The results of the latest monthly business barometer survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business show B.C.’s small businesses lead the country in optimism, with its barometer index climbing back above 70 in March.
When entrepreneurs were asked about their view of the general state of their business, it remained unchanged from February with 47 per cent of owners who said it was good versus only seven per cent who said bad.
In terms of their biggest challenge, insufficient domestic demand is still number one on the list, identified by 35 per cent of entrepreneurs in March.
Next on the list was shortage of skilled labour, increasing four points in March to 33 per cent, followed by management skills and time constraints.
Hiring plans have improved a bit in March, with 29 per cent of business owners planning to add full-time staff in the next few months, compared to only 6 per cent expecting to cut back.
Nationally, the business barometer index rose by a point and a half to 61.5.
