Release date: December 1, 2020

QGIS Demo 18

Find additional data

Browse Statistics Canada's published data and analysis on the telecommunications industry.

Additional resources

• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - Digital
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) - Spectrum management and telecommunications
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

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:

• obtaining information on the supply of and/or demand for energy in Canada
• enabling governmental agencies to fulfill their regulatory responsibilities in regards to public utilities
• enabling all levels of government to establish informed policies in the energy area
• assisting the business community in the corporate decision-making process.

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 as well as with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources, the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government, the Quebec Forest Industry Council, the ministère des Finances du Québec, the ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec, the ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec, Transition énergétique Québec, the Manitoba Department of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Alberta Energy, the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the Canada Energy Regulator, Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

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. Please 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. Please 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 5.
• Fax number (including area code)

3. Please 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. Please 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.

Please 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. Please 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

Electricity generation

1. Did this business generate electricity?

Electricity:

A form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change that is caused by the presence and motion of elementary-charged particles.

Electricity Generation:

Please provide the total amount of electricity generated including what was consumed by the plant and sold.
Note: If the plant consumed any of the electricity it generated, please include the quantity consumed in question 5.

• Yes
• No

2. How much electricity did this business generate?

Note: Report the total quantity of electricity generated; regardless of whether it was consumed by this business or sold to others.

• Quantity generated

Unit of measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
• Megawatt-hour (MWh)
• Million Btu (MBtu)

Type of energy consumed

3. Which types of energy were consumed by the business?

Include energy consumed: as fuel for the production process (also heating, on-site transportation, to produce steam for own use); to produce electricity; to produce steam for sale or transfer to another business; and for non-energy use (such as atomization, as feedstock to produce other products, as a reducing agent or used in gasoline blends).

Select all that apply.

Electricity:

A form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change that is caused by the presence and motion of elementary-charged particles. The electricity that is consumed can either be received by the establishment (purchased) or produced by the establishment (self-generated).

Natural gas:

A mixture of hydrocarbons, comprised principally of methane (CH4), originating in the gaseous phase or in solution with crude oil in porous geologic formations beneath the earth's surface.

Propane:

A gaseous, straight-chained hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of three atoms of carbon and eight atoms of hydrogen (C3H8). Used primarily in residential and commercial heating and cooling, as transportation fuel and petrochemical feedstock.

Middle distillates (diesel, light fuel oil, kerosene)

Diesel:

All grades of distillate fuel used for diesel engines, including those with low sulphur content (lower than 0.05%). Exclude diesel used for transportation off the plant site.

Light fuel oil:

A light petroleum distillate used for power burners. Include fuel oil no. 2, fuel oil no. 3, furnace fuel oil, gas oils and light industrial fuel.

Kerosene and other middle distillates:

Include kerosene (a light petroleum distillate that is used in space heaters, cook stoves and water heaters, and is suitable for use as a light source when burned in wick-fed lamps; also known as stove oil), fuel oil no. 1 and mineral lamp oil. Exclude gasoline used for transportation off the plant site.

Heavy fuel oil (Canadian/Foreign):

All grades of residual type fuels, including those with low sulphur content. Usually used for steam and electric power generation, and diesel motors. Include heavy fuel oil nos. 4, 5, 6 and bunker C.

Wood and wood waste:

Wood and wood energy used as fuel, including round wood (cord wood), lignin, wood scraps from furniture and window frame manufacturing, wood chips, bark, sawdust, shavings, lumber rejects, forest residues, charcoal and pulp waste from the operation of pulp mills, sawmills and plywood mills.

Spent pulping liquor (Black liquor):

A recycled by-product formed during the pulping of wood in the paper-making process. It is primarily made up of lignin and other wood constituents, and chemicals that are by-products of the manufacture of chemical pulp. It is burned as fuel or in a recovery boiler which produces steam which can be used to produce electricity.

Refuse:

Solid or liquid waste materials used as a combustible energy source. Include the burning of wastepaper, packing materials, garbage and other industrial, agricultural and urban refuse. It is often used to generate electricity. Please specify type.

Steam:

A gas resulting from the vaporization of a liquid or the sublimation of a solid, generated by condensing or non condensing turbines. The steam that is consumed can either be produced by the establishment (self-generated) or received by the establishment (purchased). Report purchased or self-generated steam used as fuel for the production process, used to produce electricity and used for a non-energy use (such as atomization or as feed in process application). However, steam consumed as a motive force to move liquid and gas streams, or steam used to moisturize feed for another process should not be reported.

Special note:

The consumption of fuels used to generate steam for use within the establishment (self-generated steam) should be reported under "as fuel" for those fuels. For example, if 100 cubic metres of heavy fuel oil was used to produce self-generated steam, the consumption of 100 cubic metres should be included under "as fuel" for heavy fuel oil.

Coal:

A readily combustible, black or brownish-black rock-like substance, whose composition, including inherent moisture, consists of more than 50% by weight and 70% by volume of carbonaceous material. It is formed from plant remains that have been compacted, hardened, chemically altered and metamorphosed by heat and pressure over geologic time without access to air.

Bituminous coal (Canadian/Foreign):

A dense, black coal, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material with a moisture content usually less than 20%. It has a higher heating value and higher volatile matter and ash content than sub-bituminous coal; the heating value of bituminous coal typically ranges from 23.3 to 30.2 terajoules per kilotonne. Used in making coke, in steam and electricity production, as well as in the production of steel. Metallurgical coal is typically bituminous coal.

Sub-bituminous coal (Canadian/Foreign):

A black coal used primarily for thermal generation. It has a high moisture content, between 15% and 40% by weight. Its sulphur content is typically quite low; its ash content is also usually low, but volatile matter is usually high and can exceed 40% of the weight. Heating value varies from 16.3 terajoules per kilotonne to slightly over 20.9 terajoules per kilotonne.

Lignite:

Low-rank, brown coals which are distinctly brown and woody or claylike in appearance, and which contain relatively high moisture contents (between 30% and 70% of the fuel by weight). Used almost exclusively for electric power generation.

Anthracite:

A hard, black, lustrous coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon, a low percentage of volatile matter, little moisture content, low sulfur, low ash and a high heating value at or above 27.7 terajoules per kilotonne that burns with a nearly smokeless flame. Generally used in the production of steel.

Coal coke (Canadian/Foreign):

A hard, porous product made from the carbonization (baking) of bituminous coal in ovens in substoichiometric atmosphere at high temperatures to the extent that the volatile matter of the coal is released and the coal passes through a "plastic stage" to become metallurgical coke. Often used as a fuel and a carbon input (reducing agent) in smelting iron ore in an integrated steel mill (blast furnace). Coke breeze and foundry coke are included in this category.

