Data accuracy measures by type of shipment, Canada

Data accuracy measures by type of shipment, Canada
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data accuracy measures by type of shipment 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (appearing as column headers).
  2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
All shipments a a a a a a a
Domestic shipments a a a a a a a
Transborder shipments a a b a b b b
Local shipments b a b b b b b
Long distance shipments a a a a a a a
Response Rate
Table summary
This table displays the results of Response Rate 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (appearing as column headers).
  2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Unweighted response rate 92% 92% 95% 93% 93% 93% 92%

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Annual Non-Store Retail Survey. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-858-7921

Table of contents

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General information
Reporting instructions
Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry Characteristics
Sales by type of client
Sales of Commodities

Text begins

General information

Survey purpose

Statistics Canada uses your survey responses to compile operating and financial statistics for the retail sector by province/territory and Canada as a whole. By accurately reporting your business units activity, you contribute to measuring provincial/territorial and Canadian economic output - the gross domestic product (GDP), as well as provide an accurate portrait of the store retailing sector in Canada.

Retailers also make significant use of the data from these surveys to:

  • track their performance against industry averages;
  • evaluate expansion plans;
  • prepare business plans for investors;
  • determine payments with respect to performance based contracts;
  • plan marketing strategies.

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

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, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Reporting instructions

1. Please print in ink.

2. Please report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000 CAN$).

3. Do not include sales tax.

4. All dollar amounts reported should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar (e.g., $55,417.40 should be rounded to $55,417). All percentages reported should be rounded to the nearest whole percent (e.g., 37.3% to 37%, 75.8% to 76%).

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

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If you answer “no”, indicating that your business unit is not a store retailer as defined above, then please call 1-800-858-7921 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

Revenue

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

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of this firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

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

  1. Commissions

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

  1. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue (please specify)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at question 3 - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications (report this amount at question 8. - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications expenses); Vehicle fuel (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Diskettes and computer upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at question 8 - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at question 19 - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in questions 1 to 20 above.

  1. Total expenses

The sum of questions 1 to 21.

Industry Characteristics

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

Include:

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

Do not deduct the value of trade-ins.

Exclude:

  • Taxes collected directly from customers and paid directly by this operating unit to provincial and federal tax agencies;
  • Labour portion of repair and maintenance.

Please report shipping and handling charges that are not embedded in the price of the merchandise, and which are therefore not reflected in the amount reported in the previous question 1.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

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

Include:

• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

Sales of Commodities

Food and beverages

Fresh meat and poultry

Include: Beef, pork, fowl and game, poultry, turkey, cooked meats, cured and smoked meats (prepackaged meats such as bacon, sausages, wieners, bologna, cooked ham, etc.)

Exclude: Frozen or canned meats, "deli" meat products.

 

Fresh fish and other seafood

 

Include: Fresh, smoked and cured fish and other seafood.

Exclude: Frozen or canned fish and other seafood, "deli" fish and other seafood.

 

Fresh fruit and vegetables

 

Include: Fresh fruits and vegetables.

Exclude: Frozen, canned or dried fruits and vegetables.

 

Eggs and dairy products (except frozen desserts)

 

Include: Fresh milk (include chocolate milk and soya milk), fresh eggs in shell, butter, fresh or processed cheese, fresh cream and fresh yogurt.

Exclude: Ice cream, frozen yogurt, powdered, canned, condensed or evaporated dairy products.

 

Baked goods (except frozen products, cookies and crackers)

 

Include: In-house fresh bakery goods or baked foods, commercial fresh bakery goods or baked foods and products of fresh bakery products.

Exclude: Frozen bakery products.

 

Perishable prepared foods (including fresh sliced deli meats, prepared entrées and fresh pasta)

 

Include: Deli luncheon meats, deli poultry, deli food (except cheese), deli fish, deli seafood, deli party platters, prepared pizza, prepared foods for take-out, prepared pizza for take out, deli salads, perishable prepared foods (except cheese), deli foods and salad bars and prepared foods for take-out (except cheese).

Exclude: Cheese, meals and lunches.

 

Frozen food

 

Include: Frozen meats, frozen game food, frozen cooked, cured and smoked meats, frozen poultry, frozen fish, frozen smoked and cured fish, frozen smoked and cured seafood, frozen smoked and cured shellfish, frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbets, popsicles, frozen juice concentrates, frozen bakery products, frozen TV dinners and frozen entrées.

 

Cookies, confectionery and snack foods

 

Include: Candy, chewing gum, fruit pastilles, chips, chocolate preparations (except baking chocolate), cocoa paste, unsweetened cocoa powder, confectionery, confectionery nuts, granola bars, package sugar confectionery goods, sugar confectionery specialities, sesame bars, snack foods, popped popcorn, mixed nuts, prepackaged cookies, prepackaged biscuits or crackers, prepackaged cakes, prepackaged doughnuts, prepackaged buns and prepackaged muffins.

Exclude: Candy and chocolate baking items, un-popped popcorn, products primarily sold as breakfast cereals.

 

Packaged food dry goods, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Canned or dried foods (except pet foods), baking supplies, baking chocolate, baking flour, baking powder, baking chopped nuts, breakfast cereals, dry coffee, powdered, canned, evaporated or condensed dairy products, dietetic foods, drink crystals, flour, food mixes, cake, biscuit and pancake mixes (except prepackaged), cooking oils, un-popped popcorn, rice, salad dressings, salt, herbs and spices, sugar, syrups and dry tea leaves.

Exclude: Meals and lunches, pet food.

 

Soft drinks (except bottled water)

 

Include: Canned soft drinks and bottled soft drinks (except bottled water)

 

Non-alcoholic beverages (except soft drinks, milk and frozen drinks)

 

Include: Non-alcoholic beer (except root beer pops), non-alcoholic wine or cider, fruit drinks (except soft drinks and frozen concentrates), juices (except soft drinks and frozen concentrates), non-alcoholic cocktails or punch, vegetable juices (except frozen concentrates), water, sparkling beverages (except water and sodas) and ice tea.

Exclude: Milk and cream, frozen juice concentrates, drink crystals.

 

Prepared hot beverages (including coffee)

 

Include: Hot coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate.

Exclude: Packaged coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other packaged hot beverage products.

 

Alcoholic beverages (except served on premises)

 

Include: Beer (except non-alcoholic), wine (except non-alcoholic), spirits, liquor, liqueur and coolers.

Exclude: Alcoholic beverages served on premises.

 

Ice

 

Include: Ice cubes and ice blocks.

 

Prepared meals

 

Include: Sales of alcoholic beverages served on premise.

 

Clothing, footwear and accessories

 

Men’s outerwear coats and jackets

Include: Winter coats, fur coats, jackets (except sport jackets), rainwear, ski clothing, snowmobile clothing and windbreakers.

Exclude: Suits, sport jackets and blazers.

 

Men’s suits, sport jackets and blazers

 

Include: Sport jackets and blazers and made-to-measure and ready-to wear suits.

Exclude: Occupational uniforms.

 

Men’s pants, shirts, sweaters and other bottoms and tops

 

Include: Pants (dress and casual), shorts, dress or casual shirts (except evening dress shirts), vests (except as occupational uniforms), school uniforms, gym uniforms, indoor jackets and sweaters.

 

Men’s sleepwear, underwear and hosiery

 

Include: Socks, underwear, pyjamas, bathrobes and nightwear.

 

Men’s hats, gloves, belts and other accessories

 

Include: Caps or hats, belts, gloves (except for work), mitts, scarves, suspenders, ties, umbrellas and wallets.

Exclude: Wigs, toupees.

 

Men’s clothing, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Bathing suits, exercise and fitness clothing, work gloves, occupational clothing or uniforms, work jackets or vests, priest clothing, running and jogging wear and safety clothing.

 

Women’s outerwear coats and jackets

 

Include: Winter coats, jackets, parkas, rainwear, ski jackets or suits, snowmobile suits, snowsuits, windbreakers and anoraks.

Exclude: Suit jackets and blazers.

 

Women’s dresses and suits

 

Include: One-piece and two-piece dresses, evening gowns, evening dress shirts, suits (except ski suits, snowmobile suits, snowsuits and maternity suits) and maternity dresses.

Exclude: Wedding gowns and occupational uniforms.

 

Women’s skirts, pants, blouses, sweaters and other bottoms and tops

 

Include: Skirts, blouses, pants (dress and casual), jeans, blazers, jackets (except for outdoors), shorts, maternity tops or bottoms, casual shirts (except evening dress shirts), sweat tops and bottoms, sweaters, T-shirts and other tops, school uniforms and gym uniforms.

