There’s finally good economic news in Canada as reports show that consumer confidence rose in June.

That’s according to the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index, which averages out weekly surveys of Canadians with questions on personal finances, job security, economic forecasts and real estate market expectations. Earlier this month, the Index reached 58.3, up from 55.5 at the end of May.

It marks a significant turning point after more than a year of low consumer confidence. The number of respondents who think the economy will strengthen in the next six months rose to 18.5% in the latest report, the most since November 2018. The number of respondents who think it will weaken fell to 25.5%, the lowest since February of last year. Residents of Quebec posted the highest confidence levels.

Factors that impacted the uptick include stabilized housing markets, more promising economic data, lower borrowing costs and a stronger Canadian dollar, as well as President Donald Trump’s lifting of metals tariffs on Canadian goods and the likelihood that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s would move forward with a new crude pipeline between Alberta and British Columbia. That announcement was made official this week.

The Trans Mountain pipeline will add an estimated 590,000 barrels of daily shipping capacity, a 15% increase to the 4 million Western Canada currently produces. There have been calls over the years for the government to help the beleaguered oil industry in Canada, particularly in Alberta.

“I would describe the economic outlook in Alberta as optimistic, especially in Edmonton,” says Russell Bird, owner of The Promo Addict (asi/302225) in Sherwood Park, AB, about 30 miles east of the city. “We have a lot to look forward to with our new government [the United Conservative Party was elected in April], a federal election in the fall, the approval of the pipeline expansion, and the continued revitalization work in Edmonton’s Ice District.”

Bird says his company has prepared for increased sales volume with a recent round of hiring and on-boarding to have them up to speed. “More than half of our staff has worked here for less than a year,” he says. “A great team will help us succeed in the current economy by helping us to win a larger percentage of local business.”

Krystal Siokas is the president of ESPRIT Communication & Marketing (asi/189426) in Montreal, and she believes there are several factors contributing to higher confidence levels in Quebec. “The province has had recent economic growth due to a wave of immigration, very low interest rates, a prosperous housing market and lower unemployment rates,” she says. “All this economic acceleration helps businesses increase sales and hopefully profit. As we know, when the economy is bleak, the first thing companies cut is their marketing and advertising budget, even if that’s the last thing they should be doing.”

In fact, Siokas says her company has seen in increase in sales from Quebec-based clients over the past month, as have their suppliers and multi-line reps. “I can’t say if this is directly related to increased confidence,” she says. “But if the economy keeps on going as well as it has in the last few months, then I strongly believe that Canadians will be more optimistic and that the economy as a whole will benefit, not just the promo industry.”

Amanda Dudek, owner of A Dudek Promotions (asi/101207) in Maple, ON, says she’s seen an uptick in customer inquiries and orders, and even larger-than-normal orders from repeat clients. “The past few years has seen political unrest on both sides of the border, creating uncertainty for all Canadians,” she says. “As Canada and the U.S. reach agreements, businesses are more willing to invest in promotional products. I’m optimistic that this is the start of more investment by Canadian businesses in their marketing, including promotional products. When the economy is healthy, businesses are willing to devote more of their revenues back into the company for marketing and sales initiatives.”