FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2025

Ottawa, Canada – Today marks the launch of OpenSME, a national advocacy campaign dedicated to ensuring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are included in Canada’s forthcoming open banking framework.

 

Founded by Eric Saumure, CPA, CA and Principal at Zenbooks, OpenSME aims to give Canadian entrepreneurs the same advantages already enjoyed by small businesses in other G7 countries:

• • Faster payments

• • Lower fees

• • Fairer access to credit

While the federal government is moving toward open banking, there is a risk that the initial rollout could focus solely on consumer accounts(leaving SMEs behind). OpenSME is calling for:

1. • Clear implementation timelines

• • Inclusion of small business accounts in Phase One of open banking

• • Clear privacy/security education budget to help small businesses feel confident sharing their data

 

“Our small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. If they are excluded from open banking, we’re missing a huge opportunity for growth, innovation, and competitiveness,” said Saumure.

 

OpenSME has launched a Change.org petition to gather support from entrepreneurs, accountants, and the public, ahead of the government’s consultation deadline of August 28, 2025. The campaign’s momentum is already building, with coverage today in leading Canadian technology publication BetaKit.

 

Sign the petition: https://chng.it/qW5y89ZYyQ
Read the BetaKit article: https://betakit.com/zenbooks-co-founder-launches-opensme-to-rally-canadian-small-businesses-behind-open-banking/
Learn more: https://opensme.ca

 

Media Contact:
Eric Saumure, CPA, CA
Founder, OpenSME | Principal, Zenbooks
Email: Hello@OpenSME.ca | Phone: 613-703-3008