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OTTAWA — Canadian businesses appear surprisingly upbeat these days, optimistic that the worst of the oil shock-driven economic slump is likely behind them and the “bleeding” will stop soon.

“Critically, the pessimism regarding the general economy has mostly subsided,” the Conference Board of Canada said Monday. “The return in confidence is translating into stronger investment intentions.”

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The Conference Board’s closely monitored index of business confidence rebounded in the second quarter of 2015, rising to a reading of 105.6, after two consecutive quarterly declines that pushed the index to a six-year low of 86.5.

The sudden optimism comes after what can only be described as a dismal year of recession-level economic contractions — predominantly due to the global collapse in oil prices — and meager employment creation and weak exports.

The deep impact on growth has already led to two cuts in the Bank of Canada’s trendsetting interest rate in 2015. Stephen Poloz, the central bank governor, could move the current 0.50-per-cent lending level even lower this year if the economy doesn’t begin to grow again later this year.