The Canadian Manufacturers’ Outlook is a survey conducted, on a yearly basis, by PLANT Magazine in partnership with sponsors Grant Thornton LLP, SYSPRO Canada and Machines Italia with the Italian Trade Commission. This year's survey is based on 501 replies from senior manufacturing executives (margin of error of ± 3.6%, 19 times out of 20).  PLANT’s Manufacturers’ Outlook 2019 survey conducted from Aug. 1 to Sept. 11 shows uncertain business conditions are affecting the attitudes of senior company executives. Thirty per cent are optimistic, which is down from last year’s sample (44%), and most (51%) qualify their optimism with caution. Looking at the next three years, optimism declines markedly to 23% of respondents compared to last year (38%) as caution is registered by 54%. The same is true of Canada’s economic growth. Only 11% are optimistic compared to 22% last year. The global view inspires even less confidence (9% optimistic compared to 19% last year). Sixty-five percent of companies are very concerned about US protectionism, a considerable increase from last year’s 54%. Concern about the Trump administration’s impact on nation-to-nation relationships is also higher at 61%, compared to 45% in 2018. The NAFTA negotiations were high on the list (56%), although a deal was reached after the survey was closed.

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