 

Women’s lingerie, sleepwear and underwear

 

Include: Pyjamas, dressing gowns, bathrobes, foundation garments, lingerie, nightgowns, bras, nightshirts, slips and underwear.

Exclude: Hosiery.

 

Women’s hosiery

 

Include: Pantyhose, stockings, nylons, socks, tights, leggings and leotards.

 

Women’s dresses and suits

 

Include: One-piece and two-piece dresses, evening gowns, evening dress shirts, suits (except ski suits, snowmobile suits, snowsuits and maternity suits) and maternity dresses.

Exclude: Wedding gowns and occupational uniforms.

 

Women’s skirts, pants, blouses, sweaters and other bottoms and tops

 

Include: Skirts, blouses, pants (dress and casual), jeans, blazers, jackets (except for outdoors), shorts, maternity tops or bottoms, casual shirts (except evening dress shirts), sweat tops and bottoms, sweaters, T-shirts and other tops, school uniforms and gym uniforms.

 

Women’s lingerie, sleepwear and underwear

 

Include: Pyjamas, dressing gowns, bathrobes, foundation garments, lingerie, nightgowns, bras, nightshirts, slips and underwear.

Exclude: Hosiery.

 

Women’s hosiery

 

Include: Pantyhose, stockings, nylons, socks, tights, leggings and leotards.

 

Women’s handbags, purses and accessories

 

Include: Hats or caps (sport and fashion), gloves (except for work), mitts, scarves, purses, wallets, backpacks, belts, hair accessories, headbands, handbags and umbrellas.

Exclude: Wigs.

 

Women’s clothing, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Bathing and swim suits, exercise and fitness clothing, wedding gowns, occupational clothing or uniforms, priest clothing, running and jogging wear, safety clothing and track suits.

 

Boys’ clothing and accessories

 

Include: Boys' clothing (sizes 7 to 18) and accessories.

Exclude: Very specialized sports clothing, used clothing.

 

Girls’ clothing and accessories

 

Include: Girls' clothing (sizes 7 to 16) and accessories.

Exclude: Very specialized sports clothing, used clothing.

 

Infants’ clothing and fabric accessories

 

Include: Baby clothing and accessories (infants' sizes 0 to 24 months), children's clothing and accessories (sizes 2 to 6X), baby bottles, nursery bedding, crib mobiles, diaper bags, baby blankets, baby linens, baby plastic pants, baby bibs, cloth diapers, breast pumps, nursery wall hangings, nursing pads, baby rattles, baby teething rings and baby soothers.

Exclude: Very specialized sports clothing, used clothing, disposable/paper diapers, children's books.

 

Unisex clothing, costumes and vestments

 

Include: Unisex clothing, unisex kilts (except as sport equipment), Halloween costumes, Christmas costumes, carnival costumes and dance costumes.

Men’s athletic footwear

Include: Aerobic shoes, athletic footwear or shoes (except ski boots, skates and cleats), running shoes, basketball shoes, tennis shoes (except table tennis) and cross-trainers footwear.

 

Men’s footwear and accessories (except athletic)

 

Include: Men’s or boys’ (except children) non-athletic footwear or shoes, fashion footwear or shoes, winter boots, rain boots, slippers, orthopedic shoes and men’s work boots.

Exclude: Sport specific cleated footwear, golf shoes, bowling shoes, broomball shoes, curling shoes, ski boots, skates Sport specific cleated footwear, golf shoes, bowling shoes, broomball shoes, curling shoes, ski boots, skates.

 

Women’s athletic footwear

 

Include: Court shoes, athletic footwear or shoes (except ski boots, skates and cleats), cross-trainers footwear, running shoes, walking shoes and hiking boots.

 

Women’s footwear and accessories (except athletic)

 

Include: Women’s or girls’ (except children) non-athletic footwear or shoes, winter boots, rain boots, orthopedic shoes and shoe accessories or clip-on.

Exclude: Sport specific cleated footwear, golf shoes, bowling shoes, broomball shoes, curling shoes, ski boots, skates.

 

Infants’ footwear

 

Include: Infants' or babies' (except children) footwear, all types of infants’ non-athletic footwear or shoes and infants’ orthopedic shoes.

 

Children’s athletic footwear

 

Include: Athletic footwear or shoes (except ski boots, skates and cleats) and all types of athletic footwear (except table tennis)

 

Fine jewellery (including precious metal, diamonds, gemstones, and pearls)

 

Include: Fine jewellery.

Exclude: Watches.

 

Costume jewellery (including base metal, glass, plastic, and synthetic stones)

 

Include: Costume jewellery (except watches), all types of jewellery (except watches) and trinkets.

 

Watches

 

Include: Pocket watches, wrist watches and pendant watches.

Exclude: Antique watches.

 

Luggage, briefcases, knapsacks, and duffel bags

 

Include: Attaché cases, backpacks, knapsacks, leather or leather-like briefcases, luggage, leather and leather-like school bags, sport bags, suitcases and leather and leather-like travel accessories.

Exclude: Purses, wallets, billfolds, camera and instrument cases and fashion knapsacks.

 

Home furniture, furnishings, housewares, appliances and electronics

 

Mattresses and foundations

Include: Bed frames, spring, foam and water mattresses (except crib and air mattresses), box springs and bedding foundations (except sofa beds and futons).

Exclude: Headboards, crib mattresses, air mattresses.

 

Infants’ furniture

 

Include: New infants' furniture, junior or toddler beds, infants' changing tables, baby highchairs, baby crib and mattress sets, new nursery furniture or equipment and new nursery furniture parts.

Exclude: Car seats (see Health, personal and household products).

 

Indoor home furniture, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: New bed headboards or footboards and parts, new indoor home furniture (except nursery) and parts, new indoor home office furniture and parts, new home futons and parts, new home office and office furniture and equipment and parts, all other new indoor furniture parts, home security safes and new home sofa beds and parts.

Exclude: Nursery furniture, lamps, mattresses and foundations, counters and cupboards.

 

Outdoor home furniture

 

Include: Patio furniture cushions, patio and garden furniture and cottage outdoor furniture.

 

Window treatments

 

Include: Indoor window treatments (except furniture coverings), blinds or shades, curtains (except shower), drapes, valances and indoor window shutters.

 

Household textile products, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Furniture covers or throws, furniture coverings, bedding (except nursery), cushions and cushion covers, afghans, bathroom accessories, dishcloths or dish towels, cloth napkins, oven mitts, aprons, pot holders, doilies, non disposable table linens, tea towels and placemats or tablecloths.

Exclude: Disposable paper tablecloths and napkins.

 

Decorative home furnishings (except textile products)

 

Include: Household seasonal decorations or ornaments, candles, clocks (except with radio), figurines, fireplace screens and accessories, artificial and dried flowers or plants, picture or photograph frames, incense, jewellery boxes, music boxes, thermometers, barometers, room dividers, giftware, gift baskets and trophies.

Exclude: Outdoor specialty lighting (security, landscape, patio, etc.), real Christmas trees, Christmas gift wrap, woodstoves and clock radios.

 

Tableware, kitchenware, cookware and bakeware

 

Include: Bakeware, speciality bakeware, kitchenware, barbecue tools, cheese tools, egg tools, garlic or herbs tools, ice cream tools, kitchen utensils sets, speciality kitchenware, tableware (except disposable), cookware, cookware sets, lunch boxes or bags, picnic baskets or accessories and disposable tableware.

Exclude: Kitchen and table linens, pot holders, electrical kitchen appliances and disposable tableware (plastic, plates, utensils and glasses, paper plates, cups and napkins, paper/plastic, tablecloths, etc.).

 

Household cleaning supplies

 

Include: Air fresheners, toilet fresheners, fabric dyes, floor polish or wax, laundry detergent, furniture polish or wax, shoe polish, scouring powders or creams, baking soda, upholstery or rug spot removers.

Exclude: Personal care products (toilet paper, facial tissues, shampoos, beauty soaps, etc.) and automotive waxes and cleaners.

 

Paper household supplies

 

Include: Toilet paper, facial tissues, paper products, wax paper, foil food wraps, disposable paper plates and disposable paper cups.

