"Regionally, Albertans are the most likely to say that their employer will be hiring more people in the coming year (52 per cent), and are among the most likely to say that they will be investing in training (55 per cent) and purchasing new equipment (55 per cent)," said BMO in a statement.
"Even though the Canadian economy overall has slowed, employment remains healthy and the unemployment rate has come down," said Douglas Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "In recent months, the unemployment rate hit its lowest level in four years at just over 7 per cent, and may well fall further later this year."
STORY CONTINUES AFTER GALLERY..
Canadian Workers Optimistic For 2013
Canada-Wide Optimism(01 of08)
Open Image ModalA BMO Bank Of Montreal poll shows the level of optimism by Canadian workers is up dramatically from last year. Click through the gallery to see the level of change and differences between regions. (credit:CP)
Canada(02 of08)
Open Image ModalWorkers across the country are more optimistic about the current year than they were going into 2012, the poll states, with the percentage of respondents saying they believe their employer will hire more people in 2013 at 38 percent, up from 17 per cent last year. Compared to last year, respondents were also more likely to say their employer will invest in training opportunities this year - up to 42 per cent from 18 per cent last year. Forty-five per cent said there will also likely be technological investments in the workplace, up from 20 per cent last year. (credit:Alamy)
Quebec(03 of08)
Open Image ModalWorkers in Quebec are the least optimistic in the country, according to the BMO poll. Only 27 per cent believe their employer will hire additional staff in 2013, 35 per cent think there may be more investments in training, and 39 per cent believe they can look forward to investments in equipment and technology. (credit:Alamy)
Atlantic Canada(04 of08)
Open Image ModalWorkers in Atlantic Canada are the second least optimistic in the country but the poll also found that compared to last year's numbers, workers in those provinces are also seeing the biggest increase in employee optimism in the nation. The poll states 38 per cent expect more hiring - up from six per cent in 2012, 38 per cent believe employers will invest in training - up 21 percentage points, and 47 per cent expect their employer to upgrade technology - up 34 percentage points from 2012. (credit:Alamy)
British Columbia(05 of08)
Open Image ModalIn B.C., 40 per cent of employees said they expect their employer to hire more in 2013, the same number said they thought their employer would invest more in training, and 42 per cent said they expect to see investments in equipment and technology. (credit:CP)
Ontario(06 of08)
Open Image ModalIn Ontario, 40 per cent of employees said their employer is likely to bring in more staff in 2013, while 44 per cent expect money will be spent in training, and 46 per cent think investments will be made in equipment and technology. (credit:Alamy)
Saskatchewan/Manitoba(07 of08)
Open Image ModalThe second most optimistic employees reside in this region. Forty-two per cent of employees in this region expect more hiring in 2013, 43 per cent believe there will be more training opportunities available and 47 per cent think there will be more investments in equipment and technology. (credit:Alamy)
Alberta(08 of08)
Open Image ModalWorkers in Alberta are the most likely to say their employer will be hiring more people in the coming year - 52 per cent. Albertans were also more likely to say they're employer will invest in training opportunities - 55 per cent, and technological assets - 55 per cent. (credit:Alamy)
After Alberta, the next highest numbers were posted by Alberta's eastern neighbours, Sasktachewan and Manitoba.
By comparison, the national numbers show that 38 per cent believe more workers will be hired in 2013, which is a massive jump from last year's 17 per cent.
Across Canada, workers are also optimistic about investments in employee training - 42 per cent, up from 18 per cent last year, and investements in equipment and technology - 45 per cent, up from 20 per cent last year.