The article discusses a survey conducted by HSBC, which found that Canadian businesses were less prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic than global companies. The survey revealed that:

• 85% of leaders said reviewing their operations during the pandemic would allow them to rebuild with firmer environmental foundations.
• International businesses (44%) were more likely to see the importance of increasing sustainability than those operating in Canada (37%).
• Canadian businesses fell behind on the sustainability front, despite recognizing its importance.

The survey also highlighted that:

• 70% of Canadian businesses identified some kind of flexible working arrangement for employees that would be implemented over the next two years.
• 56% of leaders said they expect to continue to meet virtually even after the pandemic.
• The biggest barriers to success were employee morale (36%), having sufficient cash flow (28%), and access to advanced technology (25%).

Overall, the survey suggests that Canadian businesses have learned valuable lessons from the pandemic and are looking to implement changes to improve their sustainability, flexibility, and resilience.