Consumer confidence bounced back across Canada last month, approaching its January level, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

In the April 2003 Index of Consumer Attitudes from latest survey, conducted over a five-day period in mid-April, the index increased by 6.6 points to 121.9.

“This rebound is very encouraging. With the SARS outbreak winding down, the Iraq war behind us, and solid employment growth so far this year, consumers should be much more willing to shop and spend,” said Paul Darby, director of Economic Forecasting. “There is no shortage of purchasing power in the economy — and now confidence is picking up.”

The survey showed a broad-based increase in positive responses. In April, 57.8% of respondents felt that the present was a good time to make a major purchase of a car or a home – almost five percentage points higher than March’s level.

Respectable Canadian job gains of 14,200 in March may have helped boost respondents’ confidence in their financial situation.

The Conference Board of Canada conducts the Consumer Attitudes survey monthly, and the latest results are based on more than 2,000 telephone interviews.