South Coast Today - CFIB

Business optimism sags, despite positive conditions

Timothy Gillespie — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 11:50:44 +0000

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Barometer® Index dropped another three points in July to 58.5, according to a news release Thursday. The Index shows levels close to those seen in mid-2014. Full-time hiring intentions are muted, with 15 per cent of owners planning to add staff versus 10 per cent expecting to reduce staffing. The share of business owners saying their firms are in good shape has decreased also in July and now currently only represent 31 per cent of firms responding.

Canada’s small business owners were a little less confident in July according to CFIB’s latest Business Barometer®. The index of optimism fell back to 57.6 this month, from 60.0—the 13-month high recorded in June. The recovery from cyclical lows in small business confidence reached in early 2016, therefore, remains choppy.

“Business owners in the Maritimes are often slightly more buoyant coming into the summer months so these kind of declines indicate a somewhat deeper malaise,” Jordi Morgan, CFIB VP, Atlantic commented. “Given a low Canadian dollar, many exporters and tourism related firms are operating in more positive conditions, so it’s interesting we are not seeing higher levels of optimism throughout the region.”

Index declines were seen this month in 6 of 10 provinces, including; British Columbia (66.4), New Brunswick (63.3), Ontario (61.2), Nova Scotia (58.5), Manitoba (56.4) and Saskatchewan (51.1). Notable improvements in Quebec (64.1), Newfoundland & Labrador (50.0), Alberta (46.7) and Prince Edward Island (68.8) helped temper the drop in the national average.

Measured on a scale between 0 and 100, an index level above 50 means owners expecting their business’ performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. An index level of between 65 and 70 means the economy is growing at its potential.

SEE BUSINESS BAROMETER WEB PAGE

July 2016 findings are based on 642 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received through July 19. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.9 per cent 19 times in 20.

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Business orgs support progress on red tape and internal trade barriers

Timothy Gillespie — Wed, 18 May 2016 13:52:51 +0000

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball and Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan

Business organizations are applauding progress being made by the Council of Atlantic Premiers on removing barriers to interprovincial trade. The Council confirmed Monday that member premiers will advance recommendations put forward by the business community on Workers’ Compensation, Occupational Health and Safety and Transportation.

According to a news release Wednesday, the priority areas were identified by the business community through a consultation process collaboratively led by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME).

“CFIB members know all-too-well how unnecessary regulation reduces productivity and limits innovation, we welcome any steps to eliminate barriers to business between our provinces”, said the group chair, Jordi Morgan, CFIB Vice-president, Atlantic. “These are practical, achievable measures we've identified and we're pleased to see the four Premiers agreeing to take action.”

“CME is very supportive of the pan-Atlantic red tape reduction efforts and legislation being advanced by the Premiers”, said Joel Richardson, Vice President, NB & PEI‎ Divisions, CME. “We're looking forward to continuing our consultative role during the implementation of these ideas.”

The Premiers have agreed to adopt – across all four provinces - Canada Revenue Agency’s One Business One Number system for Workers’ Compensation Boards and Commissions. This reduces the need for re-entering business information when completing common registrations.

The Premiers announced the four provinces will mutually recognize specific Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) equipment and safety training standards and do so in consultation with the business community. This will not only make it easier for businesses but will highlight that mutual recognition is one real and relatively simple way our region can eliminate barriers.

The Premiers also announced a process to assess options for standardizing the carrier profile system in the trucking sector. Currently, there is not a standard system across the region, adding burden and cost to transportation carriers. Again, stakeholders will be involved in this work.

“Workers' Compensation, OH&S and Transportation all have a significant impact on the cost of doing business between provinces”, said Valerie Roy, Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Inc. "We are looking forward to seeing these changes implemented promptly and hope the Premiers will continue to work together to help the Atlantic region become more competitive."

The Atlantic Trucking Association and Restaurants Canada were also thanked in the release for their work on the project.

