying nursing, he co-founded RadiCare. Creating jobs for folks facing barriers. Now it powers free Pop-Up Care in Calgary.

Business at its best.
https://calgaryjournal.ca/2025/04/15/from-nursing-student-to-up-and-coming-calgary-entrepreneur/

A $100M fund is helping Indigenous communities buy local businesses across Canada.

Corner stores, auto shops, restaurants and more that already employ people.

This is economic development that really works. Skip the unicorn startups & focus on proven businesses with real cash flow.

Apps like Doordash and Ubereats are like casinos for businesses.

Exciting at first - but over time they manage to eat more of your $$$ and eventually become purely extractive.

Great to see @keldonb.bsky.social in this @cbcnews.ca article.

www.cbc.ca/news/busines...

Retailers are facing a fixed-cost crisis across Canada.

Skyrocketing rent, spiking insurance and uncontrolled utilities are hindering the ability to create good jobs and even keep the doors open.

We're hopeful that @toronto.ca and @jasonthorne.bsky.social can push for right-sized retail.

Yeah, it's the rent.

Businesses are getting bounced from main street because of giant rent increases.

So next time you go to your favourite sandwich joint and wonder "why did this delicious panini go up in price?"

Yeah, it's the rent.

Yeah, it's the rent.

Businesses are getting bounced from main street because of giant rent increases.

So next time you go to your favourite sandwich joint and wonder "why did this delicious panini go up in price?"

Yeah, it's the rent.

Screenshot of a CBC News article with the headline: “MEC back under Canadian ownership after 5 years of U.S. management.” The subheading mentions the previous sale to a U.S. equity firm being seen as a betrayal. Below, there’s a photo of an MEC storefront with green signage on a beige building.

MEC is back in Canadian hands.

It's not quite a co-op but the new ownership group has a "vision of reshoring some manufacturing to Canada."

Personally praying for the return of a co-op model down the road.

@cbcnews.ca | www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

A new Canadian study links precarious jobs to early death.

This isn’t just unfortunate - it’s the result of policy that allows low wages & unstable work.

BWA members are proving better jobs are possible & good for biz.

🔗 | betterwayalliance.ca/
In SafetyMag | www.thesafetymag.com/ca/topics/ps...

My business does better when my team isn’t burned out, broke, or sick.

It’s good business to:

- Pay people properly
- Give them PAID time to recover
- Provide predictable schedules

Do this & watch turnover drop while performance rises.
We’ve been doing it for years & it works!

Missouri court upholds voter approval of minimum wage and paid sick leave initiative The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld a voter-approved ballot measure gradually raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour and requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.

Biz costs like rent & insurance are in chaos right now - people are the only stable foundation left.

When workers have $$ to eat & recover from being sick - that business gets quality work & retention. Worker protections are economic infrastructure.

Read in @apnews.com | apnews.com/article/mini...

Missouri just voted in a $15/hr minimum wage and paid sick days.

Not just a win for workers — this is a win for smart business. Our Director @aaronbinder.com runs two businesses that already offer both.

What's the outcome? Lower turnover. Better customer experiences. Stronger teams.

1/2

Congrats to PM @mark-carney.bsky.social + all elected MPs. Our 3 priorities at the @betterwayalliance.bsky.social:

✅ Fix small biz financing so entrepreneurs can start, grow & buy businesses
✅ Create paths to commercial property ownership
✅ Get runaway "fixed" costs (rent & insurance) under control

Helllooooooooooo
👇👇👇👇👇👇

A social media post with a headline reading, “How an Ottawa Hospital Is Solving Space Challenges with Smarter Workplaces.” Below, a news article snippet says, “CHEO considers new ways to free beds, reduce hospital wait times,” mentioning Dr. Vera Etches. A smiling woman, arms crossed, stands in an office with a plant and an Ottawa Senators hockey jersey behind her.

An Ottawa (CHEO) hospital is using hybrid work to free up beds and support staff.

Good management finds new ways to stretch resources while building stronger long-term systems. In this case, flexibility is infrastructure, too.

Read in the @ottawacitizen.com | ottawacitizen.com/news/cheo-ve...

I spend maybe an hour a week on Instagram.

And lately half my feed is local Canadian businesses shutting their doors. Cafés. Bakeries. Small manufacturers.

Not because they weren’t making money - they’re just burnt out after 5 years of chaos and the last 6 months of being kicked again.

1/3

Minimum wage increases aren't causing Canadian businesses to close.

It's the giant rent hikes, skyrocketing insurance, and uncertainty caused by Trump tariffs.

We've got a plan that benefits workers, businesses & communities: betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...