 

Miscellaneous household supplies, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Disposable plasticware, disposable table linens, barbecue starter fuel, glues or adhesives, garment bags, garbage or trash cans, recycling bins, clothes or laundry hampers, clothes or laundry drying racks, ironing boards, laces, matches, stools, outlet covers, cabinet locks, steps, multiplatform use non-rechargeable batteries, multiplatform use rechargeable batteries, light bulbs, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

 

Small home appliances

 

Include: Electric knives, central vacuum cleaners, coffee makers or grinders, waste compactors, dehumidifiers, electric fans, floor polishers, food processors, deep fryers, food steamers, garbage disposals, portable space heaters, portable humidifiers, electric kettles, electric food mixers or processors, electric personal care appliances, heating pads, rug cleaning equipment, sewing machines, toasters, new small electrical home appliances and parts or accessories and water purifiers.

Exclude: Room air conditioners and microwave ovens.

 

Major home kitchen and cleaning appliances

 

Include: Room air conditioners, major appliances, microwave ovens, convection ovens, ranges, kitchen range hoods or fans, dishwashers and washing machines and clothes dryers.

 

Computers, peripherals and networking equipment

 

Include: Blank audio disc, computer batteries, CD computer drives, blank computer CDs, DVD computer drives, blank computer DVDs, computer hard drives, computer integrated circuits, personal digital assistants (PDAs), printers (except toners), computer scanners, new computers and pre-loaded software, anti-glare screens, monitor stands, external numeric keypads, computer mice or mouse, computer mouse pads, CD, DVD and diskette storage boxes, cases or racks and new computers components or parts and accessories (except toners and cartridges)

 

Computer software (except games)

 

Include: Computer software (except games), computer multimedia items (except electronic games), books packaged and sold together with software (except electronic games), cassettes packaged and sold together with software (except electronic games) and disks packaged and sold together with software (except electronic games).

 

Telephones and related products

 

Include: Fax machines, phone answering machines, pagers (except messaging services), telephones (except phone services), new telephone or cellphone parts, telephone batteries and cellphone batteries.

 

Televisions and home audiovisual equipment

 

Include: Non-automotive amplifiers, audio and video equipment or supplies (except mixers), clock radios, non-automotive mini disc players (except mixers), non-automotive DVD players (except mixers), films for movie and video cameras, ghetto blasters, boom boxes or sound boards, head cleaners for audio and video tape players, headphones, microphones (except for computer), movie cameras and accessories, MP3 players (except mixers), iPod, non-automotive audio receivers and tuners, reel-to-reel tape players (except mixers), satellite dishes, non-automotive sound systems (except mixers), non-automotive stereos (except mixers), non-automotive tape recorders and players or decks (except mixers), blank audio and video tapes, televisions, television audio and new video parts, videocassette recorders or VCRs and blank video tapes or videocassettes.

 

Cameras (except video cameras) and photographic equipment

 

Include: Photo albums, still and digital cameras and accessories, photographic enlarging equipment, film for still cameras, still and digital cameras new parts, photographic equipment and supplies, slide projectors and accessories, photographic slides, camera lenses, photographic tripods, flash attachments, projector screens, still or digital camera cases and specialized batteries for digital video camera (except AA and AAA batteries).

Exclude: Video cameras and related equipment and supplies, picture frames and binoculars.

 

Rental services of movies and games on DVD's, tapes and cassettes

 

Include: Rental services of movies and games on DVD's, tapes and cassettes, subscription rental of movies and games.

 

Computer equipment rental and leasing services

 

Include: Rental and leasing of computer equipment and laptops.

 

Sporting and leisure products

 

Bicycles and biking equipment and accessories

Include: Bicycles (except children’s tricycles), specialized bike clothing, biking equipment and accessories, bicycle helmets, bicycle locks and new bicycle parts (except children’s tricycles).

 

Exercise equipment

 

Include: Exercise equipment (except clothing and videos), fitness equipment (except clothing and videos), exercise or fitness treadmills, exercise or fitness ellipticals, exercise or fitness, weighted vests, fully-assembled workout stations and home gyms.

 

Golf equipment

 

Include: Golf equipment (except clothing), golf fairway woods, motorized golf pull carts, non-motorized golf pull carts, golf bags, golf towels, golf accessories (except clothing), golf club head covers and golfing kilts.

Exclude: Motorized golf carts.

 

Skiing and snowboarding equipment

 

Include: Ski equipment, ski boots, aerodynamic racing ski suits, insulators for ski, boots or gloves, snowboarding equipment, snowboards, snowboard accessories, snowboard cleaning brushes and snowboard carriers.

Exclude: Ski jackets and apparel and water ski equipment.

 

Hunting, fishing and camping equipment

 

Include: Camping air mattresses (except water air mattresses), hunting ammunition, target shooting ammunition, bait, camouflage and hunting clothing, camping equipment and supplies, firearm collections, fishing equipment and accessories, hunting equipment and accessories, lanterns, fishing lures or scents, hunting lures or scents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, fishing tackle boxes, tents and bows or arrows.

Exclude: Tent trailers.

 

Team sporting equipment

 

Include: Balls (except golf and exercise balls), baseball, football and soccer cleats or shoes, baseball, soft ball, football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, ringette, rugby and hockey uniforms (except as street wear) and equipment.

Exclude: Baseball caps, and other sports clothing for street wear.

 

Sporting equipment, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Water air mattresses, badminton equipment, bowling equipment or accessories, boxing equipment or accessories, broomball equipment or accessories, curling equipment or accessories, curling sliders or grippers (except discs), fencing sport equipment, harness goods, halters or leads, in-line skates, figure skates, billiard (include: pool equipment and accessories and snooker equipment and accessories), racquet sports equipment, tennis equipment or accessories (except footwear and clothing), rock climbing equipment or accessories, snowshoes, squash equipment or supplies (except footwear and clothing), sailboards, scuba gear, snorkels, skateboards, roller skates, surfboards, trampolines and fireworks.

Exclude: Used sporting goods.

 

Electronic game consoles and game software

 

Include: Electronic games (except computer software games), Nintendo games, Playstation games, Xbox games, Wii games and iPad games.

 

Toys and games (except game consoles and software)

 

Include: Ball toys, non-electronic games, microscope toy models, telescope toy models, puzzle games, toy and hobby racing sets, sleds, sleighs, toboggans, soccer table games, soccer table balls, video games, wagon toys, air tennis table games, board games, specialized replacement toy batteries (except AA, AAA, D, C, 9V, Common Button Cells), playground structures and playground equipment.

Exclude: Computer software games, three-wheeled bikes for adults, used toys and games.

 

Books

 

Include: Atlases, Bibles, "talking" books, new hard and soft cover books, reference and text books, trade mass market paperback books, professional or technical books and electronic books.

Exclude: Multimedia items (includes a book and a record, cassette or disc that are packaged and sold together), newspapers, magazines, periodicals, sales catalogues, colouring books, drawing books, albums (coin, stamp, photo, etc.), agendas, calendars, brochures, pamphlets, owners’ manuals and comic books.

 

Newspapers, magazines and periodicals

 

Include: Comic books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals and television guides.

 

Publications not elsewhere classified (including posters, art prints, maps and greeting cards)

 

Include: Art prints and related supplies, greeting cards, wedding and engagement cards, thank you and appreciation cards, maps and posters.

 

Audio and video recordings

 

Include: Pre-recorded audio discs, new pre-recorded audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, new pre-recorded media, new records, new pre-recorded audio and video tapes, new audio and video recordings, new audio compact disc and new digital video disc recordings

 

Artists’ equipment and supplies

 

Include: Brushes, charcoal supplies, paint supplies, paintbrushes supplies, canvases supplies and easel supplies.

 

Musical instruments and print music

 

Include: New musical instruments, accessories and supplies, musical whistles, drums, turntables, samplers, musical synthesizers and organs.

Exclude: Amplifiers, sound boards, mixers, speakers and microphones.

 

Sewing and knitting supplies

 

Include: Yarns or threads, knitting yarns, sewing threads, ribbons, fabrics, measuring tapes, notions, buttons, crochet hooks and dressmakers or sewing patterns.

Exclude: Sewing machines.

 

Craft and hobby kits and leisure supplies, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Air hockey game equipment, hobby supplies, table hockey games, make-up, hobby model kits, craft supplies, bows craft supplies, glue guns and other glues craft supplies, handicraft kits and stained glass making supplies.

Exclude: Household and industrial glues and adhesives.

 

Motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, motor vehicles parts and accessories

 

New passenger automobiles

Include: New automobiles (except jeeps, vans, light trucks, SUVs, pickup trucks, medium and heavy trucks).

Exclude: Parts and accessories.

 

New minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks

 

Include: New jeeps, minivans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, light trucks and vans (except converted vans).