Coal tar:

Organic material separated from coke oven gas evolved during coking operations (a black and viscous liquid). This category includes pyridine, tar acids, naphthalene, creosote oil and coal pitch.

Light coal oil:

Condensable products (primarily benzene, toluene, xylene and solvent naphtha) obtained during distillation of the coke oven gas, following removal of the coal tar.

Coke oven gas:

Obtained as a by-product of solid fuel carbonization and gasification operations carried out by coke producers and iron and steel plants.

Petroleum coke (Canadian/Foreign):

A final product, often called a "waste product", of the petroleum refining process, which is the output of the refinery after all of the distillates and oils have been distilled from crude oil, leaving a product that has the appearance of coal. There are various types, e.g., "sponge", "shot", and "fluid" coke, which are differentiated according to size. Petroleum coke is a residue high in carbon content and low in hydrogen that is the final product of thermal decomposition in the condensation process in cracking. It is typically high in sulfur, low in volatile matter, low in ash and low in moisture. It may be sold as is or further purified by calcining for specialty uses, including anode production. It may also be burned as fuel in various processes, ranging from power plants to cement kilns. Heating value is typically around 40 terajoules per kilotonne.

Refinery fuel gas:

Any un-separated mixture of gases produced in refineries by distillation, cracking, reforming and other processes. The principal constituents are methane, ethane, ethylene, normal butane, butylenes, propane, propylene, etc. Also known as still gas. Still gas is used as a refinery fuel and a petrochemical feedstock.

Coke on catalyst (Catalyst coke):

In many catalytic operations (e.g., catalytic cracking), carbon is deposited on the catalyst, thus deactivating the catalyst. The catalyst is reactivated by burning off the carbon, which is used as a fuel in the refining process. This carbon or coke is not recoverable in a concentrated form.

Bitumen emulsion (Orimulsion):

A thick oil and water emulsion. It is made by mixing bitumen with about 30% water and a small amount of surfactant. Behaves similarly to fuel oil and was developed for industrial use.

Ethane:

A normally gaseous, straight-chain hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of two atoms of carbon and six atoms of hydrogen (C2H6). Ethane is used as petrochemical feedstock in production of chemicals and plastics and as a solvent in enhanced oil recovery process.

Butane:

A normally gaseous hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of four atoms of carbon and ten atoms of hydrogen (C4H10). Butane is used primarily for blending in high-octane gasoline, for residential and commercial heating, and in the manufacture of chemicals and synthetic rubber.

Naphtha:

A feedstock destined primarily for the petrochemical industry (e.g., ethylene manufacture or aromatics production). Naphtha specialties comprise all finished products within the naphtha boiling range of 70°C to 200°C that are used as paint thinners, cleaners or solvents. Include gas oil used as petrochemical feedstocks.

By-product gas:

A mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen produced from chemical processes such as ethane cracking.

Flared gas:

Gas that is being burned as a means of disposal to the environment usually when it contains odorous or toxic components. Flared gas should be reported "as non-energy use".

Other:

Any energy commodity consumed not otherwise identified above. Specify in the space provided along with the unit of measure.

• Electricity - self-generated or purchased
• Natural gas
• Propane
• Diesel consumed on site
• Light fuel oil
• Kerosene and other middle distillates
• Heavy fuel oil
• Wood and wood waste
• Spent pulping liquor
• Steam - self-generated or purchased
• Coal - Bituminous
• Coal - Sub-bituminous
• Coal - Anthracite
• Coal - Lignite
• Coal coke
• Coal tar
• Light coal oil
• Coke oven gas
• Petroleum coke
• Refinery fuel gas
• By-product gas
• Coke on catalyst
• Bitumen emulsion (orimulsion)
• Ethane
• Butane
• Naphtha
• Flared gas
• Refuse - Specify the type of refuse consumed:
• Other - Specify other energy consumed not listed:

Electricity consumed

4. What unit of measure will you use to report electricity?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
• Megawatt-hour (MWh)
• Million Btu (MBtu)

5. What was the quantity of self-generated and purchased electricity consumed as fuel?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Electricity:

A form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change that is caused by the presence and motion of elementary-charged particles. The electricity that is consumed can either be received by the establishment (purchased) or produced by the establishment (self-generated).

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the plant consumed self-generated electricity, please ensure you reported the total amount of electricity that was generated in question 1.
If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

What was the quantity of self-generated and purchased electricity consumed as fuel?

	Quantity of self-generated electricity consumed	Quantity of purchased electricity consumed
As fuel for the production process

Natural gas consumed

6. What unit of measure will you use to report natural gas?

Unit of Measure

• 100 cubic feet (Ccf)
• Cubic foot (ft3)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

7. What was the quantity of natural gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Natural gas:

A mixture of hydrocarbons, comprised principally of methane (CH4), originating in the gaseous phase or in solution with crude oil in porous geologic formations beneath the earth's surface.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. Some examples of natural gas used for non-energy use are:

• used as a reducing agent to produce direct reduced iron (DRI)
• used as feed to produce hydrogen and ammonia.

What was the quantity of natural gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Propane consumed

8. What unit of measure will you use to report propane?

Unit of Measure

• 33-Pound cylinder
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

9. What was the quantity of propane consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Propane:

A gaseous, straight-chained hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of three atoms of carbon and eight atoms of hydrogen (C3H8). Used primarily in residential and commercial heating and cooling, as transportation fuel and petrochemical feedstock.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam.

What was the quantity of propane consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Diesel consumed on-site

10. What unit of measure will you use to report diesel?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

11. What was the quantity of diesel consumed on-site for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Diesel:

All grades of distillate fuel used for diesel engines, including those with low sulphur content (lower than 0.05%). Exclude diesel used for transportation off the plant site.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam.

What was the quantity of diesel consumed on-site for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Light fuel oil consumed

12. What unit of measure will you use to report light fuel oil?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

13. What was the quantity of light fuel oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Light fuel oil:

A light petroleum distillate used for power burners. Include fuel oil no. 2, fuel oil no. 3, furnace fuel oil, gas oils and light industrial fuel.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam.

What was the quantity of light fuel oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity

Kerosene and other distillates consumed

14. What unit of measure will you use to report kerosene and other middle distillates?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

15. What was the quantity of kerosene and other middle distillates consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Kerosene and other middle distillates:

Include kerosene (a light petroleum distillate that is used in space heaters, cook stoves and water heaters, and is suitable for use as a light source when burned in wick-fed lamps; also known as stove oil), fuel oil no. 1 and mineral lamp oil. Exclude gasoline.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam

What was the quantity of kerosene and other middle distillates consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity

Heavy fuel oil consumed

16. What unit of measure will you use to report heavy fuel oil?

Unit of Measure

• Barrel (Bbl)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

17. What was the quantity of imported and Canadian heavy fuel oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Heavy fuel oil (Canadian/Foreign):

All grades of residual type fuels, including those with low sulphur content. Usually used for steam and electric power generation, and diesel motors. Include heavy fuel oil nos. 4, 5, 6 and bunker C.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam.

