OTTAWA (27 July 2010) - Canadian consumer confidence fell everywhere across the country and the declined of opinion declined on all four questions asked in the monthly survey conducted by the Conference Board of Canada. The index fell 3.7 points in July to 80.0. The index was set to 100 in 2002.

"Unlike in June when the losses were concentrated in just two provinces, consumer confidence fell in every region this month," the board said in its report. "Furthermore, the balance of opinion declined on all four questions, with sentiment toward future employment prospects suffering the largest hit."

The survey of consumer confidence was conducted between 08 and 18 July and included some 2,000 Canadian adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.2%.

The board reported consumers are slightly less optimistic about their current income situation, which it noted could be a reaction to the recent implementation of the harmonized sales tax in Ontario and British Columbia. Only 15.5% of those surveyed said they were better off in July than they were six months ago - a result unchanged from June.

However, there was a 2.3% uptick in the share of consumers who felt they were worse off although the majority of respondents said there had no significant change in their financial position of the past six months.

Half of those consumer surveyed said they didn't expect to see any significant changes in their financial situation over the next six months, although the number saying they expected their finances to improve fell 1.9% over last month.

Canadian consumers also continue to be cautious when it comes to future job prospects in their communities, with those expecting to see fewer jobs up 1.7%. The board noted that 52.8% of Canadians expect no change in the labour market six months from now.

When asked whether now was a good time to make a major purchases - such as a house, car or other big ticket item such as furniture or appliances - the answers fell a "bit further into negative territory this month," the board said.

Those saying now is a good time fell slightly to 42.8% while the number saying now is a bad time to make a major purchase was up marginally to 45.2%.

Regionally, the biggest decline was observed in British Columbia while significant declines were also seen in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies. However, the losses were more subdued in both Quebec and Ontario.

The complete report can be found on the Conference Board of Canada's web site at www.conferenceboard.ca.