Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - November 2022

Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - November 2022
Geography Month
202111 202112 202201 202202 202203 202204 202205 202206 202207 202208 202209 202210 202211
percentage
Canada 0.8 1.2 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
Newfoundland and Labrador 0.4 0.4 1.0 0.6 1.5 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6
Prince Edward Island 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nova Scotia 2.8 5.9 2.8 1.8 2.5 2.7 3.5 1.6 4.7 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.2
New Brunswick 4.0 1.4 3.2 0.5 1.4 2.9 1.3 1.2 2.1 3.0 1.7 1.3 1.9
Quebec 1.7 1.9 2.2 1.4 1.4 2.5 1.9 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.5
Ontario 1.3 2.1 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.9
Manitoba 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.6 0.6 0.8 1.8 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.5 2.1 1.4
Saskatchewan 0.8 0.5 0.9 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.1 1.2 0.5 0.7
Alberta 2.0 1.0 1.8 1.6 0.8 1.8 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 0.8 1.4 1.2
British Columbia 1.7 1.3 1.6 2.3 1.6 1.4 1.6 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.8 2.6 1.5
Yukon Territory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Northwest Territories 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nunavut 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks

This section contains information on the agency's planned results and resources for each of its core responsibilities. It also contains information on key risks related to achieving those results.

Statistical information

Description

Statistics Canada produces objective, high-quality statistical information for the whole of Canada. The statistical information produced relates to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities and conditions of the people of Canada.

Planning highlights

The agency is seeing positive outcomes and results of its modernization investments in being able to better serve Canadians and decision makers. These modernization efforts have positioned Statistics Canada to build on its strengths, to embed continuous improvement and innovation into its culture, to be a resourceful and resilient organization built on solid values. With the ongoing modernization journey in a post-pandemic context, the agency is focusing its attention to the following four areas to achieve its planned results and ensure the continued success of its core principles:

  1. Partnerships: The agency will continue to build synergistic partnerships with organizations to ensure value for both parties in the areas of data collection and usage, and to increase the relevance of products, services and insights. The agency will also strengthen partnerships between and across sectors with all orders of government and with academia. It will expand its engagement with key partners, such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and the provinces and territories.
  2. Trust and transparency: The linchpin of Statistics Canada's work is Canadians' trust in the agency, in a context where data sources and information needs are constantly evolving and expanding. The agency will continue to keep Canadians' data safe and will be as transparent as possible to strengthen the trust of those it serves as it meets these pressing demands.
  3. Integration: As data are one of the world's most precious resources, Statistics Canada's work aims to be more and more integrated. The agency will continue to be a leader by contributing its expertise to better integrate data from various sources and extract valuable insight. The integration of social, economic and environmental data will help shed light and inform policy makers on the challenges that the country faces after the pandemic.
  4. Data services: The agency is playing a leadership role as a responsible data steward in all steps of the data value chain, from acquiring data to processing, integrating, analyzing and sharing them with Canadians, by using modern methods and tools to deliver actionable insights that make a real difference in the lives of Canadians.

These four areas of focus were developed in collaboration with stakeholders and data users to better understand their information needs and revolve around the agency's five core modernization principles.

Statistics Canada's five core modernization principles
Description - Statistics Canada's five core modernization principles

Working in collaborations and partnerships

  • Business data lab
  • Canadian Centre for Energy Information
  • Census of Environment
  • Crime and justice statistics
  • Improving availability of data on immigration
  • Missing persons data standards
  • Municipal data plan
  • Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy

Being user-centric

  • Action Plan for Official Languages
  • Building on the success of the 2021 Census
  • Engaging with Canadians
  • Ensuring the privacy of Canadians
  • Informing a post-pandemic recovery
  • Disaggregated Data Action Plan
  • Strengthening health programs

Using leading-edge methods

  • Broadening Canadians' access to data
  • Canada–United States supply chain
  • Criminal justice system microsimulation
  • Modeling, methods, and standards expertise
  • Data Science Strategy
  • Driving digital transformation
  • Demosim
  • 2026 Census
  • Streamlining business processes

Having modern workforce and workplace

  • Building a workforce for digital first delivery
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  • Transition to a hybrid and modern work environment

Building numeracy and data literacy skills

  • Building Indigenous statistical capacity
  • Data stewardship
  • Fostering data literacy
  • International engagement and leadership
  • Statistical geomatics
  • Quality of Life Framework

Strengthening the statistical system

Canadians entrust their information and data to Statistics Canada, and the agency has built a world-leading framework to protect and handle data safely without compromising confidentiality or the trust of Canadians.

The Social Data Integration Platform (SDIP) is a tool for collecting social surveys that allows for the integration of administrative data, as well as the direct collection of data from respondents. Statistics Canada will continue the expansion and development of collection options to support direct collection and data integration through the SDIP, replacing some variables and making greater use of administrative data.

The Secure Infrastructure for Data Integration (SIDI) is a set of methods, technologies and protocols that will enhance the way Statistics Canada combines its existing data with data from other organizations. In 2023–24, the agency will continue to develop the SIDI, which connects directly to the existing frameworks of the Longitudinal Social Data Development Program and Social Data Linkage Environment. This platform will enable secure data linkages while aligning with strong privacy principles and bringing value to Canadians.

The agency balances rigorous internal governance with external advice from groups such as the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council (CSAC), which provides recommendations that reinforce the independence, relevance and quality of the national statistical system.

The council released its third annual report in 2022, Trust, Governance and Data Flows in the National Statistical System. It builds on the first two reports and focuses on the need for new types of partnerships and data coordination to support Canadians and leaders as the country recovers from the pandemic and deals with socioeconomic and global environmental challenges.

The report provides three main recommendations to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Chief Statistician: maintaining the authority and responsibilities of Statistics Canada by ensuring that they are not diminished or compromised by privacy or other legislation related to data and digital infrastructure; strengthening data stewardship within the national statistical system to ensure that Canada has the data it needs to successfully tackle social, economic and environmental challenges in a digital world; and strengthening data sharing across jurisdictions to address data needs in Canada, including provincial, territorial and regional data flows. Statistics Canada continues to make good use of CSAC's expert advice on an ongoing basis and is ensuring that the work planned for the upcoming year aligns with key recommendations.

Modernization principle: Working in collaboration and partnerships

To better respond to the evolving information needs of Canadians and to remain relevant, Statistics Canada will continue working in collaboration with federal departments; provincial and territorial governments; international partners; and other organizations, such as businesses and non-governmental organizations. This post-pandemic engagement will build on dialogue with national Indigenous organizations—based on the recognition of rights, respect, collaboration and partnership—to better understand their information needs, and with equity-deserving groups and organizations to further identify their data needs as the Canadian population continues to evolve.

Modernization principle: Working in collaboration and partnerships
Description - Modernization principle: Working in collaboration and partnerships

Working in collaborations and partnerships

  • Business data lab
  • Canadian Centre for Energy Information
  • Census of Environment
  • Crime and justice statistics
  • Improving availability of data on immigration
  • Missing persons data standards
  • Municipal data plan
  • Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy

The following partnerships contribute to supporting and measuring progress and outcomes for key government priorities.

Business data lab

Statistics Canada's partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce sparked the creation of a business data lab that will bring together business data from multiple sources and support the development of a hub on business trends during the pandemic recovery. This type of collaboration, which includes the intake, manipulation and visualization of data in real time, enables the production of more timely and policy-relevant information that can be used to make government and business decisions. In addition to the recently created dashboard on workplace mobility, additional dashboards will be created to shed light on the recovery of Canada's business sector.

Canadian Centre for Energy Information

Canadian Centre for Energy Information

The Canadian Centre for Energy Information (CCEI) provides value to Canadians regarding energy information by integrating federal data and facilitating data sharing across federal departments. This collaborative work improves the accessibility, interpretability and quality of energy information for all, while bringing a rich set of tools and resources to one convenient place. Statistics Canada, along with the partner departments, will continue to build on the CCEI to meet the demand for new energy information, data coherence and reconciliation. A key area for future work will be to share and integrate data across all levels of government, as well as academia and the private sector. This includes broader consultation and engagement with stakeholders and data users, such as the research and modelling communities.

Census of Environment

2023-2024 Consultative engagement: New Census of the Environment program. We want to hear from you!

The Census of Environment aims to provide foundational data on Canada's ecosystems to help monitor environmental trends. It will enable evidence-based decision making on issues affecting the well-being of all Canadians. In 2023–24, the agency will continue to develop key ecosystem products based on an internationally accepted ecosystem accounting standard so outside researchers can use these data for their own work. Collaboration with key partners, such as other federal departments and Indigenous organizations, will be crucial to the success of this program to incorporate scientific information and ensure data needs are addressed. This investment will deliver accessible, detailed time-series data products on ecosystem assets. Policy departments, academics and the general public will be able to use these to answer questions on key issues, such as climate change and mitigation. Statistics Canada will also develop and maintain partnerships with public and private (e.g., non-governmental) organizations to position itself as a key source of ecosystem data. These partnerships will bring data, methods and opportunities for collaboration. Finally, the agency will contribute to the development of critical international statistical frameworks related to ecosystem accounting to better measure and report comparable data and use common methods.

Crime and justice statistics

Through collaboration with Public Safety Canada, the Pan-Canadian Recontact Project will examine subsequent convictions among adults sentenced to a term of correctional supervision, including key demographic, socioeconomic and systemic factors associated with subsequent convictions. This initiative will help monitor the effects of policies and programs designed to reduce the likelihood of subsequent convictions. Furthermore, the agency will work with Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police to expand firearm data collection to further inform firearm policies and monitor the impact of efforts to reduce the number of illegal firearms.

The agency will also collaborate with the Department of Justice Canada to examine racial disparities in criminal court outcomes, specifically between Indigenous and non-racialized accused people. This will include socioeconomic and systemic factors that may account for disproportionate outcomes. This analysis will help shed further light on criminal justice system biases experienced by Indigenous people.

Improving the availability of data on immigration

Non-permanent residents (NPRs) are people who have been legally granted the right to live in Canada on a temporary basis under the authority of a temporary resident permit, along with family members who live with them. NPRs have become a critical component of population growth in the country because of an increase in the last few years to address labour shortages. This is why Statistics Canada is working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to release new estimates on NPRs from the Demographic Estimates Program, improving the availability of data on permanent and temporary immigration.

Missing persons data standards

Statistics Canada will work with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and non-governmental organizations to develop consistent mechanisms for reporting missing persons (including Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, racialized populations and other groups). The goals are to help improve investigations of missing persons cases and support further research and analysis on this issue.

Municipal data plan

Statistics Canada will advance its work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other key municipal stakeholders and ensure that the data and information collected reach the key targets, such as municipalities and associations. The agency is developing an integrated municipal data portal and collaboration platform and a municipal finance and socioeconomic dashboard to make disaggregated information at municipal and local levels more user friendly and accessible. A targeted communications and engagement plan aimed at facilitating a collaborative environment with other producers, users and integrators of municipal data is also being developed. These projects constitute the foundation for a municipal data strategy that aligns with the Disaggregated Data Action Plan and the rural and northern data strategies.

Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy

To address the data needs of Canadians and provide a long-term vision for better health care data management, the federal, provincial and territorial governments developed the Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy (PCHDS). This strategy aims to provide a data foundation that enables better health outcomes and public health responses for individuals, communities and Canadian society through learning health systems.

As a key partner in the development of the PCHDS, the agency will play a central role in implementing it; contributing to the PCHDS's governance structure; developing, promoting and maintaining data content standards in the area of population health; creating platforms for timelier, easier and more comprehensive data access; and filling critical information gaps.

Modernization principle: Being user-centric

The agency will prioritize its users and partners at every step in the data value chain, with the aim of making it simple for Canadians to connect with their data.

Modernization principle: Being user-centric
Description - Modernization principle: Being user-centric

Being user-centric

  • Action Plan for Official Languages
  • Building on the success of the 2021 Census
  • Engaging with Canadians
  • Ensuring the privacy of Canadians
  • Informing a post-pandemic recovery
  • Disaggregated Data Action Plan
  • Strengthening health programs

Action Plan for Official Languages

Description - Children eligible for instruction in the minority official language

Children eligible for instruction in the minority official language: A data ecosystem

Statistics Canada is developing a data ecosystem on children eligible for instruction in English in Quebec and French in the rest of Canada.

What do we mean by a data ecosystem?

It is a set of complementary data sources that, together, provide information on the number of children eligible for instruction in the minority official language, the number of children actually enrolled in a minority official language education program at the elementary and secondary levels, and the number of children not enrolled but whose parents intend to enrol them.

Statistics Canada will implement the 2023–2028 Action Plan for Official Languages, which supports linguistic communities throughout the country, notably through new data on children eligible for instruction in the minority official language and new population projections on linguistic groups. The agency will also continue activities related to the postcensal survey on official languages to improve knowledge on critical issues faced by linguistic communities in Canada.

Building on the success of the 2021 Census

Your census, your stories: Canada's portrait

Following a successful census, the release of 2021 Census information will continue in 2023–24, with a focus on more detailed, targeted and granular data. This includes dissemination of

  • additional immigration and ethnocultural data from the 2021 Census (data products and indicators)
  • additional analytic results (e.g., financial impacts of COVID-19 on racialized groups and non-permanent residents)
  • the postcensal Canadian Survey on Disability in December 2023—this information will be used to plan, deliver and evaluate services, programs and policies for Canadians with disabilities to strengthen their full participation in society.

Engaging with Canadians

To ensure that insights are easily understood and reach more Canadians, the agency will

  • provide timely information in an accessible format by continuing to develop dashboards on topics of interest for economic development, such as traffic flow, real-time local business indicators, infrastructure and supply chain analysis
  • launch a consultation program with potential providers of administrative data and expertise for its housing program (New Housing Price Index, New Condominium Apartment Price Index); new housing associations and major builders will be contacted to ensure that the program is relevant and to explore opportunities to work together
  • continue developing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) portal, data visualizations and web-based information that are accessible to all Canadians; in 2023–24, the CPI will continue to enhance the set of CPI tools and resources to engage with Canadians—plans include webinars, podcasts, Reddit Ask Me Anything events, technical briefings and enhancements to existing tools
  • help users easily analyze rich information on the macroeconomic accounts with a number of new data visualization tools that have been created for gross domestic product, satellite accounts and many subcomponents; these tools will continue to evolve and improve.

Statistics Canada launched Phase I of the text-to-speech (TTS) pilot project on selected pages of its website. TTS is an assistive technology on the rise that provides users with another way to consume content published online by making it audible. A phased approach is being used to implement this technology, to ensure that it is relevant and user friendly for all Canadians, particularly readers with low literacy and those with visual disabilities, dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Phase I of this pilot project will implement two different features of TTS technologies and collect feedback on user expectations, tool functionalities and suggestions for improvements.

Statistics Canada continues to work toward its vision to be more client centric and improve outcomes for Canadians. The agency's new Client Relationship Management program helps it take another step forward on its journey by

  • placing the client experience at the front and centre of its business model
  • prioritizing the client experience at all points of the customer journey
  • helping provide seamless access to products and services through a more consistent, cross-functional and horizontal approach for Statistics Canada employees.

By leveraging the capabilities of the new program, the agency will be able to continuously and strategically adjust its service delivery to respond to the needs of Canadians.

Let us know what you think about our StatsCAN app.

Statistics Canada will continue leveraging The Daily, the StatsCAN app, the Eh Sayers podcast, social media and data portals to ensure that statistical information reaches more Canadians and is accessible to a broader audience.

Statistics Canada's publishing strategy will ensure that Canadians are getting the data they need through new communications tools in a timely manner, and that communications products reach the agency's many target audiences and provide information in the format users want. Key components of the strategy include reaching audiences in a timelier fashion and increasing the agency's reach as a whole; adjusting the storytelling narrative to be shorter and more user-friendly; focusing on visuals, graphics and visually pleasing layouts to engage with readers; and creating data stories that connect with more Canadians and invite them to explore more of the agency's products and data.

