The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says virtually every business employing over 100 people is now hooked up to the Internet, though some are using it in a more sophisticated fashion than others. The CFIB found that the vast majority of firms online used email, but that the use of more sophisticated tools such as online buying and selling has been slower to gain widespread adoption. Only 18 per cent of businesses with fewer than five employees have their own sites, compared to nearly half of all businesses employing more than 100. Depending on company size, it’s estimated that 14 to 28 per cent of businesses use the Internet to make purchases. Overall, Internet usage rose to 69 per cent in 2Q00 from 61 per cent at the beginning of 1999. The findings were released last month in a report titled E-business update.

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