The Canadian Federation of Independent Business B.C. barometer index remained unchanged in November at 67.2 heading into the holiday season.Index levels between 65 and 75 indicate a growing economy, says the CFIB.While B.C.’s confidence level is lower than normal, small businesses have remained very stable in a very uncertain economic climate. B.C. is once again above the national confidence level (63.7) and fourth in confidence to Saskatchewan (74.2), Alberta (71.1) and Manitoba (67.4).Most employers do not plan to make changes to full-time employment levels (70 per cent), with only 13 per cent planning to increase full-time employment and 18 per cent planning to decrease employment.More highlights:• 34 per cent of businesses in B.C. say the overall state of business is satisfactory, 43 per cent say it is good, and 23 per cent say it is bad.• Fuel/energy costs and taxes/regulations are the largest cost concern for businesses with 54 per cent of business owners saying these costs are causing difficulties for their business.• 42 per cent of B.C. small businesses say that insufficient domestic demand is their greatest business constraint.All of this is outlined and illustrated in the attached B.C. Business Barometer for November. The national report, including a comparison chart of CFIB’s business barometer and GDP, can be found at www.cfib.ca/research/barometer.— Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Comox Valley Record