Ensuring the privacy of Canadians in an increasingly digital world

As part of Statistics Canada's commitment to demonstrating and providing assurances to Canadians that it can be trusted with their information, the agency is continually adjusting to new realities and adapting existing mechanisms, or developing new ones, to protect the privacy of Canadians and ensure that their data will not be misused. The agency will continue to foster a responsible approach to privacy and meet the demands of a digital world in the 21st century through the implementation of the Privacy Management Program (PMP). While many of its components are already part of the agency's activities, the PMP provides a systematic and strategic approach that reinforces Statistics Canada's commitment to Canadians regarding their personal information.

Through collaboration between internal and international experts, and with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Statistics Canada will strengthen and promote the updated Necessity and Proportionality Framework, and ensure communication and engagement with users through the redesigned Trust Centre. In particular, the agency will work to strengthen the data ethics function and develop related policy instruments and tools.

To enable the confidential compilation of data that reflect the lived experiences of a variety of demographic groups—such as Indigenous people, racialized Canadians, people in 2SLGBTQI+ communities and Canadians living with disabilities—a set of methods, technologies and protocols will enhance the way Statistics Canada combines its existing data with those from other organizations, while ensuring the confidentiality of records.

Statistics Canada will also build on the work done on the Trust Agenda while taking the pulse of Canadians. Collaboration will continue with departments and agencies to provide data and information that can inform policy and program options to help Canada move forward in a changing world.

Informing a post-pandemic recovery and critical structural changes

The CPI program will continue to monitor consumer prices for goods and services during the post-pandemic recovery period, as well as consumer spending patterns. Annual basket updates will be done as spending patterns continue to stabilize, while the impact of structural changes in specific sectors will be measured in terms of their effect on consumer prices.

The Canadian Survey on Business Conditions will continue to produce results on a quarterly basis and provide timely indicators of the business environment and the impacts of labour challenges, rising costs and supply chain pressures.

Statistics Canada will also continue to play a leading role in shedding light on government measures taken during the pandemic by providing a single source of comprehensive information on who accessed them (small and medium enterprises, industries) and to what extent. This analytical tool will help policy makers assess the impact of government measures and provide insights on the financial health of firms.

To inform post-pandemic recovery in the tourism sector, the agency will publish insights on car rentals resulting from pent-up household and business demand, on inflationary pressures, and on supply-chain disruption to rental car inventories. Similarly, a subprovincial analysis of traveller accommodation services industries, including short-term rentals, will shed light on post-pandemic shifts.

Data from the agency's social surveys, such as the Survey on Time Use and Survey on Family Transitions, will be used to support a number of indicator frameworks and provide analytical insights related to post-pandemic societal changes.

In response to the increasing demand for detailed economic data for regional and rural development, the agency will develop fine geographic estimates of business values (e.g., gross domestic product, gross domestic income, revenue, employment), as well as measures of business dynamics (e.g., entry, exit). This work will form a foundation for future studies on the growth of cities, urban and rural dynamics, and geographically sourced structural change. It will also improve the ability to link business estimates with other domains. Statistics Canada will continue to develop new products and complete studies to address user needs for emerging economic and environmental concerns.

Responding to the disaggregated data needs of Canadians

Disaggregated Data Action Plan

The Disaggregated Data Action Plan supports a broader movement of zero tolerance toward inequities and systemic biases and racism in all parts of society and institutions. It aims to provide Canadians with the detailed data they need to help address gender gaps, racism and other systemic barriers, as well as to apply fairness and inclusion to decisions that affect the entire population.

The agency will continue to support building a whole-of-government approach for the improved collection, analysis, availability and publication of disaggregated data in 2023–24. This includes collaborating with federal and external partners on methods to increase and accelerate data disaggregation; producing estimates for racialized populations; integrating the agency's business and special surveys with social surveys; increasing data linkages between existing administrative and survey data; and releasing the redesigned Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub.

This work includes providing more granular economic data on the Indigenous population by breaking down employment statistics, such as average wages and salaries, by sociodemographic characteristics.

Strengthening health programs

In 2023–24, Statistics Canada will strengthen its health programs by focusing on the following four areas:

  • enhancing external engagement to improve national population health reporting and participate in meaningful health data collaborations
  • expanding health data holdings to address the growing information needs of governments in their efforts to improve the health of Canadians
  • strengthening data disaggregation to broaden and deepen the country's understanding of health inequities in Canada
  • participating in the governance, development and implementation of the Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy

Statistics Canada will continue to lead the development of the Health Care Access, Experiences and Related Outcomes initiative in the areas of supportive care, primary care, virtual care, pharmaceuticals, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. Data on virtual care and electronic health information, as well as on access to and experiences with primary care, will be released in 2023–24.

The agency will also improve and ensure the relevance of existing health data programs that address data gaps and needs regarding sexual and reproductive health, substance use, children's health, and oral health. Specifically, Statistics Canada will:

  • continue to work with Health Canada on the Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey
  • collaborate with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University to collect data for the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth in 2023
  • plan the Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey, with the main collection anticipated for early 2024 and Rapid Stats collection planned for spring 2023.

The agency will also continue to address key priorities, deliver on projects related to COVID-19 (e.g., excess mortality, case-based data, immunity task force testing, health care workers and long-term care data) and create a new monitoring program for health conditions. For example, Statistics Canada is conducting a third cycle of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health in winter 2023.

Modernization principle: Using leading-edge methods

Statistics Canada is responding to the demand for rapid access to integrated data and insights and ensuring that Canadians have the information necessary to make decisions on complex emerging issues. The agency will use leading-edge approaches and tools to produce integrated data and insights efficiently and sustainably. Attention will be directed toward producing more actionable insights while remaining at the leading edge in acquiring, processing, integrating and analyzing data.

Modernization principle: Using leading-edge methods
Description - Modernization principle: Using leading-edge methods

Using leading-edge methods

  • Broadening Canadians' access to data
  • Canada–United States supply chain
  • Criminal justice system microsimulation
  • Modeling, methods, and standards expertise
  • Data Science Strategy
  • Driving digital transformation
  • Demosim
  • 2026 Census
  • Streamlining business processes

Broadening Canadians' access to data

The following initiatives will ensure that academic researchers and partner government organizations are well positioned to draw insights from Statistics Canada's data:

  • The Virtual Data Lab (VDL) environment, which provides seamless and flexible access from authorized workspaces, will be expanded. Through targeted outreach, the agency will expand access and diversify data availability. There are also plans to include the 2021 agriculture and population database in the VDL.
  • The Virtual Research Data Centre environment will provide high-performance computing for academic research and facilitate access from smaller academic institutions located in remote regions. In collaboration with the Canadian Research Data Centres Network, the agency will improve and expand access for academic researchers. Business data will also be included more broadly.
  • The agency will increase the use of various aggregate and microdata products by ensuring that public use microdata files and confidential microdata files are made available through all access solutions, are representative of all Statistics Canada subject-matter areas and align with the interests of data users.

Canada–United States supply chain

Statistics Canada and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis initiated a collaborative effort to develop a set of joint Canada–U.S. supply and use tables, building on national supply and use data currently produced by each statistical agency. The resulting integrated dataset will facilitate macroeconomic modelling and the analysis of pre- and post-pandemic global value chain linkages between Canada and the United States, including the eventual development of bilateral trade in value added statistics.

Criminal justice system microsimulation

Within the scope of the Justice Data Modernization initiative, Statistics Canada will collaborate with the Department of Justice Canada to build a simulation model of criminal justice system pathways. The purpose of the model is to project the impacts of hypothetical justice and social sector interventions (such as improvements in education and housing) on reducing contact with the justice system and, in particular, reducing the overrepresentation of Indigenous and racialized groups. This work will help determine the most effective types of interventions in preventing crime and reducing the costs of the criminal justice system.

Modelling, methods and standards expertise

Statistics Canada will strengthen its horizontal research and modelling capacity to provide Canadians with integrated, timely and comprehensive insights, including on the impacts of COVID-19 and post-pandemic economic growth and recovery.

Through horizontal collaboration between internal and external experts, the agency will continue to establish the statistical infrastructure, systems and methods that can respond to the real-time and disaggregated data needs of Canadians, while maintaining the statistical and analytical rigour that partners expect of their national statistical office. The agency will foster a culture of quality based on established open standards and leading-edge methods, in adherence with world-class values of statistical quality and rigour.

Statistics Canada will also support the development of standards, data acquisition, data integration, training and data strategies that enable the development of disaggregated data products. This will include providing leadership in various committees and internal working groups to position projects for success.

The agency will build on its long-standing expertise in modelling to advance the development and use of advanced techniques and will support their use by policy makers to inform critical social and economic issues.

Data Science Strategy

Data Science Network Powered by StatCan Stewardship

As part of Statistics Canada's Data Science Strategy, the agency will

  • develop novel proofs of concept and deploy machine learning and automation to address business problems
  • integrate open-source and cloud-based tools in support of program areas, establishing efficient data ingestion practices
  • create a variety of specialized recruitment and training initiatives
  • advance the adoption of responsible data science by sharing knowledge and engaging the federal public service community through the Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service.

For example, the AgZero initiative will continue to use alternative methods, such as data science, satellite images and administrative data, to produce high-quality agricultural statistics to reduce the burden imposed by collecting information directly from farmers.

The agency is exploring the use of low-resolution Earth observation images by developing and adopting leading-edge enhancement technology to reduce data acquisition costs, enabling the replacement of field collection when measuring construction starts.

Work will continue on developing and deploying machine learning tools to enhance the accuracy of automated classification and support faster integration of new data sources, including scanner data and web-scraped data. Additionally, the agency will research new methods for active learning frameworks and create training data for new retailers in a cost-effective way by creating an efficient feedback loop for improving classifiers over time.

Driving digital transformation

Statistics Canada will implement the Government of Canada's digital ambitions across the agency, in adherence with the Policy on Service and Digital, Directive on Service and Digital, Guideline on Service and Digital, and Government of Canada Digital Standards. The agency will also ensure alignment with the Government of Canada's enterprise architecture principles and strategic opportunities presented by emerging technologies to drive digital transformation.

Key activities planned for 2023–24 will allow a greater alignment with the Policy on Service and Digital. A review of the target-state enterprise architecture and the departmental architecture review board will be undertaken to ensure alignment with the current business context and agency needs. Statistics Canada will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify emerging technologies that have the potential to be transformational for the agency through research and proof-of-concept activities.

The agency will continue to leverage its new cloud environment for digital transformation and its newly built Data Analytics as a Service platform to support the use of modern statistical methods and enable collaboration with partners.

The agency will ensure that its digital solutions remain viable and secure, while measuring business value and effectiveness, to ensure that its products are providing good value to Canadians.

Population projections

Demosim is a microsimulation model developed and maintained at Statistics Canada that is designed to produce population projections. The agency will complete the rebasing of the model with the 2021 Census to add relevant new content, including gender and children eligible to receive instruction in the minority official language. This rebasing will allow Demosim to keep contributing to labour market availability targets for the Employment Equity Act.

Preparing for the 2026 Census

Regional discussions with First Nations people, Métis and Inuit for the 2026 Census of Population

Planning for the 2026 Census is underway. The agency is leveraging the success of the 2021 Census while adapting to accelerating societal and technological changes to ensure that high-quality, relevant data are produced in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way that builds and maintains trust with Canadians.

Statistics Canada will conduct extensive consultations with data users, stakeholders and the general public across Canada, allowing them to share their views on both the content and the dissemination strategy of the census. In addition, the agency will conduct field testing of the Census of Agriculture questionnaire content with a sample of farm operations in 2023–24.

Streamlining business processes

The Global Environment for the Economic Statistics Ecosystem project involves developing a new platform for economic statistics programs within the agency. It will include a full overhaul of the way work is carried out and the tools used to do it. The aim is to eliminate repetitive processes, allow for more time devoted to analysis, respond to new demands as required without impacting regular production, and enable resources to move freely between different sections in a common infrastructure.

In 2023–24, this project will

  • partner with the Enterprise Information and Data Management project to increase and promote the use of statistical standards in the compilation of official statistics; this work will be done by leveraging the international Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange initiative, which aims to standardize and modernize the mechanisms and processes for exchanging data, and the result will be a standardized and searchable data catalogue, useable by data consumers within and outside Statistics Canada
  • collaborate with other national statistical offices and international statistical organizations to modernize the digital ecosystem used to compile the Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts (CSMA); this international collaboration focuses on sharing best practices for open-source development, sharing project plans and lessons learned, and working toward sharing methods and functions built in open-source software for international comparability and interoperability of national accounting
  • develop a new cloud-based environment for the production of the CSMA; the vision for this project is for all CSMA data to be produced in an environment that is flexible, reliable, traceable, reusable, integrated through metadata-driven systems, directly accessible and with code editable by analysts, and designed to incorporate future developments as new tools and technologies become available.

Modernization principle: Having a modern workforce and workplace

Statistics Canada's most precious asset is its people. A modern workforce and workplace means providing employees with access to the services and modern work environment that enable them to deliver results, mitigate organizational challenges and pursue business opportunities.

Modernization principle: Having a modern workforce and workplace
Description - Modernization principle: Having a modern workforce and workplace

Having modern workforce and workplace

  • Building a workforce for digital first delivery
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  • Transition to a hybrid and modern work environment

Building a workforce for digital-first delivery

In 2023–24, the agency will focus on implementing digital talent and leadership strategies to build a workforce for digital-first delivery. Statistics Canada's digital program will evolve through the lens of the user experience and will focus on enabling the agency's hybrid workplace environment, digitalizing the onboarding process for new employees, and increasing the availability of accessible tools and technologies.

Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility

Statistics Canada is committed to supporting equity-seeking employees and providing opportunities for the development, visibility and career advancement of diverse talent while fostering a tradition of inclusion, awareness and belonging.

The agency will continue to encourage a culture of accountability, where everyone understands their responsibilities in achieving a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. The agency will continue to prioritize diversity in language training programs and will introduce a multi-pronged sponsorship program that supports diverse talent and informs succession planning up to and including the executive level. It will focus specifically on advancing the careers of Black and Indigenous employees and employees with disabilities.

The agency will also implement its first multi-year accessibility plan, Statistics Canada: Road to Accessibility, which aims to establish a barrier-free Statistics Canada by articulating commitments across a range of areas of focus, including culture, employment practices, the physical built environment, accommodation policies and practices, communications, information technologies, programs and services, and procurement, to enable the full participation of all employees.

Transition to a hybrid and modern work environment

After more than two years in which employees primarily worked remotely and successfully delivered critical data to Canadians and policy makers to inform complex decisions during the pandemic, Statistics Canada recognizes the need to move forward collectively and shift to a post-pandemic world. The agency is implementing a sustained hybrid model, while pursuing a multi-year plan to modernize its office spaces. These actions align with the common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service and agency-wide human resources strategies, such as adopting a national hiring strategy, increasing diversity and inclusion, and creating an environment that attracts and retains talent.

StatsCan Hybrid : SHAPING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

The approach taken balances the value demonstrated by empowering and trusting employees with the flexibility to work remotely, while ensuring a sustained onsite presence to maximize results for activities that are inherently more effective in a face-to-face environment. Statistics Canada is committed to both virtual and onsite work as complementary to one another and has adopted a truly hybrid model. Tools such as space booking systems and team charters have been developed to support employees with the transition to hybrid work.

Modernization principle: Building numeracy and data literacy skills

As Canada's national statistical organization, the agency is committed to sharing its knowledge and expertise to support statistical capacity building, build numeracy and literacy, and help Canadians use data as a strategic asset to improve decision making and outcomes.

Modernization principle: Building numeracy and data literacy skills
Description - Modernization principle: Building numeracy and data literacy skills

Building numeracy and data literacy skills

  • Building Indigenous statistical capacity
  • Data stewardship
  • Fostering data literacy
  • International engagement and leadership
  • Statistical geomatics
  • Quality of Life Framework

Building Indigenous statistical capacity

Statistics Canada will continue to be an important resource that respects self-government and provides support for Indigenous data capacity, while improving the visibility of Indigenous peoples in Canada's national statistics through its partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.

