In October, the CFIB Business Barometer shows optimism among small business owners in Saskatchewan had declined to an index of 50, down from 53.1 in September. The National average index is 59.8.

Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB’s Vice-President Prairie & Agri-business notes that hiring plans have also weekend with 25 per cent of business owners planning lay-offs in the next three months.

The CFIB October Business Barometer was undertaken on October 21st before election results were known and two days before the Government of Saskatchewan’s 2019 Throne Speech.