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Fisheries & Aquaculture minister at odds with premier on lobster handling, says CFIB

Timothy Gillespie — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 19:42:51 +0000

"The Minister is essentially doing an end run on the legislation creating a regulatory requirement without honouring to the Premier’s Charter.”

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says it is concerned the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture is ignoring the Premier’s own legislation by imposing a lobster handling course on lobster processors and buyers. The course was announced in March and received much negative response on lobster fishing Facebook pages. Former minister and current fisheries critic Sterling Belliveau called the mandated courses "an insult to the industry."

Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell is pushing ahead with a mandatory training plan for lobster handling without consulting the industry and without a proper cost/benefit analysis, says the CFIB in a Wednesday news release, adding that "it is in direct contravention of the Premier’s Charter of Guiding Principles for Regulation signed into law only a few months ago."

“CFIB believes this decision from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is in direct contradiction of the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act,” said Nick Langley, Director of Provincial Affairs, Nova Scotia. “By making this a mandatory course and making it a condition of licensing, the Minister is essentially doing an end run on the legislation creating a regulatory requirement without honouring to the Premier’s Charter.”

The Premiers’ Charter of Governing Principles for Regulation clearly outlines in its Statement of Fundamental Intent on Regulation, adds the release, quoting the charter;

The Government will regulate to achieve its policy objectives only having demonstrated that satisfactory outcomes cannot be achieved by alternative self-regulatory or non-regulatory approaches; where analysis of the costs and benefits demonstrates that the regulatory approach is superior by a clear margin to alternative, self-regulatory or non-regulatory approaches; where the regulation and the enforcement framework can be implemented in a fashion which is demonstrably proportionate, accountable, consistent, accessible, targeted and predictable.

CFIB says has written the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to point out the discrepancy.

“We’ve asked the Minister, given the rural nature of the lobster industry, to look at voluntary on-line quality control seminars (webinars) as a reasonable alternative.” Langley added. “Making these voluntary and removing the condition of license would serve the same purpose and would also align the measure with the government’s own legislation.”

The release adds that CFIB and its members have been very supportive of measures taken by the province under the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness to ease regulatory burden and to have a better approach from government in regards to service delivery with provincial businesses.

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Premier, province honoured for red tape reduction

Timothy Gillespie — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 14:02:42 +0000

Apprenticeship mobility lauded

To close out Red Tape Awareness Week™, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) announced in a news release Friday that Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil, has received an Honourable Mention Golden Scissors Award. The honourable mention award recognizes the efforts of the premier to remove red tape for apprenticeship labour mobility within Canada.

The Golden Scissors Award is given each year to an individual in government who has done the most to cut red tape to free up time for small business owners, which allows them to focus on operating and growing their business.

Minister of Business Mark Furey was a finalist for the award, for his department's creation of an online registration portal for restaurants, accommodation services and convenience stores.

A former small business owner/operator, the premier addressed a significant challenge for qualified labour in Nova Scotia. Premier McNeil led the charge on an agreement between provinces and territories to recognize each other’s technical training programs, work experience and examination results for apprentices. The move, says the news release, helps Canadians find jobs and helps businesses find workers and is a positive step in the direction of achieving a new agreement on internal trade.

“This is a great example of government taking a common sense approach to mutual recognition of training and accreditation of apprenticeship hours from one province to the next,” said Nick Langley, CFIB’s director for Nova Scotia. “Our labour force is mobile and in order to give qualified labour the ability to come back or to be attracted to Nova Scotia, workers need to have their apprenticeship hours counted regardless of what province they worked in.”

The national Golden Scissors Award was given jointly to Quebec ministers Sam Hamad, and Jean-Denis Girard, for leading and implementing measures to reduce red tape on small businesses. Two other Honourable Mentions were Alan McIsaac, PEI Fisheries minister and Nancy Hopper and Jeremy Harrison, ministers in the Saskatchewan government

Earlier in the week, CFIB announced that Nova Scotia was the most improved province on its annual Red tape Report Card, with a score of C-, compared to D+ in 2015.

