Date: November 2022

Program manager: Director, Centre for Income and Socioeconomic Well-being Statistics
Director General, Labour Market, Education and Socioeconomic Well-being

Reference to Personal Information Bank (PIB)

Personal information collected through the Survey of Financial Security (SFS) is described in the Statistics Canada Personal Information Bank (PPU 151).

The Personal Information Bank is published on the Statistics Canada website under the latest Information about Information about programs and Information Holdings chapter.

Description of statistical activity

Statistics Canada conducts the Survey of Financial Security (SFS) under the authority of the Statistics Act^{Footnote 1}. The purpose of the SFS is to collect information about the asset and debt holdings of Canadians. This voluntary household survey, collects information on the value of all major financial and non-financial assets and on the money owing on mortgages, vehicles, credit cards, student loans and other debts. It was first conducted in 1999, and since 2016, it is conducted every three years in order to provide a comprehensive picture of the net worth of Canadians and how it may change over time. For the 2023 collection cycle, with a view to better understand how the financial situation of Canadian families has fared since the COVID-19 pandemic was first reported, one new question has been added to measure any changes to the financial situation of Canadians since the pandemic began.

Statistics Canada will publish aggregate results in the Daily (the Agency's official release bulletin) summarizing the survey findings along with data tables. Data will be fully anonymized and non-confidential, without any direct personal identifiers, which prevents the possibility of identifying individuals.

The Department of Finance, the Bank of Canada and public university researchers with vetted and approved research projects will access the data file, with all personal identifiers removed, in Statistics Canada's Research Data Centres (RDC)^{Footnote 2} and will only be permitted to release aggregate results, which are fully anonymized and non-confidential.

For recent cycles of the Survey of Financial Security, data have been linked to income tax data files (StatCan PPU 111) and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile (APIM). This linkage is essential to obtain accurate personal and household income information while reducing burden on respondents. Additionally, the income data from the linked SFS/APIM (T1) data is further linked to T4 tax files, the Registered Plans Application Suite (RPAS) file and the Pension Plans in Canada (PPIC) database in order to value registered pension plan assets. Estimating the net worth of Canadians is incomplete without calculating the present value of pensions and the RPAS and PPIC linkages are critical for this work. Statistics Canada's microdata linkage and related statistical activities were assessed in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment.^{Footnote 3} All data linkage activities are subject to established governance^{Footnote 4}, and are assessed against the privacy principles of necessity and proportionality^{Footnote 5}. All approved linkages are published on Statistics Canada's website^{Footnote 6}.

There are no data sharing agreements in place for the Survey of Financial Security.

Reason for supplement

While the Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) addresses the privacy and security risks related to statistical activities conducted by Statistics Canada, a supplementary PIA has been deemed necessary to address the sensitive nature of the survey content and the possible concerns of Canadians about the intrusiveness of the collection. This supplementary PIA describes the additional safeguards being implemented for the collection, processing and use of personal financial information. As is the case with all PIAs, Statistics Canada's privacy framework ensures that elements of privacy and protection and privacy controls are documented and applied.

The Generic PIA also presents and addresses the privacy principles and levels of potential risk, which apply to the collection and use of the personal financial information.

Necessity and Proportionality

The collection of personal information for the Survey of Financial Security can be justified against Statistics Canada's Necessity and Proportionality Framework:

1. Necessity:

The SFS seeks to provide data users with an understanding of the wealth dynamics of Canadians and a comprehensive look at the relationship between assets, liabilities, income, and demographic characteristics of Canadian families.

The findings from the SFS can be important to all levels of government, the private sector, academia and non-profit organizations who seek to understand the dynamics of the financial security of Canadians. The survey provides information to help address important questions on the nature of the financial security of Canadians, such as:

• How many Canadians may be unable to manage their debt load?
• Do families set aside money for their children's education?
• Do people save adequately for retirement?
• Will the pension system be able to support Canada's aging population?
• What groups of people are most likely to be financially at risk?
• How vulnerable are Canadians to major shifts in the financial markets?

Information gleaned from the survey also supports evaluating the asset resilience of Canadians and may help identify groups that may be more likely to be financially insecure.

Furthermore, the information provides policymakers and academics with indicators to learn more about highly indebted Canadians, the financial well-being of seniors, the prevalence of wealth inequality and the impact of these issues on our society. It also provides the public and non-governmental organizations with the opportunity to undertake their own research on wealth dynamics in Canada and keep governments accountable for their actions taken to help Canadians improve their financial well-being. Additionally, the data collected by the survey will keep the public informed on wealth-related economic conditions of Canadians.

2. Effectiveness - Working assumptions:

The content and scope of the questions have been developed in partnership with other federal government stakeholders including Finance Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, the Bank of Canada, and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The questionnaire content includes a comprehensive list of all asset and debt instruments that are available to Canadians.

Before the questionnaire was first launched it was thoroughly tested by Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre to ensure the concepts were well-understood by Canadians.

For the purpose of better understanding how the financial security of Canadians may change over time, the SFS has a fixed core content which uses a methodology that has remained stable over time. In order to help address new and emerging data priorities, new questions are occasionally developed, tested and included on subsequent survey cycles. One example of this is the introduction of a question on the holdings within the tax-free savings account program, which was launched in 2009 and introduced in the 2012 questionnaire.

3. Proportionality:

While the personal financial information collected by this survey is sensitive and Canadians may have concerns about the intrusiveness of its collection, the information helps governments, economic and social policy analysts, community groups and businesses serve Canadians better.