 

New medium and heavy trucks

 

Include: New buses and class 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 trucks .

Exclude: Parts and accessories.

 

Used passenger automobiles

 

Include: Antique cars and used cars.

Exclude: Parts and accessories.

 

Used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks

 

Include: Used and antique light truck, used and antique vans (except converted vans), used and antique jeeps, used minivans, used pickup trucks, used sport utility vehicles, used street legal army light trucks and used street legal army jeeps.

Exclude: Parts and accessories.

 

Used medium and heavy trucks

 

Include: Used buses and used class 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 trucks.

Exclude: Parts and accessories.

 

New motorcycles and scooters

 

Include: Motorcycle clothing, motorcycles (except all-terrain vehicles), motorcycle parts and accessories, scooters, scooter parts and accessories, motorized scooters, motorized scooter parts and accessories, motorcycle trailers, non-automotive motorcycles parts and accessories, non-automotive scooter parts and accessories and non-automotive moped parts and accessories.

 

New motor homes, travel trailers and truck campers

 

Include: Truck camper appliances, motor home appliances, travel trailer appliances, truck mounted campers, recreational converted vans, motor homes, motor home parts and accessories, non-automotive motor home parts, non-automotive travel trailer parts, non-automotive truck camper parts, non-automotive converted van parts, tent trailers, tent trailer parts and accessories, travel trailers, travel trailer parts and accessories, truck camper parts and accessories, truck campers and folding camping trailers.

 

New snowmobiles and other personal off-road vehicles

 

Include: All-terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicle parts and accessories, non-automotive all-terrain vehicle parts and accessories, snowmobiles, snowmobile parts and accessories, personal watercraft trailers, snowmobile trailers and non-automotive snowmobile parts and accessories.

 

New recreational boats and other recreational vehicles, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Yacht appliances, cruise appliances, boat parts and accessories, houseboats, boats, boating radar equipment, fishing boats and motors, speeding boats and motors, cabin cruisers, yachts, sails, non-automotive boat parts and accessories, canoes, kayaks and utility trailers, new motorized golf carts.

 

Used motorcycles and scooters

 

Include: Used scooters, motorcycles (except all-terrain vehicles) and mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and mopeds used parts and accessories, non-automotive motorbike and mopeds used parts and accessories.

 

Used motor homes, travel trailers and truck campers

 

Include: Used motor homes, tent trailers, travel trailers, truck campers and converted recreational vans, used motor home, travel trailers, truck camper and converted van parts and accessories, used camper and travel trailer appliances, used non-automotive motor home, travel trailers, truck camper and converted van parts.

 

Used snowmobiles and other personal off-road vehicles

 

Include: Used snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles used parts and accessories, non-automotive snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles used parts and accessories, used snowmobile trailers.

 

Used recreational boats and other recreational vehicles, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Used personal aircraft, parts and accessories, used boats, parts and accessories, used canoes, houseboats, motorized golf carts, yachts, kayaks, boat oars, fishing boats and motors, speeding boats and motors, cabin cruisers, boat paddles, canoe paddles, kayak paddles, sails and used non-automotive boat parts and accessories.

 

New motor vehicle tires

 

Include: Automotive air conditioners, automotive new and used parts and accessories (except tires, tubes and baby car seats), trailer hitches, hubcaps, new and used bus parts (except tires and tubes), new and used medium truck parts (except tires and tubes), new and used class 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 truck parts (except tires and tubes), new and used heavy truck parts (except tires and tubes), used car parts (except tires, tubes and baby car seats), new pickup truck parts (except tires and tubes), used pickup truck parts (except tires and tubes), new and used van or minivan parts (except tires, tubes and baby car seats), new and used jeep and other sport utility vehicle parts (except tires, tubes and baby car seats), automotive new or used parts for farm equipment (except tires and tubes), automotive new or used parts for recreational vehicles (except tires and tubes), car radios and remote car starters.

 

Motor vehicle chemicals

 

Include: Antifreeze, automotive oils, carburettor cleaners, fuel injector cleaners, automotive engine oils, gas line cleaners, automotive lubricating greases, windshield washer fluids.

Exclude: Automotive fuels.

 

Rental and non-financial leasing services of motor homes, travel trailers and campers

 

Include: Rental and non-financial leasing services without operator of motor homes, campers, tent trailers and road recreational vehicles containing sleeping space.

 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair services

 

Include: Maintenance and repair services for automobiles and light trucks, motor homes, travel trailers and campers, heavy trucks and buses.

 

Rental and non-financial leasing services of automobiles and light trucks

 

Include: Rental and non-financial leasing services of automobiles and light trucks and vans, without operator.

 

Rental and non-financial leasing services of heavy trucks, truck trailers and buses, without operator

 

Include: Rental and non-financial leasing services of heavy trucks, truck trailers and buses, without operator.

 

Automotive and household fuels

 

Automotive fuels

Include: Diesel fuel, ethanol fuel blends, gasoline, automotive natural gas and automotive propane fuel.

 

Household fuels

 

Include: Coal fuel, electrical supply, electric power supply, firewood, home heating fuels, natural gas for home appliance and heating, propane for household use, wood pellets fuel, heating oils, kerosene and wood for stoves and fireplaces.

 

Health, personal and household products

 

Prescription pharmaceuticals

Include: Drugs purchased with a prescription.

Exclude: Over-the-counter drugs and drugs purchased without a prescription.

 

Non-prescription pharmaceuticals

 

Include: Over-the-counter drugs (except vitamin, mineral, and other health supplements), non-prescription drugs (except vitamin, mineral, and other health supplements) and non prescription sleeping aids.

Exclude: Drugs purchased with a prescription and other toiletries/personal care products.

 

Vitamin, mineral and other health supplements

 

Include: Herbal health supplement remedies, mineral health supplements, nutritional power bars, vitamins or multivitamins and body enhancing supplements.

 

Prescription eyewear

 

Include: Prescription glasses (eyeglasses) or spectacles, contact lenses (with prescription) and prescription sunglasses.

Exclude: Eyewear bought without a prescription (including sunglasses), frames bought separately, eyeglass cases and other accessories and contact lens solutions and cleaners.

 

Non-prescription eyewear

 

Include: Non-prescription sunglasses, non-prescription glasses or eyeglasses, eyewear accessories, eyeglass cases, eyeglass frames bought separately and non-prescription contact lenses.

Exclude: Prescription eyewear, including prescription sunglasses and contact lenses and contact lens solutions and cleaners.

 

Home health products, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Home health care equipment and supplies, parts and accessories of home health care equipment and supplies, sick room equipment and supplies, artificial limbs, bedpans, braces, walking canes, crutches, first-aid kits, hearing aids, orthotic devices, health care thermometers, walkers health care equipment, walkers medical equipment and wheelchairs.

Exclude: Eyewear, orthopedic shoes, exercise and fitness equipment and drugs/medications.

 

Disposable diapers

 

Include: Disposable baby diapers and disposable adult diapers.

 

Infants’ and children’s car seats

 

Include: Infants’ or children’s car seats.

 

Strollers and infant care products, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Baby carriers, baby strollers, baby carriages, baby monitors and baby walkers.

 

Cosmetics and fragrances

 

Include: Cosmetics and fragrances (except personal care goods), concealer makeup, face powder makeup, rouge (blush or blusher) makeup, contour powder or cream makeup, highlight (cream, liquid or powder) makeup, bronzer makeup, mascara, nail colour polishes, makeup removers, face creams and lotions, hand lotions or cream and facial masks or peels.

 

Toiletries

 

Include: Personal toiletries, hair shampoos and conditioners, aftershave (cream, liquid or gel), shaving creams or gels, toothpastes, skin lotions, personal liquid soap, personal soaps, bath and shower gels, bath and shower oils, bath and shower salts, personal deodorants, personal anti-persperants, body or skin toners, mouthwashes, denture cleaners, non-electric toothbrushes, non-electric razors, non-electric depilatories, razor blades, hand mirrors, pumice stones, rubbing alcohol, haircare preparations, foot care sprays, foot care powders and astringents.

 

Feminine hygiene products

 

Include: Sanitary napkins, sanitary towels, pantyliners and menstrual cups.

 

Personal care supplies and equipment, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Wigs, toupees, hair pieces, baby care products, bandages, personal hair bleaches, condoms, contact lens solutions and cleaners, non-prescription contraceptives, cosmetic bags, cotton balls and batting, emery boards, nail files or clippers, health and beauty aids, hot water bottles, nail polishers and removers, artificial finger nails, non-electric personal care products (except toiletries), pregnancy test kits, prophylactics, optical saline solutions, sunscreens and petroleum jelly.

