According to a recent survey conducted by the Smith School of Business, Canadians expect businesses to contribute to solving the most pressing global issues, from climate change to racial injustice.  The report highlights the increasingly complex balance leaders now face between creating social impact and staying afloat.

Other key findings from the survey of 1,120 Canadians include: 

  • 84 per cent of Canadians feel that businesses should do more than they do now to solve problems and help meet the needs of people.
  • 43 per cent of Canadians would reduce spending with a company if the company was inactive, neutral or silent on a social issue of importance to them.
  • 80 per cent of Canadians believe that when the CEO or leader of a business speaks out on an issue it is reflective of the views of the entire company.
  • 90 per cent of Canadians say it is more important to them that a business’s support for a cause or issue be authentic than the amount of money or other support the business provides.
  • When shown each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, depending on the goal, 42 per cent to 80 per cent of Canadians feel that businesses should be responsible for helping achieve them.

Read the report for full details, click here.