A Way Forward: Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Council for Indigenous Business Unveil Report Series on Economic Reconciliation

Indigenous leadership is essential to Canada’s economic future.

New report from OCC & CCIB shows how:

• Indigenous youth = up to 15% of the future labour force
• Skills-based hiring makes business stronger
• Flexible work is key to retention in remote communities

📘 Read it here: bit.ly/4jtILmQ

Screenshot of a Zoom meeting with 18 participants from various organizations, including MPPs, BIAs, and business leaders. Faces appear in video tiles, with names and affiliations like “Bloor-Yorkville BIA,” “Preservation House,” “The Cabbagetown BIA,” and “Better Way Alliance.” Smiling and engaged expressions suggest an active discussion.

We always have fruitful discussions with @kristynwongtam.bsky.social & @chrisgloverndp.bsky.social on the challenges and opportunities facing Toronto & Ontario businesses.

Read our ideas to build better through good jobs, biz owner support & systemic change: betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...

The image shows a quote about US-Canada trade relations attributed to Eva Kuhle, CEO of Epaulet. The quote suggests that rising costs in the US and Canada have negatively impacted Kuhle's business in Canada, to the point that Canadians who "very reasonably hate the US" may boycott her remaining operations.

The image shows a photo of a woman standing in front of a blue wall and orange structure. She is wearing a gray top and blue blazer. Above the photo is a quote, presumably from the woman, stating "I'm the CEO of a clothing brand that makes 100% of our apparel in America. Trump's tariffs are too chaotic to help me." The quote is labeled as coming from "Business Insider

Trump's tariffs aren't actually helping US manufacturers.

But they are crushing border-city tourism businesses & stifling good businesses in Mexico, US & Canada.

One more reason for Canada to diversify + bolster our global trade.

@businessinsider.com | www.businessinsider.com/made-in-usa-...

This video is auto-posting on Friday April 12. We don't know if tariffs are on/off today.

But we know Canada's businesses are struggling. Rent & insurance = skyrocketing. We need fundamental changes, not tax cuts.

Our #AdvantageCanada series has solutions | betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...

Culture is THE 2025 growth strategy for Canadian business.

As some U.S. companies gut DEI & slash investment in people, it's Canada's time to invest in workforce & unlock productivity + stability.

Read in the @betterwayalliance.bsky.social blog | betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...

Advantage Canada: Local Business, Strong Workforce, Thriving Local Economy - Better Way Alliance

“If you wouldn’t start your business today under current conditions, that’s a failure of policy.”

Let’s talk about what we need from gov’t right now:

– Fair rent rules
– SME-targeted financing
– Succession planning help

Read more in our #AdvantageCanada series
betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...

A smiling man with glasses talks on the phone while holding papers. The bold text says, “What’s Really Hurting Canadian Businesses and How We Fix It.” The background is maroon with falling autumn leaves, and a BWA logo is in the corner.

Why are so many Canadian small businesses stuck or shutting down?

It’s not a mystery:

👉 Commercial rent hikes (100-300%)
👉 No access to capital
👉 Rising costs + stagnant supports

We unpack it all in our new video.
🎥 Full convo here: youtu.be/eBWCFhmcKWU

The image shows a stage at the "Democracy Xchange" event, presented by The Dais. On the large screen behind the stage, a panel discussion titled "Plenary: New Ideas for a Democratic Economy" is being introduced, featuring speakers Matthew Mendelsohn from Social Capital Partners, Dan Draper from Build Canada, Clare Trottier of Exotraic Millionaires Canada, and The Logic's Murad Hemmadi. Four people are seated on black chairs on the stage, engaging in a panel discussion. The stage is lit with purple and pink accent lighting. In the foreground, a sign reads "DEMOCRACY XCHANGE" along with logos of the event sponsors. The juxtaposition of the panel screen introducing new ideas for democracy with the "Democracy Xchange" branding suggests this is a conference focused on discussing and sharing innovative approaches to strengthening democratic systems and economies. The range of speakers from business, non-profit and media backgrounds implies a multidisciplinary approach to the topic.

@dxcsummit.bsky.social 2025 was stellar. So glad to hear a vision for community wealth building from @mendelmatt.bsky.social and Claire Trottier.

A strong Canadian economy starts with fair business rent, investment in local biz, and - yes - taxing the wealthy.

@scpartners.bsky.social for more!

Canada is going through a tough time.
But what do we have going for us?

Find out at Advantage Canada.

@lilianac.bsky.social & I wrote short essays on how Canadian governments can rise to the moment by supporting small biz.

Read @betterwayalliance.bsky.social | betterwayalliance.ca/advantage-ca...