B.C.’s entrepreneurs are the most optimistic in Canada: report

Gastown | BCBusiness
Gastown is a popular neighbourhood with Vancouver startups.

Despite continuing concerns over rising energy and wage costs, B.C.’s level of small business confidence is eight points above the national index  

Small business owners in this province are feeling bullish about the future, so much so that they’ve edged out regular frontrunner Alberta for the top spot, according to the November Business Barometer, a monthly survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), released today. B.C.’s index rating climbed to 73.9 this month (see below) while its eastern neighbour was close behind at 73.6.  

Hiring intentions stayed the same in November, with one quarter of B.C. respondents stating that they planned to add full-time staff in the next three months.
 
Not all was good news, however, noted CFIB provincial director Richard Truscott in a news release, as “entrepreneurs also still face some major challenges, such as rising energy and wage costs and finding enough skilled workers.”