The sample of 39,500 dwellings across the 10 Canadian provinces is necessary to publish national-level and provincial-level estimates for the wealth dynamics of Canadians grouped by age and family type while still protecting the privacy and confidentiality of respondents. The total sample size has been assessed as necessary to ensure that estimates calculated from the collected data are of sufficient quality.

4. Alternatives:

Although some alternative data are available on individual asset and debt holdings of Canadians, these alternatives do not provide a comprehensive picture of all the asset and debt holdings of Canadians which is necessary to estimate their wealth (assets less debts). As an example, the survey calculates the current value of employer-sponsored pension plans held by Canadians based on their employment and demographic characteristics. Additionally, there are no alternative datasets available with a level of granularity that supports Statistics Canada's mandate. The collection and use of the personal information is being designed in such a way to minimize the collection and use of individualized data.

Mitigation factors

Some questions in the SFS are considered sensitive as they relate to the finances of Canadians. However, the overall risk of harm to the survey respondents has been deemed manageable with existing Statistics Canada safeguards that are described in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment, some of which are highlighted here, as well as with some additional measures;

Transparency

As is the case for all surveys, respondents are informed through the invitation letter, at the beginning of the questionnaire and on Statistics Canada's website^{Footnote 7}, that participation is voluntary and of the nature of the survey. Additionally, to further inform their decision to participate, a brochure and promotional materials are also provided (See Appendix 1).

Confidentiality

As is the case for all surveys, variables that directly identify respondents will be separated from the data files in the first stage of data processing and placed in a secure location with controlled access. Variables that might indirectly identify respondents are examined and modified as necessary in order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents. Individual responses will be grouped with those of others when reporting results. Individual responses and results for very small groups will never be published or shared with government departments or agencies. Careful analysis of the data will be performed prior to the publication and sharing of aggregate data to protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents.

Conclusion

This assessment concludes that the overall risk of harm to the survey respondents has been deemed manageable with existing Statistics Canada safeguards.

Formal approval

This Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment has been reviewed and recommended for approval by Statistics Canada’s Chief Privacy Officer, the Director General for Labour Market, Education and Socioeconomic Well-being, and the Assistant Chief Statistician for the Social, Health and Labour Statistics Field.

The Chief Statistician of Canada has the authority for section 10 of the Privacy Act for Statistics Canada, and is responsible for the Agency's operations, including the program area mentioned in this Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment.

This Privacy Impact Assessment has been approved by the Chief Statistician of Canada.

Why are we conducting this survey?

This survey is conducted by Statistics Canada in order to collect the necessary information to support the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). This program combines various survey and administrative data to develop comprehensive measures of the Canadian economy.

The statistical information from the IBSP serves many purposes, including:

• calculating each province and territory's fair share of federal-provincial transfer payments for health, education and social programs
• establishing government programs to assist businesses
• assisting the business community in negotiating contracts and collective agreements
• supporting the government in making informed decisions about fiscal, monetary and foreign exchange policies
• indexing social benefit programs and determining tax brackets
• enabling academics and economists to analyze the economic performance of Canadian industries and to better understand rapidly evolving business environments.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

Confidentiality

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Enterprise Statistics Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

You may also contact us by email at statcan.esdhelpdesk-dsebureaudedepannage.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-6583.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Business or organization and contact information

1. Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct where needed.

Note: Legal name modifications should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

Legal Name

The legal name is one recognized by law, thus it is the name liable for pursuit or for debts incurred by the business or organization. In the case of a corporation, it is the legal name as fixed by its charter or the statute by which the corporation was created.

Modifications to the legal name should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

To indicate a legal name of another legal entity you should instead indicate it in question 3 by selecting 'Not currently operational' and then choosing the applicable reason and providing the legal name of this other entity along with any other requested information.

Operating Name

The operating name is a name the business or organization is commonly known as if different from its legal name. The operating name is synonymous with trade name.

• Legal name
• Operating name (if applicable)

2. Verify or provide the contact information of the designated business or organization contact person for this questionnaire and correct where needed.

Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.

• First name
• Last name
• Title
• Preferred language of communication
  • English
  • French
• Mailing address (number and street)
• City
• Province, territory or state
• Postal code or ZIP code
• Country
  • Canada
  • United States
• Email address
• Telephone number (including area code)
• Extension number (if applicable)
  The maximum number of characters is 10.
• Fax number (including area code)

3. Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

• Operational
• Not currently operational
  • Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
    • Seasonal operations
    • Ceased operations
    • Sold operations
    • Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
    • Temporarily inactive but will re-open
    • No longer operating due to other reasons
  • When did this business or organization close for the season?
    • Date
  • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
    • Date
  • When did this business or organization cease operations?
    • Date
  • Why did this business or organization cease operations?
    • Bankruptcy
    • Liquidation
    • Dissolution
    • Other
  • Specify the other reasons why the operations ceased
    • When was this business or organization sold?
      • Date
    • What is the legal name of the buyer?
    • When did this business or organization amalgamate?
      • Date
    • What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
    • What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
    • When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
      • Date
    • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
      • Date
    • Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
    • When did this business or organization cease operations?
      • Date
    • Why did this business or organization cease operations?

4. Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

This question verifies the business or organization's current main activity as classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system developed by the statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Created against the background of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it is designed to provide common definitions of the industrial structure of the three countries and a common statistical framework to facilitate the analysis of the three economies. NAICS is based on supply-side or production-oriented principles, to ensure that industrial data, classified to NAICS, are suitable for the analysis of production-related issues such as industrial performance.

