Canadian business owners and managers say they're more likely to hire new employees this year as the economy recovers, two surveys suggest.
One survey -- by Manpower Inc. -- found that employers are more likely to be hiring than firing in the second quarter. But it describes the outlook as "modest."
Its survey of more than 1,900 Canadian employers found 17% plan to increase their payrolls in the April 1 to June 30 period. Six per cent said they were planning to cut staff.
"Employers who intend to hire are telling us that they plan to hire at a moderately stronger pace than during the same time last year and that's good news," said Byrne Luft, a vice-president at Manpower Canada.
"But most -- three in four -- are telling us they will make no changes to their payrolls in the quarter ahead, indicating added stability in the labour market," he said.
The education, mining and construction sectors were the most upbeat on hiring intentions, Manpower said.
A separate survey of Canadian small business owners -- this one by American Express -- found that more than a third were planning to hire staff in the next year.
The survey of 509 small business owners found that 38% would be adding jobs in 2010. More than half of those new jobs (53%) are likely to be permanent, full-time positions.
Almost four in five who are planning to add jobs said they were also planning to invest in new equipment or spend on other capital improvements.
Among the survey's other findings:
More than half of respondents (59%) expect to grow their businesses this year.
The percentage of respondents stressed by the economy has dropped from 65% a year ago to 56%.
More than half (54%) are expecting improvement in their business's financial future, up from 40% a year ago.
Still, the optimism is muted.
"While it is very encouraging to see that the general outlook is bright, we cannot dismiss the fact that this recession is still quite real," said American Express Canada vice-president Howard Grosfield.
"The fact that half of respondents are still experiencing a downturn and a small number report that bankruptcy is a real possibility means we have not turned the corner yet."
The latest unemployment stats put the official jobless rate at 8.3%.
From the employment peak in October 2008, the country has shed 280,000 jobs.
