CTV Regina
Date: Wednesday Oct. 5, 2011 10:55 AM CST
A new survey shows business owners in Saskatchewan are among the most optimistic in the country.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says nearly 72 per cent of survey respondents in the province had bullish expectations for the coming months.
Twenty per cent of business owners surveyed in Saskatchewan said they plan to increase full-time staff, while three per cent are planning to lay off full-time employees.
A majority of respondents said the shortage of skilled labour is the biggest hurdle Saskatchewan businesses face. Fuel and energy costs were also identified as a key concern.
Alberta's business owners were the most confident, with just over 74 per cent expressing an optimistic outlook for the near future.