Just in time for the crucial holiday shopping season, the latest report shows Canadian consumer confidence is up for the first time in 2012.

The survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of Canadians believe the economy is growing, marking the highest reading since July 2011.

“If you’re feeling better off than you were a year ago, it’s going to translate into more confidence in the marketplace and higher spending,” explained Jack Bensimon, the President of Bensimon Byrne – the firm behind the report. “If you’re feeling worse off than a year ago, it’s going to be a drag on consumer spending.”

Across the country, confidence grew in all provinces except for Quebec. B.C. saw an 18 per cent spike, but Bensimon said that could be a statistical anomaly.

Confidence remains the highest in the prairie provinces.