TORONTO (CP) - The confidence of Canadian small-business proprietors has risen for the third straight quarter and their hiring plans are the highest in three years, a survey released Wednesday suggests.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Busindess said its quarterly survey points to overall healthy growth for the economy, with job-creation intentions at the strongest level since early 2002.
The survey found 37 per cent of owners of small and medium-sized enterprises said their firms are doing better than a year ago, while 26 per cent reported doing worse.
Expectations were more positive, with 53 per cent expecting to be making more money a year from now, against 12 per cent forecasting a weakening.
Thirty-three per cent plan to increase full-time employment in the next year, while only six per cent foresee job cuts.
CFIB chief economist Ted Mallett said the survey shows pockets of strength and weakness, with the most optimism found among health-care practitioners, computer and other business service providers, interior construction specialists, and the machinery, equipment manufacturing and wholesaling sectors.
The least optimistic continue to be farmers and auto dealers, joined recently by household furniture retailers.
On a provincial basis, Mallett said British Columbia and Alberta have the most bullish small-business sector, followed by Nova Scotia.
Sentiment in Manitoba, New Brunswick and Quebec has improved in the past three months, while remaining flat in Ontario.
Optimism has slipped in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, and although it has improved in Saskatchewan, small businesses in that province remain the least sanguine in the country.
The March 7-18 survey of 2,427 CFIB members found that three out of four continued to fret about input costs - particularly for energy and insurance.
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