• So You Think I Should Vote?
  • QNetNews.ca
  • QNetNews TV
  • 91X FM News
  • QNetNews Interactive

QNetNews.ca

  • TwitterTwitter
  • VimeoVimeo
  • FacebookFacebook

Local

Plummeting business confidence in Ontario felt by local businesses

  • February 5, 2015 at 2:56 pm

By Mo Cranker

BELLEVILLE – Ontario’s dropping business confidence is hitting Belleville’s business core, said the head of Belleville’s Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

Bill Saunders, the chief executive officer for Chamber of Commerce, said the Emerging Stronger 2015 report indicates over the past year any of the positive feelings for business’s future in 2015 have taken a huge hit. Those surveyed said they feel the Ontario economy is going in the wrong direction. It looked at 13 industries and found low expectations in each one.

The fourth annual report says  while the Ontario government is making big strides, it still faces a growing debt and big problems with replacing infrastructure.  Yet this year’s report also indicates that there is still a lot of room to grow with regards to business confidence.

The report shows, of the retailers surveyed across Ontario, only 44 per cent of them were confident about their business outlook for this year. That’s a 25 per cent drop from last year.

These trends are reflected locally.

“The majority of Belleville’s businesses are in the retail sector and this happens to be the least confident group,” said Saunders.

The study looked at 13 areas to get business’s perspectives. This included, health care, automotive/manufacturing and financial services. The average for the 13 categories is sitting just above half  at 58 per cent, down from 74 per cent in 2014, the report said.

Saunders also identified other major concerns locally.

“Two of the biggest concerns for businesses are the changes in minimum wage and the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. They’re both lowering business confidences,” Saunders said.

The Ontario government is looking at creating a pension plan to supplement the federal Canada Pension Plan.

Saunders confirmed that local businesses did take part in the survey but he did not say how many.

He also said that he believes this is not just a local issue, but business confidence is an Ontario-wide issue.

No related posts.

Print This Post Print This Post

Tags: BellevilleBusiness

    Related Posts

  • Commuters detour rising gas pricing by carpooling May 20, 2011
  • VIA Rail routes to resume partial service starting March 3 March 2, 2020
  • Giving Tuesday is spreading generosity throughout Quinte November 30, 2021
  • HPE public health identifies positive COVID-19 case associated with Loyalist April 15, 2021
  • Top Stories

    • Homesickness and hope bond Loyalist international studentsMarch 24, 2023
    • Dreams of the NHL while studying for exams on the roadMarch 22, 2023
    • After a challenging NHL career, Derek Smith finds joy back where he startedMarch 22, 2023
    • Quinte West council approves new official planFebruary 17, 2023
    • DocFest to return with a mix of in-person and virtual eventsFebruary 17, 2023
  • Home
  • Local
  • Plummeting business confidence in Ontario felt by local businesses
  • Login
    Student Works
    Students
    • TwitterTwitter
    • VimeoVimeo
    • FacebookFacebook

    © 2014 QNetNews.ca. All Rights Reserved.