This includes

  • working with Indigenous partners to develop distinctions-based work plans that prioritize data and research projects that are pertinent to their needs
  • supporting Indigenous organizations and communities in developing and sustaining their own statistical capacity by offering various training courses through the expanded Indigenous Statistical Capacity Development Initiative
  • focusing efforts on targeted research products related to key priorities and new Indigenous-specific data collected to populate priority national indicators and improve data disaggregation for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.

Data stewardship

Statistics Canada Open Science Action Plan – At a glance: FAIR and open data, Open publications, Open communications, Open code

Statistics Canada will provide leadership, expertise and support functions to establish a renewed roadmap for the Government of Canada data strategy and will continue to develop data governance standards in collaboration with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). In particular, the agency will advance work on data standards through this collaboration and initiatives of interest, such as environmental, social and governance frameworks and digital identity work, including participation in the SCC's National Standards Advisory Committee for the National Standards Strategy. Statistics Canada will also continue to make progress on elements of the Open Science Action Plan and promote open data.

Fostering data literacy

The agency will continue to show leadership on data literacy by further developing the Data Literacy Training Initiative and providing online accessibility training products to support the data literacy journey of its many partners, and Canadians more broadly, as they seek to improve their competencies.

International engagement and leadership

Statistics Canada will play a significant role in the international statistical system through its involvement in over 150 international technical groups, of which it chairs or co-chairs approximately 25. In addition to these groups, Statistics Canada will continue to hold influential positions, such as

  • chair of the High-level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics
  • co-chair of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators
  • co-chair of the United Nations' Network of Economic Statisticians
  • member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy
  • member of the Conference of European Statisticians of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
  • member of the UNECE Blue Skies Thinking Network
  • local organizer of the International Statistical Institute's 64th biennial World Statistics Congress, to be held in Ottawa in 2023.

Statistics Canada's Project for the Regional Advancement of Statistics in the Caribbean will conclude in 2023–24, after eight years of helping Caribbean countries improve their statistical systems. During this time, the agency will have provided training and support to enable Caribbean national statistical offices to build, maintain and improve their national systems, as well as support in creating and enhancing their websites and dissemination mechanisms.

Statistical geomatics

Statistics Canada is implementing its statistical geomatics vision with a whole-of-agency approach to maximize value for Canadians, while following internationally recognized foundational principles. This will enable the integration and use of additional geospatial information and geolocated statistics through interoperable solutions, common geographies and standards, while taking into account ethics, privacy and confidentiality concerns. This initiative will support the production of additional geolocated statistical insights on the environment, society and the economy.

Quality of Life Framework

Statistics Canada will further develop the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and the Quality of Life Statistics Program in conjunction with key partners, such as the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Department of Finance Canada and the Privy Council Office. The agency will continue to support interdepartmental governance for the Quality of Life Statistics Program, actively engage with other federal departments and agencies to align efforts, and ensure that the program continues to support the integration of quality of life measurements into budgeting and decision making.

Quality of Life

Statistics Canada will also continue to consult broadly with federal partners to ensure that quality of life indicator definitions are fully developed and kept relevant over time. The agency will collaborate with internal and external partners to fill data gaps and expand current data holdings, and ensure that disaggregated quality of life statistics are available for the Canadian population. Statistics Canada will continue to develop the Quality of Life Hub by adding functionality to enhance the user experience and to manage and integrate data efficiently, making well-being statistics easily accessible and interpretable for all Canadians.

Gender-based Analysis Plus

Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) fuels Statistics Canada's organizational decision making. The agency supports other government departments with respect to GBA Plus and relevant initiatives and ensures that its work is beneficial to the public—in all of its diversity—by disseminating data disaggregated by sex, gender and other intersecting identity factors, as well as gender-based and intersectional analyses. Statistics Canada provides statistical leadership and analytical expertise for the development of progress metrics and relevant statistical standards. It is also building GBA Plus knowledge and capacity, and monitoring and addressing emerging data needs.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus

In 2023–24, Statistics Canada will continue to report to Canadians about the state and progress of gender, diversity and inclusion in Canada. This includes updating the Gender Results Framework indicators and improving the Sex, Gender and Sexual Orientation Statistics Hub. Through the release of new analytical products, the agency will generate new information to increase knowledge and will develop new concepts and measures to address intersecting identity characteristics, including the release of a new statistical standard on sexual orientation. Further, Statistics Canada will build awareness, knowledge and capacity relevant to gender, diversity and inclusion in Canada and GBA Plus, notably through the GBA Plus Responsibility Network and the GBA Plus Community of Practice.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals

Statistics Canada will continue to play a key role in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Internationally, the agency is a senior member and co-chair of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs). Beginning in late 2023 and continuing into 2024, the IAEG-SDGs will begin the revision process of the Global Indicator Framework for SDGs. This will include examining the existing 232 global indicators and undertaking a global consultation to determine whether any changes should be made to the framework.

Statistics Canada will also continue to be a member of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs. In 2023–24, this group will continue to help UNECE countries implement the SDGs through various capacity development initiatives, expert meetings and webinars; share best practices and open-source tools; and help SDG experts in national statistical offices build relationships with policy makers to ensure that high-quality official statistics are used in the development of policies designed to achieve the SDGs.

Sustainable Development Goals

Statistics Canada will also continue to report on the Global Indicator Framework for Canada and migrate the agency's global indicator data hub to the Open SDG platform, which will provide users with an interactive experience to view Canada's reporting on the global indicators.

Domestically, Statistics Canada will continue to report on the Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) for SDGs through the CIF data hub. In 2023, the agency will begin a review of the CIF to determine whether changes to the indicators are necessary. This includes a government-wide consultation.

Innovation

Statistics Canada will continue to strengthen its innovation ecosystem with investment, governance, infrastructure and skills development to promote innovation and experimentation. This will accelerate the response to both agency-wide and Government of Canada priorities.

In 2023–24, the agency will continue to implement a modern data analytics open-source ecosystem, supporting the agency's network of grassroots communities of practice, advancing the Lean culture transformation strategy and supporting program areas in their use of experimentation approaches.

The agency will continue to engage internal and external partners by hosting monthly hackathon series, encouraging design thinking and co-creation activities, and realizing the goals of the 2022–-23 Public Service Data Challenge.

Other planned innovations include

innovation STATCAN
  • developing experimental indexes to help policy makers better understand the inflation pass-through effect from the business to the consumer sector and to inform work on rent affordability
  • developing production-ready harmonized indicators that better leverage administrative data, and continuing to experiment with variable replacement to see how it can be used to reduce response burden
  • developing capacity in life-course analysis using survey and administrative data through the Longitudinal Social Data Development Program, and mapping population trajectories regarding the differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different populations
  • modernizing tools for the production of population projections.

Key risks

By continuously monitoring its internal and external environment, Statistics Canada addresses uncertainties related to its core responsibilities. The agency adopted an integrated risk management process to identify, assess and prioritize risks and respond to them. This approach guides the agency's business planning to ensure the timeliness, reliability and quality of its statistics. The agency has identified, assessed and ranked the following five corporate risks and developed corresponding strategies to mitigate each risk.

Public trust

Risk: Statistics Canada may not be perceived as a trusted national statistical office.

Mitigation strategy: Communicate with Canadians to build awareness and promote public trust.

Privacy and confidentiality

Risk: Statistics Canada may experience a privacy breach or wrongful disclosure of information.

Mitigation strategy: Ensure that controls and safeguards are in place to manage and protect the vast amount of confidential and sensitive information, strengthen the agency's data ethics and governance processes, and regularly assess the agency's information security and information technology posture.

Relevance

Risk: Statistics Canada's statistical information and services may not meet the evolving needs and expectations of users.

Mitigation strategy: Continue to modernize internal operations to address the evolving data needs of external stakeholders.

Resources

Risk: Statistics Canada may not have the resources that it requires to deliver its mandate.

Mitigation strategy: Develop strategies to ensure long-term financial stability; ensure staffing and talent-management practices are in place, as well as Recruitment and Development Programs that are reflective of the agency's needs.

Accuracy

Risk: Statistics Canada may not be able to acquire high-quality data or release accurate statistics.

Mitigation strategy: Strengthen instruments for validating methods and processes, ensure management practices are integrated into processes, and investigate published errors to identify and address deficiencies.

Planned results for Statistical Information

The following table shows, for Statistical Information, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2023–24, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

Planned results for Statistical Informatio
Departmental result Departmental result indicator Target Date to achieve target 2019–20 actual result 2020–21 actual result 2021–22 actual result
High-quality statistical information is available to Canadians Number of post-release corrections due to accuracy for mission critical programsTablenote 1 0 March 31, 2024 1 19 7
Percentage of international standards with which Statistics Canada conforms 90%Tablenote 2 March 31, 2024 88% 88% 88%
Number of statistical products available on the website 48,000 March 31, 2024 37,254 40,738 43,184
Number of Statistics Canada data tables available on the Open Data Portal 8,790 March 31, 2024 7,386 7,755 8,088
High-quality statistical information is accessed by Canadians Number of visits to Statistics Canada website 22,500,000Tablenote 3 March 31, 2024 20,285,269 28,193,955Tablenote 4 45,972,326Tablenote 5,Tablenote 6
Number of hits on Statistics Canada's Application Programming Interface (API) 6,001,400 March 31, 2024 Not available 3,899,779 5,950,252
Percentage of website visitors that found what they were looking forTablenote 7 78% March 31, 2024 Not available Not available Not available
Number of interactions on social media 500,000Tablenote 3 March 31, 2024 521,441 1,211,316Tablenote 4 13,174,481Tablenote 5,Tablenote 6
High-quality statistical information is relevant to Canadians Number of media citations on Statistics Canada data 82,000Tablenote 3 March 31, 2024 56,921 253,171Tablenote 4 139,078Tablenote 6
Number of journal citations 38,000 March 31, 2024 26,505 33,596Tablenote 4 40,248Tablenote 8
Percentage of users satisfied with statistical informationTablenote 9 80% March 31, 2024 Not available Not available Not available
Tablenote 1

An amendment to the methodology of this indicator will take effect in 2023–24. The indicator will now include the number of post-release corrections made on the agency's 21 mission critical programs. This change was made to be more transparent about the post-release corrections related to accuracy made to important programs.

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Tablenote 2

The target is set at 90% because international standards (international classifications and frameworks) are constantly evolving, and the agency can take a few cycles to reach alignment.

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Tablenote 3

The target is a decrease from the previous two years, as activity will no longer be influenced by the 2021 Census or peak pandemic years.

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Tablenote 4

In 2020, the agency responded to the demand for an evidence-based response to COVID-19 by releasing and promoting numerous new and timely statistical products, which were well received by Canadians. This resulted in a significant increase in the number of visits to the website, interactions on social media, and media and journal citations.

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Tablenote 5

In early 2021, the agency experienced higher-than-expected interest in the 2021 Census awareness and recruitment campaigns, which resulted in an increase in the number of visits to the website and interactions on social media.

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Tablenote 6

In February 2022, the agency published its first 2021 Census of Population release, which was much anticipated by the Canadian population. There was higher-than-anticipated interest from the public, which resulted in a significantly higher number of visits to the website, interactions on social media and media citations.

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Tablenote 7

This indicator will be reported using the Government of Canada Task Success Survey for the first time in 2023–24 which represents a new methodology; therefore, no previous results are available.

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Tablenote 8

Statistics Canada published many analytical papers related to the pandemic, which were highly relevant to the public and garnered a high number of journal citations.

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Tablenote 9

Satisfaction with statistical information will be reported from the client experience index for the first time in 2023–24 which represents a new methodology; therefore, no previous results are available.

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The financial, human resources and performance information for Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Planned budgetary spending for Statistical Information

The following table shows, for Statistical information, budgetary spending for 2023–24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Planned budgetary spending for Statistical Information
  2023–24 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending 2025–26 planned spending
Gross planned expenditures 579,311,471 579,311,471 571,978,435 571,251,486
Respendable revenue -120,000,000 -120,000,000 -120,000,000 -120,000,000
Net planned expenditures 459,311,471 459,311,471 451,978,435 451,251,486

Financial, human resources and performance information for Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Planned human resources for Statistical Information

The following table shows, in full-time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to fulfill this core responsibility for 2023–24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Planned human resources for Statistical Information
  2023–24 planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 planned full-time equivalents 2025–26 planned full-time equivalents
Gross planned expenditures 5,415 5,389 5,367
Respendable revenue -1,189 -1,189 -1,189
Net planned expenditures 4,226 4,200 4,178

Overall, Statistics Canada is expecting to maintain its capacity for the delivery of ongoing statistical programs in future years, with no significant shifts in resources. The decrease in planned resources from 2023–24 to future years reported above relates largely to the cyclical nature of the Census Program, as funding for the 2021 Census of Population and Census of Agriculture winds down. Funding for the 2026 Census of Population and Census of Agriculture has not yet been approved but is expected to be approved in 2023–24, which would be the first year of funding.

Also reflected in all three years are planned resources for several initiatives from Budget 2021, as well as new initiatives from Budget 2022. These new initiatives include Taking More Action to Eliminate Plastic Waste, Building a World-Class Intellectual Property Regime and Dental Care for Canadians.

Financial, human resources and performance information for Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans at a glance

As the national statistical office, Statistics Canada ensures that Canadians have the information they require to make evidence-based decisions. The agency provides all levels of government with the timely, high-quality data and insights they need to monitor inflation, promote economic stability, plan roads and cities, and develop employment and social programs that benefit Canadians.

Statistics Canada's five core modernization principles—developed in collaboration with stakeholders and data users to better understand their information needs—will continue to guide the agency's ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships, build trust, increase data integration and provide Canadians with the data-driven insights they need in a post-pandemic context.

The Disaggregated Data Action Plan remains a major focus in 2023–24. This multi-year plan will provide Canadians with the detailed data required to address gender gaps, racism and other systemic barriers, as well as to apply fairness and inclusion to decisions that affect the entire population.

Building on the success of the 2021 Census, the agency will continue to release data insights as it begins planning for the 2026 Census. This will include conducting extensive consultations with Canadians on both the content and dissemination strategy throughout the year.

Statistics Canada's other key priorities in 2023–24, by modernization principle, include the following.

Modernization principle: Working in collaboration and partnerships

To ensure that more data are integrated from a variety of sources and that more end users have the information they need to make evidence-based decisions, the agency has identified further opportunities to collaborate with new and existing partners. The number of partnerships will only increase as the country transitions to a post-pandemic environment.

Modernization principle: Being user-centric

The agency will prioritize the experience of users and partners at every step in the data value chain, with the aim of making it simple for Canadians to connect with their data. This includes leveraging existing tools, such as podcasts, mobile applications and data portals, to share insights with Canadians. Statistics Canada will continue to complete studies and develop new products to address user needs and emerging concerns.

Modernization principle: Using leading-edge methods

Statistics Canada is responding to the demand for rapid access to integrated data and insights and ensuring that Canadians have the necessary information to make decisions on complex emerging issues. The agency will use leading-edge approaches and its new data analytics platform to produce integrated data and insights efficiently and sustainably. Attention will be directed toward producing more actionable insights while remaining at the forefront in acquiring, processing, integrating, analyzing and disseminating data.

Modernization principle: Having a modern workforce and workplace

Statistics Canada provides its employees with access to the services and work environment that enable them to deliver results, mitigate organizational challenges and pursue business opportunities. This includes a multi-year plan currently underway to modernize its office spaces, agency-wide human resources strategies to increase diversity and inclusion, and an environment that attracts and retains talent. The agency is also establishing a barrier-free Statistics Canada through the implementation of its first multi-year accessibility plan.

