Sales and investment increase, labour shortages worsen
Businesses expect sales, investment and hiring to increase this year, according to the Bank of Canada.
The Bank of Canada's Business Outlook Survey found that 41 per cent of the 100 businesses surveyed expect sales to grow in the coming year, especially those in the services-producing sector. However, in Central and Eastern Canada, gains in the services-producing sector were more than offset by declines in the goods-producing sector.
The proportion of firms reporting labour shortages (41 per cent) has increased slightly and pressures on production capacity are unchanged, with 18 per cent saying they expect significant difficulty meeting production demands and 32 per cent saying they expect some difficulty.
Both shortages and production pressures are most intense in Western Canada compared to the rest of the country. Labour shortages are the most prevalent in the construction, primary and transportation sectors.
Hiring and investment intentions are strong in most regions and sectors, according to the survey. More than half (51 per cent) of businesses expect to hire in the coming year. However, manufacturers' hiring intentions fell.
The Bank of Canada's Business Outlook Survey found that 41 per cent of the 100 businesses surveyed expect sales to grow in the coming year, especially those in the services-producing sector. However, in Central and Eastern Canada, gains in the services-producing sector were more than offset by declines in the goods-producing sector.
The proportion of firms reporting labour shortages (41 per cent) has increased slightly and pressures on production capacity are unchanged, with 18 per cent saying they expect significant difficulty meeting production demands and 32 per cent saying they expect some difficulty.
Both shortages and production pressures are most intense in Western Canada compared to the rest of the country. Labour shortages are the most prevalent in the construction, primary and transportation sectors.
Hiring and investment intentions are strong in most regions and sectors, according to the survey. More than half (51 per cent) of businesses expect to hire in the coming year. However, manufacturers' hiring intentions fell.
