By : Graeme Bruce Herald-Tribune staff
Source : http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Small business confidence in Alberta is slipping a bit, according to a monthly index released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB).
The report is based on over 1,000 responses, and Alberta scored 71.7 on a scale between 0 and 100 – a half-point drop from last month.
However, the findings are far above the dismal confidence numbers elsewhere. Canada has a rating of 63.7 and holding steady.
Alberta still has the second-highest rating, trailing only Saskatchewan at 74.2.
According to Richard Truscott, Alberta director for CFIB, the numbers mean a growing economy.
"The confidence levels across Alberta are still decent, anything between 65 and 75 points on our index is good economic growth," he said.
Truscott said a lack of workers is the underlying problem across all areas in Alberta.
"The main business challenge continues to be labour shortage…and we hear that most often from out members in places like Grande Prairie, who are desperate for workers for their small businesses."
Industry breakdowns in the study suggest an uptick in natural resources, including oil and gas, which could be the reason for Western Canada's consistent high confidence numbers.
"Confidence among small and medium-sized business that supply and service the industry is rising," Truscott said.
But while the oil and gas industries are seeing brighter futures, other industries that Grande Prairie rely on are in trouble.
"Hospitality and transportation are lagging behind, which is concerning, considering that Grande Prairie is a hub in northern Alberta," Truscott said.
Coming into the holiday season, confidence typically improves, according to Truscott, but not for Alberta.
"Around the Christmas period, there is certainly a boost, especially in retail markets sector, but in the new year, usually the first couple of months of the new year are tough times for small business."
Truscott said he believes the downward trend would have been steeper if holiday season numbers could be taken out.
But despite decreasing confidence, Alberta is still among the most confident.
"It's amazing that small business confidence remains so high for so long," Truscott said, referring to Alberta's unwavering economic faith. "And some of that is because of a resource-driven economy."
Source : http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3398906
Source : http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Small business confidence in Alberta is slipping a bit, according to a monthly index released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB).
The report is based on over 1,000 responses, and Alberta scored 71.7 on a scale between 0 and 100 – a half-point drop from last month.
However, the findings are far above the dismal confidence numbers elsewhere. Canada has a rating of 63.7 and holding steady.
Alberta still has the second-highest rating, trailing only Saskatchewan at 74.2.
According to Richard Truscott, Alberta director for CFIB, the numbers mean a growing economy.
"The confidence levels across Alberta are still decent, anything between 65 and 75 points on our index is good economic growth," he said.
Truscott said a lack of workers is the underlying problem across all areas in Alberta.
"The main business challenge continues to be labour shortage…and we hear that most often from out members in places like Grande Prairie, who are desperate for workers for their small businesses."
Industry breakdowns in the study suggest an uptick in natural resources, including oil and gas, which could be the reason for Western Canada's consistent high confidence numbers.
"Confidence among small and medium-sized business that supply and service the industry is rising," Truscott said.
But while the oil and gas industries are seeing brighter futures, other industries that Grande Prairie rely on are in trouble.
"Hospitality and transportation are lagging behind, which is concerning, considering that Grande Prairie is a hub in northern Alberta," Truscott said.
Coming into the holiday season, confidence typically improves, according to Truscott, but not for Alberta.
"Around the Christmas period, there is certainly a boost, especially in retail markets sector, but in the new year, usually the first couple of months of the new year are tough times for small business."
Truscott said he believes the downward trend would have been steeper if holiday season numbers could be taken out.
But despite decreasing confidence, Alberta is still among the most confident.
"It's amazing that small business confidence remains so high for so long," Truscott said, referring to Alberta's unwavering economic faith. "And some of that is because of a resource-driven economy."
Source : http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3398906