Modernization principle: Building numeracy and data literacy skills

Statistics Canada is globally recognized for its expertise and ongoing leadership role on the world stage. The agency will also continue to be a national data literacy leader through its three key data strategy initiatives: data literacy and training, a data stewardship engagement strategy, and a data science community of practice. The agency will maintain a proactive and coordinated approach to drive the use of data as a strategic asset throughout the Government of Canada and provide support to other federal organizations.
Through partnerships with Indigenous peoples, organizations and communities, Statistics Canada will continue to be an important resource to assist in building capacity and maintaining Indigenous peoples' statistical programs that are grounded in their needs and based on the recognition of rights, respect and collaboration.

For more information on Statistics Canada's plans, see the "Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks" section of this plan.

From the Chief Statistician

Chief Statistician Anil Arora

In the past several years, Canadians have faced many uncertainties, from the COVID-19 pandemic and political unrest to economic challenges and calls for social change. Throughout this period, Statistics Canada's expertise and reputation as a trusted source of information have been integral to the success of Canada's response and recovery planning. Data have proved to be vital in understanding what is happening and in guiding strong policies to move society forward while leaving no one behind. This report outlines how Statistics Canada will meet the nation's evolving data needs as Canadians seek to establish a more informed, stable and inclusive future.

The agency continues to include recommendations provided by the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council (CSAC) as part of its plans for the coming year. The work outlined in this departmental plan aligns with the three key recommendations provided in CSAC's third annual report:

  • maintain the authority and responsibilities of Statistics Canada
  • strengthen data stewardship within the national statistical system
  • strengthen data sharing across jurisdictions.

The agency plans to work with new and existing partners, within the country and around the world, to integrate different sources of high-quality data. This will enhance its ongoing efforts to deliver the best information and insights available to help Canadians make timely, evidence-based decisions. Statistics Canada will also continue to work in partnership with First Nations peoples, Métis and Inuit to support strengthening the statistical capacity of these communities. As a national leader in data literacy, the agency will also implement innovative, engaging tools to reach more audiences and enhance their ability to extract value from data.

Canadians have been calling for more detailed information to address emerging socioeconomic and environmental concerns. To that end, Statistics Canada will continue implementing its Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP) and integrating the richness of 2021 Census data into more of its programs. The DDAP has enabled the release of data that will guide policies supporting women, racialized populations, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities and others experiencing systemic barriers to inclusion. Additionally, Statistics Canada's Census of Environment will help Canadians develop a better understanding of the state of the country's ecosystems. It will provide insight into how Canadians are adapting to new and emerging environmental challenges, improve awareness about the health impacts of the climate crisis, and inform strategies to repair the damage already done.

Statistics Canada is proud to play a leadership role in Canada's data network. The agency will continue exploring modern methods, tools and strategies to enable it to lead the way in acquiring, processing, integrating and analyzing data, while expanding access to the information and insights the agency produces.

As many industries and governments around the world implement new policies to reshape their work environments, Statistics Canada is transitioning to the Government of Canada's common hybrid work model. Most employees from across the country are working in the hybrid model that facilitates collaboration and innovation. Statistics Canada is modernizing its office spaces and refining its hiring, development and retention strategies to increase diversity and inclusion among employees.

For more than a century, the agency has steadfastly carried out its legal and ethical duty to collect, store and use data responsibly, as well as to protect the data that come into its care. Through Statistics Canada's online Trust Centre, the agency engages in an ongoing dialogue with Canadians about how it collects and uses data on their behalf, while protecting their privacy and safeguarding the confidentiality of the data they entrust to the agency. I invite Canadians to visit the Trust Centre to learn more about how the agency operates, as well as how the data-driven insights it produces contribute to the public interest.

Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada

From the Minister

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne

In 2023–24, Statistics Canada will continue working with the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Portfolio and other federal partners to position Canada as a global innovation leader by fostering competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. The 2023–24 Departmental Plan lays out the key priorities the agency is working to advance for the benefit of all Canadians.

We are pleased to see the positive outcomes and results of Statistics Canada's ongoing journey to being the modern national statistical agency of Canadians. In 2023-24, the agency will leverage its investments in modernization to continue providing the impactful, comprehensive and timely data and insights that Canadians require in a post-pandemic context.

As a data stewardship leader in the federal public service, the agency will ensure that departments can effectively govern and manage their data assets to better serve all Canadians. Through the Disaggregated Data Action Plan, it will provide the detailed data required to address gender gaps, inequality and other systemic barriers to bring fairness and inclusion to decisions that affect the people of Canada. Additionally, the agency will continue its development of the Census of Environment to help Canadians gain a better understanding of the country's ecosystems and inform strategies and policies going forward.

Together with Canadians of all backgrounds, generations, and in every corner of the country, we are building a strong culture of innovation to prepare Canada for the economy of the future.
To that end, we are pleased to present the 2023-24 Departmental Plan for Statistics Canada.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Mandate Letter

Linkage of the Intergenerational Income Database (1978 to 2018) to the 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2016 census microdata files and the 2011 National Household Survey microdata files

The Intergenerational Income Database (IID) links children and their parents using administrative tax data, allowing researchers and analysts to study intergenerational phenomena such as the transmission of earnings from parents to children and income mobility. Thanks to the longitudinal structure of the database, children can be followed into their mature adulthood.

The IID has been used extensively in the past to analyze intergenerational mobility in Canada. It contains detailed information about various income sources, including earnings, self-employment income, dividends, investment income and government transfers. However, the IID lacks critical information about individuals’ human capital, skills, occupation and work experience.

Hence, the primary goal of the IID–census linkage is to add the rich socioeconomic information from the census, such as the place of birth of respondents and their parents, parental education, and occupation, to the IID files.

Intergenerational Income Database

Data in the IID are organized in two main modules: the family files and the individual files. At the core of the IID are the family files. The information in the family files was retrieved from Statistics Canada’s T1 Family File (T1FF). The T1FF uses the census family as its family concept. Children in the IID are grouped into cohorts according to their birth year. The database consists of six cohorts of children linked to their parents in 1982, 1984 and 1986 (Panel A) and in 1991, 1996 and 2001 (Panel B). These years are known as cohort years. To be included in the IID, the children must be aged 16 to 19 in one of the cohort years, have a valid social insurance number and be residing at home.

The earnings and income information of family members is taken from T1 annual tax returns filed by individuals in Canada. T1 files from 1978 to 2016 were used to create the annual IID T1 files. These files are organized in two panels. Panel A includes T1 files for all members of the original IID cohorts (1982, 1984 and 1986) and their parents. These files cover the period from 1978 to 2016. Panel B includes T1 files for the 1991, 1996 and 2001 cohorts and their parents. These files cover the period from 1981 to 2016. Income and earnings are expressed in nominal dollars. One of the key features of the IID is that it allows for income mobility analysis at the family level.

Since its introduction in the mid-1990s, the IID has been the main source of analytical research on intergenerational income mobility in Canada. The database has been updated several times, most recently in 2016, when three new cohorts (1991, 1996 and 2001) were added to the IID sample. The intention is to add new cohorts in the future to maintain the five-year interval between cohorts.

Census microdata

The Census of Population provides detailed information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of people living in Canada on a specific date, information about their housing units, and a wide range of other individual and household information. The census uses two primary data collection modes: the Internet and a paper questionnaire. The census microdata files contain information from the long-form questionnaire that was distributed to 25% of all Canadian households in 2016, the National Household Survey distributed to 30% of all households in 2011, and the long-form questionnaire distributed to 20% of all households in 2006 and in prior census years.

Detailed descriptions of census microdata files are available from the Statistics Canada website.

Linkage keys

An essential element of the IID–census linkage is the linkage keys. Because administrative and census data have different unique personal identifiers, the linkage key files, which contain both sets of identifiers, are a necessary component of the IID–census linkage environment.

There is a separate linkage key file for each census year. Currently, available years are 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001 and 1996. Each linkage key file contains unique personal IID and census identifiers. The linkage keys are available to researchers in SAS and Stata formats.

Access

Researchers wishing to use the linked data for analysis should submit a proposal following the standard research data centre (RDC) process. It is recommended that researchers consult the IID User Guide and the relevant Census Dictionary before submitting proposals.

For more information, please contact the local RDC analyst.

Restrictions

While researchers are allowed to conduct analysis in parallel with different single census years linked with the IID, they may not conduct analysis with a subset of a sample that brings together census records of the same respondents from at least two different censuses, as per the current set of vetting and release requirements.

Date modified:

Introduction

Coverage statement: Please report for the business unit(s) identified above. Include only the operation(s) located in Canada.

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under this Act.

Survey purpose

The purpose of this survey is to obtain information on the supply of, and/or demand for, energy in Canada. This information serves as an important indicator of Canadian economic performance and is used by all levels of government in establishing informed policies in the energy area. The private sector also uses this information in the corporate decision-making process. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Confidentiality

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 the information from this survey for statistical and research purposes.

This questionnaire should be completed and mailed to:

Statistics Canada, Operations and Integration Division,
JT2-B17, 150 Tunney's Pasture,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6

or fax it to 1-800-755-5514 in time to be in Ottawa by the 15th of the month following the month under review.

Security of emails and faxes

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during facsimile or e-mail. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded to all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act.

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.

Information on data sharing agreements and record linkage can be found on the last page of this questionnaire.

Reporting instructions

Please refer to the reporting instruction and list of reporting companies before completing this report. NAICS, 32411, 32419

Please return the questionnaire within 20 days.

If you need help, call us at 1-888-881-3666 or write to us:

Statistics Canada, Operations and Integration Division,
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6

Visit our website at Statistics Canada

List of Reporting Companies

  • 02 Federated Co-operatives Limited
  • 03 Valero Energy Inc.
  • 05 Husky Energy Inc
  • 06 Imperial Oil Limited
  • 07 Irving Oil Company, Limited
  • 11 Shell Canada
  • 13 Suncor Energy Inc
  • 16 Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd.
  • 19 Parkland Refining (B.C.) Ltd.
  • 32 Gibson Energy Inc
  • 54 Petro-canada Lubricants Inc. (Hollyfrontier Corporation)
  • 55 North West Redwater Partnership (Sturgeon Refinery)

*Do not include sales to the companies listed above.

Aviation Gasoline

Aviation Gasoline
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Aviation Gasoline (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Food, beverage, tobacco manufacturing                          
5. Pulp and paper manufacturing                          
6. Iron and steel manufacturing                          
7. Aluminum and non-ferrous metal manufacturing                          
8. Cement manufacturing                          
9. Refined petroleum products manufacturing                          
10. Chemical manufacturing                          
11. All other manufacturing                          
12. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
13. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
14. Construction                          
15. Public administration                          
16. Electric power generation and distribution                          
17. Railways                          
18. Canadian airlines                          
19. Foreign airlines                          
20. Road transport and urban transit                          
21. Canadian marine                          
22. Foreign marine                          
23. Pipelines                          
24. Retail pump sales                          
25. Commercial and other institutional                          
26. Secondary distributors                          
27. Residential                          
Total manufacturing                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Motor Gasoline

Motor Gasoline
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Motor Gasoline (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Food, beverage, tobacco manufacturing                          
5. Pulp and paper manufacturing                          
6. Iron and steel manufacturing                          
7. Aluminum and non-ferrous metal manufacturing                          
8. Cement manufacturing                          
9. Refined petroleum products manufacturing                          
10. Chemical manufacturing                          
11. All other manufacturing                          
12. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
13. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
14. Construction                          
15. Public administration                          
16. Electric power generation and distribution                          
17. Railways                          
18. Canadian airlines                          
19. Foreign airlines                          
20. Road transport and urban transit                          
21. Canadian marine                          
22. Foreign marine                          
23. Pipelines                          
24. Retail pump sales                          
25. Commercial and other institutional                          
26. Secondary distributors                          
27. Residential                          
Total manufacturing                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Kerosene-type jet fuel

Kerosene-type jet fuel
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Kerosene-type jet fuel (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Food, beverage, tobacco manufacturing                          
5. Pulp and paper manufacturing                          
6. Iron and steel manufacturing                          
7. Aluminum and non-ferrous metal manufacturing                          
8. Cement manufacturing                          
9. Refined petroleum products manufacturing                          
10. Chemical manufacturing                          
11. All other manufacturing                          
12. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
13. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
14. Construction                          
15. Public administration                          
16. Electric power generation and distribution                          
17. Railways                          
18. Canadian airlines                          
19. Foreign airlines                          
20. Road transport and urban transit                          
21. Canadian marine                          
22. Foreign marine                          
23. Pipelines                          
24. Retail pump sales                          
25. Commercial and other institutional                          
26. Secondary distributors                          
27. Residential                          
Total Manufacturing                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Propane

Propane
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Propane (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Food, beverage, tobacco manufacturing                          
5. Pulp and paper manufacturing                          
6. Iron and steel manufacturing                          
7. Aluminum and non-ferrous metal manufacturing                          
8. Cement manufacturing                          
9. Refined petroleum products manufacturing                          
10. Chemical manufacturing                          
11. All other manufacturing                          
12. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
13. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
14. Construction                          
15. Public administration                          
16. Electric power generation and distribution                          
17. Railways                          
18. Canadian airlines                          
19. Foreign airlines                          
20. Road transport and urban transit                          
21. Canadian marine                          
22. Foreign marine                          
23. Pipelines                          
24. Retail pump sales                          
25. Commercial and other institutional                          
26. Secondary distributors                          
27. Residential                          
Total manufacuring                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Kerosene and stove oil

Kerosene and stove oil
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Kerosene and stove oil (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Manufacturing                          
5. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
6. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
7. Construction                          
8. Public administration                          
9. Electric power generation and distribution                          
10. Railways                          
11. Canadian airlines                          
12. Foreign airlines                          
13. Road transport and urban transit                          
14. Canadian marine                          
15. Foreign marine                          
16. Pipelines                          
17. Retail pump sales                          
18. Commercial and other institutional                          
19. Secondary distributors                          
20. Residential                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Diesel fuel oil

Diesel fuel oil
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Diesel fuel oil (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Manufacturing                          
5. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
6. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
7. Construction                          
8. Public administration                          
9. Electric power generation and distribution                          
10. Railways                          
11. Canadian airlines                          
12. Foreign airlines                          
13. Road transport and urban transit                          
14. Canadian marine                          
15. Foreign marine                          
16. Pipelines                          
17. Retail pump sales                          
18. Commercial and other institutional                          
19. Secondary distributors                          
20. Residential                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Light fuel oils

Light fuel oils
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Light fuel oils (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Manufacturing                          
5. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
6. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
7. Construction                          
8. Public administration                          
9. Electric power generation and distribution                          
10. Railways                          
11. Canadian airlines                          
12. Foreign airlines                          
13. Road transport and urban transit                          
14. Canadian marine                          
15. Foreign marine                          
16. Pipelines                          
17. Retail pump sales                          
18. Commercial and other institutional                          
19. Secondary distributors                          
20. Residential                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Residual and heavy fuel oils

Residual and heavy fuel oils
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Residual and heavy fuel oils (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Manufacturing                          
5. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
6. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
7. Construction                          
8. Public administration                          
9. Electric power generation and distribution                          
10. Railways                          
11. Canadian airlines                          
12. Foreign airlines                          
13. Road transport and urban transit                          
14. Canadian marine                          
15. Foreign marine                          
16. Pipelines                          
17. Retail pump sales                          
18. Commercial and other institutional                          
19. Secondary distributors                          
20. Residential                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Asphalt

Asphalt
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Asphalt (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Construction                          
2. Manufacturing                          
3. Commercial and other institutional                          
4. Secondary distributors                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Lubricants

Lubricants
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
Lubricants (Cubic metres) NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU
Cubic metres
1. Iron mines                          
2. Oil and gas extraction                          
3. Other mining                          
4. Food, beverage, tobacco manufacturing                          
5. Pulp and paper manufacturing                          
6. Iron and steel manufacturing                          
7. Aluminum and non-ferrous metal manufacturing                          
8. Cement manufacturing                          
9. Refined petroleum products manufacturing                          
10. Chemical manufacturing                          
11. All other manufacturing                          
12. Forestry, logging and support activities                          
13. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and trapping                          
14. Construction                          
15. Public administration                          
16. Electric power generation and distribution                          
17. Railways                          
18. Canadian airlines                          
19. Foreign airlines                          
20. Road transport and urban transit                          
21. Canadian marine                          
22. Foreign marine                          
23. Pipelines                          
24. Retail pump sales                          
25. Commercial and other institutional                          
26. Secondary distributors                          
27. Residential                          
Total manufacturing                          
Total net sales, all categories                          

Comments

Total Summary

Summary of Net Sales, All Categories Totals
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  NL PE NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC YT NT NU Total Canada
Aviation gasoline                            
Motor Gasoline                            
Kerosene-type jet fuel                            
Propane                            
Kerosene and stove oil                            
Diesel fuel oil                            
Light fuel oils                            
Residual and heavy fuel oils                            
Asphalt                            
Lubricants                            

Why are we conducting this survey?

