TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 07/15/11 — A survey released today by BMO Bank of Montreal shows that almost half (49 per cent) of Canadians have to travel outside their community to access common business services.
The study, conducted by Leger Marketing, revealed:
“Having access to business services in your local community is an important factor when it comes to choosing where you will live, and your quality of life. The good news for Canadians is we are beginning to see increased economic activity and a steady pick up in business investment across the country,” says Cathy Pin , Vice-President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. “While some areas and regions are experiencing more robust growth than others, a renewed business confidence should translate into new business openings and, with them, more choices for Canadian consumers.”
According to BMO Economics, the Canadian economy has shifted from the recovery phase to a more mature expansion, with real GDP now expected to grow a moderate 2.8 per cent in 2011, before easing to 2.6 per cent in 2012. At the regional level, Douglas Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets, sees “a clear divide between the commodity-producing provinces and non-commodity provinces, with Western Canada and Newfoundland & Labrador expected to grow 3 per cent to 4 per cent this year, Central Canada growing slightly below 3 per cent and Atlantic Canada at around a 2 per cent pace.”
Additional Survey Findings:
The online survey was conducted by Leger Marketing between May 30 – June 1, 2011, using a sample of 1504 Canadians, 18 years of age or older. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Paul Cunliffe, Toronto
416-867-3996
Sarah Bensadoun, Montreal
514-877-8224
Laurie Grant, Vancouver
604-665-7596