Chamber Releases Inaugural CBRM Business-Friendly Report Card

CBRM, NS – The Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce has released its 2025 CBRM Business-Friendly Report Card, providing insight into how local businesses view the current business environment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and identifying key priorities for advocacy and action.

The report is based on feedback from Chamber members representing a range of industries, business sizes, and communities across CBRM. Participants were asked to evaluate four areas that directly impact business success: reducing barriers and costs, transportation and infrastructure, crime and safety, and communication and engagement.

Overall, respondents rated CBRM’s business friendliness at 2.7 out of 5, reflecting moderate satisfaction while highlighting opportunities for improvement.

Several themes emerged consistently throughout the survey. Businesses identified commercial property taxation, permitting and approvals, infrastructure, safety, and communication with municipal leadership as key areas requiring attention. More than two-thirds of respondents indicated that high commercial tax rates had influenced a decision to delay or cancel an expansion or investment, while 80 per cent said a gradual reduction in commercial tax rates would support business growth or reinvestment.

“The Business-Friendly Report Card provides valuable insight into how local businesses view the current business environment in CBRM,” said Megan Penney, CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The findings help us identify common priorities, strengthen our advocacy efforts, and bring forward the perspectives of the business community.”

The Chamber launched the survey in June 2025 to better understand the experiences of businesses operating in CBRM and identify opportunities to strengthen the region’s competitiveness. Findings from the survey informed a formal pre-budget submission to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality earlier this year and will continue to guide the Chamber’s advocacy priorities moving forward.

“The feedback we received was consistent across a number of areas,” said Penney. “Businesses are looking for greater transparency in municipal processes, competitive taxation, continued investment in infrastructure, safer commercial areas, and stronger communication. These are all issues that have a direct impact on business confidence, investment, and growth.”

This report card represents the first year of what the Chamber intends to become an annual benchmarking initiative. By collecting feedback on a regular basis, the Chamber hopes to track business sentiment over time, identify emerging priorities, and measure progress on issues that matter to local businesses.

The findings will also be discussed during the Chamber’s State of the Municipality Breakfast on June 25, featuring Mayor Cecil Clarke. The event will include a State of the Municipality address, a moderated discussion and Q&A, and the launch of the 2026 CBRM Business-Friendly Report Card Survey.

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