Exclude: Electric personal care appliances (shavers, razors, toothbrushes, hair dryers, curling irons, heating pads, etc.), drugs, cosmetics and fragrances, eyewear, hair accessories and home health care equipment and supplies (crutches, canes, wheelchairs, etc.).

 

Hardware, tools, renovation and lawn and garden products

 

Hardware

Include: Builders’ hardware, home hardware, farm hardware, cabinet hardware, furniture hardware, kitchen hardware. (Including locksets, key blanks, fasteners, nuts, bolts, nails, screws, washers, hinges, knobs and pulls, etc.)

 

Hand tools

 

Include: Files and rasps, non-powered glue guns and glue, hammers, hatchets, non-automotive jacks, ladders, measuring tapes, propane torch kits, non-power mechanics’ tools, non-powered hand tools (except garden tools), non-powered staple guns, snow shovels (except electric), hand tool belts and toolboxes for non-powered hand tools.

Exclude: Garden tools, hoes, rakes, garden shovels, spades, etc. Garden tools, hoes, rakes, garden shovels, spades, etc.

 

Power tools

 

Include: Power saws (except chain saws), rechargeable batteries for power tools, power tool batteries, power tools belts, power carpenters’ tools, power mechanics’ tools, electric snow shovels, electric snow scoops, soldering irons, toolboxes for power tools, power tools (except garden tools) and electric picks.

Exclude: Chainsaws.

 

Major household air conditioning, heating and water heating equipment

 

Include: Central air conditioners, household air exchangers, household air cleaners, baseboard heaters, furnace belts, household air or heating ducts, air or heating vents, water heating equipment and cooling equipment and supplies.

 

Plumbing and electrical supplies (including fixtures)

 

Include: Bathtubs, cables (electrical), home circuit breakers, electrical equipment and supplies, exhaust fans, faucets, fireplace inserts, home heating furnaces, fuse boxes, heating equipment and supplies, humidifiers attached to furnace, indoor Jacuzzis, light plugs, home plumbing pipes or valves, stove pipes, electrical plates or covers, plumbing equipment and supplies, home power generators, shower heads, sinks, solar panel heating kits, home electrical switches, home electrical plugs, household thermostat, household toilets, indoor whirlpools and woodstoves.

 

Paint, painting supplies and wallpaper

 

Include: Household paint brushes or rollers, paint strippers or thinners, household paint, wood stains, varnishes and household wallpaper.

Exclude: Craft and artists’ paints and thinners, automotive paints and glass.

 

Flooring, floor coverings and floor and wall tiles

 

Include: Carpets or rugs, household floor mats (except bath and for fitness equipment), floor tiles, ceramic, porcelain, clay, vinyl or cork countertops, fireplace tiles, hardwood or parquet flooring and linoleum flooring.

Exclude: Ceiling tiles.

 

Lumber and other renovation materials and supplies

 

Include: Baseboard trim, bathroom cabinets (except medicine), fibreglass insulation batting, structural beams, lumber boards, building or paving bricks, caulking compounds, ceiling tiles, corrugated steel roofing, countertops, doors, drywall, eavestroughing, fencing, door or window frames, garage door, kitchen cabinets, building lumber, medium density fibreboard sheets, moulding, plywood, posts or poles, prefabricated stairs and other structural pieces, shingles, outdoor shutters, siding, non-automotive weather-stripping, windows and pressure-treated wood.

Exclude: Hardwood flooring, tiles, marble and granite.

 

Hardware and renovation related products, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Ceiling fans, household interior or exterior lighting fixtures, decorative mirrors, convex or concave mirrors for security, household alarm systems, asphalt sealing compounds, industrial cleaning compounds, concrete sealing compounds, driveway sealing compounds (oil base or acrylic), duct tape, electrical tape, flagpoles, garage door openers, industrial glues or adhesives, general purpose lubricating greases, house numbers or letters, mailboxes hardware, masking tape, medicine cabinets, lubricating oils (except cooking and automotive), water pressure cleaners, propane torch cylinders, sandpaper, shelving or brackets, vacuum cleaners or shop vacs, non-electrical wire and safety equipment (except safety clothing and footwear for women, men, children and infants).

 

Lawnmowers, snowblowers and gardening tools

 

Include: Chain saws, new garden tractors, lawnmowers, snowblowers, tillers, leaf loaders, trimmers, concrete curbing machines, gardening tools, top soil mixtures lawn dressings, lawn sprinklers, plant and tree pruners, garden shovels, garden spades, garden tools, wheelbarrows, outdoor urns and outdoor planters.

 

Live plants, seeds and other home and garden supplies (except agricultural fertilizers and pesticides)

 

Include: Outdoor hot tubs, outdoor spas, outdoor whirlpools, above ground pools, plant bulbs, bushes and shrubs, cut real Christmas trees, lawn and garden flowers, peat moss, lawn and garden plants, nursery stock seedlings, seeds, sod, outdoor soil, nursery stock trees, live plants, picnic tables, barbecues and accessories, composters, lawn ornaments, outdoor specialty lighting, pool chemicals and propane tanks for barbecues.

 

Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except office equipment) rental and leasing services

 

Include: Rental and non-financial leasing services of air, rail, and water transportation equipment (without operator) or other commercial or industrial machinery (without operator).

Exclude: Rental and leasing services of office equipment.

 

Miscellaneous retail products

 

Pets

Include: Domestic and exotic household pets.

Exclude: Pet food, accessories and supplies (see pet foods, supplies and accessories).

 

Pet food, supplies and accessories

 

Include: Pet foods, snacks and treats, wild bird feed, pet toys, leashes, shampoo, clippers, aquariums, cages, beds, etc.

Exclude: Pets (see pets), tack and saddlery (see sporting equipment not elsewhere classified).

 

Tobacco products and accessories

 

Include: Tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, rolling machines, cigarette holders, snuff, etc.

Exclude: Matches (see miscellaneous household supplies not elsewhere classified).

 

Home office equipment, not elsewhere classified

 

Home office supplies, not elsewhere classified

Include: Home office computer inkjet cartridges, desk accessories, home office supplies (pens, pencils, markers, scotch tape, etc.), stationery (notepads, notebooks, envelopes, file folders, etc.), gift wraps and party supplies.

 

Farm equipment

 

Include: New and used tractors, hay balers, harrows, combines, horse and cattle trailers and other specialized farm equipment (include parts).

 

Farm supplies

 

Include: Animal feed, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, herbicides and livestock.

 

Supplies for beer and wine making

 

Include: Concentrates, malts, beer and wine making chemicals, corks and beer caps, beer and wine making labels and bottles.

Exclude: Fees for beer and/or wine making.

 

Cut flowers, indoor potted plants and floral supplies

 

Include: Cut flowers, indoor potted plants, potting soil and floral supplies.

Exclude: Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and outdoor nursery stock and supplies.

 

Monuments and tombstones

 

Include: Coffins, caskets, tombstones and urns.

 

Manufactured mobile homes

 

Include: New and used mobile homes.

 

Professional and scientific instruments

 

Include: Microscopes, surveyor's equipment, laboratory equipment, telescopes, etc.

 

Equipment and supplies for nonfarm activities, not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Audio and video mixers, new personal aircraft and new aircraft parts and accessories.

 

Miscellaneous retail products not elsewhere classified

 

Include: Novelties, pins and crests, souvenirs, gift certificates, etc.

 

Artwork

 

Include: Sculptures, paintings, original drawings and artwork carvings.

 

Collectors’ items

 

Include: Stamps, coins, cards, autographed items, related albums, etc.

 

Antiques, and used or second-hand merchandise (except motor vehicles and mobile homes)

 

Include: Used, second-hand or antique goods such as sporting goods, clothing, footwear, furniture, appliances, computers, electronics, books, musical instruments, musical recordings, CDs, DVDs and jewellery.

Exclude: Used automobiles, used automotive parts and accessories and used mobile homes.

 

Other retail

 

Retail trade commissions (except commissions from the provision of a service)

Include: Commissions earned from retail trade and commissions from catalogue sales.

 

Miscellaneous services

Office machinery and equipment rental and leasing services (except computer equipment)

Include: Rental and non-financial leasing services of office furniture and equipment.

Exclude: Rental and leasing services of computer equipment.

 

Rental and leasing services of other goods (except movies and games on DVD's, tapes and cassettes)

 

Include: Rental and leasing services of audiovisual equipment and appliances, of formal wear, costumes and accessories, of home health care equipment, of equipment for parties and other social events, of recreational goods and equipment, rental and non-financial leasing services of household furniture and furnishings.