What was the quantity of imported and Canadian heavy fuel oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of imported heavy fuel oil consumed	Quantity of Canadian heavy fuel oil consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Wood and wood waste consumed

18. What unit of measure will you use to report wood and wood waste?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

19. What was the quantity of wood and wood waste consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Wood and wood waste:

Wood and wood energy used as fuel, including round wood (cord wood), lignin, wood scraps from furniture and window frame manufacturing, wood chips, bark, sawdust, shavings, lumber rejects, forest residues, charcoal and pulp waste from the operation of pulp mills, sawmills and plywood mills.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

What was the quantity of wood and wood waste consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity

Spent pulping liquor consumed

20. What unit of measure will you use to report spent pulping liquor?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

21. What was the quantity of spent pulping liquor consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Spent pulping liquor (Black liquor):

A recycled by-product formed during the pulping of wood in the paper-making process. It is primarily made up of lignin and other wood constituents, and chemicals that are by-products of the manufacture of chemical pulp. It is burned as fuel or in a recovery boiler which produces steam which can be used to produce electricity.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

What was the quantity of spent pulping liquor consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity

Steam consumed

22. What unit of measure will you use to report steam?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

23. What was the quantity of self-generated and purchased steam consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Steam:

A gas resulting from the vaporization of a liquid or the sublimation of a solid, generated by condensing or non condensing turbines. The steam that is consumed can either be produced by the establishment (self-generated) or received by the establishment (purchased). Report purchased or self-generated steam used as fuel for the production process, used to produce electricity and used for a non-energy use (such as atomization or as feed in process application). However, steam consumed as a motive force to move liquid and gas streams, or steam used to moisturize feed for another process should not be reported.

Special note:

The consumption of fuels used to generate steam for use within the establishment (self-generated steam) should be reported under "as fuel" for those fuels. For example, if 100 cubic metres of heavy fuel oil was used to produce self-generated steam, the consumption of 100 cubic metres should be included under "as fuel" for heavy fuel oil.

What was the quantity of self-generated and purchased steam consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of self-generated steam consumed	Quantity of purchased steam consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Bituminous coal consumed

24. What unit of measure will you use to report bituminous coal?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

25. What was the quantity of imported and Canadian bituminous coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Bituminous coal (Canadian/Foreign):

A dense, black coal, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material with a moisture content usually less than 20%. It has a higher heating value and higher volatile matter and ash content than sub-bituminous coal; the heating value of bituminous coal typically ranges from 23.3 to 30.2 terajoules per kilotonne. Used in making coke, in steam and electricity production, as well as in the production of steel. Metallurgical coal is typically bituminous coal.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of imported and Canadian bituminous coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of imported bituminous coal consumed	Quantity of Canadian bituminous coal consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Sub-bituminous coal consumed

26. What unit of measure will you use to report sub-bituminous coal?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

27. What was the quantity of imported and Canadian sub-bituminous coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Sub-bituminous coal (Canadian/Foreign):

A black coal used primarily for thermal generation. It has a high moisture content, between 15% and 40% by weight. Its sulphur content is typically quite low; its ash content is also usually low, but volatile matter is usually high and can exceed 40% of the weight. Heating value varies from 16.3 terajoules per kilotonne to slightly over 20.9 terajoules per kilotonne.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of imported and Canadian sub-bituminous coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of imported sub-bituminous coal consumed	Quantity of Canadian sub-bituminous coal consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Imported anthracite coal consumed

28. What unit of measure will you use to report imported anthracite coal?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

29. What was the quantity of imported anthracite coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Anthracite:

A hard, black, lustrous coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon, a low percentage of volatile matter, little moisture content, low sulfur, low ash and a high heating value at or above 27.7 terajoules per kilotonne that burns with a nearly smokeless flame. Generally used in the production of steel.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of imported anthracite coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Canadian lignite coal consumed

30. What unit of measure will you use to report Canadian lignite coal?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

31. What was the quantity of Canadian lignite coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Lignite:

Low-rank, brown coals which are distinctly brown and woody or claylike in appearance, and which contain relatively high moisture contents (between 30% and 70% of the fuel by weight). Used almost exclusively for electric power generation.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of Canadian lignite coal consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Coal coke consumed

32. What unit of measure will you use to report coal coke?

Unit of Measure

• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)

33. What was the quantity of imported and Canadian coal coke consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Coal coke (Canadian/Foreign):

A hard, porous product made from the carbonization (baking) of bituminous coal in ovens in substoichiometric atmosphere at high temperatures to the extent that the volatile matter of the coal is released and the coal passes through a "plastic stage" to become metallurgical coke. Often used as a fuel and a carbon input (reducing agent) in smelting iron ore in an integrated steel mill (blast furnace). Coke breeze and foundry coke are included in this category.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

 

What was the quantity of imported and Canadian coal coke consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of imported coal coke consumed	Quantity of Canadian coal coke consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Coal tar consumed

34. What unit of measure will you use to report coal tar?

Unit of Measure

• Barrel (Bbl)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

35. What was the quantity of coal tar consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Coal tar:

Organic material separated from coke oven gas evolved during coking operations (a black and viscous liquid). Include pyridine, tar acids, naphthalene, creosote oil and coal pitch.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of coal tar consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Light coal oil consumed

36. What unit of measure will you use to report light coal oil?

Unit of Measure

• Barrel (Bbl)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

37. What was the quantity of light coal oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Light coal oil:

Condensable products (primarily benzene, toluene, xylene and solvent naphtha) obtained during distillation of the coke oven gas, following removal of the coal tar.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of light coal oil consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Coke oven gas consumed

38. What unit of measure will you use to report coke oven gas?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

39. What was the quantity of coke oven gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Coke oven gas:

Obtained as a by-product of solid fuel carbonization and gasification operations carried out by coke producers and iron and steel plants.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of coke oven gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Petroleum coke consumed

40. What unit of measure will you use to report petroleum coke?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

41. What was the quantity of imported and Canadian petroleum coke consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Petroleum coke (Canadian/Foreign):

A final product, often called a "waste product", of the petroleum refining process, which is the output of the refinery after all of the distillates and oils have been distilled from crude oil, leaving a product that has the appearance of coal. There are various types, e.g., "sponge", "shot", and "fluid" coke, which are differentiated according to size. Petroleum coke is a residue high in carbon content and low in hydrogen that is the final product of thermal decomposition in the condensation process in cracking. It is typically high in sulfur, low in volatile matter, low in ash and low in moisture. It may be sold as is or further purified by calcining for specialty uses, including anode production. It may also be burned as fuel in various processes, ranging from power plants to cement kilns. Heating value is typically around 40 terajoules per kilotonne.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of imported and Canadian petroleum coke consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity of imported petroleum coke consumed	Quantity of Canadian petroleum coke consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Refinery fuel gas consumed