This survey collects information on the strategic decisions, innovation activities, operational tactics and global value chain activities of businesses in Canada.

The results from this survey will be used by governments to better understand the impact of business strategy and innovation decisions, and operational adaptations on the Canadian economy including business competitiveness, efficiency and productivity. This will enable governments to develop policies intended to improve Canada's industrial productivity and competitiveness.

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record Linkages

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

Data sharing agreements
To reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations. These organizations have agreed to keep the data confidential and to use them for statistical purposes only.

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 enterprises 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. For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, as well as with the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the name of the survey and the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data, and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada Statistics Canada
Care of the Director, Investment, Science and Technology Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6

You may also contact us by email at Statistics Canada ESD Help Desk or by fax at 613-951-6583.

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

Who should complete this questionnaire?

This questionnaire should be completed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), owner or senior manager who is most familiar with the strategic focus, competitive orientation and international commercial activities of this business.

Business or organization and contact information

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

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

Legal Name

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

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

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

Operating Name

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

  • Legal name
  • Operating name (if applicable)

2. Verify or provide the contact information for the designated contact person for the business or organization, and correct information if needed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NAICS description text
Examples and inclusions/exclusion text

Description and examples

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

Main activity

5. You indicated that (Prefilled Industry Name) is not the current main activity.

Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as (Prefilled Industry Name)?

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

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

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

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

7. You have indicated that the current main activity of this business or organization is: (Prefilled Industry Name)

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

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

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

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

  • (Prefilled Industry Name) %
  • (Prefilled Industry Name) %
  • All other activities %
  • Total %

Business Strategy

Question 1. What is the end date of this business's fiscal year?

This business's fiscal year end date should fall between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.

Note: Press the help button for additional information, including example fiscal year dates.

  • Day
  • Month
  • Year

Question 2. Over the next five years, 2023 to 2027, which of these long-term strategies is most important to this business?

  • Main focus on good or service positioning
    e.g., good or service leadership, market segmentation, good or service diversification, improving quality
  • Main focus on low-price and cost leadership
    e.g., mass market
  • They are equally important

Question 3. Over the next five years, 2023 to 2027, which of the following statements best describes the strategic focus of this business with respect to its goods or services (products)?

  • Maintain sales of existing goods or services
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Expand the sales of existing goods or services
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Introduce new or improved goods or services regularly
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Reduce the focus to a niche market or reduced set of products
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Don't know

Question 4. Over the next five years, 2023 to 2027, which of the following statements best describes the strategic focus of this business with respect to its business processes (core activities to produce products and all support business activities)?

Core business activities are activities of an enterprise yielding income, the production of final goods or services intended for the market or for third parties. Usually the core business functions make up the primary activity of the enterprise.

Support business activities are ancillary (supporting) activities carried out by the enterprise in order to permit or to facilitate the core business functions of an enterprise, which is the production activity. The outputs are not themselves intended directly for the market or for third parties.

  • Maintain current business processes
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Optimize current business processes
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Introduce new or improved business processes
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Downsize current business processes to focus on areas of advantage
    Did the long-term strategic focus of the business over the 2023 to 2027 period change due to COVID-19?
    • Yes
    • No
  • Don't know

Skills and training

Question 5. In 2022, were skills in any of the following areas required by this business?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Basic digital
    e.g., email, word processing, spreadsheets
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand basic digital skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Computer science
    e.g., software engineering, artificial intelligence
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand computer science skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Information technology
    e.g., IT security, database administration
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand IT skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • General data science and analytics
    e.g., data modelling and visualization
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand general data science and analytics skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Natural sciences and engineering Include hardware engineering.
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand natural sciences and engineering skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Management
    e.g., the ability to implement management practices, leadership, resource management, decision-making, supervision
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand management skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Business
    e.g., marketing, accounting
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand business skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • International business
    e.g., market intelligence, support with trade
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand international business skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Skilled trades
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand skilled trades skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Design
    e.g., creativity, planning, graphics design, arts and illustration
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand design skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Coaching and mentoring skills to meet the needs of the business
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand coaching and mentoring skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • E-commerce or digital trade
    e.g., knowledge of logistics, sales proficiency, electronic support, web design
    • Does this business anticipate requiring the need to expand e-commerce or digital trade skills over the next 5 years?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
    OR
  • None

Question 6. In 2022, in which of the following areas did this business encounter any skill shortages?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Basic digital
    e.g., email, word processing, spreadsheets
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in basic digital?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve basic digital skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
      • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve basic digital skills?
        • Professional certification e.g., academic
        • Accreditation e.g., professional association
        • Licensure provided by an administrative body
        • Testing administered by another organization
        • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Computer science
    e.g., software engineering, artificial intelligence
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in computer science?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve computer science skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve computer science skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Information technology
    e.g., IT security, database administration
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in IT?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve IT skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve IT skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • General data science and analytics
    e.g., data modeling and visualization
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in general data science and analytics?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve general data science and analytics skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve general data science and analytics skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Natural sciences and engineering
    e.g., data modeling and visualization
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in natural sciences and engineering?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve natural sciences and engineering skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve natural sciences and engineering skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Management
    e.g., the ability to implement management practices
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in management?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve management skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve management skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Business
    e.g., marketing, accounting
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in business?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve business skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve business skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • International business
    e.g., market intelligence, support with trade
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in international business?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve international business skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve international business skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Skilled trades
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in skilled trades?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve skilled trades?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Design
    e.g., creativity, planning, graphics design, arts and illustration
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in design?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve design skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve design skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • Coaching and mentoring skills to meet the needs of the business
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in coaching and mentoring?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve coaching and mentoring skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve coaching and mentoring skills?
          • Professional certification e.g., academic
          • Accreditation e.g., professional association
          • Licensure provided by an administrative body
          • Testing administered by another organization
          • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
  • E-commerce or digital trade
    • How long has this business been experiencing this skill shortage in e-commerce or digital trade?
      • 0 to 3 months
      • 4 to 6 months
      • 7 to 12 months
      • More than 12 months
      • Don't know
    • Does this business require a degree or certification standard for any of the vacant positions that involve e-commerce or digital trade skills?
      • Yes
        Select all that apply.
        • Which degree or certification standard is required by this business for any vacant positions that involve e-commerce or digital trade skills?
        • Professional certification e.g., academic
        • Accreditation e.g., professional association
        • Licensure provided by an administrative body
        • Testing administered by another organization
        • Other
      • No
      • Don't know
      • Not applicable
    OR
  • None

Question 7. In 2022, which of the following measures were taken to overcome these skills shortages?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Outsourcing work in Canada
    Outsourcing is the business practice of contracting a party outside an enterprise to perform services or create goods that were traditionally performed in-house by the enterprise's own employees
  • Offshoring of labour
    Offshoring is the relocation of a business process from one country to another—typically an operational process, such as manufacturing, or supporting processes, such as accounting.
  • Targeted recruitment process
    • Which of the following incentives were involved in the targeted recruitment process?
      Select all that apply.
      • Additional financial incentives
        e.g., Industry competitive compensation
      • Additional non-financial incentives
        e.g., vacation, flexible work option
        OR
      • Don't know
        OR
      • No additional incentives were involved
  • Student hiring
    Include internships both domestic and international, co-ops
  • Training staff
  • Retention strategy
    • Which of the following incentives were involved in the retention strategy?
      Select all that apply.
      • Additional financial incentives
        e.g., Industry competitive compensation
      • Additional non-financial incentives
        e.g., vacation, flexible work options
        OR
      • Don't know
        OR
      • No additional incentives were involved
  • Acquisition of external businesses
  • Global talent attraction
    • Which of the following programs or strategies were used?
      Select all that apply.
      • Temporary foreign worker program
      • Permanent economic immigration streams
        e.g., Express Entry, provincial nominees
      • International students
        OR
      • Don't know
  • Other government programs
  • Other measures
    OR
  • None

Question 8. In 2022, which of the following training or development activities were arranged or provided by this business to its employees?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Job specific training
  • Managerial training
    e.g., ability to implement management practices
  • Training in new technology
  • Training in new business practices
  • Training in international business
    e.g., market intelligence, support with trade
  • Digital skills training
  • Data literacy skills training
    e.g., training on how to read, understand, create or communicate data as information
  • Coaching and mentoring for employees
  • Other training or development
    OR
  • None

Main market and competitive landscape

Question 9. In 2022, did this business sell goods or services?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, did this business sell goods or services?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Goods
Include tangible objects and some knowledge-capturing products over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership can be transferred through market transactions.
   
b. Services
Include intangible activities that are produced and consumed simultaneously and that change the conditions (e.g., physical, psychological) of users. The engagement of users through their time, availability, attention, transmission of information, or effort is often a necessary condition that leads to the co-production of services by users and the enterprise. The attributes or experience of a service can therefore depend on the input of users. Services can also include some knowledge-capturing products.
   

Question 10. In 2022, did this business produce or manufacture any of the goods that it sold?

Refers to goods sold in the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
  • No

Question 11. In 2022, did this business offer the following services to complement the sale of its goods?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, did this business offer the following services to complement the sale of its goods?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. After-sales maintenance or repair
e.g., periodic, ongoing or as-required maintenance or repair of goods produced by this business
   
b. Installation or implementation
e.g., installing goods or implementing processes to ensure goods produced by this business are functional or ready to be used
   
c. Training or technical support
e.g., user training, troubleshooting or other technical services provided 6 months after the purchase of a good produced by this business
   
d. After-sales condition monitoring or quality control
e.g., providing reports on usage or quality of goods produced, or determining if repairs are necessary
   
e. Customization
e.g., working with a client to develop a tailored solution or good that responds to the clients' specific needs
   
f. Distribution or transportation
e.g., distribution or transportation of this business's goods
   
g. Leasing or rental agreements    
h. Other services
e.g., any other services complementing the sale of this business's goods
   

Question 12. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business expand capacity for the following services to complement the sale of its goods?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

e.g., increase its workforce, acquire additional machinery and equipment, open new facilities or take other measures

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business expand capacity for the following services to complement the sale of its goods?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. After-sales maintenance or repair
e.g., periodic, ongoing or as-required maintenance or repair of goods produced by this business
   
b. Installation or implementation
e.g., installing goods or implementing processes to ensure goods produced by this business are functional or ready to be used
   
c. Training or technical support
e.g., user training, troubleshooting or other technical services provided 6 months after the purchase of a good produced by this business
   
d. After-sales condition monitoring or quality control
e.g., providing reports on usage or quality of goods produced, or determining if repairs are necessary
   
e. Customization
e.g., working with a client to develop a tailored solution or good that responds to the clients' specific needs
   
f. Distribution or transportation
e.g., distribution or transportation of this business's goods
   
g. Leasing or rental agreements    
h. Other services
e.g., any other services complementing the sale of this business's goods
   

Main market: The geographical region from which this business derived the highest percentage of total sales revenue.

Question 13. In 2022, what was this business's main market?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Local markets
    Include the region in which this business has its main Canadian operations.
  • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Mexico
  • Other Latin America and Caribbean markets (LAC)
  • Europe
    Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
  • China Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
  • Other Asian markets
    Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
  • Another market

Question 14. In 2022, how many competitors did this business face in its main market?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Zero
  • One
  • Two to three
  • Four to five
  • Six to ten
  • Eleven and higher
  • Don't know

Question 15. In 2022, were there any multinational organizations among competitors for this business's main market?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Question 16. In 2022, did the following occur in this business's main market?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, did the following occur in this business's main market?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No Don't know
a. Entry of new competitors      
b. Exit of competitors      
c. Increase in competitive behaviour from existing competitors
e.g., lowering prices, stronger marketing, new good or service (product) introduction or other
     
d. Decrease in competitive behaviour from existing competitors
e.g., raising prices, weaker marketing or other
     

Question 17. In 2022, in response to the change in competition in this business's main market, did this business implement any of the following changes?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, in response to the change in competition in this business's main market, did this business implement any of the following changes?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Change the quality of its goods or services (products)    
b. Adopt new technology or a new process    
c. Change its marketing expenditures or marketing strategy    
d. Introduce or accelerate the introduction of new goods or services (products)    
e. Change prices of its goods or services (products)    
f. Take other actions    

Good or service innovation

Good or service innovation is a new or improved good or service that differs significantly from the enterprise's previous goods or services with respect to its characteristics, functions or performance specifications and that has been introduced on the market.

Question 18. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were new or improved goods or services introduced onto the market or brought into use by this business?

Include new or improved goods or services that:

  • differed significantly from this business's previous goods, services or business process
  • were new to this business and not necessarily new to its business industry or markets
  • were developed by this business or other organizations.

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were new or improved goods or services introduced onto the market or brought into use by this business?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. New or improved goods
Include:
  • Tangible objects and some knowledge-capturing products over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership can be transferred through market transactions
  • Significant changes to the design of a good.
Exclude the simple resale of new goods purchased from other businesses and changes of a solely aesthetic nature.
   
b. New or improved services
Services are intangible activities that are produced and consumed simultaneously and that change the conditions (e.g., physical, psychological) of users. The engagement of users through their time, availability, attention, transmission of information, or effort is often a necessary condition that leads to the co-production of services by users and the enterprise. The attributes or experience of a service can therefore depend on the input of users. Services can also include some knowledge-capturing products.
   

Question 19. Were any of these good or service innovations developed to respond to the challenges or opportunities related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

  • Yes, all of these innovations were developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Yes, some of these innovations were developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • No, the development of these innovations was not in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Question 20. Did this business, its parent or an affiliate, file or register to protect the intellectual property related to any of these good or service innovations introduced during the three years, 2020 to 2022, that were developed by this business in Canada?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Patents
    • Who filed the application?
      Select all that apply.
      • This business
      • Canadian parent or a Canadian affiliate of this business
      • The foreign parent or a foreign affiliate of this business
  • Trademarks
    • Who filed the application?
      Select all that apply.
      • This business
      • Canadian parent or a Canadian affiliate of this business
      • The foreign parent or a foreign affiliate of this business
  • Industrial designs
    • Who filed the application?
      Select all that apply.
      • This business
      • Canadian parent or a Canadian affiliate of this business
      • The foreign parent or a foreign affiliate of this business
  • Copyrights
    • Who filed the application?
      Select all that apply.
      • This business
      • Canadian parent or a Canadian affiliate of this business
      • The foreign parent or a foreign affiliate of this business
  • Trade secrets
  • Non-disclosure agreements
  • Other form of Intellectual property protection
    OR
  • No, this business did not develop any of its good or service innovations during the three years, 2020 to 2022
  • OR
  • No, intellectual property protection was not sought for any of these good or service innovations

Question 21. Who developed these good or service innovations introduced during the three years, 2020 to 2022?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

  • Mainly this business, parent, affiliated or subsidiary businesses
  • Collaboratively, this business together with other businesses or organizations
    e.g., colleges, universities and research centres.
    Exclude outsourcing or contracting or granting out work.
    • Who did this business collaborate with?
      Select all that apply.
      • Collaboratively with domestic colleges or universities
      • Collaboratively with domestic research centres
      • Collaboratively with other domestic businesses or organizations
      • Collaboratively with foreign businesses or organizations
  • Mainly other businesses or organizations Include colleges, universities, research centres, outsourcing or contracting or granting out work
    • Who developed these good or service innovations?
      Select all that apply.
      • Mainly other domestic colleges or universities
      • Mainly other domestic research centres
      • Mainly other domestic businesses or organizations
      • Mainly other foreign businesses or organizations

Question 22. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were any of this business's good or service innovations introduced new to one of its markets or new to this business?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were any of this business's good or service innovations introduced new to one of its markets or new to this business?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. New to one of its markets
e.g., introduced a new or improved good or service onto one of this business's markets before its competitors (it may have already been available in other markets)
   
b. New to this business only
e.g., introduced a new or improved good or service that was already available from competitors in this business's markets
   

Question 23. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business's total sales came from the following types of goods or services?