The target entity for which NAICS is designed are businesses and other organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. They include farms, incorporated and unincorporated businesses and government business enterprises. They also include government institutions and agencies engaged in the production of marketed and non-marketed services, as well as organizations such as professional associations and unions and charitable or non-profit organizations and the employees of households.

The associated NAICS should reflect those activities conducted by the business or organizational units targeted by this questionnaire only, as identified in the 'Answering this questionnaire' section and which can be identified by the specified legal and operating name. The main activity is the activity which most defines the targeted business or organization's main purpose or reason for existence. For a business or organization that is for-profit, it is normally the activity that generates the majority of the revenue for the entity.

The NAICS classification contains a limited number of activity classifications; the associated classification might be applicable for this business or organization even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business or organization's main activity.

Please note that any modifications to the main activity through your response to this question might not necessarily be reflected prior to the transmitting of subsequent questionnaires and as a result they may not contain this updated information.

The following is the detailed description including any applicable examples or exclusions for the classification currently associated with this business or organization.

Description and examples

• This is the current main activity
  • Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity
  • e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
• This is not the current main activity

Main activity

5. You indicated that is not the current main activity.

Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as: ?

• Yes
  • When did the main activity change?
  • Date
• No

6. Search and select the industry classification code that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.

Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)

• Farming or logging operation
• Construction company or general contractor
• Manufacturer
• Wholesaler
• Retailer
• Provider of passenger or freight transportation
• Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
• Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
• Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
• Provider of health care or social services
• Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
• Other sector

7. You have indicated that the current main activity of this business or organization is:

Main activity

Are there any other activities that contribute significantly (at least 10%) to this business or organization's revenue?

• Yes, there are other activities
  • Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's secondary activity
  • e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
• No, that is the only significant activity

8. Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following activities?

When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.

Reporting period information

1. What are the start and end dates of this business's or organization's most recently completed fiscal year?

For this survey, the end date should fall between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023

Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:

• May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
• June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022
• July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022
• August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022
• September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022
• October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
• November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022
• December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022
• January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022
• February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023
• March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023
• April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023

Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:

• September 18, 2021 to September 15, 2022 (e.g., floating year-end)
• June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (e.g., a newly opened business).

• Fiscal year start date
• Fiscal year-end date

2. What is the reason the reporting period does not cover a full year?

Select all that apply.

• Seasonal operations
• New business
• Change of ownership
• Temporarily inactive
• Change of fiscal year
• Ceased operations
• Other
  • Specify reason the reporting period does not cover a full year

Additional reporting instructions

1. Throughout this questionnaire, please report financial information in thousands of Canadian dollars.

For example, an amount of $763,880.25 should be reported as:

CAN$ '000 $764,000

I will report in the format above

Revenue

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what was this business's revenue from each of the following sources?

Notes:

• a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
• these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Revenue

a. Sales of goods and services (e.g., fees, admissions, services revenue)

Sales of goods and services are defined as amounts derived from the sale of products and services (cash or credit), falling within a business's ordinary activities. Sales should be reported net of trade discount, value added tax and other taxes based on sales.

Include:

• sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales)
• transfers to other business units or the head office of this firm.

Exclude:

• transfers into inventory and consignment sales
• federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes
• intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

b. Rental and leasing

Include rental or leasing of apartments, commercial buildings, land, office space, residential housing, investments in co-tenancies and co-ownerships, hotel or motel rooms, long and short term vehicle leasing, machinery or equipment, storage lockers, etc.

c. Commissions

Include commissions earned on the sale of products or services by businesses such as advertising agencies, brokers, insurance agents, lottery ticket sales, sales representatives, and travel agencies - compensation could also be reported under this item (e.g., compensation for collecting sales tax).

d. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include:

• non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government
• revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

e. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

A royalty is defined as a payment received by the holder of a copyright, trademark or patent.

Include revenue received from the sale or use of all intellectual property rights of copyrighted materials such as musical, literary, artistic or dramatic works, sound recordings or the broadcasting of communication signals.

f. Dividends

Include:

• dividend income
• dividends from Canadian sources
• dividends from foreign sources
• patronage dividends.

Exclude equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

g. Interest

Include:

• investment revenue
• interest from foreign sources
• interest from Canadian bonds and debentures
• interest from Canadian mortgage loans
• interest from other Canadian sources.

Exclude equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

h. Other revenue - specify

Include amounts not included in questions a. to g.

Total revenue

The sum of questions a. to h.

Expenses

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what were this business's expenses for the following items?

Notes:

• a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
• these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Expenses

a. Cost of goods sold

Many business units distinguish their costs of materials from their other business expenses (selling, general and administrative). This item is included to allow you to easily record your costs/expenses according to your normal accounting practices.

Include:

• cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale - net of discounts earned on purchases
• freight in and duty.

Exclude all costs associated with salaries, wages, benefits, commissions and subcontracts (report at Employment costs and expenses, and Subcontracts).

b. Employment costs and expenses

b1. Salaries, wages and commissions

Please report all salaries and wages (including taxable allowances and employment commissions as defined on the T4 - Statement of Remuneration Paid) before deductions for this reporting period.

Include:

• vacation pay
• bonuses (including profit sharing)
• employee commissions
• taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays)
• severance pay.