See more about CFIB efforts regarding excessive red tape.

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Nova Scotia leads Canada in small business confidence

Timothy Gillespie — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:57:45 +0000

October upturn first in months
Nova Scotia’s Business Barometer index reached its highest level since 2010 at 68.0 and, for the second consecutive month, the highest in the country, according to a news release from the Canadian federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Positive full time hiring intentions have remained constant in October, with 18 per cent planning to add staff versus 7 per cent expecting to cut back on personnel, says the release. Moreover, 47 per cent of business owners say their businesses are in good shape - similar to September reading and a very positive indicator.

“Nova Scotia’s level of confidence from the small business sector continues to be strong and has grown by 4.3 per cent from last month as is shown by our Business Barometer®,” said Nick Langley, Director of Provincial Affairs, Nova Scotia for CFIB. “The low Canadian dollar, low oil prices, positive hiring intentions, and the positive state of business are keeping Nova Scotia’s small business confidence index at a strong level.” Langley added.

For the first time in months, national small business confidence took an upward turn in October. The Canadian Business Barometer® Index rose almost three points to finish the month at 58.9. Even so, sentiment remains far more negative than this time last year and suggests an economy that is barely growing.

Although slight, the improvement was pretty broadly based across the country, with optimism indexes rising in Nova Scotia (to a nation-leading 68.0), British Columbia (65.7), Newfoundland & Labrador (65.0), Ontario (62.5), Manitoba (60.6) and finally Alberta (36.1). Where optimism declined, the changes were modest and the scores all remained reasonably close to the national average: Quebec (57.1), Saskatchewan (58.3), New Brunswick (59.0) and Prince Edward Island (59.4).

October 2015 findings are based on 777 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received through October 19. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.5 per cent 19 times in 20.

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Nova Scotia business confidence highest in Canada

SCT and news sources — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:27:16 +0000

Nova Scotia’s Business Barometer index decreased slightly—but at 63.7, it is the highest in the country, according to a news release from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Full time hiring intentions, while lower than in the previous months, are still positive with 18 per cent planning to add staff versus 7 per cent expecting to cut back on personnel. Also on the positive side, a healthy 49 per cent of business owners say their businesses are in good shape.

“Nova Scotia’s level of confidence from the small business sector continues to be strong as is shown by our Business Barometer®,” said Nick Langley, Director of Provincial Affairs, Nova Scotia for CFIB. “The low Canadian dollar, low oil prices and positive hiring intentions are keeping Nova Scotia’s small business confidence index at a strong level.” Langley added.

September has seen yet another drop in Canada’s small business confidence—the fourth monthly decline in succession. The Business Barometer® Index fell less than a point this month, but its new reading of 56.0 is a new cyclical low and a level not seen since April 2009. The index is now roughly 10 points below what was recorded in the fall of 2014.

Across the country, optimism fell in 6 of 10 provinces, but the main impact came from declining sentiment in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Alberta’s index plunged to 34.0 this month, a record low for this survey. Optimism in British Columbia is still well above the national average, but it has declined significantly (more than 10 index points) since May. Ontario’s index has lacked verve of late, only mirroring the national average. Declines in optimism were noted in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but as offsets to increases seen in August. Other provinces (Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Quebec) have seen small changes to the upside, but not enough to turn the overall average. Apart from conditions in Alberta, the profile of business sentiment across the country is pretty even.

September 2015 findings are based on 726 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received through September 14. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.6 per cent 19 times in 20.

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Nova Scotia business confidence among the highest in Canada, says CFIB

Timothy Gillespie — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:46:56 +0000

Nova Scotia’s Business Barometer® Index remained stable in May, according to a news release Thursday from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Even though it was a modest 63.4, it was still enough to be third-highest in the country, the release siad. Short-term employment plans are still looking better than they have in years, with 28 per cent of owners expecting to add full-time staff in the next few months versus only 6 per cent who plan to cut back. Forty-one per cent of owners say their businesses are in good shape, which is a reasonably positive result compared to past years.

