TORONTO — A new survey of Canadian employers suggests businesses expect the hiring climate this summer to be relatively positive but the weakest in more than two years.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey finds that 23 per cent of employers surveyed plan to increase their payrolls during the July-September quarter, while five per cent anticipate cutbacks.

About 70 per cent expected to maintain their current staffing levels, while two per cent say they are unsure of their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.

Manpower says the results from the survey of more than 1,900 employers suggest one of the most subdued employer forecasts in more than two years.

Still, it says job seekers in all regions should benefit from the steady hiring climate. Employers in Western Canada reported the most favourable outlook.

In the case of Red Deer, Manpower said its data suggests that 34 per cent of employers plan to hire for the upcoming quarter, while two per cent anticipate cutbacks. Another 63 per cent plan to maintain their current staffing levels, and one per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

“Although some outlooks have decreased slightly compared to the previous quarter, job seekers should maintain confidence in the labour market as employers throughout Canada anticipate the hiring pace will remain upbeat through the summer,” said Byrne Luft, vice-president of operations for staffing services at Manpower Canada.

By sector, employers in mining had the most favourable outlook, followed by those in transportation and public utilities and finance, insurance and real estate.

Employers in manufacturing and education were least upbeat for the coming quarter.