Exclude all payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report at Subcontracts).

b2. Employee benefits

Include contributions to:

• health plans
• insurance plans
• employment insurance
• pension plans
• workers' compensation
• association dues
• contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans
• contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

c. Subcontracts

Subcontract expense refers to the purchasing of services from outside of the company rather than providing them in-house.

Include:

• hired casual labour and outside contract workers
• custom work and contract work
• subcontract and outside labour
• hired labour.

d. Research and development fees

Expenses from activities conducted with the intention of making a discovery that could either lead to the development of new products or procedures, or to the improvement of existing products or procedures.

e. Professional and business fees

Include:

• legal services
• accounting and auditing fees
• consulting fees
• education and training fees
• appraisal fees
• management and administration fees
• property management fees
• information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased)
• architectural fees
• engineering fees
• scientific and technical service fees
• other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific)
• veterinary fees
• fees for human health services
• payroll preparation fees
• all other professional and business service fees.

Exclude service fees paid to Head Office (report at All other costs and expenses).

f. Utilities

Utility expenses related to operating your business unit such as water, electricity, gas, heating and hydro.

Include:

• diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane
• sewage.

Exclude:

• energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts
• telephone, Internet and other telecommunications (report at question h.)
• vehicle fuel (report at All other costs and expenses).

g. Office and computer related expenses

Include:

• office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines
• postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity)
• diskettes and computer and peripherals upgrade expenses
• data processing.

Exclude telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report at Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication).

h. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication

Include:

• Internet
• telephone and telecommunications
• cellular telephone
• fax machine
• pager.

i. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include:

• property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes
• vehicle license fees
• beverage taxes and business taxes
• trade license fees
• membership fees and professional license fees
• provincial capital tax.

j. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include:

• amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks
• gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs
• resident and non-resident royalty expenses
• franchise fees.

Exclude Crown royalties

k. Crown charges

Federal or Provincial royalty, tax, lease or rental payments made in relation to the acquisition, development or ownership of Canadian resource properties.

Include:

• Crown royalties
• Crown leases and rentals
• oil sand leases
• stumpage fees.

l. Rental and leasing

Include:

• lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses
• motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses
• studio lighting and scaffolding
• machinery and equipment rental expenses
• storage expenses
• road and construction equipment rental
• fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

m. Repair and maintenance

Include:

• buildings and structures
• machinery and equipment
• security equipment
• vehicles
• costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses
• janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

n. Amortization and depreciation

Include:

• direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements
• amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

o. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include:

• professional and other liability insurance
• motor vehicle and property insurance
• executive life insurance
• bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

p. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include:

• newspaper advertising and media expenses
• catalogues, presentations and displays
• tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion
• fundraising expenses
• meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

q. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include:

• travel expenses
• meeting and convention expenses, seminars
• passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.)
• accommodations
• travel allowance and meals while travelling
• other travel expenses.

r. Financial services

Include:

• explicit service charges for financial services
• credit and debit card commissions and charges
• collection expenses and transfer fees
• registrar and transfer agent fees
• security and exchange commission fees
• other financial service fees.

Exclude interest expenses (report at Interest expense).

s. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company's debt.

Include:

• interest
• bank charges
• finance charges
• interest payments on capital leases
• amortization of bond discounts
• interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

t. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include:

• charitable donations and political contributions
• bad debt expense
• loan losses
• provisions for loan losses (minus bad debt recoveries)
• inventory adjustments.

u. All other costs and expenses (including intracompany expenses)

Include:

• production costs
• pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration
• gross overriding royalty
• other producing property rentals
• well operating, fuel and equipment
• other lease rentals
• other direct costs
• equipment hire and operation
• log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs
• freight in and duty
• overhead expenses allocated to cost of sales
• other expenses
• cash over/short (negative expense)
• reimbursement of parent company expense
• warranty expense
• recruiting expenses
• general and administrative expenses
• interdivisional expenses
• interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries)
• exploration and development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses)
• amounts not included in sub-questions a. to t. above.

Total expenses

The sum of sub-questions a. to u.

Industry characteristics

1. What were this business's sales for each of the following goods and services?

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

All revenue reported should exclude sales taxes (GST/HST, PST and QST) and be net of returns, discounts, sales allowances, and charges for outward transportation by common or contract carriers. Do not deduct the value of trade-ins.

a. Sales of all goods purchased for resale, net of returns and discounts

Include:

• excise taxes (such as those on gasoline, liquor, and tobacco) and other taxes that are levied on the manufacturer/importer and included in the cost of products purchased by this business unit
• sales of all goods purchased for resale; please report gross sales of new and used goods less returns and discounts
• parts used in generating repair and maintenance revenue (report the labour portion of repair and maintenance at question c.).

Do not deduct the value of trade-ins.

Exclude:

• taxes collected directly from customers and paid directly by this operating unit to provincial and federal tax agencies
• sales and revenue from concessions.

b. Sales of goods manufactured as a secondary activity by this retailing business unit

Report revenue from sales of goods of own manufacture.

c. Labour revenue from repair and maintenance

Include:

• labour revenue from installations, warranty and repair work
• parts used in generating installation, repair and maintenance revenue are to be included at question a.

d. Revenue from rental and leasing of goods and equipment

Include:

• video/computer game rental
• rug shampoo equipment rental
• tool rental.

e. Revenue from rental of real estate

Include revenue received from renting out or leasing property owned by this business unit.