42. What unit of measure will you use to report refinery fuel gas?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

43. What was the quantity of refinery fuel gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Refinery fuel gas:

Any un-separated mixture of gases produced in refineries by distillation, cracking, reforming and other processes. The principal constituents are methane, ethane, ethylene, normal butane, butylenes, propane, propylene, etc. Also known as still gas. Still gas is used as a refinery fuel and a petrochemical feedstock.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

What was the quantity of refinery fuel gas consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity

By-product gas consumed

44. What was the quantity of by-product gas consumed as fuel?

e.g., for the production process, heating, on-site transportation, to produce steam for own use

By-product gas:

A mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen produced from chemical processes such as ethane cracking.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

• Quantity consumed

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

Coke on catalyst consumed

45. What unit of measure will you use to report coke on catalyst?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

46. What was the quantity of coke on catalyst consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Coke on catalyst (Catalyst coke):

In many catalytic operations (e.g., catalytic cracking), carbon is deposited on the catalyst, thus deactivating the catalyst. The catalyst is reactivated by burning off the carbon, which is used as a fuel in the refining process. This carbon or coke is not recoverable in a concentrated form.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of coke on catalyst consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Bitumen emulsion (orimulsion) consumed

47. What unit of measure will you use to report bitumen emulsion (orimulsion)?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

48. What was the quantity of bitumen emulsion (orimulsion) consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Bitumen emulsion (Orimulsion):

A thick oil and water emulsion. It is made by mixing bitumen with about 30% water and a small amount of surfactant. Behaves similarly to fuel oil and was developed for industrial use.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of bitumen emulsion (orimulsion) consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Ethane consumed

49. What unit of measure will you use to report ethane?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

50. What was the quantity of ethane consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Ethane:

A normally gaseous, straight-chain hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of two atoms of carbon and six atoms of hydrogen (C2H6). Ethane is used as petrochemical feedstock in production of chemicals and plastics and as a solvent in enhanced oil recovery process.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of ethane consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
For non-energy use

Butane consumed

51. What unit of measure will you use to report butane?

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

52. What was the quantity of butane consumed for each of the following purposes?

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Butane:

A normally gaseous hydrocarbon. A colourless, paraffinic gas extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams, consisting of molecules composed of four atoms of carbon and ten atoms of hydrogen (C4H10). Butane is used primarily for blending in high-octane gasoline, for residential and commercial heating, and in the manufacture of chemicals and synthetic rubber.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of butane consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
For non-energy use

Naphtha consumed

53. What was the quantity of naphtha consumed for non-energy use?

e.g., atomization, as feed to produce other products, as a reducing agent or used in gasoline blends

Naphtha:

A feedstock destined primarily for the petrochemical industry (e.g., ethylene manufacture or aromatics production). Naphtha specialties comprise all finished products within the naphtha boiling range of 70°C to 200°C that are used as paint thinners, cleaners or solvents.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

• Quantity consumed

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Litre (L)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

Flared gas consumed

54. What was the quantity of flared gas consumed for non-energy use?

e.g., atomization, as feed to produce other products, as a reducing agent or used in gasoline blends

Flared gas:

Gas that is being burned as a means of disposal to the environment usually when it contains odorous or toxic components. Flared gas should be reported "as non-energy use".

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

• Quantity consumed

Unit of Measure

• Cubic metre (m3)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

Refuse consumed

55. What unit of measure will you use to report the type of refuse?

i.e., the refuse you specified in Question 3

Unit of Measure

• 100 cubic feet (Ccf)
• Barrel (Bbl)
• Cubic foot (ft3)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

56. What was the quantity of the type of refuse consumed for each of the following purposes?

i.e., the refuse you specified in Question 3.

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Refuse:

Solid or liquid waste materials used as a combustible energy source. Include the burning of wastepaper, packing materials, garbage and other industrial, agricultural and urban refuse. It is often used to generate electricity. Please specify type.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam.

What was the quantity of the type of refuse consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Other energy consumed

57. What unit of measure will you use to report the other energy ?

i.e., the other energy you specified in Question 3.

Unit of Measure

• 100 cubic feet (Ccf)
• 33-Pound cylinder
• Barrel (Bbl)
• Cubic foot (ft3)
• Cubic metre (m3)
• Imperial gallon (imp. gal.)
• U.S. gallon (U.S. gal)
• Gigajoule (GJ)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Litre (L)
• Long ton (LT)
• Metric tonne (MT)
• Million Btu (MBtu)
• Pound (lb)
• Short ton (ST)
• Thousands of cubic metres (000m3)

58. What was the quantity of the other energy consumed for each of the following purposes?

i.e., the other energy you specified Question 3.

Use the unit of measure you selected in the question above.

Other:

Any energy commodity consumed not otherwise identified on the questionnaire. Include gasoline used on site but exclude gasoline used for transportation off the plant site. Specify in the space provided along with the unit of measure.

Amount consumed as fuel:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to:

• power production processes, heating, on-site transportation
• produce steam for own use (e.g., steam which is then used to heat the plant, to generate electricity or for non-energy use).

Note: If the energy commodity was used to produce steam for own use, please also respond to the consumption of self-generated steam question.

Amount consumed to produce steam for sale:

The quantity of the energy commodity used in the production of steam that is delivered to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding. Energy used to produce steam which is used internally by your plant is reported consumed "as fuel".

Amount consumed to produce electricity:

The quantity of the energy commodity used to generate electricity either for the plant's own use or for delivery to another establishment, as per a sales contract or other understanding.

Amount consumed for non-energy use:

The quantity of the energy commodity used for other purposes than as fuel in the plant production process or to produce electricity or steam. For example, anthracite used for non-energy use are used as feed (as a reducing agent) to produce ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

What was the quantity of the other energy consumed for each of the following purposes?

	Quantity consumed
As fuel for the production process
To produce steam for sale or transfer to another business
To produce electricity
For non-energy use

Steam sales

59. Did this business produce steam to sell or transfer to others?

• Yes
• No

60. What was the quantity of steam sold or transferred to other businesses in the industries below?

Report in gigajoules.

Steam sales: Please report the amount of steam sold or transferred to another plant in Gigajoules (GJ).

What was the quantity of steam sold or transferred to other businesses in the industries below?

	Quantity in gigajoules
Residential
Agriculture
Paper manufacturing
Chemical manufacturing
All other manufacturing
Public administration
Commercial and institutional
Total

Changes or events

61. Indicate any changes or events that affected the reported changes in your energy consumption for this business or organization, compared with the last reporting period.

