Amidst reports of a strengthening Canadian dollar, new job creation and what's expected to be a solid holiday shopping season, almost half of Canadian small business owners report a downturn in business. The quarterly American Express Small Business Monitor conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion has found that Canadian small business owners report little to no change from their position a year ago - a contrast to the overall economy, which has recorded gradual GDP growth almost uninterrupted since August 2009.