Sales by type of client

1. What was this business's breakdown of sales by the following types of client?

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.

Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

a. to c. Clients in Canada

a. Individuals and households

Please report the percentage of sales to individuals and households who do not represent the business or government sector.

b. Businesses

Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.

Include sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)

Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.

Include: sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

d. Clients outside Canada

Please report the percentage of total sales to customers or clients located outside Canada including foreign businesses, foreign individuals, foreign institutions and/or governments.

Include sales to foreign subsidiaries and affiliates.

Distribution of operating revenue by method of sale

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what was the breakdown of the operating revenue by method of sale?

a. In-store sales

Please report total operating revenue of goods and services which are purchased in a fixed point-of-sale location accessible to the public.

Include sales at pumps for gasoline stations.

b. E-commerce revenue: sale of goods and services conducted over the Internet with or without online payment.

Include all revenue where the order is received and the commitment to purchase is made via the Internet, although payment can be made by other means, orders made in web pages, extranet, mobile devices or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Exclude orders made by telephone calls, facsimile or e-mail.

c. Catalogue and mail-order or telephone

Please report total operating revenue of goods and services generated from customers ordering their goods from catalogues and mail order flyers.

Include sales purchased via telephone and fax.

d. All other methods

Please report total operating revenue of goods and services generated from all other methods.

Include sales at trade shows, special events, in-home sales and card lock.

Details on Purchased Services

1. For the reporting period YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, this business reported expenses for the following items.

Please provide the requested details related to these expenses.

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

E-Commerce

1. Please indicate the methods of sales used over the Internet:

Select all that apply

Mobile app

Include sales through any app, or application, that is downloaded and designed to run on a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet (for example, places where a user may download these apps including Apple's App Store, Google Play or Blackberry App World).

Company website

Include sales through a browser-based website where your organization maintains control of the content.

Third-party website

Include sales through a browser-based website where a third-party maintains the structure of the website and control of the look and feel while your company only provides the product to be sold (for example, Amazon, Expedia or Etsy).

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

A standard format for exchanging business data. EDI is based on the use of message standards, ensuring that all participants use a common language.

• Via a mobile app
• Via your company website
• Via a third-party website
• Via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
• Other - Specify other methods

2. Does this business have any full-time staff dedicated solely to activities related to e-commerce?

• Yes
• No

3. Please identify the reasons why this business did not make sales over the Internet:

Select all that apply

• Goods and services do not lend themselves to online sales
• Prefer to maintain current business model
• Lack of skilled workers to implement and maintain e-commerce infrastructure
• Cost of development is too high
• Security concerns
• Other - Specify other reasons

Notification of intent to extract web data

1. Does this business have a website?

• Yes
  • Specify the business website address 1
  • Specify the business website address 2
  • Specify the business website address 3
• No

Notification of intent to extract web data

Statistics Canada engages in web-data extraction, also known as web scraping, which is a process by which information is gathered and copied from the Web using automated scripts or robots, for retrieval and analysis. As a result, we may visit the website for this business or organization to search for and compile additional information. The use of web scraping is part of a broader effort to reduce the response burden on businesses or organizations, as well as produce additional statistical indicators to ensure that our data remain accurate and relevant.

We will strive to ensure that the data collection does not interfere with the functionality of the website. Any data collected will be used by Statistics Canada for statistical and research purposes only, in accordance with the agency's privacy and confidentiality mandate. All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly protected.

More information regarding Statistics Canada's web scraping initiative.

Learn more about Statistics Canada's transparency and accountability.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (TTY: 1-800-363-7629) or by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca- this link will open in a new window. Additional information about this survey can be found by selecting the following link: Information for survey participants (ISP).

Changes or events

1. Indicate any changes or events that affected the reported values for this business or organization, compared with the last reporting period.

Select all that apply.

• Strike or lock-out
• Exchange rate impact
• Price changes in goods or services sold
• Contracting out
• Organizational change
• Price changes in labour or raw materials
• Natural disaster
• Recession
• Change in product line
• Sold business or business units
• Expansion
• New or lost contract
• Plant closures
• Acquisition of business or business units
• Other - Specify the other changes or events:
• No changes or events

Contact person

2. Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.

Is the provided given names and the provided family name the best person to contact?

• Yes
• No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

• First name:
• Last name:
• Title:
• Email address:
• Telephone number (including area code):
• Extension number (if applicable):
• The maximum number of characters is 10.
• Fax number (including area code):

Feedback

3. How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

• Hours:
• Minutes:

4. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Why do we conduct this survey?

This survey is conducted by Statistics Canada in order to collect the necessary information to support the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). This program combines various survey and administrative data to develop comprehensive measures of the Canadian economy.

The statistical information from the IBSP serves many purposes, including:

• calculating each province and territory's fair share of federal-provincial transfer payments for health, education and social programs
• establishing government programs to assist businesses
• assisting the business community in negotiating contracts and collective agreements
• supporting the government in making informed decisions about fiscal, monetary and foreign exchange policies
• indexing social benefit programs and determining tax brackets
• enabling academics and economists to analyze the economic performance of Canadian industries and to better understand rapidly evolving business environments.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

Confidentiality

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Enterprise Statistics Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

You may also contact us by email at statcan.esdhelpdesk-dsebureaudedepannage.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-6583.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Business or organization and contact information

1. Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct where needed.

