Though Canadian consumers are more confident, investors are still wary.

Read: Consumer confidence hits 3-year high

That’s why the latest Manulife Financial Investor Sentiment Index dipped by one point to a national average of +21. Twice annually, the sentiment survey measures investors’ views on a range of asset classes and investment vehicles. It also gauges people’s financial priorities and retirement goals.

This time around, market skepticism is most apparent in Quebec, where the index has only inched three points higher than it was prior to the economic crisis. In that region, it’s sitting at +5.

According to the index, less than half of Quebec’s residents (43%) say they plan to invest in assets such as homes, for example, compared to 66% in Alberta and 65% in Atlantic Canada.

Read: CFAs upbeat on global outlook

And while TFSAs are favoured savings vehicles across the country—with 71% of both Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents using them, for example—only 45% of Quebec residents say TFSAs are useful.

Read: Faceoff: TFSA vs. RRSP

However, investors in Quebec are optimistic about meeting their financial goals, says Guy Couture, VP, Manulife Financial. More than half (53%) say they expect to meet their goals, with another 6% saying they’re ahead in terms of saving.

The province is second only to Alberta in terms of financial planning optimism: 8% of Alberta’s residents say they’re surpassing financial goals, and the province scored a +30 in terms of market optimism.

Read: Investment performance vs. financial planning

Survey highlights include:

  • Nearly half of residents in every province reported they’d be in a better financial position in two years.
  • Ontario residents are less likely to feel on track with their current financial goals, with only 37% feeling confident.
  • Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents were most likely to say that they are in a better financial position now than in 2011 (49%), compared to 39% in Atlantic Canada, and 35% in both Ontario and Quebec.
  • B.C. residents (23%) were most likely to say that they’re behind on their financial goals and unlikely to catch up.
  • Atlantic Canadians were most optimistic about vehicles such as stocks (31%) and segregated funds (28%).

Read:

Young investors more financially conscious

Blasting through financial inertia

Investors worldwide are more optimistic