Exclude: Rental and leasing services of movies and games on DVD's, tapes and cassettes.

 

Repair and maintenance services (except for buildings and motor vehicles)

 

Include: Maintenance and repair services for commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, electronic and precision equipment and personal and household goods, computer hardware, boats, tent trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, sporting equipment, etc.

Exclude: Repair and maintenance services for buildings and motor vehicles.

Other goods and services

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Annual Retail Trade Survey. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-858-7921

Table of contents

Skip to text

General information
Reporting instructions
Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry characteristics
Sales by type of client
Appendix 1 - Gasoline service station guide
Appendix 2 - Beer, wine and liquor chains

Text begins

General information

Survey purpose

Statistics Canada uses your survey responses to compile operating and financial statistics for the retail sector by province/territory and Canada as a whole. By accurately reporting your business units activity, you contribute to measuring provincial/territorial and Canadian economic output - the gross domestic product (GDP), as well as provide an accurate portrait of the store retailing sector in Canada.

Retailers also make significant use of the data from these surveys to:

  • track their performance against industry averages;
  • evaluate expansion plans;
  • prepare business plans for investors;
  • determine payments with respect to performance based contracts;
  • plan marketing strategies.

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

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, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Security of emails and faxes

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during facsimile or other electronic transmission. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act. Note: Our online questionnaires are secure; there is no risk of data interception when responding to Statistics Canada’s online surveys.

Record linkages

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

Reporting instructions

1. Please report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000 CAN$).

2. Do not include sales tax.

3. Percentages should be rounded to whole numbers

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

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If you answer “no”, indicating that your business unit is not a store retailer as defined above, then please call 1-800-858-7921 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

Revenue

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

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intracompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

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

  1. Commissions

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

  1. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue (please specify)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7)

  1. Total revenue

The sum of questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at question 3 - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications (report this amount at question 8 - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses); Vehicle fuel (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Diskettes and computer upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at question 8 - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at question 19 - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in questions 1 to 20 above.

  1. Total expenses

The sum of lines 1 to 21

Industry Characteristics

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

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

Include:

  • Excise taxes (such as those on gasoline, liquor, and tobacco) and other taxes that are levied on the manufacturer/importer and included in the cost of products purchased by this business unit;
  • Sales of all goods purchased for resale; please report gross sales of new and used goods less returns and discounts;
  • Parts used in generating repair and maintenance revenue; report the labour portion of repair and maintenance at question 3.

Do not deduct the value of trade-ins.

Exclude:

  • Taxes collected directly from customers and paid directly by this operating unit to provincial and federal tax agencies;
  • Sales and revenue from concessions.
  1. Sales of goods manufactured as a secondary activity by this retailing business unit

Report revenue from sales of goods of own manufacture.

  1. Labour revenue from repair and maintenance

Include:

  • Labour revenue from installations, warranty and repair work;
  • Parts used in generating installation, repair and maintenance revenue are to be included at question 1.
  1. Revenue from rental and leasing of goods and equipment

Include:

  • Video/computer game rental;
  • Rug shampoo equipment rental;
  • Tool rental.
  1. Revenue from rental of real estate

Include:

  • Revenue received from renting out or leasing property owned by this business unit.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

APPENDIX 1 - GASOLINE SERVICE STATION GUIDE

I - Independent retail dealer

An independent retail dealer purchases gasoline for resale from a supplier (e.g., an oil refinery or wholesaler), i.e., owns the inventories.

An independent dealership is a typical retail operation and should report all data as requested on the questionnaire.

A franchisee is usually an independent retail dealer.

Reporting instructions:

Section - Revenue

Exclude:

  • provincial sales taxes (PST and TVQ);
  • goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST).

Include:

  • excise taxes;
  • revenue from repairs, rentals, car washes and other services.

II - Retail commissioned agent

A retail commissioned agent sells petroleum products on consignment and does not own the inventory of gasoline; may also purchase and carry inventories of other merchandise for resale.

A retail commissioned agent also receives a commission or flat fee from supplier of products sold on consignment.

Reporting instructions:

Section - Revenue

Please report only the commissions or fees received for consignment sales, plus excise taxes, and total sales of other merchandise not on consignment, as well as revenue from repairs, rentals, car washes and other services.

Exclude:

  • provincial sales taxes (PST and TVQ);
  • goods and services tax (GST), or harmonized sales tax (HST).

Section - Expenses, questions 1 a), b), c) and d) (Cost of goods sold)

Exclude:

  • inventories and purchases of goods held on consignment.

Include:

  • all other merchandise, preferably valued at cost price.

Section - Expenses, questions 2 a) and b) (Employment costs and expenses)

Report as requested on questionnaire.

III - Lessee

For purposes of the survey, a lessee can be either an independent dealer or a retail commissioned agent.

If a lessee purchases gasoline for resale, i.e., he owns the inventories, he should report as an independent dealer.

If a lessee sells gasoline on consignment, i.e., he does not own the inventories, he should report as a retail commissioned agent.

IV - Oil refinery or other wholesale supplier

An oil-producing company, refinery or other wholesale supplier involved in gasoline retailing through:

a) company owned-and-operated gasoline service stations;
or
b) retail commissioned agents or lessees who sell company-owned gasoline on consignment.

Reporting instructions:

Report for each location, depending upon its type, i.e.:

a) company-owned;
or
b) retail commissioned agent or lessee.

Section - Revenue

a) Company owned-and-operated stations

Include:

  • total retail sales of petroleum products;
  • sales of all other merchandise;
  • receipts from repairs, rentals, car washes and other services;
  • excise taxes.

Exclude:

  • provincial sales taxes (PST and TVQ);
  • goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST).

b) Retail commissioned agents or lessees who sell on consignment

Include:

  • only the value of retail sales of petroleum products sold on consignment, including excise taxes.

Exclude:

  • commissions or fees paid to agents or lessees;
  • provincial sales taxes (PST and TVQ);
  • goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST).

Section - Expenses, questions 1 a), b), c) and d) (Cost of goods sold)

Report total inventories of petroleum products held at retail locations (both company owned-and-operated and retail commissioned agents or lessees), as well as at any other locations where the inventories are segregated pending sale on consignment or through company owned-and-operated outlets.

Inventories should be reported at transfer or wholesale value.

For company owned-and-operated stations, inventories of other merchandise held for resale (e.g., food, auto parts, etc.) should also be reported.

Section - Expenses, question 1 b) (Purchases)

Report the transfer or wholesale value of all petroleum products sold on consignment or through company owned-and-operated stations.

Purchases of other merchandise sold through company owned-and-operated outlets should also be included, at cost of goods sold.

Section - Expenses, questions 2 a) and b) (Employment costs and expenses)

Report for all employees of company owned-and-operated stations, plus a portion of the administrative salaries (overhead) applicable to both the company owned-and-operated outlets as well as to the stations operated by retail commissioned agent or lessees who sell on consignment.

Important

If none of the above categories applies to your service station business, please enclose a note with your questionnaire.

APPENDIX 2 - BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR CHAINS

The information in this appendix applies, if and only if, your company is requested to complete the Monthly Survey on Sales and Inventory of Alcoholic Beverages.

If you are not sure whether your company receives the Monthly Survey on Sales and Inventory of Alcoholic Beverages, please call us at 1 800 858 7921 for clarification.

If you are primarily a retailer of beer, wine and/or liquor and your company also receives the Monthly Survey on Sales and Inventory of Alcoholic Beverages, you are requested to complete the entire questionnaire for both your retail and wholesale trade operations.

The definition of store retailers is included in ‘Business activity’ section. Your retail stores should be reported in the section ‘Details on this business’s locations’ of the questionnaire with NAICS code 445310 - Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores.

Your wholesale distribution centres (i.e., distribution outlets that are not retail stores and that sell directly to commercial accounts) should be reported in the section ‘Details on this business’s locations’ of the questionnaire with NAICS code 413220 - Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaler-Distributors.

It is expected that the total operating revenue that you report on this questionnaire will be similar to the total sales, excluding taxes, that have been reported for the relevant months on the Survey on Sales and Inventory of Alcoholic Beverages. If there is a substantial difference and you have not provided an explanation in the Comments section, it is likely that Statistics Canada will telephone you in an attempt to understand the reasons for the differences.

