Notice of release
Québec, April 29, 2021. – The Institut de la statistique du Québec released today an analysis on monthly estimates of business openings and closures. These results include the number of businesses closed due to COVID-19 shutdowns and the number of business re-openings as a result of the relaxation of physical distancing measures.
Highlights
- In December 2020, there were 8,085 business openings in Québec, versus 6,789 closures.
- The number of business openings in Québec was down from July 2020
(-38.7%; -5,106), but it exceeded the number of closures for the sixth consecutive month. - Montréal had the sharpest drop in openings (-47.4%), while Sherbrooke (+33.9%) and Saguenay (+33.3%) had the largest increases in closures.
- Across all CMAs, there was a decline in the number of active businesses in December 2020 in comparison with December 2019 and February 2020, except in the Sherbrooke CMA.
The data used come from an experimental series of monthly data on business openings and closures disseminated by Statistics Canada and cover the period from January 2015 to December 2020.
The results are broken down by industry and by census metropolitan area. Estimates for the tourism industry and its components, which were more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, are also provided for Québec as a whole.
View the publication (in French only)
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.