Select all that apply.

Reasons for changes in energy consumption: This section aims to reduce the necessity for further inquiries. Statistics Canada compares responses to this questionnaire with those from previous years. Please indicate the reasons that best describe significant changes in your energy consumption from the previous year along with an explanation.

• Fuel switch - Specify the fuel switch:
• Fuel price changes - Specify the fuel price changes:
• Technology changes - Specify the technology changes:
• Process changes - Specify the process changes:
• Awareness of energy efficiency - Specify the awareness of energy efficiency:
• New contract or loss of contract - Specify the new contract or loss of contract:
• Plant expansion or contraction - Specify the plant expansion or contraction:
• Change in product line - Specify the change in product line:
• Other - Specify the other changes or events:
• No changes or events

Contact person

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

Is the Provided Given Name, 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

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

• Hours
• Minutes

2. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Table of contents

• Message from the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council
• Executive summary
• 1. Introduction
• 2. National data strategy
  • 2.1. Critical data gaps
    • Data gaps on health and health care
    • Data gaps on racialized groups and Indigenous peoples
  • 2.2. Serious imbalances in funding statistical programs
• 3. Privacy and data sharing
  • 3.1. Provincial and territorial data sharing
• 4. Microdata access
  • 4.1 Modernizing the Microdata Access Program
• Definitions
• Endnotes

Executive summary

Statistics Canada's central role as an independent national statistical organization has never been more critical to meeting the need for timely and high-quality statistics in Canada. Having an independent and trusted source of official statistics provides a solid foundation for government accountability and evidence-based decision making by both the public and the private sectors for the benefit of all Canadians.

The fast pace of social and economic change is affecting the kinds of data and analyses Canadians need. There has also been a dramatic shift in how Canadians receive information, with a proliferation of information from new sources, such as social media. New tools are being used to collect, process, transform and visualize information. For Canada to succeed in this dynamic digital economy, Statistics Canada must play a central leadership role, coordinating with governments and organizations to produce coherent and trusted national statistical information.

Canadians have provided personal data to Statistics Canada for over 100 years. The confidentiality of their information is protected under the Statistics Act, and, under federal data protection laws, Statistics Canada must respect the privacy of Canadians. There should be no conflict between respect for the privacy of Canadians and the need for Canadians to provide data to Statistics Canada.

1. Introduction

Statistics Canada's central role as an independent national statistical organization has never been more critical to meeting the need for timely and high-quality statistics in Canada. Having an independent and trusted source of official statistics provides a solid foundation for government accountability and evidence-based decision making by both the public and the private sectors for the benefit of all Canadians. These decisions affect everybody's daily lives, including their health, where they live, where they work and their wages.

Fundamental to public trust is the clear independence of the country's national statistical office, where high-quality statistics and pertinent statistical analyses are produced with objective methods and with outputs that are accessible to everyone. The requirement that statistical information not be subject to political pressure and not serve special interests must be well recognized. This way, even people who may not trust their government can trust the statistical results and, just as importantly, entrust their information to Statistics Canada.

Canadians have provided personal data to Statistics Canada for over 100 years. The confidentiality of their information is protected under the Statistics Act, and, under federal data protection laws, Statistics Canada must also respect the privacy of Canadians. There should be no conflict between respect for the privacy of Canadians and the need for Canadians to provide data to Statistics Canada.

The fast pace of social and economic change is affecting the kinds of data and analyses Canadians need. For example, with the growth of online shopping, Statistics Canada requires new methods to measure consumer spending. Data on consumer spending are used to produce the Consumer Price Index, which Canadians depend on as a measure of inflation that affects wages, pensions, the cost of goods and interest rates. There has also been a dramatic shift in how Canadians receive information, with a proliferation of information from new sources, such as social media. New tools are being used to transform and visualize information, with significant increases in the flows of information, the extent of interconnectedness, and the development of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence software.

Not all available data sources are of good quality, nor do they all take measures to protect the privacy of personal information. Big datasets (usually characterized by their high volumes of data, speed of updates and variety of formats) and web-scraped data (data extracted from websites) are important new sources of data. However, their value for statistical analysis often has significant limitations, such as the underrepresentation of people with certain social or economic characteristics.

For Canada to succeed in this dynamic digital economy, Statistics Canada's role is key. The agency not only has the mandate to produce high-quality national social and economic measures, as well as more disaggregated statistical portraits, it also must play a central leadership role in coordinating data collection and integration with governments and organizations to produce coherent national statistical information for the benefit of all Canadians. This includes supporting leading-edge analysis of this statistical information.

Statistics Canada is responding to these challenges by developing, piloting and deploying new data sources, collection techniques and modelling to add depth and agility to its statistical programs. It has also engaged with Canadians in new ways—for example, using social media to encourage participation in web panel surveys and crowdsourcing surveys. At the same time, the federal government needs to seriously commit to starting a dialogue to address persistent, systemic data gaps. In some key sectors, fragmented data and an unwillingness to share data across jurisdictions have hampered Statistics Canada's ability to create needed nationwide datasets on a timely basis to address the country's most complex and dynamic challenges.

2. National data strategy

Nationwide data are a key strong foundation for decision makers and governments at all levels, as well as the general public, to understand and address important social, health, economic, environmental and energy issues facing Canadians.

Canada does not have a proactive national data strategy that considers the information needs of both today and the future and that puts in place new data sources to inform and anticipate emerging issues and concerns. Throughout its history, Statistics Canada has continually modernized its statistical programs to provide Canadians with the nationwide data and statistical information they need.

Its current modernization initiative is in response to a rapidly evolving digital economy and society. However, there are important data gaps in sectors such as health, energy and the environment, and a lack of sociodemographic detail, including about racialized and Indigenous groups, in social and economic indicators.

New governance mechanisms are required to formally open new dialogues on national data needs and how to best collect and share this information. This must be led by Statistics Canada, in accordance with its mandate, with the full support and funding of the federal government. It must also include all levels of government and statistical organizations. Without a national data strategy, bureaucratic inertia and other hindrances to collecting and sharing statistical information across jurisdictions will continue to outweigh efforts to develop needed nationwide data accessible to all Canadians.

A national data strategy could include First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations that are planning, implementing and exercising control over the delivery of services to their communities. The nature of the data and analytical skills they require is changing and is more specific to regional and local issues that affect their peoples. Collection for new data needs could be done in partnership with Statistics Canada and other departments. This includes, for example, the need for data to support indicators of well-being, resiliency, understanding, and measurable progress on reconciliation and economic measures.

