Domestic business confidence is greater today than at any time since 1979. With a positive economic forecast and good prospects for consumer spending, overall demand in the Canadian consumer and industrial markets should continue to be strong.

Canadians currently spend close to $500 billion each year on consumer goods and services, with services now accounting for more than half of Canadian household expenditures. Consumer spending has also risen rapidly on items related to information technologies.

Average family income continues to increase and growth in disposable income continues to pick up as Canada's economy strengthens, labour market conditions continue to improve, and governments move to trim tax rates-a process that has already started in some provinces.

For further information, click on Canada's economy.