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Annual Wholesale Trade Survey. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-858-7921

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Table of contents

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Reporting instructions
Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry Characteristics
Sales by type of client
Province/country of origin and destination of goods sold
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Reporting instructions

1. Please print in ink.

2. Please report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000 CAN$).

3. Do not include sales tax

4. All dollar amounts reported should be rounded to the nearest whole dollar (e.g., $55,417.40 should be rounded to $55,417). All percentages reported should be rounded to the nearest whole percent (e.g., 37.3% to 37%, 75.8% to 76%).

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

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If you answer “no”, indicating that your business unit is not a Wholesaler as defined above, then please call 1-800-858-7921 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

For this survey, please report information for this business’s most recent 12 month fiscal period

Note: For this survey, the End date should fall between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015.

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014(e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014(e.g., a newly opened business)

Revenue

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

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intracompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

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

  1. Commissions

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

  1. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue (please specify)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at question 3 - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; (report this amount at question 8. - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses); Vehicle fuel (report at question 21 - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Diskettes and computer upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at question 8 - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at question 19 - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in questions 1 to 20 above.

  1. Total expenses

The sum of sub-questions 1 to 21.

Industry Characteristics

All revenue reported should exclude sales taxes (GST/HST, PST and TVQ) and be net of returns, discounts, sales allowances, and charges for outward transportation by common or contract carriers.

  1. All products purchased for resale

Include: Excise taxes (such as those on gasoline, liquor, and tobacco) and other taxes that are levied on the manufacturer/importer and included in the cost of products purchased by this business unit; Sales of all products purchased for resale, please report gross sales of new and used products less returns, discounts and rebates; Parts used in generating repair and maintenance revenue, report the labour portion of repair and maintenance at question 3; Any sales made to any member company of your enterprise. Do not deduct the value of trade-ins.

Exclude: Taxes collected directly from customers and paid directly by this operating unit to provincial and federal tax agencies.

  1. Products manufactured as a secondary activity by this business

Report revenue from sales of products of own manufacture.

  1. Repair and maintenance services

Include: Labour revenue from installation, repair and maintenance work; Parts used in generating installation, repair and maintenance revenue are to be included at question 1.

  1. Rental and leasing of real estate

Include: Rental and leasing of office space and other real estate.

  1. Rental and leasing of products and equipment

Include: Rental and leasing of products and equipment whether or not they have been produced by this business.

Industry characteristics

Value of products

Report sale value of those products upon which this business has reported earning a commission or fee in the Revenue section question 1.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

Province/country of origin and destination of goods sold

For costs of goods sold and sales of goods:

Report the total cost of goods for this product. In the following question, you will be asked to provide the percentage breakdown of the total cost of goods according to the origin of the goods (i.e., the province, territory, or country outside Canada where the goods were originally manufactured).

The origin is, to the best of your knowledge, where the products were originally produced or manufactured (i.e., which province, territory, or country outside Canada). If the origin is not known, an acceptable substitute is the location of this business’s supplier.
Note: exclude intermediate shipping points between your supplier and you.

The total for the origin should be equal to 100%.

Sales of Goods:

Report the total sales for this product. In the following question, you will be asked to provide a percentage breakdown of the total sales of this product according to the destination (that is, the province, territory, or country outside Canada where the goods will ultimately be used).For the product listed, please provide the percentage breakdown of the sales according to the destination.

The destination, to the best of your knowledge, where the goods will ultimately be used (i.e., which province, territory, or country outside Canada). Acceptable substitutes are: Shipping destinations; Location of retail customers; Location of warehouses.

The percentages should sum to 100%.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-858-7921 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

Record linkages

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

2014 Survey of Service Industries: Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information  from this survey for statistical purposes.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

2014 Survey of Service Industries: Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry Characteristics
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Industry Characteristics

Please exclude any federal, provincial or territorial sales tax collected for remittance to a government agency.

Sales

Operating leases typically meet certain criteria:

• Rental and leasing agreements finance the acquisition of equipment and machinery for less than their useful economic life;
• The lessee can return the machinery and equipment at the end of the lease term without further obligation to the lessor;
• Operators for the machinery and equipment are not provided to the lessee (this does not include repair and maintenance or training services offered by the lessor).

Sales revenues from other types of rental and lease agreements including capital (direct financing) and sales type leases should be placed in question 5.

  1. a. Revenue from rental and/or operating lease agreements for computers and peripherals

Include renting and leasing of:

• Computer hardware and peripherals such as printers, modems, scanners, etc.

Exclude:

• Leasing and providing loans to buyers of goods and equipment or to vendors and dealers to finance their inventories; please report this amount in this section, at question 5;
• Renting and/or leasing residential furniture; please report this amount in this section, at question 10;
• Renting and/or leasing consumer electronics and appliances; please report this amount in this section, at question 10.

  1. b. Revenue from rental and/or operating lease agreements for other office machinery and equipment

Include renting and leasing of:

• Business machines such as photocopiers, fax machines and telecommunication systems;
• Office furniture.

Exclude:

• Leasing and providing loans to buyers of goods and equipment or to vendors and dealers to finance their inventories; please report this amount in this section, at question 5;
• Renting and/or leasing residential furniture; please report this amount in this section, at question 10;
• Renting and/or leasing consumer electronics and appliances; please report this amount in this section, at question 10.

  1. Revenue from rental and/or operating lease agreements for machinery and equipments for transportation (e.g. air, rail and water transportation)

Include renting and leasing of:

• Airplanes and helicopters without pilots;
• Chartering of commercial boats (e.g. steamships, tugboats, etc.) without operator;
• Railway car leasing (except financial).

Exclude:

• Leasing and providing loans to buyers of goods and equipment or to vendors and dealers to finance their inventories; please report this amount in this section, at question 5;
• Renting and/or leasing air, rail and water transportation equipment with operator;
• Renting and/or leasing pleasure boats; please report this amount in this section, at question 10;
• Renting and/or leasing automobiles or trucks; please report this amount in this section, at question 10.

  1. Revenue from rental and/or operating lease agreements for heavy machinery and equipment (e.g. for agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, oil and gas extractions, etc.)

Include renting and leasing of:
• Heavy machinery and equipment;
• Oil field and oil well drilling machinery and equipment;
• Scaffolding (including mobile platforms);
• Construction forms;
• Pallets and shipping containers.

Exclude:
• Leasing and providing loans to buyers of goods and equipment or to vendors and dealers to finance their inventories; please report this amount in this section, at question 5;
• Renting and/or leasing heavy machinery and equipment with operator.

  1. Revenue from rental and/or operating lease agreements for other commercial and industrial equipments (e.g. materials handling, manufacturing, machine tools, power generation, intermodal containers, medical equipment, audio-visual and theatrical equipment, vending machines, etc.)

Include renting and leasing of:

• Construction and temporary road signs;
• Communications equipment (e.g. mobile radio systems and public address systems);
• Diesel generators;
• Garbage dumpsters;
• Industrial trucks and other types of materials handling machinery and equipment;
• Industrial machinery and equipment;
• Lottery terminal equipment;
• Medical equipment;
• Metalworking machinery and equipment;
• Motion picture equipment rental (including studio property rental);
• Offshore tool rental;
• Painting equipment;
• Plumbing equipment;
• Restaurant equipment;
• Sawmill equipment and machinery;
• Sound and lighting machinery and equipment;
• Textile machinery and equipment;
• Theatrical equipment and scenery (except costumes);
• Vending and other types of coin-operated machines (e.g. washing machines);
• Welding equipment;
• Woodworking equipment.

Exclude:

• Leasing and providing loans to buyers of goods and equipment or to vendors and dealers to finance their inventories; please report this amount in this section, at question 5;
• Renting and/or leasing commercial and/or industrial machinery and equipment with operator;
• Renting and/or leasing automobiles or trucks; please report this amount in this section, at question 10.

  1. Revenue from capital (financial) leases

This question refers to revenue from providing capital (financial) or sales type leases. Typically, a capital lease is used to finance machinery and equipment for the major part of its economic life.

During the lease contract, the lessee is responsible for maintenance, interest and principle. After the lease period is over, ownership of the machinery and equipment is transferred to the lessee.

  1. Labour charged to customers for repair and maintenance services

Include revenue from the labour associated with installation and set-up fees.

Exclude parts and materials charged to customers; please report this amount in this section, at question 7.

  1. Sales of merchandise

Include:

• Sales of new machinery and equipment;
• Sales of other non-rental items;
• Sales of food and beverages.

Exclude:

• Disposal of previously rented and/or leased equipments; please report this amount in this section, at question 8.

  1. Commissions revenue

Include commissions earned from the sale of insurance, etc.