“Nova Scotia continues to show a consistent strong upwards trend with the business barometer.” said Nick Langley, Director of Provincial Affairs, Nova Scotia for the CFIB. “Small-and medium-size business confidence in Nova Scotia is being strengthened by the low Canadian dollar and new hiring intentions.” Langley added.

Across Canada, small business confidence remained cool in May, sitting essentially unchanged from April’s readings. The Business Barometer® Index was 60.6 this month, versus 60.5 previously. Details by province and by industry sector also showed little movement.

Business owners are least optimistic in Alberta, where index levels dropped slightly to 45.7. Although still well under last year’s levels, the index in Saskatchewan posted a slight improvement to 51.3. Businesses in British Columbia are still in the best state nationwide, with their index rising again to 73.5. Slight improvements were also seen this month in Ontario (63.2) and Manitoba (62.0). Businesses registered little change to index levels in Prince Edward Island (69.4) and Nova Scotia (63.4), while those in Quebec (56.6), Newfoundland & Labrador (56.9) and New Brunswick (58.9) saw theirs drop off a point or so.

May 2015 findings are based on 890 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received through May 17. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.3 per cent 19 times in 20.

For more information, contact Nick Langley, Director of Provincial Affairs, at 902-420-1997 or Ted Mallett, Chief Economist and Vice-president at 416-222-8022.

Business Barometer is a monthly publication of the CFIB and is a registered trademark.

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Canadian business confidence drops to recession-era lows

Timothy Gillespie — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:32:21 +0000

Ted Mallett, vice-president and chief economist of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Nova Scotia still most optimistic province

Canada’s small business confidence continued its downward track in March, dropping 2.4 points to 52.3, its lowest level since March 2009, according to a news release from the Canadian federation of Independent Business(CFIB).

“This month was marked by decline almost across the board,” said Ted Mallett, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) chief economist. “We saw provincial record lows in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Alberta. In total, nine out of 10 provinces, and nine of 13 industry sectors saw a confidence drop.”

Nova Scotia, on the other hand, retains the province with the highest business confidence rating, droping only one point. Nova Scotia’s Business Barometer® Index has seen a third consecutive decrease since December 2015, reaching 65.8 in March. Despite the decrease, Nova Scotia businesses remain the most optimistic in the country. Full-time hiring intentions lost some ground and currently only 16 per cent of owners are planning to add staff versus only 6 per cent expecting to cut back. Still, about 50 per cent of business owners say their businesses are in good shape— a very good indicator by national standards

On a scale between 0 and 100, an index above 50 means owners expecting their business’ performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. One normally sees an index level of between 65 and 70 when the economy is growing at its potential.

British Columbia was the only province to see a confidence increase in March, climbing one point to a modest 62.5. Alberta nearly stopped its downward spiral, dropping only 0.2 points to 26.5, but still remains the weakest in the country by far. The energy market continues to hammer Saskatchewan, which fell five points to a provincial record low 47.0. Manitoba plummeted seven points to 54.8. Ontario dropped three points to 57.0, while Quebec slipped to 65.0. Newfoundland and Labrador saw another harsh drop, falling six points to 47.1, a record low for the province. Nova Scotia fell a point to 65.8 but remains the strongest in Canada. New Brunswick’s confidence fell eight points to 53.2. Prince Edward Island lost six points to 59.1.

The natural resources, construction and agricultural sectors remain the weakest, while the information and arts, and hospitality sectors are strongest.

“Hiring plans are starting to pick up, which fits established seasonal patterns,” added Mallett. “However, the 12 per cent who expect to cut staff levels is high compared to past March readings. Furthermore, there is a sharp decline in the reported state of accounts receivables and new orders so far this year.”

March, 2016 findings are based on 699 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received through March 21. Findings are considered accurate to +\- 3.7 per cent 19 times in 20.

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