Note: Legal name modifications should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

Legal Name

The legal name is one recognized by law, thus it is the name liable for pursuit or for debts incurred by the business or organization. In the case of a corporation, it is the legal name as fixed by its charter or the statute by which the corporation was created.

Modifications to the legal name should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

To indicate a legal name of another legal entity you should instead indicate it in question 3 by selecting 'Not currently operational' and then choosing the applicable reason and providing the legal name of this other entity along with any other requested information.

Operating Name

The operating name is a name the business or organization is commonly known as if different from its legal name. The operating name is synonymous with trade name.

• Legal name:
• Operating name (if applicable):

2. Verify or provide the contact information of the designated business or organization contact person for this questionnaire and correct where needed.

Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.

• First name:
• Last name:
• Title:
• Preferred language of communication:
  • English
  • French
• Mailing address (number and street):
• City:
• Province, territory or state:
• Postal code or ZIP code:
• Country:
  • Canada
  • United States
• Email address:
• Telephone number (including area code):
• Extension number (if applicable):
  The maximum number of characters is 10.
• Fax number (including area code):

3. Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

• Operational
• Not currently operational
  Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
  • Seasonal operations
    • When did this business or organization close for the season?
      • Date
    • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
      • Date
  • Ceased operations
    • When did this business or organization cease operations?
      • Date
    • Why did this business or organization cease operations?
      • Bankruptcy
      • Liquidation
      • Dissolution
      • Other - Specify the other reasons for ceased operations
  • Sold operations
    • When was this business or organization sold?
      • Date
    • What is the legal name of the buyer?
  • Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
    • When did this business or organization amalgamate?
      • Date
    • What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
    • What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
  • Temporarily inactive but will re-open
    • When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
      • Date
    • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
      • Date
    • Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
  • No longer operating due to other reasons
    • When did this business or organization cease operations?
      • Date
    • Why did this business or organization cease operations?

4. Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

This question verifies the business or organization's current main activity as classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system developed by the statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Created against the background of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it is designed to provide common definitions of the industrial structure of the three countries and a common statistical framework to facilitate the analysis of the three economies. NAICS is based on supply-side or production-oriented principles, to ensure that industrial data, classified to NAICS , are suitable for the analysis of production-related issues such as industrial performance.

The target entity for which NAICS is designed are businesses and other organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. They include farms, incorporated and unincorporated businesses and government business enterprises. They also include government institutions and agencies engaged in the production of marketed and non-marketed services, as well as organizations such as professional associations and unions and charitable or non-profit organizations and the employees of households.

The associated NAICS should reflect those activities conducted by the business or organizational units targeted by this questionnaire only, as identified in the 'Answering this questionnaire' section and which can be identified by the specified legal and operating name. The main activity is the activity which most defines the targeted business or organization's main purpose or reason for existence. For a business or organization that is for-profit, it is normally the activity that generates the majority of the revenue for the entity.

The NAICS classification contains a limited number of activity classifications; the associated classification might be applicable for this business or organization even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business or organization's main activity.

Please note that any modifications to the main activity through your response to this question might not necessarily be reflected prior to the transmitting of subsequent questionnaires and as a result they may not contain this updated information.

The following is the detailed description including any applicable examples or exclusions for the classification currently associated with this business or organization.

Description and examples

• This is the current main activity
• This is not the current main activity
  Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity:
  • e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development

Main activity

5. You indicated that is not the current main activity.

Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as:?

• Yes
  When did the main activity change?
  • Date:
• No

6. Search and select the industry classification code that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.

Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)

• Farming or logging operation
• Construction company or general contractor
• Manufacturer
• Wholesaler
• Retailer
• Provider of passenger or freight transportation
• Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
• Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
• Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
• Provider of health care or social services
• Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
• Other sector

7. You have indicated that the current main activity of this business or organization is:

Main activity

Are there any other activities that contribute significantly (at least 10%) to this business or organization's revenue?

• Yes, there are other activities
  Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's secondary activity:
  • e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
• No, that is the only significant activity

8. Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following activities?

When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.

Reporting period information

1. What are the start and end dates of this business's or organization's most recently completed fiscal year?

For this survey, the end date should fall between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.

Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:

• May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
• June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022
• July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022
• August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022
• September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022
• October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
• November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022
• December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022
• January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022
• February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023
• March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023
• April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:

• September 18, 2021 to September 15, 2022 ( e.g., floating year-end)
• June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 ( e.g., a newly opened business).

• Fiscal year start date:
• Fiscal year-end date:

2. What is the reason the reporting period does not cover a full year?

Select all that apply.

• Seasonal operations
• New business
• Change of ownership
• Temporarily inactive
• Change of fiscal year
• Ceased operations
• Other
  Specify reason the reporting period does not cover a full year:

Additional reporting instructions

1. Throughout this questionnaire, please report financial information in thousands of Canadian dollars.

For example, an amount of $763,880.25 should be reported as:

CAN$ '000 : $764,000

I will report in the format above

Revenue

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what was this business's revenue from each of the following sources?

Notes:

• a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
• these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business.

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

a. Sales of goods and services ( e.g., fees, commissions, services revenue)

Report net of returns and allowances.

Sales of goods and services are defined as amounts derived from the sale of goods and services (cash or credit), falling within a business's ordinary activities. Sales should be reported net of trade discount, value added tax and other taxes based on sales.

Include:

• sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales)
• transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.