Statistics Canada is well positioned to lead the various dialogues on national data and information needs. Its proven operational infrastructure provides an essential foundation, given that the agency has developed statistical data from hundreds of federal, provincial and territorial administrative data files. Its expertise in developing high-quality data using standardized concepts and classifications is recognized internationally. Statistics Canada also has the ability, with the required confidentiality protections in place, to combine and link these data with data from other sources to produce the statistical information needed to address national data gaps.

Statistics Canada must build on the new avenues of collaboration created as governments and experts came together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This involves working with governments at all levels, other organizations, and new public and private sector partners to produce nationally comparable data that are representative of all Canadians. It also involves developing a close relationship with Canadians to better understand how to maintain their trust as an independent national statistical office and being transparent with regard to the privacy and confidentiality of Canadians' personal information.

Statistical data requirements and funding should be explicitly included in the planning for all federal government programs. There is presently no standard or coordinated way to assess priority data requirements within the federal government. Statistics Canada works closely with most federal departments and organizations in reviewing their data needs. However, these discussions tend to involve only one or two departments at a time, reducing the scope and richness of the information collected. Statistics Canada is also often not actively consulted in the planning of new federal programs, limiting the statistical measures that should be produced.

The federal government should enable Statistics Canada to work collectively with all departments to establish, maintain and act upon a national data strategy that recognizes the interactions between economic, social, health, environmental and energy issues. Data and statistical information should be formally integrated in federal planning processes to more aptly measure, monitor and evaluate federal program outcomes.

2.1 Critical data gaps

It is essential that the country's decision makers have high-quality data and statistical information that represent all regions of Canada and the full range of experiences of individual Canadians. Statistics Canada's current statistical output is vast. Users can access statistical tables, data files and analyses on just about any topic of interest.

At the same time, these data do not always tell the whole story. Information that spans the social, economic and geographic spectrum is often not available. The rapid rise of the digital economy and the impacts of climate change on the environment are examples of areas where new types of data are required to measure impacts on Canadian society and on the Canadian economy. Understanding the barriers faced by racialized groups and Indigenous Peoples also requires more detailed and disaggregated data on employment, income, health and justice.

This year's report focuses on two areas where critical data gaps have long existed. These have become especially evident recently, with the COVID-19 pandemic and increased global awareness of racial inequities.

Data gaps on health and health care

Experts have been saying for years that national health data in Canada are seriously deficient, resulting in inadequate measures of the population's health status and the functioning of the health care sector. Rectifying this situation must be a top national statistics priority. Federally, health data are collected primarily by Statistics Canada (health status and health care) and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (health system performance).

A substantial amount of health data presently exists within provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and it is increasing as hospitals and community clinics adopt new technologies to collect and use health information. This information has tremendous potential for national research on health care and population health. Yet Canada-wide health data are largely fragmented, often unavailable and inconsistent.

This became quickly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when key health data were seriously lacking and inadequate for providing decision makers with the statistical indicators they needed. For example, basic information on COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths, as well as more detailed information such as that found in hospital records, suffered from delays, incomplete and missing data, and inconsistent definitions across jurisdictions.

These data gaps and inconsistencies have led to serious shortcomings in the timeliness, completeness and quality of Canadian health care and health outcome data. In turn, this has greatly impaired the ability of governments at all levels to monitor and assess the evolution of the pandemic, let alone address serious health issues in Canada.

Barriers to national health data

Provincial, territorial and regional health authorities collect institution-specific health data primarily to administer health care services within their own jurisdictions. Consistency across regions in concepts, definitions, specific data elements collected and completeness of records is often not a priority. It takes months and sometimes longer for information as basic as that from death certificates to become part of the nationwide data that are needed to track deaths related to the pandemic. The methods used to collect medical records from hospitals and community clinics also range widely, from faxed documents to electronic records transferred directly to centralized health care databases. As well, the various software systems designed to collect and retain information such as medical records are often incompatible, limiting the information public health agencies have on important areas.

Some health authorities have invoked provincial data protection laws as barriers to sharing certain information outside their borders. However, the sharing of identifiable data with Statistics Canada is permitted under their data protection laws, in accordance with the Statistics Act. There is also a strong reticence on the part of many provincial and territorial health organizations and communities to share data across health care systems within Canada. Some health officials do not feel that their programs should be subject to scrutiny outside their jurisdiction.

A national health data infrastructure is essential both for supporting health policies and the health care Canadians receive and, more specifically, for managing emergencies such as the current pandemic. The federal government transfers billions of dollars annually to the provinces and territories to help fund health care services, with increases likely in the future for long-term care and possibly pharmacare. The funding of these services must include a provision for nationally comparable health data to measure the state of health and health care in Canada, and the functioning of the health care sector.

Data gaps on racialized groups and Indigenous peoples

The ability to address barriers faced by racialized groups and Indigenous peoples in Canada is seriously hampered by the lack of timely, consistent and disaggregated data.

While the data gaps are not new, recent events in Canada and the United States have brought them to the forefront. For example, the data needed to properly examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of racialized groups, particularly Black Canadians, and Indigenous communities have not been available. Public outcry has increased following the deaths of Black people at the hands of police officers in the United States and Canada. Supporters of movements such as Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter are demanding reforms to address systemic discrimination in areas such as health, employment, housing and justice.

Canada is among the world's most ethnically diverse countries. More than one-fifth of Canadians identify as belonging to a visible minority group. This proportion is projected to increase, as they represent a large majority of new immigrants to Canada, particularly in large cities.

Despite their growing numbers, there have been relatively few national studies of how these groups are faring in Canada. With the census as the main source of information, reports tend to be descriptive profiles of immigrants, visible minorities and Indigenous groups, including general analyses of changes in housing, employment and income. Much of the information available to decision makers is highly aggregated, partial and anecdotal.

Canada needs much more comprehensive data to inform the current debates on the barriers many Canadians face to fully engage in all aspects of society and the economy. It is essential to look beyond the census for high-quality statistical information disaggregated by racialized and Indigenous groups that integrate elements such as family, housing, education, employment, income and well-being.

Surveys generally do not have a large enough sample size to produce detailed disaggregated data, though the Canadian Community Health Survey, the Indigenous Peoples Survey, and more recently, the Labour Force Survey do provide general trends for visible minorities and for Indigenous people living off reserve.

To make inroads in developing a national infrastructure for data by race and by Indigenous group, the focus must include governments' administrative data in areas such as labour, education, health, housing and justice. While a large number of federal, provincial and territorial government departments and organizations already share their administrative data with Statistics Canada, few of these sources include data by racialized and Indigenous groups.

There is pressure from many Canadians and decision makers for government departments to begin incorporating information on race and on Indigenous peoples into their datasets for statistical purposes. Some Canadians may hesitate to share this information with government authorities, but, at the same time, many within these groups have long called for authorities such as police forces to collect this information.

