BDC says few of those dreamers are becoming doers for several reasons:

• People in their late 20s to early 40s are the most likely to start businesses, but that demographic is shrinking with Canada's aging population, leaving a smaller pool of candidates as potential founders.
• Low unemployment and high wages mean fewer people feel the need to start a new business.
• Business owners and would-be entrepreneurs face a barrage of discouraging factors, such as labour shortages, inflation, technological change and the increasing domination of large companies.

It's strange that they don't include the cost of failure in that list.

Right now it feels like the only way to get a decent retirement and a nice upbringing for kids is to do everything right (including having the right parents). Risking equity and giving up a full-time job to take a chance isn't worth it.

I heard a podcast a couple of years ago about startup rates in the US versus Canada. Apparently the cost of failure in many US states is much lower than it is in Canada: they have more forgiving bankruptcy and corporate law than we do. Meaning serial entrepreneurs don't have to get it right the first time, and can afford a few locks at the can.