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Good or service innovations introduced during the period 2020 to 2022
Percentage of sales in 2022

  1. New to one of its markets
    e.g., introduced a new or improved good or service onto one of this business's markets before its competitors (it may have already been available in other markets)
    Percentage of sales in 2022 %
  2. New to this business only
    e.g., introduced a new or improved good or service that was already available from competitors in this business's markets
    Percentage of sales in 2022 %
    Goods or services unchanged or only marginally modified during the period 2020 to 2022
    Percentage of sales in 2022
  3. Unchanged or marginally modified
    Percentage of sales in 2022 %
    Total
    Percentage of sales in 2022 %

Business process innovation

Business process innovation is a new or improved process for one or more business activities or functions that differs significantly from this business's previous business processes and that has been brought into use by this business in its internal or outward-facing operations.

Core business functions or activities refer to the production of goods or services.

Support business functions or activities include distribution and logistics services, marketing and sales services, information and communication technology (ICT) services, professional services, engineering and research and development (R&D) services, and general management services

Question 24. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were new or improved business processes introduced onto the market or brought into use by this business?

Include new or improved business processes that:

  • differed significantly from this business's previous business process
  • were new to this business and not necessarily new to its business industry or markets
  • were developed by this business or other organizations.

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were new or improved business processes introduced onto the market or brought into use by this business?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. New or improved production processes for goods or services
e.g., activities that transform inputs into goods or services, including engineering and related technical testing, analysis and certification activities to support production
   
b. New or improved distribution or logistics processes
e.g., transportation and service delivery, warehousing and order processing
   
c. New or improved marketing or sales methods
e.g., marketing methods including advertising (product promotion and placement, packaging of products), direct marketing (telemarketing), exhibitions and fairs, market research and other activities to develop new markets, pricing strategies and methods, sales and after-sales activities, including help desks, other customer support and customer relationship activities
   
d. New or improved information and communication systems
e.g., hardware and software, data processing and database, maintenance and repair, web-hosting and other computer-related information activities
   
e. New or improved strategic and general business management practices
e.g., cross-functional decision making, organizing work responsibility, corporate governance (legal, planning and public relations), accounting, book-keeping, auditing, payments and other financial or insurance activities, human resources management (training and education, staff recruitment, workplace organization, provision of temporary personnel, payroll management, health and medical support), procurement, managing external relationships with suppliers, and alliances
   
f. New or improved product or business process development
e.g., activities to scope, identify, develop, or adapt products (goods or services) or business processes
   

Question 25. Were any of these business process innovations developed to respond to the challenges or opportunities related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

  • Yes, all of these innovations were developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Yes, some of these innovations were developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • No, the development of these innovations was not in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Question 26. Who developed these business process innovations introduced during the three years, 2020 to 2022?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

  • Mainly this business, parent, affiliated or subsidiary businesses
  • Collaboratively, this business together with other businesses or organizations
    e.g., colleges, universities, and research centres.
    Exclude outsourcing or contracting or granting out work.
    • Who did this business collaborate with?
      Select all that apply.
      • Collaboratively with domestic colleges or universities
      • Collaboratively with domestic research centres
      • Collaboratively with other domestic businesses or organizations
      • Collaboratively with foreign businesses or organizations
  • Mainly other businesses or organizations
    Include colleges, universities, research centres, outsourcing or contracting or granting out work
    • Who developed these good or service innovations?
      Select all that apply.
      • Mainly other domestic colleges or universities
      • Mainly other domestic research centres
      • Mainly other domestic businesses or organizations
      • Mainly other foreign businesses or organizations

Question 27. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did any of the business process innovations introduced during the three years, 2020 to 2022, result in savings related to the overall cost of production of goods or services?

  • Yes
    • In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what were the savings related to the overall cost of production of goods or services?
      • Less than 5%
      • 5% to 9.9%
      • 10% to 25%
      • More than 25%
      • Don't know
  • No
  • Don't know

Question 28. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did any of the business process innovations introduced during the three years, 2020 to 2022, result in savings related to overall expenditures on support business functions?

e.g., distribution and logistics, marketing and sales services, information and communication technology services

  • Yes
    • In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what were the savings related to the overall expenditures on support business functions?
      • Less than 5%
      • 5% to 9.9%
      • 10% to 25%
      • More than 25%
      • Don't know
  • No
  • Don't know

Expenditures on innovation activities

Question 29. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did this business conduct any of the following innovation activities?

Innovation activities include all developmental, financial and commercial activities undertaken by a business that is intended to result in an innovation.

Include activities for good, service or business process innovations.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did this business conduct any of the following innovation activities?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Research and experimental development (R&D), both in-house and outsourced (contracted out or granted) to other organizations    
b. Engineering, design and other creative work
Exclude engineering, design and other creative work reported as    R&D.
   
c. Intellectual property activities to realize innovation projects
Exclude intellectual property activities reported as R&D.
Include applications, licensing, litigations, etc.
   
d. Software development and database activities
Exclude development and database activities reported as R&D.
   
e. Acquisition or development of advanced technology including machinery, equipment, facilities and other tangible assets
Exclude acquisition or development of advanced technologies reported as R&D.
   
f. Employee training specifically for innovation projects    
g. Marketing and brand equity activities linked to the introduction of new goods, services or business processes
Include market research and market testing, methods for pricing, product placement and product promotion.
Exclude development and database activities reported as R&D.
   
h. Innovation management
Exclude development and database activities reported as R&D.
   
i. Other innovation activities    

Innovation expenditures include labour costs and investments for activities, previously listed in question 29, that led or contributed to the development and introduction of new or improved goods, services or business processes.

Question 30. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what were this business's expenditures on the following innovation activities?

If exact figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

If expenditure details are not available for each innovation activity, enter the total expenditure for all innovation activities.

Expenditures CAN$'000

  1. Research and experimental development (R&D), both in-house and outsourced (contracted out or granted) to other organizations
  2. Engineering, design and other creative work
    Exclude engineering, design and other creative work reported as R&D.
  3. Intellectual property activities to realize innovation projects
    Exclude intellectual property activities reported as R&D.
    Include applications, licensing, litigations, etc.
  4. Software development and database activities
    Exclude development and database activities reported as R&D.
  5. Acquisition or development of advanced technology including machinery, equipment, facilities and other tangible assets
    Exclude acquisition or development of advanced technologies reported as R&D.
  6. Employee training specifically for innovation projects
  7. Marketing and brand equity activities linked to the introduction of new goods, services or business processes
    Include market research and market testing, methods for pricing, product placement and product promotion.
    Exclude acquisition or development of advanced technologies reported as R&D.
  8. Innovation management
    Exclude acquisition or development of advanced technologies reported as R&D.
  9. Other innovation activities
    Total expenditures for innovation activities

Question 31. Of the total of this business's innovation expenditures, please estimate the percentage attributable to the development or introduction of each type of innovation.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

  • Percentage
  • a. New or improved goods or services %
  • b. New or improved business processes %
  • Total %

Co-operation for innovation

Question 32. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business co-operate on any innovation activities with other businesses or organizations?

Co-operation is the active participation with other businesses or organizations in innovation activities. Both partners do not need to commercially benefit.

Exclude outsourcing or contracting or granting out work.

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
  • No

Question 33. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, please indicate the type of innovation co-operation partner.

Select all that apply.

  • Parent, affiliated or subsidiary businesses
  • Suppliers of equipment, materials, components or software
  • Clients or customers from the private sector
  • Clients or customers from the public sector
  • Competitors or other businesses in the sector
  • Consultants and commercial laboratories
  • Universities, colleges or other higher education institutions
  • Government, public or private research institutes
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Households or individuals
  • Other co-operation partners

Question 34. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, please indicate the location of these co-operation partners.

Parent, affiliated or subsidiary businesses
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Suppliers of equipment, materials, components or software
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Clients or customers from the private sector
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Clients or customers from the public sector
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Competitors or other businesses in the sector
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Consultants and commercial laboratories
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Universities, colleges or other higher education institutions
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Government, public or private research institutes
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Non-profit organizations
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Households or individuals
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Other co-operation partners
Select all that apply.

  • Canada
    • Select the location of the innovation co-operation partner
      • Same city or area where the business has its main Canadian operations
      • Different city or area but same province
      • Rest of Canada
  • United States of America
  • Rest of the world

Question 35. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, which type of co-operation partner was the most critical to this business's innovation activities?

  • Parent, affiliated or subsidiary businesses
  • Suppliers of equipment, materials, components or software
  • Clients or customers from the private sector
  • Clients or customers from the public sector
  • Competitors or other businesses in the sector
  • Consultants and commercial laboratories
  • Universities, colleges or other higher education institutions
  • Government, public or private research institutes
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Households or individuals
  • Other co-operation partners

Innovation with environmental benefits

Question 36. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business introduce an innovation with any of the following environmental benefits?

Include innovations introduced where environmental benefits were either intentional or incidental.

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

Benefits from production through efficient use of resources

  1. Improved resource efficiency through reduced material use per unit of output
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Improved resource efficiency through reduced energy use per unit of output
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Improved resource efficiency by replacing material with less greenhouse gas intensive alternatives
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Reduced consumption of resources through recycling (water, waste or material)
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Renewable fuels: ethanol, biodiesel, biogas, biochar, hydrogen
    • Yes
    • No

Benefits related to increased environmental protection activities

  1. Reduced air, water, soil or noise pollution
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
    • Yes
    • No

Benefits related to consumer or end user

  1. Reduced energy use or increased energy efficiency for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Reduced material use or increased recycling for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Reduced air, water, soil or noise pollution for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions for the consumer or end user
    e.g., carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilization, carbon removal, clean coal processing
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Other environmental benefits
    • Yes
    • No

Question 37. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were any of the innovations with environmental benefits new to one of this business's markets?

Benefits from production through efficient use of resources

  1. Improved resource efficiency through reduced material use per unit of output
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Improved resource efficiency through reduced energy use per unit of output
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Improved resource efficiency by replacing material with less greenhouse gas intensive alternatives
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Reduced consumption of resources through recycling (water, waste or material)
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Renewable fuels: ethanol, biodiesel, biogas, biochar, hydrogen
    • Yes
    • No

Benefits related to increased environmental protection activities

  1. Reduced air, water, soil or noise pollution
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
    • Yes
    • No

Benefits related to consumer or end user

  1. Reduced energy use or increased energy efficiency for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Reduced material use or increased recycling for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Reduced air, water, soil or noise pollution for the consumer or end user
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions for the consumer or end user
    e.g., carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilization, carbon removal, clean coal processing
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Other environmental benefits
    • Yes
    • No

Use of government support programs for innovation-related activities

Question 38. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business use any of the following types of government programs (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal or Indigenous) to aid innovation-related activities?

"During the three years, 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business use any of the following types of government programs (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal or Indigenous) to aid innovation-related activities?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Government tax incentive or tax credit programs
Include programs intended to support innovation activities such as research and development or capital expenditures.
   
b. Government grants and contributions programs
Include programs intended to support innovation activities such as research and development, business development or commercialization of intellectual property.
   
c. Government training and hiring programs
Include programs intended to support innovation activities such as hiring and training of researchers, interns, immigrants or upskilling workers to support the needs of the business.
Upskilling is the process of providing employees with more advanced skills through additional education and training.
   
d. Government procurement
Include programs intended to support innovation activities such as the procurement of new or improved goods, services or business processes.
   
e. Government advisory services
Include networking, introduction to potential partners, clarification on accessing programs and services from innovation network.
   
f. Other government programs
Include programs and activities not included elsewhere such as access to facilities or export incentives.
   

Question 39. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, which type of government program did this business find was the most critical for its innovation activities?

Note: Refers to activities undertaken to develop or implement innovations during the three years 2020 to 2022.

  • Government tax incentive or tax credit programs
  • Government grants and contributions programs
  • Government training and hiring programs
  • Government procurement
  • Government advisory services
  • Other government programs

Obstacles

Question 40. In 2022, did this business face any obstacles to innovation resulting from any of the following elements?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, did this business face any obstacles to innovation resulting from any of the following elements?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Market size    
b. External financing
e.g., banks, government, venture capital, investors
   
c. Internal financing
e.g., funding from parents, affiliates
   
d. Lack of skills    
e. Finding and reaching agreements with external collaborators    
f. Uncertainty and risk    
g. Regulatory or government competition policy    
h. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights    
i. Impacts caused by COVID-19    
j. Other obstacles to innovation
e.g., gender-specific issues, innovation ecosystem support, etc.
   

Question 41. In 2022, were measures taken to overcome these obstacles to innovation?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, were measures taken to overcome these obstacles to innovation?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Market size    
b. External financing
e.g., banks, government, venture capital, investors
   
c. Internal financing
e.g., funding from parents, affiliates
   
d. Lack of skills    
e. Finding and reaching agreements with external collaborators    
f. Uncertainty and risk    
g. Regulatory or government competition policy    
h. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights    
i. Impacts caused by COVID-19    
j. Other obstacles to innovation
e.g., gender-specific issues, innovation ecosystem support, etc.
   

Question 42. In 2022, were these measures successful in mitigating obstacles to innovation?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, were these measures successful in mitigating obstacles to innovation?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Market size    
b. External financing
e.g., banks, government, venture capital, investors
   
c. Internal financing
e.g., funding from parents, affiliates
   
d. Lack of skills    
e. Finding and reaching agreements with external collaborators    
f. Uncertainty and risk    
g. Regulatory or government competition policy    
h. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights    
i. Impacts caused by COVID-19    
j. Other obstacles to innovation
e.g., gender-specific issues, innovation ecosystem support, etc.
   

Question 43. In 2022, were any government programs used to overcome obstacles to innovation?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In 2022, were any government programs used to overcome obstacles to innovation?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Market size    
b. External financing
e.g., banks, government, venture capital, investors
   
c. Internal financing
e.g., funding from parents, affiliates
   
d. Lack of skills    
e. Finding and reaching agreements with external collaborators    
f. Uncertainty and risk    
g. Regulatory or government competition policy    
h. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights    
i. Impacts caused by COVID-19    
j. Other obstacles to innovation
e.g., gender-specific issues, innovation ecosystem support, etc.
   

Advanced technology use

Technology is broadly defined to include the technical means and know-how required for the production of goods or services. It takes the form of equipment, materials, processes, blueprints and knowledge.

Advanced technologies are technologies (equipment and software) that perform a new function or improve some function significantly better than commonly used technologies in the industry or by competitors.

