The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is calling the past year "mediocre" pointing to a high Canadian dollar as a black mark on 2006.

 

Only 52% of businesses say they had an increase to their business revenue for 2006, a dramatic drop from the 72% of respondents reporting an increase in 2005 according to a recent Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Survey.

2006 is being called a mediocre year for businesses but Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brian Martynook says things will change in 2007. "Economic growth is going to be a little bit bumpy, but the second half of 2007 will return to a rate that's slightly above the growth of economic potential output. The Bank of Canada is estimating our economic potential growth at 2.8 per cent."

A major factor draw back for 2006 was the strong Canadian dollar according to Martynook who points to the Raider Industries closure as an example. Raider is blaming the dollar for the closure of the local plant.