History
The Small Business Association of Canada is a non-profit association of self-employed people, We are located in the Canada's National Capital Region, it's neighboring communities and l'Outaouais.

The SBA was formed in April 1996 to address the needs and concerns of home-based and micro business professionals. SBA members understand the revolution that is occurring in North America - more and more people are making the decision to take charge of their own destiny. As this movement grows stronger every year, so is the need for a forum that will strengthen and support each other.

The growth in the number of home based businesses nation-wide (now estimated at 2.5 million) is leading governments, policy institutes, the media, and those who provide goods and services to business to pay increasing attention to this sector.  Many of our Home Businesses have grown up and are now small businesses.

In 1996, the non-profit SBA  was established to bring together small business operators in the Ottawa area. It was originally the Home Business Association of the National Capital Area.

Our businesses have to deal with many business and social challenges (some unique to home businesses), such as:

  • isolation
  • separating work and personal life
  • managing all aspects of a business
  • developing credibility with clients
  • staying current with business practice

Furthermore, a number of public policy issues are affecting small businesses, including:

  • municipal bylaws
  • taxes
  • telecommunications
  • insurance
  • competition with larger businesses
  • financial services

The SBA serves as a voice on these and similar issues for home businesses in the National Capital area. It can provide meaningful comment to policy makers and reporters.

There are also many questions about the impact that the trend towards home based businesses will have on our community. For example:

  • How will the increase in people working from home affect transportation systems, neighborhood policing requirements, telecommunications infrastructure, the construction and renovation sector, health care requirements, environmental quality, to mention only a few areas likely to be influenced?
  • How do home businesses contribute to the economy?
  • What impact does a home business have on the children of home based entrepreneurs?

The SBA does not have answers to all of these questions, but in the years to come it hopes to develop a dialogue on such issues and work with other interested parties on related research.