Stalling economy brings government austerity plans under scrutiny
Many Canadians are still struggling with their personal finances
Monthly sales rise 0.3%: StatsCan
Exec more confident in the near-term prospects of their own firms than in the economy generally
Surplus with the United States widens
Japan, Russia and the U.S. are showing stronger signs
Housing market still sluggish
More firms expect sales growth to slow rather than increase over the next 12 months
Declines in all three components of the non-residential sector
Liquidity position may be near its peak as companies face the potential for economic weakness