There have been encouraging initiatives. Statistics Canada is presently in discussions with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information on how nationally standardized concepts and definitions must be applied to their planned collection of race-based health data. Also, Statistics Canada and the country's police chiefs have agreed to collect this information when compiling information on victims and accused people to address data gaps for Indigenous peoples and other sociodemographic groups. Statistics Canada has also created the Advisory Committee on Ethnocultural and Immigration Statistics and the Working Group on Black Communities in Canada to counsel the agency.

Statistics Canada is engaging with national Indigenous organizations to provide statistical capacity building that is grounded in the needs of Indigenous peoples. Efforts are being made to identify where data gaps exist and how Statistics Canada data sources and expertise can help improve data quality and access, and support decision making. Statistics Canada's "Statistics on Indigenous peoples" web portal enables users to access data on Indigenous communities on topics such as children and families, health and well-being, education, and work.

Nevertheless, critical data gaps remain, and more needs to be done to address them.

2.2 Serious imbalances in funding statistical programs

It is important that public and private sector decision makers have high-quality data and statistical information that represent all regions of Canada and the full range of circumstances of individual Canadians. Stable core funding for Statistics Canada's programs is essential to having this information. Statistics Canada is given the resources to produce economic indicators for about 20 key areas of economic activity, such as the gross domestic product (GDP), consumer prices and employment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has been able to continue producing these data, which are critical for assessing the economic impact of the crisis. However, there is an increasing focus on social and environmental data, which measure other important contributors to well-being, beyond the traditional economic measures. This is reflected in a growing international consensus on the need to go beyond the GDP, recognizing that social, health, economic and environmental factors all affect people's well-being. How these various factors interact and affect each other also has significant impacts on individuals, as well as on national and regional economies.

Many of Statistics Canada's key social statistics programs, and certain economic, environmental and energy programs, are largely dependent on ad hoc funding and cost-recovery transfers from federal departments. Support for these programs is often based on the siloed needs of one or two departments. These programs' vulnerability to cuts can significantly affect important and more comprehensive data needs and areas of research. Stable core funding for these programs is essential to support a national data strategy that includes all factors affecting society and the economy.

3. Privacy and data sharing

Statistics Canada has the authority under the Statistics Act to collect personal data to produce the social and economic statistical information that forms the foundation for data-driven decision making for the well-being of all Canadians. For over 100 years, Canadians have provided this information to Statistics Canada, which has maintained the confidentiality of these data and produced statistics without revealing identifiable information about individuals, in accordance with the Statistics Act.

It is essential that citizens understand the importance of evidence-based decision making for Canada to succeed in the new data economy. Governments also need to recognize that traditional ways of collecting information are no longer sufficient. They must support Statistics Canada in its work to provide the key statistical information needed by governments and Canadians to address the increasingly complex and dynamic challenges they face.

There should be a more extensive conversation with Canadians about the alignment between privacy and the need for data for effective decision making. This discussion would facilitate mutual understanding by Canadians and governments of the issues at hand and provide a forum for the exchanges that need to occur for Canada to truly benefit from an independent and trusted source of official statistics. The country needs a solid foundation for government accountability and evidence-based decision making by both the public and the private sectors.

Statistics Canada has been working with expert groups in Canada and with national statistical offices from around the world to explore the possibility of producing high-quality statistics from digital administrative data—both data from governments (e.g., tax files, health care encounters, property tax assessments, driver's licences) and big data from the private sector (e.g., retail transactions, credit card transactions, mortgages, other debt). Being able to use these new, primarily electronic, sources of data will enable Statistics Canada to address the critical needs for new and more disaggregated data in Canada—data that are integrated across the social, health, economic, environmental and energy domains.

Many countries are reviewing their data protection laws, given both the dramatic increase in the prevalence and use of personal information from administrative data, and growing concerns about the data holdings of multinational social media companies. In doing so, they recognize the importance of collecting personal information for specific legitimate purposes, when done under the country's legal authority and in a transparent manner. For example, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation recognizes the need for national statistical offices to access personal information, permitting the flow of the information for statistical research for the public good, without requiring consent.

In Canada, Statistics Canada's project to collect detailed data on banking and credit card transactions has drawn particular attention. These new sources of information are key to addressing emerging critical data gaps in Canada's economic and financial measures as a result of important changes to consumer patterns and debt. In response to concerns raised by some Canadians, Statistics Canada suspended its work to address them before proceeding with the project. The agency is also collaborating with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to address concerns as a result of complaints it received about this project. After investigating these complaints, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada concluded that Statistics Canada was not in contravention of the Privacy Act.

The need for transparency on matters of privacy and confidentiality is essential to maintaining public trust. Statistics Canada must clearly inform Canadians why the information it collects is needed and explain the measures it takes to protect the confidentiality of Canadians' personal information. The need for transparency is especially heightened in this project, given the sensitivity of personal banking information and the volume and detail of information that may be collected.

Moving forward, the agency needs to engage with a focus on guiding principles to meet the rapidly changing data context. Statistics Canada is working in consultation with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to develop a new methodology framework based on the principles of necessity and proportionality. This methodology framework, which the agency is sharing with the global statistical community, is a significant and thoughtful initiative.

The framework recognizes Statistics Canada's legal authority under the Statistics Act to collect personal information for statistical purposes, and Statistics Canada's legal obligation under the same act to ensure the confidentiality of this information. The framework also recognizes the country's data protection laws. These include the federal Privacy Act, which sets out how personal information held by the federal government and federal public sector institutions is used, stored and shared, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which sets out how organizations engaged in commercial activities must handle personal information.

3.1 Provincial and territorial data sharing

The provinces and territories have a long history of sharing administrative data with Statistics Canada in areas such as vital statistics, education and justice. Statistics Canada has the authority to collect these data under the Statistics Act, and most provinces and territories have provisions in their data protection laws to enable them to share data for statistical purposes for the public good.

For many years, some provincial and territorial health authorities have invoked provincial data protection laws as barriers to sharing certain health data. This has contributed in part to the poor state of national health data, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to questions about privacy issues during the pandemic, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada stated that, "During a public health crisis, privacy laws still apply, but they are not a barrier to appropriate information sharing."

Discussions about data sharing must be broadened to include priority needs for national data. To make measurable progress, Statistics Canada must have federal government support to play a leadership role and build on the new avenues of government collaboration created in response to the pandemic.

Many provinces and territories are reviewing their data protection laws to take into account new technologies for collecting and sharing personal information. Statistics Canada must work with them to ensure that revisions to data protection laws recognize the importance of official national statistics and that there are no legislative ambiguities with regard to Statistics Canada's legal authority to collect data from their jurisdictions.

