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Economic Viewpoint

Business Transfers in Quebec

The Growing Challenge of Matching Sellers and Buyers

August 20, 2026
By Kamy Verville-Ayotte, Analyst, Florence Jean-Jacobs, Principal Economist, and Sonny Scarfone, Principal Economist
  • Pressure is mounting in Quebec’s business transfer market, with the supply of businesses available for sale growing faster than the pool of prospective buyers.
  • Demographic pressure is playing a significant role: The ratio of individuals ages 55 to 74 (the main pool of sellers) to those ages 25 to 54 (the main pool of buyers) is historically high, while the share of entrepreneurial activity devoted to business acquisitions has remained relatively stable over the last decade.
  • Supply and demand are increasingly mismatched, challenging the market’s ability to absorb the wave of business transitions.
  • Business transfer pressures differ considerably by sector and region, with buyer shortages being particularly acute in manufacturing, retail and accommodation and food services, as well as in rural areas.
  • Regional dynamics are expected to evolve. The business transfer market is already under pressure in certain regions and could become less favourable in the Montreal area as demographic aging accelerates.
  • Without enough buyers, viable businesses could be forced to close, affecting regional employment, productivity and economic vitality.
  • Beyond the sheer number of business transfers on the horizon, this note examines a key issue affecting the market: the mismatch between sellers and buyers.
  • This Economic Viewpoint outlines what needs to be done to prevent business losses and lasting economic scars. We propose five recommendations:

                1. Target the sectors and regions most vulnerable to a shortage of buyers

                2. Increase training for acquiring entrepreneurs

                3. Encourage internal succession

                4. Promote proactive succession planning

                5. Simplify the transfer process

PDF Publication

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Business Transfers in Quebec (PDF, 534 KB)
NOTE TO READERS: The letters k, M and B are used in texts, graphs and tables to refer to thousands, millions and billions respectively. IMPORTANT: This document is based on public information and may under no circumstances be used or construed as a commitment by Desjardins Group. While the information provided has been determined on the basis of data obtained from sources that are deemed to be reliable, Desjardins Group in no way warrants that the information is accurate or complete. The document is provided solely for information purposes and does not constitute an offer or solicitation for purchase or sale. Desjardins Group takes no responsibility for the consequences of any decision whatsoever made on the basis of the data contained herein and does not hereby undertake to provide any advice, notably in the area of investment services. Data on prices and margins is provided for information purposes and may be modified at any time based on such factors as market conditions. The past performances and projections expressed herein are no guarantee of future performance. Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions and forecasts contained herein are those of the document’s authors and do not represent the opinions of any other person or the official position of Desjardins Group.