Question 44. In 2022, did this business use any of the following types of advanced technologies?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  1. Material handling, supply chain or logistics technologies
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Design or information control technologies
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Processing or fabrication technologies (excluding additive manufacturing)
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Clean technologies
    Note: Clean technology refers to:
      • any good or service designed with the primary purpose of contributing to remediating or preventing any type of environmental damage
      • any good or service that is less polluting or more resource-efficient than equivalent normal products which furnish a similar utility. Their primary use, however, is not one of environmental protection.
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Security or advanced authentication systems
    • Yes
    • No
  6. Business intelligence technologies
    e.g., cloud-based computing systems and big data analytic tools
    • Yes
    • No
  7. Nanotechnology
    e.g., the manufacturing of devices and products from molecular or nano-scale components with extraordinary properties
    • Yes
    • No
  8. Biotechnology
    • Yes
    • No
  9. Geomatics or geospatial technologies
    • Yes
    • No
  10. Artificial intelligence (AI)
    • Yes
    • No
  11. Virtual, mixed and augmented reality
    e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality
    • Yes
    • No
  12. Integrated Internet of Things (IoT) systems
    Include systems where devices and objects have the networking capability that allow for information to be sent and received using the Internet e.g., fixtures and kitchen appliances
    • Yes
    • No
  13. Blockchain technologies
    e.g., crypto-currency, distributed ledgers, secure value exchange protocols, smart contracts
    • Yes
    • No
  14. Additive manufacturing
    e.g., 3D printing
    • Yes
    • No
  15. Robotics
    Include: robots with image recognition systems, robots with AI technologies enabling physical movement, robots with other AI systems, AI technologies for automation of processing and fabrication processes.
    Exclude: robots without AI systems
    • Yes
    • No
  16. Quantum technology
    • Yes
    • No
  17. Other types of advanced technologies
    • Yes
    • No

Question 45. In 2022, why did this business not adopt or use advanced technologies?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

  • Not convinced of economic benefit
  • Difficulty in obtaining financing
  • High cost of advanced technologies
  • Investment not necessary for continuing operations
  • Lack of technical skills required to support this type of investment
  • Organizational culture too inflexible
  • Decisions made by parent, affiliates or subsidiary businesses
  • Lack of technical support or services (from consultants or vendors)
  • Lack of information regarding advanced technologies
  • Difficulty in integrating new technologies with exisiting systems, standards and processes
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Not convinced of the environmental benefits
  • Other reasons for not adopting or using advanced technologies e.g., regulatory aspects
    OR
  • Not applicable to this business's activities

Clean technologies

Question 46. In 2022, were any of these clean technologies used by this business related to the following?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Environmental protection
Select all that apply.

  • Air and environment protection or remediation
  • Waste management, reduction or recycling
  • Water or wastewater treatment

Sustainable resource management
Select all that apply.

  • Renewable fuels
  • Renewable energy e.g., solar, wind, hydro, nuclear
  • Bio-products
  • Smart grid
  • Energy storage
  • Energy management and efficiency improvements
  • Water management or recycling
  • Agriculture, aquaculture, forestry or biodiversity improvements
  • Sustainable mining

Adapted goods and services
Select all that apply.

  • Energy efficient transportation
  • Energy efficient equipment or appliances
  • Advanced or lightweight materials

Business practices

Question 47. In 2022, which of the following business practices did this business regularly use?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Product development and control management practices
Select all that apply.

  • Concurrent engineering (simultaneous design)
  • Cross-functional design teams
  • Electronic work order management
  • Distribution resource planning (DRP)
  • Practices related to user or customer engagement and intelligence
  • Product data management (PDM)
    OR
  • None of the above

Quality management practices
Select all that apply.

  • Continuous improvement (including total quality management (TQM))
  • Business certification or certification renewals
  • Quality management system (QMS)
    OR
  • None of the above

Other business practices
Select all that apply.

  • Competitive technological intelligence (CTI) or benchmarking
  • Sustainable development strategy or environmental stewardship plan (ESP)
  • Life cycle management (LCM)
  • Intellectual property management
    OR
  • None of the above

Imports and exports

Question 48. In 2022, did this business make payments to suppliers outside Canada for the purchase of goods or services?

Include the purchase of goods or services from both foreign affiliates and foreign unaffiliated businesses. Foreign affiliates are foreign entities in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls 10% or more of the voting power.

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
    • In 2022, how were these purchases from suppliers outside Canada used by this business?
      Select all that apply.
      • Used in production of other goods or services in Canada (intermediary goods or services)
      • Resold "as-is" in Canada
      • Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale
        Include goods that were simply repackaged, relabelled, or cleaned without any change in physical form.
        Exclude goods made or processed based on the specifications or personalized requirements provided by this business or on behalf of its clients.
      • Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.) without altering the goods, and with the goods entering Canada before the sale
      • Used to support business activities related to services in Canada
        Support business functions or activities include distribution and logistics services, marketing and sales services, ICT services, professional services, engineering and R&D services, or general management services.
        OR
      • Don't know
  • No

Question 49. In 2022, did this business receive revenue from clients outside Canada for the sale of goods or services?

  • Yes
    • In 2022, did this business attempt to sell any additional goods or services outside of Canada, but was not successful?
      • Yes
      • No
    • In 2022, did this business attempt to sell goods or services to any additional market outside of Canada, but was not successful?
      • Yes
      • No
  • No
    • In 2022, did this business attempt to sell goods or services to any market outside of Canada?
      • Yes
      • No

Question 50. In 2022, did this business sell goods or services to another business operating in Canada that were then exported "as-is"?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Question 51. In 2022, did this business sell goods or services to another business operating in Canada that used the goods as intermediate inputs in a final good that was then sold to clients outside Canada?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Obstacles to exports

Question 52. In 2022, how difficult were the following obstacles to exporting or attempting to export goods or services?

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

Administrative obstacles and resource limitations

  1. Canadian legal or administrative obstacles
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  2. Foreign legal or administrative obstacles
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  3. Foreign tariffs
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  4. Trade barriers
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  5. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  6. Access to financing
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  7. Lack of skills e.g., sales, marketing and technical talent
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  8. Lack of funds e.g., funds or capital
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  9. Lack of management know-how
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable

External barriers

  1. Efficiency, capacity or reliability of transportation infrastructures
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  2. Shipping costs
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable

Market obstacles

  1. Identifying foreign customers
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  2. Obtaining knowledge on markets of interest
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  3. Identifying foreign partners, suppliers or distributors
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  4. Uncertainty of foreign or international standards
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  5. Receiving payments from foreign customers
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  6. Requirements for product adaptation e.g., market needs, customer preferences, etc.
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable
  7. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic e.g., supply chain disruptions
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable

Other obstacles

  1. All other obstacles to exporting or attempting to export
    • Very difficult
    • Difficult
    • Somewhat difficult
    • Not at all difficult
    • Not applicable

Business structure and ownership

Question 53. In 2022, was this business an affiliate of a foreign parent?

A foreign parent is a foreign entity capable of exercising control of the reporting entity by owning or controlling more than 50% of this business's voting power on an ultimate basis.

An investor is considered to be the ultimate control investor if it is at the head of a chain of companies and directly or indirectly controls all the enterprises in the chain without itself being controlled by another investor.

"In 2022" refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
    • In 2022, where was this business's ultimate parent company located?
      • United States of America
      • Mexico
      • Other Latin America and Caribbean markets (LAC)
      • Europe
        Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
      • China
        Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
      • Other Asian countries
        Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
      • All other countries
  • No

Question 54. In 2022, did this business have affiliates located outside of Canada?

Foreign affiliates are foreign entities in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls 10% or more of the voting power.

  • Yes
    • Did this business have at least one majority-owned foreign affiliate in 2022?
      • Yes, this business had at least one majority-owned foreign affiliate in 2022 e.g., more than 50% of the voting power
      • No, this business did not have a majority-owned foreign affiliate in 2022
      • Don't know
  • No

Purchased goods or services

Question 55. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did this business purchase any of the following goods or services?

Include both Canadian and foreign sources.

Goods

  1. Goods for use as intermediate input for domestic production
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  2. Goods for resale "as-is"
    • Yes
      • Where were the goods resold "as-is"?
        Select all that apply.
        • Resold "as-is" in Canada
        • Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.) without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale
        • Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.) without altering the goods, and with the goods entering Canada before the sale
          OR
        • Don't know
    • No
    • Not applicable

Services

  1. Distribution and logistics services
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  2. Call and help center services
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  3. Marketing and sales services
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  4. ICT services
    Include software development, data processing or other.
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  5. Professional services
    Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  6. Engineering and R&D services
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable

Other goods or services

  1. Other types of goods or services purchased
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable

Question 56. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the total value of the goods or services purchased from Canadian and foreign sources?

Total value of goods or services purchased in CAN$ '000

Goods

  1. Goods for use as intermediate input for domestic production

Goods for resale "as-is"

  1. Resold "as-is" in Canada
  2. Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale
  3. Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and with the goods entering Canada before the sale

Total goods for resale "as-is"

Services

  1. Distribution and logistics services
  2. Call and help center services
  3. Marketing and sales services
  4. ICT services Include software development, data processing or other.
  5. Professional services Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
  6. Engineering and R&D services

Other goods or services

  1. Other types of goods or services purchased

Total

Question 57. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what proportions of goods or services were purchased from Canadian and foreign sources?

Foreign affiliated parties include both foreign affiliates and foreign parents and their subsidiaries.

Foreign affiliates are foreign entities in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls 10% or more of the voting power.

This reporting business could also be owned or controlled by a foreign parent. A foreign parent is a foreign entity capable of exercising control of the reporting entity by owning or controlling more than 50% of this business's voting power.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what proportions of goods or services were purchased from Canadian and foreign sources?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Canadian sources in percentage Foreign affiliated parties in percentage Foreign unaffiliated parties in percentage Total in percentage
Goods
a. Goods for use as intermediate input for domestic production
       
Goods for resale "as-is"
b. Resold "as-is" in Canada
       
c. Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale        
d. Resold "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and with the goods entering Canada before the sale        
Total goods for resale "as-is"        
Services
e. Distribution and logistics services
       
f. Call and help center services        
g. Marketing and sales services        
h. ICT services
Include software development, data processing or other.
       
i. Professional services
Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
       
j. Engineering and R&D services        
Other goods or services
k. Other types of goods or services purchased
       

Purchased goods or services - unaffiliated foreign businesses

Question 58. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, how important were the following reasons for purchasing goods or services from an unaffiliated (other foreign) business outside of Canada?

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, how important were the following reasons for purchasing goods or services from an unaffiliated (other foreign) business outside of Canada?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Very important Important Somewhat important Not at all important Not applicable
a. Reduce labour costs          
b. Reduce costs other than labour costs          
c. Better quality goods or services          
d. No suppliers available in Canada          
e. Reduce delivery times          
f. Increase access to supply chains or regional trade networks          
g. Access to specialized knowledge or technologies          
h. Tax or other financial incentives          
i. Lack of available labour in Canada          
j. Requirements for product inputs as a result of Free Trade Agreements and the rules of origin          
k. Other reasons for purchasing goods or services from an unaffiliated business outside of Canada          

Employment in Canada and abroad

Question 59. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the approximate number of full-time equivalent personnel employed by this business in Canada and abroad?

Full-time equivalent (FTE) is the ratio of total hours worked within calendar year on an activity by all employees divided by the total hours conventionally worked in the calendar year by a full-time employee.

Include personnel that are employed by majority-owned foreign affiliates.

Exclude personnel that are employed by a foreign parent company.

Number of FTE personnel

  1. Canada
  2. United States of America
  3. Mexico
  4. Other Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC)
  5. Europe Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
  6. China Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
  7. Other Asian countries Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
  8. All other countries

Total

Question 60. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the approximate number of full-time equivalent personnel employed by this business in the following activities in Canada and outside Canada?

Full-time equivalent (FTE) is the ratio of total hours worked within calendar year on an activity by all employees divided by the total hours conventionally worked in the calendar year by a full-time employee.

Exclude personnel that are employed by a foreign parent company. Please only report for personnel that are employed by the Canadian business or its majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the approximate number of full-time equivalent personnel employed by this business in the following activities in Canada and outside Canada?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  In Canada number of FTE personnel Outside of Canada number of FTE personnel Total
a. Production of goods
Include manufacturing, assembly, resource extraction and all positions related to maintaining production equipment.
     
b. Distribution and logistics services      
c. Call and help centers services      
d. Marketing and sales services      
e. ICT services
Include software development, data processing or other.
     
f. Professional services
Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
     
g. Engineering and R&D services      
h. General management services      
i. All other business activities      
Total      

Question 61. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the approximate number of full-time equivalent personnel employed by this business in the following activities outside of Canada?

Core business activities are activities of an enterprise yielding income: the production of final goods or services intended for the market or for third parties. Usually the core business functions make up the primary activity of the enterprise.

Support business activities are ancillary (supporting) activities carried out by the enterprise in order to permit or to facilitate the core business functions of an enterprise, which is the production activity. The outputs are not themselves intended directly for the market or for third parties.

Exclude personnel that are employed by a foreign parent company. Please only report for personnel that are employed by the Canadian business or its majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the approximate number of full-time equivalent personnel employed by this business in the following activities outside of Canada?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Core activities number of FTE personnel outside of Canada Support activities number of FTE personnel outside of Canada
a. Production of goods
Include manufacturing, assembly, resource extraction and all positions related to maintaining production equipment.
   
b. Distribution and logistics services    
c. Call and help centers services    
d. Marketing and sales services    
e. ICT services
Include software development, data processing or other.
   
f. Professional services
Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
   
g. Engineering and R&D services    
h. General management services    
i. All other business activities    
Total    

Question 62. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, how important were the following reasons for this business to employ personnel outside of Canada?

Exclude personnel that are employed by a foreign parent company. Please only report for personnel that are employed by the Canadian business or its majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, how important were the following reasons for this business to employ personnel outside of Canada?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Very important Important Somewhat important Not at all important Not applicable
a. Reduce labour costs          
b. Reduce costs other than labour costs          
c. Access to new markets          
d. Increase access to supply chains or regional trade networks          
e. Increase sales          
f. Proximity to important customers          
g. Access to specialized knowledge or technologies          
h. Tax or other financial incentives          
i. Improve logistics          
j. Lack of available labour in Canada          
k. Other reasons for employing personnel outside of Canada          

Locating activities into Canada

Question 63. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, did this business move activities from outside of Canada into Canada?

Include activities brought into Canada by switching from a foreign supplier to a Canadian supplier, by switching from foreign manufacturing or services providers to Canadian manufacturing or services providers or other.

"During the three years 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

  • Yes
  • No

Question 64. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were any of the following activities moved to Canada?

"During the three years 2020 to 2022" refers to the calendar years, January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

During the three years, 2020 to 2022, were any of the following activities moved to Canada?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Yes No
a. Production of goods
Include manufacturing, assembly, resource extraction and all positions related to maintaining production equipment.
   
b. Distribution and logistics services    
c. Call and help center services    
d. Marketing and sales services    
e. ICT services
Include software development, data processing or other.
   
f. Professional services
Include finance, accounting, human resources, legal or other.
   
g. Engineering and R&D services    
h. General management services    
i. All other business activities    

Question 65. During the three years, 2020 to 2022, how important were the following reasons for bringing the previous activities to Canada?

Note: Refers to activities moved to Canada during the three years, 2020 to 2022.

Production of goods
Level of importance

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property.
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to production of goods
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Distribution and logistics services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property.
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to distribution and logistics services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Call and help center services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Sub-question y. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property.
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to call and help center services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Marketing and sales services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to marketing and sales services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

ICT services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to ICT services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Professional services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to professional services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Engineering and R&D services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to engineering and research and development (R&D) services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

General management services

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable]
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to general management services
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

All other business activities

  1. Cost savings from locating abroad did not materialize (lower operating costs)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  2. Labour costs abroad have risen (lower labour costs in Canada)
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  3. Better quality of labour or resources in Canada
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  4. Lower Canadian dollar
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  5. Consolidating number of suppliers
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  6. Tax or other financial incentives
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  7. Difficulties obtaining or enforcing IP rights Include patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  8. Proximity to customers or other logistical issues
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable
  9. Other reasons related to all other business activities
    • Very important
    • Important
    • Somewhat important
    • Not at all important
    • Not applicable

Sales

Question 66. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what was the value of total sales of goods or services of this business and its majority-owned foreign affiliates in Canada and abroad?

