15 Community Groups Every Local Business in Canada Should Join
Running a local business in Canada comes with its own set of opportunities and challenges. Whether you’re based in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or a smaller town, connecting with local business communities can make a big difference.
Just like SaaS founders gain valuable support from niche groups, local business owners can grow faster by joining online and offline groups that offer networking, collaboration, resources, and exposure.
Here are 15 highly recommended community groups for Canadian business owners in 2025.
1. Startup Canada Communities
Platform: Slack, LinkedIn & Local Chapters
Startup Canada connects entrepreneurs through city-specific hubs across Toronto, Vancouver, and more. Each chapter hosts events, shares funding opportunities, and facilitates mentorship.
2. Canadian Small Business Women (CSBW)
Platform: Facebook & In-Person
CSBW empowers female entrepreneurs through expos, workshops, and a thriving Facebook community in Canada.
3. r/CanadaSmallBusiness
Platform: Reddit
An honest, helpful, and highly active subreddit for small business owners in Canada.
4. Canada Small Business Owners
Platform: Facebook
Daily posts cover promotions, collaborations, challenges, and government updates for Canadian entrepreneurs.
If you’re based in the UK, check out this blog to grow your business through community engagement.
5. Toronto Entrepreneurs & Small Business Group
Platform: Meetup
Members: 10K+
Monthly networking meetups, panels, and peer learning events for Toronto-based small business owners.
6. Startup Canada: for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs
Platform: Facebook
Access: Request via startup forums or peer invitations
Talk marketing, hiring, legal, and funding with Canadian founders and business owners.
7. Canadian Business Network
Platform: LinkedIn
Ideal for building professional credibility and sharing thought leadership.
8. Shop Local Canada Community
Platform: Facebook + Web
Perfect for makers and retailers looking to gain exposure through curated directories and gift guides.
Looking to scale your SaaS business faster? Join these powerful online communities where founders, marketers, and tech leaders share strategies, insights, and growth opportunities.
9. Vancouver Local Business Network
Platform: Facebook
Members: 12K+
Are you from Vancouver? This Facebook group is one of the top West Coast groups supporting local business marketing, partnerships, and vendor features.
10. Small Business Networking Events
Platform: Meetup
You can use Meetup to find entrepreneur-focused events in your city like “Vancouver Small Business Owners” or “Calgary Entrepreneurs Meetup.”
11.r/EntrepreneurCanada
Platform: Reddit
Focused on startup owners, solo founders, and small teams across industries—from home services to SaaS.
12. Marketing for Canadian Entrepreneurs
Platform: Facebook
Focused on helping local business owners and solo founders understand digital marketing trends and tools.
13. Calgary Small Business Support
Platform: Facebook
Members: 6K+
Great for Alberta-based business owners looking for local vendors, clients, or partnerships.
Want to grow your local business online? These social media community groups are where real conversations, customers, and collaborations begin.
14. Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
Platform: Facebook
Focused on empowering Black-owned businesses through grants, programs, and events across Canada.
15. Local Buy & Sell Facebook Groups (City-Specific)
Platform: Facebook
Examples: Buy & Sell Toronto, Support Local Ottawa, Vancouver Local Business Network
Hyperlocal Facebook groups allow direct customer engagement and collaboration with nearby business owners.
Ready to take it a step further? Explore how AI agents and automation can help you manage community engagement, lead responses, and local marketing—without lifting a finger.
Why Join Local Business Groups?
Joining Canadian business communities is more than a networking move—it’s a smart strategy for long-term growth. Here’s how it helps:
- Connection: Meet other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges
- Lead Generation: Some groups actively allow promotions or vendor listings
- Learning: Stay up to date on trends, grants, and digital strategies
- Collaboration: Build partnerships for events or shared audiences
- Marketing Insights: Similar to SaaS marketing communities, these groups offer feedback loops that help you refine your business message and product
Final Thoughts
Your business may be local, but your opportunities don’t have to be limited. Join a few of these groups, engage authentically, and use their resources to your advantage. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling an existing business, the right community can provide support, insight, and real ROI.
And if you’re also managing SaaS clients or digital-first brands, don’t forget to check out our guide on SaaS groups for founders and marketers—a great complement to your business growth strategy.
Bhaskar Gupta
Bhaskar Gupta is a passionate digital marketing practitioner and has keen interest in SEO, Social Media Strategy, Business Digital growth, and Performance marketing. He has worked with multiple brands in different industries across India and abroad. In 2022, he has set up his own digital growth and marketing agency named Radian Marketing.