Trade-Tariff Pressure on SMEs: A CFIB survey says 18% of small exporters and 11% of importers say they’d stop being financially viable if the Canada-U.S. trade war lasts three more months, with many firms already hit by tariffs and counter-tariffs. Federal Support for Businesses: Ottawa says it’s adding $1.5B via the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (plus a $500M liquidity stream) to help small and medium-sized enterprises manage tariff pressures. Local Business Hit by Counter-Tariffs: In St. Albert, spa owner Shannon Roche says counter-tariffs could mean a 50% hit on key U.S. beauty supplies, squeezing margins for small operators. Rural Economy Plan: Alberta MP Arnold Viersen backs a Conservative “Big Plan for Small Towns” focused on farms, forestry, broadband and rural finance. Housing Density Shift: Squamish’s Hunter Place rezoning moves forward to swap some office space for more rental units, including affordable housing, with a new sunset clause. Franchising Growth: Hand & Stone’s new CEO Carrie Walsh highlights franchisee opportunities as the brand continues expanding. Quebec Sports Rights: Rogers and Quebecor lock in a new 12-year French NHL sublicensing deal, keeping TVA Sports as the French hockey home. Small Business Tech & AI: A report on cloud telephony options and a separate note on AI-driven job cuts underscore how tech choices are reshaping costs and staffing.