The Future of Small Business: Adapting to Change

Just Good Business Digest: October 2026 Edition Celebrate Small Business Month with fresh insights from Douglas Porter, Amber Mac and Gad Elharrar. From the economy and AI to the changing needs of entrepreneurs, this month’s conversations look at what’s shaping small business in Canada. Chapter 1: Economic update with BMO: interest rates, trade, A.I. and what comes next What does today's economic uncertainty mean for Canadian businesses? Al sits down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to discuss interest rates, housing, trade, AI and the broader outlook for Canada's economy. From rising trade tensions and shifting borrowing costs to the growing impact of AI, Porter breaks down the trends shaping the business landscape and shares what Canadian business owners should be watching in the months ahead. Chapter 2: The Future of Small Business: Adapting to Change with Amber Mac How are emerging technologies reshaping the small business landscape? Join Al as he chats with tech expert Amber Mac about the impact of A.I. and automation on entrepreneurship. Discover strategies for leveraging tech in marketing, the importance of adapting to change, and how small businesses can thrive in an ever-changing digital environment. Chapter 3: Is your business paying a “fragmentation tax”? For Small Business Month, Al chats with Gad Elharrar from Moneris about how growing up in a family-run business helped shape his perspective on the challenges entrepreneurs face today. From disconnected tools to competing priorities, Gad explores how human-centred innovation can simplify running a business and give owners more time to focus on growth. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:55 - Chapter 1: Economic update with BMO: interest rates, trade, A.I. and what comes next 00:15:11 - Chapter 2: The Future of Small Business: Adapting to Change with Amber Mac 00:28:59- Chapter 3: Is your business paying a “fragmentation tax”? 00:41:01 - Outro Links of Interest: BMO Economics AmberMac.com The Amber Mac Show Moneris.com Subscribe now! If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at [email protected]. Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.