Exclude:

• transfers into inventory and consignment sales
• federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes
• intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

b. Rental and leasing

Include rental or leasing of apartments, commercial buildings, land, office space, residential housing, investments in co-tenancies and co-ownerships, hotel or motel rooms, long and short term vehicle leasing, machinery or equipment, storage lockers, etc.

c. Commissions

Include commissions earned on the sale of products or services by businesses such as advertising agencies, brokers, insurance agents, lottery ticket sales, sales representatives and travel agencies - compensation could also be reported under this item (for example, compensation for collecting sales tax).

d. Subsidies (including grants, donations, fundraising and sponsorships)

Include:

• non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government
• revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

e. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

A royalty is defined as a payment received by the holder of a copyright, trademark or patent.

Include revenue received from the sale or use of all intellectual property rights of copyrighted materials such as musical, literary, artistic or dramatic works, sound recordings or the broadcasting of communication signals.

f. Dividends

Include:

• dividend income
• dividends from Canadian sources
• dividends from foreign sources
• patronage dividends.

Exclude equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

g. Interest

Include:

• investment revenue
• interest from foreign sources
• interest from Canadian bonds and debentures
• interest from Canadian mortgage loans
• interest from other Canadian sources.

Exclude equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

h. All other revenue (Include intracompany transfers)

Include amounts not included in questions a. to g.

Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions a. to h.

Expenses

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what were this business's expenses for the following items?

Notes:

• a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
• these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business.

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Expenses

a. Cost of goods sold

Many business units distinguish their costs of materials from their other business expenses (selling, general and administrative). This item is included to allow you to easily record your costs/expenses according to your normal accounting practices.

Include:

• cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale - net of discounts earned on purchases
• freight in and duty.

Exclude all costs associated with salaries, wages, benefits, commissions and subcontracts (report at Employment costs and expenses, and Subcontracts).

b. Employment costs and expenses

b1. Salaries, wages and commissions

Please report all salaries and wages (including taxable allowances and employment commissions as defined on the T4 - Statement of Remuneration Paid) before deductions for this reporting period.

Include:

• vacation pay
• bonuses (including profit sharing)
• employee commissions
• taxable allowances ( e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays)
• severance pay.

Exclude all payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report at Subcontracts).

b2. Employee benefits

Include contributions to:

• health plans
• insurance plans
• employment insurance
• pension plans
• workers' compensation
• association dues
• contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans
• contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

c. Subcontracts

Subcontract expense refers to the purchasing of services from outside of the company rather than providing them in-house.

Include:

• hired casual labour and outside contract workers
• custom work and contract work
• subcontract and outside labour
• hired labour.

d. Research and development fees

Expenses from activities conducted with the intention of making a discovery that could either lead to the development of new products or procedures, or to the improvement of existing products or procedures.

e. Professional and business fees

Include:

• legal services
• accounting and auditing fees
• consulting fees
• education and training fees
• appraisal fees
• management and administration fees
• property management fees
• information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased)
• architectural fees
• engineering fees
• scientific and technical service fees
• other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific)
• veterinary fees
• fees for human health services
• payroll preparation fees
• all other professional and business service fees.

Exclude service fees paid to Head Office (report at All other costs and expenses).

f. Utilities

Utility expenses related to operating your business unit such as water, electricity, gas, heating and hydro.

Include:

• diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane
• sewage.

Exclude:

• energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts
• telephone, Internet and other telecommunications
• vehicle fuel (report at All other costs and expenses).

g. Office and computer related expenses

Include:

• office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines
• postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity)
• computer and peripherals upgrade expenses
• data processing.

Exclude telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report at Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication).

h. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication

Include:

• internet
• telephone and telecommunications
• cellular telephone
• fax machine
• pager.

i. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include:

• property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes
• vehicle license fees
• beverage taxes and business taxes
• trade license fees
• membership fees and professional license fees
• provincial capital tax.

j. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include:

• amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks
• gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs
• resident and non-resident royalty expenses
• franchise fees.

Exclude Crown royalties

k. Crown charges

Federal or Provincial royalty, tax, lease or rental payments made in relation to the acquisition, development or ownership of Canadian resource properties.

Include:

• Crown royalties
• Crown leases and rentals
• oil sand leases
• stumpage fees.

l. Rental and leasing

Include:

• lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses
• motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses
• studio lighting and scaffolding
• machinery and equipment rental expenses
• storage expenses
• road and construction equipment rental
• fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

m. Repair and maintenance

Include:

• buildings and structures
• machinery and equipment
• security equipment
• vehicles
• costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses
• janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

n. Amortization and depreciation

Include:

• direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements
• amortization of intangible assets ( e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

o. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include:

• professional and other liability insurance
• motor vehicle and property insurance
• executive life insurance
• bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

p. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include:

• newspaper advertising and media expenses
• catalogues, presentations and displays
• tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion
• fundraising expenses
• meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

q. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include:

• travel expenses
• meeting and convention expenses, seminars
• passenger transportation ( e.g., airfare, bus, train)
• accommodations
• travel allowance and meals while travelling
• other travel expenses.

r. Financial services

Include:

• explicit service charges for financial services
• credit and debit card commissions and charges
• collection expenses and transfer fees
• registrar and transfer agent fees
• security and exchange commission fees
• other financial service fees.

Exclude interest expenses (report at Interest expense).

s. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company's debt.

