85%

of Canadians live within 
1km of a main street

280K

businesses are operating 
on main streets

1.9M

jobs are provided 
on main streets

$300B

in annual revenue is 
generated on main streets

98K+

civic & community
 infrastructure assets

Tariff Impact Tracker

We are collecting data to monitor how the Canada-U.S. trade conflict is affecting local and regional economies.

The tracker collects data on 9+ indicators across nearly 50 regions from across the country, mobilizing this data as indicators, charts, and a map.

Discover the Impact Tracker

Hot Spot Map, Indicators, and Trends

On the Tariff Impact Tracker Dashboard, discover how key social and economic indicators are changing across Canadian regions and leverage real-time insights to tailor action on the ground.
Use the Tariff Tracker

Main Street Canada is Your Hub For Local Solutions in the Face of Tariffs and Beyond

As economic uncertainty reaches a new normal, CUI is working with partners across the country to track the impacts of tariffs (and counter tariffs) and other factors affecting Main Streets, the economic, social and cultural life-blood of every community – large and small.
The Tariff Challenge

“Main streets are the cornerstone of ‘complete communities’, where Canadians can live, work, and play all within their local neighbourhood. They are our economic powerhouses and social connective tissue. Decision-makers should invest in solutions to issues like housing, public safety, and sustainability at the scale of the main street, and now there’s a way to do it.”

— Mary Rowe, CEO, Canadian Urban Institute 

How Are Tariffs Impacting You?

With the newly imposed tariffs and counter tariffs, Canadians are beginning to feel the effects at home, at work, and on their main streets. Contribute your voice to help decision makers - including the Canadian Urban Institute - to best direct their support efforts.
Tell us how tariffs are impacting your you, your business, or your local area.
Take the Survey
Take the Survey

Main Street Projects

The Canadian Urban Institute has demonstrated a long-time commitment to Canada’s main streets. From Bring Back Main Street in 2018, a nationally coordinated research and action campaign for pandemic recovery, to two rounds of My Main Street, a $15-million program empowering main street businesses and community activations. Discover CUI’s main street solutions:

Measuring Main Streets Platform

My Main
Street

Main Street
Action Network

Tariff Impacts
Tracker

Municipal Action
Tracker

Still have questions?

We've answered a few FAQs to get you started. But please don't hesitate to reach out with more.
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Main Street Canada is an initiative led by the Canadian Urban Institute to highlight, support, and strengthen Canada’s main streets through research, programs, and advocacy. 

Main streets are the economic engines of communities, providing jobs, essential services, and social connections that contribute to local and national prosperity.

Through research, data analysis, convening stakeholders, and running initiatives like My Main Street and the Measuring Main Streets Platform.

Yes! We work with municipalities, business associations, and local leaders to support main street recovery and resilience. Contact us to learn more.

Economic downturns, climate events, and technological shifts all affect local economies. We study these impacts and work on strategies to help main streets adapt. 

Explore our main street projects, CityTalks, and data insights on this site, or visit canurb.org for more information. 

We are the Canadian Urban Institute

CUI is Canada’s urban policy and research hub, working with communities, governments, and businesses to build more resilient, inclusive, and economically vibrant cities. Through data, leadership, and place-based solutions, we strengthen the backbone of Canada’s local economies—our main streets.
Learn More