Small Business optimism is down again in Saskatchewan in November. The Canadian Federation of independent Business says the index was at 44.1; a considerable drop from the 50 recorded the month before. That puts us 12 points below the national average. To give some perspective to the numbers, you would expect to see an index of between 65 and 70 when the economy is growing at its potential. That means Saskatchewan is nearly 21 points lower than that range. Hiring plans are weakening with 28 per cent of business owners planning lay-offs in the next three months. Only seven percent plan on hiring. Marilyn Braun-Pollon, Vice-President, Western Canada and Agri-business says, “It is clear there are a number of challenges weighing heavily on the minds of Saskatchewan entrepreneurs, including pressures in the oil and gas sector, ongoing Ag trade uncertainty with China, and a difficult harvest.” On top of that, businesses face cost increases from the federal Liberal government’s carbon tax, CPP premium hikes, and municipal property tax increases.