  1. Other sales

Include:

• Other types of machinery and equipment rental (e.g. automobiles and trucks, consumer goods, etc.);
• Delivery and freight revenue;
• Building, shop and land rental revenue;
• Interest revenue;
• Bad debt recoveries;
• Miscellaneous service rental.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, and royalties and licences fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

2014 Survey of Service Industries: Engineering

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry characteristics
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8)

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Industry characteristics

Engineering services

  1. Residential building engineering projects

All engineering services related to new and existing homes, row housing, apartments, etc., and mixed-use buildings that are predominantly used for residential housing.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to residential building projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific residential building project;
• Engineering design services for residential building design-build projects that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Commercial, public and institutional building engineering projects

All engineering services related to new and existing commercial, public, and institutional buildings, including mixed-use buildings that are predominantly used for commercial, public, or institutional purposes.

Include:

• Office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, service stations, warehouses, bus and truck terminals, hospitals, schools, churches, prisons, stadiums and arenas, libraries and museums;
• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to commercial, public and institutional building projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific commercial, public or institutional building project;
• Engineering design services for commercial, public or institutional building design-build projects that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

Industrial and manufacturing engineering projects

  1. Mining and metallurgical plant and process engineering projects

All engineering services related to mining and metallurgical facilities and processes.

Include:

• Integrated facility and process engineering projects;
• All engineering services related to mining and metallurgical processes, such as mineral extraction, smelting, refining and metal forming.

  1. Petroleum and petrochemical plant and process engineering projects

All engineering services related to petroleum and petrochemical facilities and processes, such as oil and gas platforms, refineries, pipelines and petrochemical plants.

Include:

• Integrated facility and process engineering projects;
• All engineering services related to processes for the production of petroleum and petrochemicals, such as extraction, refining, formulation and mixing.

  1. Industrial machinery engineering design projects

All engineering services related to the design of industrial machinery.

Include machinery design for industries such as:

• Agriculture;
• Construction;
• Mining;
• Metalworking;
• Commercial and service industries;
• Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning;
• Power transmission machinery.

  1. Other industrial and manufacturing engineering projects

All engineering services related to the design of industrial and manufactured products not
elsewhere classified.

Other engineering services

  1. Transportation engineering projects (e.g., road, rail, air, marine)

All engineering services related to highways, roads, streets, bridges, tunnels, railways, subways, airports, harbours, canals and locks and other transportation infrastructure.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to transportation projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific transportation project;
• Engineering design services for a transportation design-build project that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Municipal utility engineering projects

All engineering services related to municipal utilities.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to municipal utility projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific municipal utility project;
• Engineering design services for a municipal utility design-build project that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Power generation, transmission and distribution engineering projects

All engineering services related to power generating units, power transmission, distribution lines and related infrastructure.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to power projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific power project;
• Engineering design services for a power design-build project that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Telecommunications and broadcasting engineering projects

All engineering services related to systems for the transmission or distribution of voice, data and programming.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to telecommunications and broadcasting projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific telecommunications or broadcasting project;
• Engineering design services for a telecommunications or broadcasting design-build project that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Hazardous and industrial waste engineering projects

All engineering services related to systems for the collection, treatment and disposal of hazardous and industrial waste and the control of pollution.

Include:

• The provision of designs, plans and studies related to hazardous and industrial waste projects;
• Engineering advisory services that are related to a specific hazardous or industrial waste project;
• Engineering design services for a hazardous or industrial waste design-build project that are provided on a subcontract basis.

Exclude:

• Engineering advisory services that are not related to a specific project; please report this amount in this section, at question 12
• Design-build contracts, in which the contracts cover both the engineering design and construction elements; please report this amount in this section, at question 15.

  1. Engineering advisory services (e.g., expert witness, forensic investigation, etc.)

The provision of advice , studies and reports on engineering matters, except when the advice relates to a specific project. Advice, studies and reports provided in conjunction with a project are classified based on the project type.

Include:

• Policy analysis;
• Regulatory studies;
• Audits;
• Forensic investigations;
• Expert witness services.

  1. Other engineering projects or services

Other projects or services provided by engineering firms that are not classified elsewhere.

Secondary activities

  1. Project management services

Planning, supervising and co-ordinating the activities involved in carrying out a project, with regard to time, cost, performance requirements and other constraints. May also include the arrangement of finances for a project, procurement of equipment and subcontractors. Project management services refer only to situations in which project management is offered as a stand-alone service.

  1. Construction services (include design-build contracts)

Constructing, repairing, renovating buildings and engineering works, as well as subdividing and developing land, through prime contracts or sub contracts.

Include:

• Construction of buildings;
• Heavy and civil engineering construction;
• Specialty trade contractors.

Exclude:

• Manufacturing and installing building equipment such as power boilers and manufacturing pre-fabricated buildings;
• Operating highways, streets and bridges;
• House moving (transportation only);
• Project management services, when it is a primary activity;
• Maintenance of rights of way for power, communication and pipe lines;
• Cleaning building exteriors after construction.

  1. Environmental consulting services

The provision of objective information, advice and guidance to clients concerning the preservation of air, water and soil quality, natural resource development, waste management, pollution control and other environmental issues.

Include:

• The sale or transfer of technology to a client, which often extends to assisting the client with the organization and monitoring of solution implementation.

Exclude:

• Services that involve stand-alone implementation.

  1. Other sales of goods and services

All other engineering services not defined above.

  1. Total sales of goods and services

The sum of questions 1 to 17 above.

Sales by type of revenue

  1. Fee income

Revenues collected by the company for professional service fees rendered.

Exclude:

• Reimbursable expenses;
• Sub-contract fees awarded to other companies.

  1. Sub-contracts

Please report the value of sub-contracts awarded by you to other firms or consultants.

  1. Reimbursables

Include:

• The cost of all contract-related materials used in a project that are billed to the client.

Exclude:

• Sub-contract fees.

  1. Other income
  1. Total sales

The sum of questions 1 to 4 above.

Environment-related projects

This section collects data on sales of selected environmental engineering services.

Include:

• Sales of related machinery, equipment and products sold as part of a service delivered.

  1. a. Facilities that generate electrical power from the following renewable energy sources: sun, wind, water, biomass or the earth’s heat

All engineering services related to facilities that generate electrical power from the following sources of renewable energy: sun, wind, water, biomass or earth’s heat.

  1. Municipal waste water treatment

All engineering services related to systems for the treatment of municipal waste water.

  1. Municipal garbage collection and disposal

All engineering services related to municipal garbage collection and disposal systems, including recycling facilities, composting facilities, transfer stations, resource recovery facilities and landfill sites.

  1. Site remediation

All engineering services related to remediation of contaminated site, including remediation of the air, soil, ground and/or surface water (fresh or salt).

  1. Industrial air, water and solid waste collection, treatment and disposal projects

All engineering services related to programs for the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of industrial air, water and solid wastes, generally to a level such that the remaining waste stream can be safely released to the natural environment or ordinary municipal systems.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

2014 Survey of Service Industries: Advertising and Related Services

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry Characteristics
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Industry Characteristics

Include all fees for your services and cost of media purchases made on behalf of your client.

Please report the cost of the media purchases made on behalf of your clients. This value should not be included in the total revenue, the total expense values or cost of goods sold. Any commissions and fees from the sale of this media will be reported in question 5.

Total sales is the sum of net sales reported in questions 3(a) through 14. For advertising agencies, media buyers and media representatives this will also be equal to question 1 minus question 2.

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, and royalties and licences fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

2014 Survey of Service Industries: Consumer Goods Rental

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information  from this survey for statistical purposes.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2012 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2014 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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 information  from this survey for statistical purposes.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Table of contents

Skip to text

Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

Text begins

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800-972-9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

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

  • May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014
  • June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014
  • July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
  • August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
  • September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014
  • October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
  • November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014
  • December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014
  • January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
  • February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
  • March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
  • April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015

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

  • September 18, 2013 to September 15, 2014 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (e.g., a newly opened business)

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

Include: sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business’s primary revenue source.

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

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

  1. Commissions

Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report in question 1.

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

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

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

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

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

  1. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue - specify (including intracompany transfers)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7).

  1. Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions (1) to (8).

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

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

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for resale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses
  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

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

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Subcontracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Subcontracts

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

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development fees

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

  1. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities

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

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Computer and peripherals upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

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

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

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

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of sub-questions 1 to 21)

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

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

b. Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

c. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

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

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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, Quebec, 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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.