Include:

• interest
• bank charges
• finance charges
• interest payments on capital leases
• amortization of bond discounts
• interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

t. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include:

• charitable donations and political contributions
• bad debt expense
• loan losses
• provisions for loan losses (minus bad debt recoveries)
• inventory adjustments.

u. All other costs and expenses (including intracompany expenses)

Include:

• production costs
• pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration
• gross overriding royalty
• other producing property rentals
• well operating, fuel and equipment
• other lease rentals
• other direct costs
• equipment hire and operation
• log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs
• freight in and duty
• overhead expenses allocated to cost of sales
• other expenses
• cash over/short (negative expense)
• reimbursement of parent company expense
• warranty expense
• recruiting expenses
• general and administrative expenses
• interdivisional expenses
• interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries)
• exploration and development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment and dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses)
• amounts not included in sub-questions a. to t. above.

Total expenses

The sum of sub-questions a. to u.

Industry characteristics

1. What were this business's circulation sales for each of the following newspaper types?

Daily newspapers are issued four or more times a week and contain general news content.

General community newspapers are issued less than four times a week and contain general news content for a wide audience.

Specialized community newspapers are issued less than four times a week and are only for an ethnic, religious, aboriginal, official language minority or LGBTQ audience.

Digital sales include electronic versions via internet websites and mobile devices such as tablets and phones.

Exclude flyers, inserts, magazines, periodicals and consumer guides.

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

2. What were this business's advertising space sales for each of the following newspaper types?

3. Please provide a percentage breakdown of this business's [amount] print advertising space sales for daily newspapers by type of advertising.

4. Please provide a percentage breakdown of this business's [amount] print advertising space sales for general community newspapers by type of advertising.

5. Please provide a percentage breakdown of this business's [amount] print advertising space sales for specialized community newspapers by type of advertising.

6. What was this business's distribution services revenue?

e.g., flyer insertion and distribution.

CAN$ '000 :

7. Please provide a percentage breakdown of this business's distribution revenues by the following categories.

8. What was this business's revenue for each of the following services?

9. Please provide a breakdown of this business's total operating expenses by the following categories.

Exclude write-offs, capital losses, extraordinary losses, interest on borrowing and other non-recurring items.

Total operating expenses are expenses incurred through normal business operations.

• cost of goods sold
• salaries, wages, commissions and benefits
• subcontracts
• research and development fees
• professional and business fees
• utilities
• office and computer related expenses
• telephone, Internet and other telecommunication
• business taxes, licenses and permits
• royalties, franchise fees and memberships
• crown charges
• rental and leasing
• repair and maintenance
• amortization and depreciation
• insurance
• advertising, marketing, promotions, meals and entertainment
• travel, meetings and conventions
• financial services
• other non-production-related costs and expenses
• all other costs and expenses

10. Of the [amount] total operating expenses for daily newspapers, what percentage was attritubed to digital activities only?

e.g., digital content creation, digital publishing, website development, digital advertising, salaries for digital activities.

Percentage:

11. Of the [amount] total operating expenses for general community newspapers, what percentage was attributed to digital activities only?

e.g., digital content creation, digital publishing, website development, digital advertising, salaries for digital activities.

Percentage:

12. Of the [amount] total operating expenses for specialized community newspapers, what percentage was attributed to digital activities only?

e.g., digital content creation, digital publishing, website development, digital advertising, salaries for digital activities.

Percentage:

13. What were this business's expenses for each of the following services?

Details on Purchased Services

1. For the reporting period YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, this business reported expenses for the following items.

Please provide the requested details related to these expenses.

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.

Notification of intent to extract web data

1. Does this business have a website?

• Yes
  • Specify the business website address 1
  • e.g., www.example.gc.ca
  • Specify the business website address 2
  • e.g., www.example.gc.ca
  • Specify the business website address 3
  • e.g.,www.example.gc.ca
• No

Statistics Canada engages in web-data extraction, also known as web scraping, which is a process by which information is gathered and copied from the Web using automated scripts or robots, for retrieval and analysis. As a result, we may visit the website for this business or organization to search for and compile additional information. The use of web scraping is part of a broader effort to reduce the response burden on businesses or organizations, as well as produce additional statistical indicators to ensure that our data remain accurate and relevant.

We will strive to ensure that the data collection does not interfere with the functionality of the website. Any data collected will be used by Statistics Canada for statistical and research purposes only, in accordance with the agency's privacy and confidentiality mandate. All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly protected.

More information regarding Statistics Canada's web scraping initiative.

Learn more about Statistics Canada's transparency and accountability.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (TTY: 1-800-363-7629) or by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca- this link will open in a new window. Additional information about this survey can be found by selecting the following link: Information for survey participants (ISP).

Changes or events

1. Indicate any changes or events that affected the reported values for this business or organization, compared with the last reporting period.

Select all that apply.

• Strike or lock-out
• Exchange rate impact
• Price changes in goods or services sold
• Contracting out
• Organizational change
• Price changes in labour or raw materials
• Natural disaster
• Recession
• Change in product line
• Sold business or business units
• Expansion
• New or lost contract
• Plant closures
• Acquisition of business or business units
• Other
  Specify the other changes or events:
• No changes or events

Contact person

2. Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.

Is Provided Given Names, Provided Family Name the best person to contact?

• Yes
• No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

• First name:
• Last name:
• Title:
• Email address:
• Telephone number (including area code):
• Extension number (if applicable):
  The maximum number of characters is 5.
• Fax number (including area code):

Feedback

3. How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

• Hours:
• Minutes:

4. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?