Consumer confidence slipped across Canada last month to its lowest level since December 2001, according to the February 2003 Index of Consumer Attitudes from The Conference Board of Canada.

The February survey puts the Index at 115.8 index points, a drop of 6.4 points since January.

Only 77.9% of survey respondents felt their family’s financial situation had either improved or remained the same compared to six months ago — down from 81.4% last month.

Respondents’ optimism regarding their future financial situation also declined, as 80.3% felt their situation would be the same or improve within the next six months, compared to 83.9% in January.

The percentage of respondents who felt the present is a good time to make major purchases declined for the third consecutive month.

The latest results are based on more than 2,000 telephone interviews conducted in mid-February.