Article content continued

Overall, the survey says firms’ sales growth expectations for the next 12 months have improved modestly from a weak level in the July edition of the quarterly poll. The report said this was mostly because sales stabilized among businesses exposed to the resource sectors which have been battered by two painful years of low commodity prices.

“Many resource-related firms, such as those in the oil and gas or mining, sense that activity has hit bottom,” the report said.

“Given the relatively stable commodity prices in recent months, businesses now cautiously believe that sales will no longer fall, or will increase modestly.”

The report also found hiring expectations of firms increased from relatively low levels in past surveys — with close to half of the roughly 100 companies polled saying they intended to add jobs over the coming year. The positive employment intentions, the document added, were more widespread across all regions and in most sectors.

The poll found a growing number of businesses in industries that have seen gradual improvements have reported some difficulties in filling vacant positions. Some also mentioned difficulties finding replacements for skilled, experienced workers who have retired.

The survey also suggested that investment intentions for machinery and equipment increased in the autumn survey, but that the scale of spending intentions seems limited overall.