4. Microdata access

The need for a modern infrastructure to access Statistics Canada's microdata, including secure remote access, has never been greater, as duly authorized researchers look to inform governments and Canadians on issues such as the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To meet the specific information needs of Canadians, the agency has introduced web portals to transform complex data into easy-to-understand visuals. The "COVID-19: A data perspective" portal is a good example. Created in response to the pandemic, it provides governments and Canadians access in one place to a wide array of relevant health, social and economic statistical information with tables, infographics, interactive maps, data visualizations and statistical analyses.

For many years, Statistics Canada has provided students and researchers with a range of ways to access data, with strict security restrictions for access to confidential microdata. Non-confidential Public Use Microdata Files are used extensively by postsecondary students through the Data Liberation Initiative. Students and duly authorized researchers can also use the online Real Time Remote Access system available for most social surveys. The output is largely descriptive and useful for general findings and preliminary research activities. It presently requires knowledge of SAS programming, which limits access to the data for some researchers.

Confidential microdata can be accessed through Statistics Canada's Research Data Centres (RDCs). These are secure facilities located on university campuses that offer access to Statistics Canada's more detailed—and therefore most analytically powerful—data holdings. They include detailed microdata from Statistics Canada's household surveys, census data and an increasing number of administrative datasets such as the cancer registry. Since the opening of the first RDC in 2000, the Canadian Research Data Centre Network has expanded and now includes over 30 secure data laboratories in which over 2,000 duly authorized researchers across Canada conduct advanced quantitative social science and health research.

Secure access to anonymized business and economic microdata is provided to government researchers through the Canadian Centre for Data Development and Economic Research Program at Statistics Canada headquarters in Ottawa.

4.1 Modernizing the Microdata Access Program

The RDCs, with their physical data laboratories, have become outdated and are no longer able to adequately support Canada's research and analysis needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the need for Statistics Canada to transition from the RDCs' physical infrastructure to new distributed modes of access. Once a world leader, Statistics Canada has fallen behind. The agency is currently modernizing its microdata access infrastructure with more sophisticated datasets, secure remote access technologies and expansion of secure access to anonymized business data in the RDCs. This is a long-awaited initiative that will greatly improve the quality and depth of research and analysis in Canada across all sectors. However, the timeline of well into 2022 for full implementation of secure remote microdata access is too long and should be accelerated.

With the wealth of statistical information, data expertise and technical savvy found in public, academic and private institutions across the country, there are tremendous opportunities to transform how data are developed and used in Canada. Researchers in Canada currently have secure access to a vast amount of data from a wide range of sources, including from government administrative data sources, universities and the private sector. The explosion of big data and data analytics is also generating a growing pool of talented data scientists. A modernized research data access program will greatly facilitate and support the statistical research required to address the increasingly complex and multifaceted issues faced by Canadians.

Statistics Canada must also modernize and streamline its administrative processes, such as the authentication of researchers. Statistics Canada should look to international models such as that used in the Netherlands, where the authentication process includes a class of "duly authorized researchers" who may be required to take training on privacy and security and must be affiliated with a government department, university or institute for scientific research. As in Canada, research must be for statistical purposes as opposed to private commercial research.

There is also interest from national and regional Indigenous organizations in developing and implementing information and research data centres in their communities. This would provide Indigenous peoples with better access to Statistics Canada microdata and other Indigenous microdata on the health, social and economic well-being of Indigenous communities. Analytic capacity would also be expanded to include the use of new data, analytic techniques and technology to support research, planning and development and to build statistical capacity to assist vulnerable Indigenous communities.

Endnotes

1. "Factors associated with COVID-19-related death using OpenSAFELY," Nature, July 2020.
2. The Employment Equity Act defines members of visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour." Many data users use visible minority as a proxy for race.
3. "Commissioner publishes framework to assessprivacy-impactful initiatives inresponse to COVID-19."
4. Statistics Netherlands, "Microdata: Conducting your own research."

Universe

CCOFOG data are prepared for all general government sectors: the federal general government sector, the provincial general and territorial government sector, the local general government sector, the colleges and universities sector and the health, school board and Canada and Quebec Pension Plan sectors. Canadian Classification of the Functions of Government (CCOFOG) coding is applied at the program level for the general ledger accounts, specified purpose accounts, special funds and income statements of specific entities, such as colleges and universities. A complete list of government entities is available at Public Sector Universe.

Data composition

The published CCOFOG data represent only expenses, but exclude consumption of fixed capital. No estimates of the acquisition of non-financial assets are prepared at this time.

Coding process

The CCOFOG classification has three levels. The highest level is referred to as the division and has 10 separate categories. The second level is referred to as the group and the lowest level is referred to as the class. The classifications are available at Canadian Classification of Functions of Government (CCOFOG) 2014.

The primary mandate of a government's program, together with additional information provided by the Canadian Government Finance Statistics (CGFS) coding, is used to assign the CCOFOG classification. When a program has multiple mandates suggesting multiple CCOFOG codes be used, available information is used to determine the main proportion of the observed expense and the entire expenditure is assigned to that CCOFOG classification. However, in certain cases, a proportion of the expenses are redistributed to other CCOFOG codes to better reflect the nature of the expenditure.

In general, special funds usually have a single function and thus a single CCOFOG code is assigned. For example, a social housing authority would have all expenses coded to 71069 – Housing, other than public debt transactions, which would be assigned to 7017.

General principles

CCOFOG provides a consistent way to compare government expenditures across jurisdictions and through time. The aim is to classify expenditures according to their function, or socioeconomic objective, reflecting the aims the associated government wants to achieve.

The 2014 Government Finance Statistics Manual, published by the International Monetary Fund, provides an overview of the COFOG assignment rules in Chapter 6 and its annex. Canada rigorously adheres to the guidelines described in the manual.

As a practical matter individual governments, federal, provincial, or local, typically report their expenditures by department or agency and, within these structures, by economic class of expenditure (compensation of employees, use of goods and services, social benefits, etcetera). Each government's organizational structure may change over time and is unlikely to line up well with that of other governments. This issue is important within Canada and it is especially acute when it comes to comparing government expenditures across different countries. CCOFOG statistics promote comparability by providing a single, purpose-oriented classification for the expenditures of all jurisdictions and holding this classification constant through time.

It is also important, when making inter-governmental comparisons between countries or between governments within Canada, to use consolidated rather than unconsolidated statistics. This is especially true for expenditures on large expense categories such as health and education where inter-governmental transfers are substantial.

The consolidated provincial, territorial and local government (PTLG) estimates are often used for provincial and territorial comparisons. These estimates combine provincial and territorial governments, health and social service institutions, universities and colleges, municipalities and other local public administrations and school boards. Importantly, this aggregation removes interparty transactions. The PTLG aggregation is most often used for comparability purposes since there can be different delineations of responsibilities between provincial and local levels of government across provinces.

The consolidated Canadian general government estimates combine the federal government with PTLG data. They exclude data for the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans as well as those for federal and provincial government business enterprises.