Include domestic sales of goods or services, sales made to other countries, and sales made by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

Exclude sales made by a foreign parent company.

If exact figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

Total sales, 2022
CAN$ '000

Question 67. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business and its majority owned affiliates' total sales of goods or services was made to the following markets?

Include domestic sales of goods or services, sales made to other countries, and sales made by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

Exclude sales made by a foreign parent company.

If exact figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Percentage of sales

  1. Canada
  2. United States of America
  3. Mexico
  4. Other Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC)
  5. Europe
    Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
  6. China
    Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
  7. Other Asian countries
    Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
  8. All other countries
    Total in percentage

Question 68. In this business fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of the value of this business and its foreign-owned affiliates' total sales of goods or services was made over the Internet?

Include domestic sales of goods or services, sales made to other countries, and sales made by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

Exclude sales made by a foreign parent company.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Sales conducted over the Internet with or without online payment:

Include all sales of this business's goods or services where the order is received, and the commitment to purchase is made over the Internet, although payment can be made by other means. Include orders made in web pages, extranet or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Exclude orders made by telephone calls, facsimile, or e-mail.

Include sales made on enterprise and third party websites and apps.

Exclude the delivery of a digital good for which the order was not made online.

If precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

  • Yes, sales of goods or services over the Internet
    • Percentage of total sales of goods or services over the Internet %
    • Percentage of sales of goods or services over the Internet to clients in Canada %
    • Percentage of sales of goods or services over the Internet to clients outside of Canada %
  • No

Question 69. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business and its majority-owned foreign affiliates' total sales to each market was for goods or services, respectively?

Include domestic sales of goods or services, sales made to other countries, and sales made by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates, in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

Exclude sales made by a foreign parent company.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business and its majority-owned foreign affiliates' total sales to each market was for goods or services, respectively?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Sales of goods (percentage) Sales of services (percentage) Total sales of goods or services (percentage)
a. Canada      
b. United States of America      
c. Mexico      
d. Other Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC)      
e. Europe
Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
     
f. China
Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
     
g. Other Asian countries
Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
     
h. All other countries      

Question 70. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business's sales of goods or services, for each country of destination, was made by this Canadian business and by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates?

Include sales made by this Canadian business and its majority-owned foreign affiliates in which the Canadian reporting enterprise owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting power.

Include sales made by majority-owned foreign affiliates that are destined to the Canadian market or to international markets other than their own.

Exclude sales made by a foreign parent company.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, what percentage of this business's sales of goods or services, for each country of destination, was made by this Canadian business and by this business's majority-owned foreign affiliates?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Sales of goods or services by this Canadian business, percentage (%) Sales of goods or services by majority-owned foreign affiliates, percentage (%) Total sales of goods and services (%)
a. Canada      
b. United States of America      
c. Mexico      
d. Other Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC)      
e. Europe
Include United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Russian Federation
     
f. China
Exclude Taiwan and Hong Kong
     
g. Other Asian countries
Include Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
     
h. All other countries      

Question 71. It was indicated that this business purchased an amount of goods outside of Canada and sold them "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale.

What were the revenues associated from the sale of these goods?

Include goods that were simply repackaged, labelled, or cleaned without any change in physical form.

Exclude goods made or processed based on the specifications or personalized requirements provided by this business or on behalf of its clients.

Report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000). If the amount is less than one thousand dollars, enter "0".
When precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

It was indicated that this business purchased an amount of goods outside of Canada and sold them "as-is" in foreign markets (including the U.S.), without altering the goods, and without the goods entering Canada before the sale.
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Sales (CAN$ '000) Cost of goods sold (CAN$ '000)
Sales and cost of goods sold
Total value
   

Contracting

Question 72. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did this business have arrangements with other business entities outside Canada for them to perform manufacturing, processing, or assembly work according to the specifications provided by this business or on behalf of its clients?

Note: This may be referred to as custom work, custom manufacturing, or consignment.

Clients may include any routine or occasional clients and affiliated or non-affiliated companies for whom this business did work based on the clients' specifications or personalized requirements.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Question 73. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2022, did this business perform manufacturing, processing, or assembly work according to the specifications provided by non-Canadian clients?

Note: This may be referred to as custom work, custom manufacturing, or consignment.
Clients may include any routine or occasional clients and affiliated or non-affiliated companies for whom this business did work based on the clients' specifications or personalized requirements.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Majority-owned foreign affiliate statistics

Question 74. This business indicated that it owns or controls greater than 50% of the voting equity of a foreign affiliate.

Please report economic activities for the top 3 (in terms of total sales) majority-owned affiliates abroad.

  • MOFA 1
  • Name of the MOFA
  • Country of operation
  • Industry of the MOFA

The total full-time equivalent personnel employed by the MOFA Include full and part-time employees but exclude temporary or contract workers.

  • Yes have FTE personnel
    Total full-time personnel

    The total of full-time equivalent personnel engaged in research and development who work on R&D or who provide direct support to R&D
    Include all employees who work on R&D or who provide direct support to R&D, such as researchers, R&D managers, technicians, clerical staff, and others assigned to R&D groups.

    • Researchers include R&D scientists, engineers, and their managers.
    • R&D technicians and equivalent staff are persons whose main tasks require technical knowledge and experience in one or more field of science or engineering, but who contribute to R&D by performing technical tasks under the supervision of researchers.
    • R&D support staff is not directly involved with the conduct of a research project, but support the researchers and technicians. These employees might include clerical staff, report writers, regulatory experts, quality assurance, safety trainers, and other related employees.

    Exclude employees who provide only indirect support to R&D, such as corporate personnel, security guards, and cafeteria workers.

    Total full-time personnel engaged in R&D

    Employee compensation expenditure
    Report, for all employees in (previous question), the sum of wages and salaries and employee benefit plans.
    Report employee compensation expenditures, the base compensation data on payroll records, made by an employer in connection with the employment of workers, including cash payments, payments-in-kind, and employer expenditures for employee benefit plans including those required by statute. Total employee compensation consists of wages and salaries of employees and employer expenditures for all employee benefit plans. Report compensation that relates to activities that occurred during the reporting period regardless of whether the activities were charged as an expense on the income statement, charged to inventories, or capitalized.

    Exclude data related to activities of a prior period, such as those capitalized or charged to inventories in prior periods.

    Exclude compensation of contract workers not carried on the payroll of the Canadian reporting enterprise.

    Employee compensation expenditure

    $,000

    In-house R&D expenditures paid by the MOFA
    Inline with the user's guide developed by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, R&D expenditures cover all expenditures for activities undertaken for the purpose of discovering or developing new products (goods and services) including improved versions of existing products or discovering or developing new or more efficient processes of products. Three types of R&D may be distinguished: basic research, applied research and experimental development.

    Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.

    Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective.

    Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowle.g., which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.

    Intramural R&D expenditures are all current expenditures plus gross fixed capital expenditures for R&D performed within a statistical unit during a specific reference period, whatever the source of funds. Intramural R&D expenditure is synonymous with the performance of R&D within a statistical unit. Funding for, or expenditure on, extramural R&D (that is, R&D performed outside the statistical unit) is not included in intramural R&D performance totals.

    In-house R&D expenditure
    $,000

  • No

Operating expenses incurred by the MOFA

  • Yes
    Operating expenses
    $,000
    • Purchases of goods and services
      • Yes
        Purchases of goods and services:
        • $,000
        Please provide a breakdown of the total purchases of goods and services
        • Purchases in the country where the MOFA operates
          $,000
          Imports from Canadian parents and affiliated parties in Canada
          $,000
          Imports from non-affiliated parties in Canada
          $,000
          Imports from all other countries
          $,000
      • Did not purchase goods or services
    • All other expenses
      • Yes
        All other expenses
        $,000
      • No other expenses
    • Gross fixed capital formation

      Include new and existing tangible and intangible capital goods, whether bought from third parties or produced for own use, having a useful life of more than one year. Capital formation includes investments in non-residential construction, machinery and equipment, and intellectual property products.

      Also include all additions, alterations, improvements and renovations which prolong the service life or increase the productive capacity of capital goods.

      Current maintenance costs are excluded as is the value and current expenditure on capital goods used under rental and lease contracts.

      Exclude investments in financial assets

      Gross fixed capital formation

      $,000

  • No

Intellectual property assets

Question 75. Does this business own any of the following IP assets in Canada or outside of Canada?

Select all that apply.

  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Industrial design
  • Trade secrets
  • Copyrights
  • Non-disclosure agreements
  • Other types of intellectual property
    OR
  • Does not own any IP assets in Canada or outside of Canada

Year of establishment

Question 76. In what year was this business first established?

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

First established refers to the date when this business was first registered.

Year

Executive demographics

Question 77. What are the characteristics of the primary decision maker for this business?

Your responses in question 77 are voluntary.

The primary decision maker is the person primarily responsible for making decisions about this business.

This could be the majority owner, chairman of the board of directors, or general manager of this business.

In the case of equal partnership, select one partner and report for that individual.

Note: To the best of your knowle.g., please fill out the information below.

Gender
Gender refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

  • Male
  • Female
  • Another gender
  • Don't know

Sexual and gender diversity

  • Does the primary decision maker of this business identify as LGBTQ2+?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Indigenous peoples

  • Does the primary decision maker of this business identify as a First Nations person, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?
    • Yes
      Select all that apply.
      • First Nations
        First Nations include Status and Non-Status Indians.
      • Métis
      • Inuk (Inuit)
        OR
      • Don't know
    • No
    • Don't know

Visible minority
Exclude First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)

  • Is the primary decision maker of this business a member of a visible minority?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Disability

  • Is the primary decision maker of this business a person with a disability?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

New Canadian
Note: A new Canadian refers to new arrivals within the past 5 years.

  • Is the primary decision maker of this business a new Canadian?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Question 78. Does the senior management of this business include members from the following groups?

Include Chair and vice-chair of the board of directors, president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, vice-president in charge of a principal business unit or function, other individual performing policy-making function in respect of the corporation.

Note: To the best of your knowle.g., please fill out the information below.
Select all that apply.

Gender
Gender refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

Percentage

  1. % of senior management who identify as male gender
  2. % of senior management who identify as female gender
  3. % of senior management who identify as another gender

Total

Question 79. What are the characteristics of the senior management for this business?

Sexual and gender diversity (LGBTQ2+ representation)

  • Does this business have an LGBTQ2+ person within its senior management?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Indigenous peoples

  • Does this business have an Indigenous person within its senior management?
    • Yes
      Select all that apply.
      • First Nations
        First Nations include Status and Non-Status Indians.
      • Métis
      • Inuk (Inuit)
        OR
      • Don't know
    • No
    • Don't know

Visible minority
Exclude First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)

  • Does this business have someone who is a member of a visible minority within its senior management?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Disability

  • Does this business have a person with a disability within its senior management?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

New Canadian
Note: A new Canadian refers to new arrivals within the past 5 years.

  • Does this business have a new Canadian within its senior management?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know

Question 80. Does this business have a corporate diversity strategy?

e.g., strategy that could include diversity hiring practices, quotas, training programs, other policies that promote increasing diversity in the business

  • Yes, this business has an official corporate diversity strategy
  • Yes, this business has an unofficial corporate diversity strategy
    i.e., unwritten understanding
  • No, this business does not have a corporate diversity strategy

Notification of intent to extract web data

Question 81. Does this business have a website?

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

Notification of intent to extract web data

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

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

More information regarding Statistics Canada's web scraping initiative.

Learn more about Statistics Canada's transparency and accountability.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (TTY: 1-800-363-7629) or by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca. Additional information about this survey can be found by selecting the following link: Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy

Contact person

Question 82. Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.

Is (Respondent Name) the best person to contact?

  • Yes
  • No

Feedback

Question 83. How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

  • Hours
  • Minutes

Question 84. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Enter your comments

Addendum to the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) related to the Automated Access Control System (August 2022)

Section 1: Overview

StatsCan Office of Privacy Management and Information Coordination (OPMIC) is providing privacy advice and support in relation the occupancy proposal in a phased approach:

  • Phase 1: This phase covers the non-administrative use of the personal information to report to senior management on aggregated counts of employees working from StatCan offices in the National Capital Region. The present addendum is included in this phase.
  • Phase 2: During this phase, the Agency will continue to assess and articulate the use of personal information from FEENICS as well as HR databases to allow to filter counts by fields and financial responsibility centers, as well as to make administrative decisions on cases of non-compliance in relation to personnel management. Central to this phase will be to ensure the proper notification of employees before the personal information is collected and used to make decisions in relation to attendance and personnel management thus ensuring compliance with subsection 5(2) of the Privacy Act as well as 6.2.9 of the Directive on Privacy Practices.

The following is an addendum to the PIA related to the Automated Access Control System (AACS) that was originally approved in 2009 and updated in 2016.

1.1 Description of the activity covered by the addendum

Personal information from the access control system database (FEENICS) containing data from the use of identification cards at the security terminals at the entrance of the Statistics Canada (StatCan) NCR facilities will be used to count the number of employees who are working from the Statistics Canada offices in the National Capital Region (NCR). Summary reports will be generated with aggregated numbers of on-site visits by day, week and month.

  1. A dataset containing four variables (employee name, card type1, card ID number, and date of use of the card at Stats Can NCR facilities) will be made available internally by Security and Facilities Division (SFD) to the agency's Human Resources Business Intelligence (HRBI). Only data about StatCan employees will be made available to HRBI and will be used only for that purpose.
  2. The number of unique swipe card uses will be aggregated by HRBI to create a summary report for senior management. This summary report will only include aggregated number of building occupancy by day, week, and month. There will be no individual data in the summary report.

With more employees returning to the office, and the implementation of a minimum two days/week hybrid environment effective in September 2022, it is important for Statistics Canada to monitor the occupancy trends of the agency's offices in the NCR. This information is required by HR and Facilities to plan and make data-driven decisions about occupational health and safety by ensuring adequate levelsFootnote 1 of office and collaborative spaces (e.g., hybrid-enabled rooms) that are fully equipped to meet growing needs. For example, on-site occupancy levels will allow to make decisions on the number of fully equipped workstations (e.g. Two monitors per station, ergonomic chair, sit-stand desk and other supporting technology) that are required to meet the needs. These decisions aid in the promotion of a safe and healthy workplace for employees.

1.2 Reason for the addendum

This addendum assesses a use of personal information from the Access control system database (FEENICS) that was not originally accounted for in the PIA. In the context of the hybrid return to the workplace, and especially in light of Covid-19, Statistics Canada needs to have information on counts of employees coming to the workplace in order to assess capacity and ensure the security and safety of its employees. Personal information from FEENICS will therefore now be used to count the number of employees present at Statistics Canada NCR buildings.

1.3 Scope of the analysis

The scope of the privacy analysis included in this addendum is limited to the additional use of the information as described in section 1.1 above, and does not cover elements and information already assessed in the PIA. Please refer to the PIA for these considerations.

Section 2: Personal Information Flow

2.1 Personal Information Elements table

The table below lists the personal information elements that will be involved in this activity as well as additional details that will be taken in consideration in the privacy analysis.

Personal information cluster Personal information Element Dataset Source Use of personal information Disclosure of personal information Justification
Daily Swipe Card data Employee Full Name

A list of daily swipes which includes the four variables listed and does not include any further personal information that is collected at the time that the security pass is used at the security terminals of the StatCan NCR buildings.

In regards to the use of temporary passes; only the number of the card and the date will be made available to HRBI.

Facilities daily swipe card data (FEENICS)

To measure the number of employees who are working from the StatCan offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and produce summary aggregate reports for senior management on the total count of employees who entered the NCR offices by day, week, and month.

Reports will be accessed by HRBI and senior management only. The reports will not contain identifiable information. The information will not and could not be used to track individuals or used for administrative purposes.

There will be no disclosure of personal information outside of the organization. The reports will be used for planning purposes. They will be used to monitor the occupancy trends of the offices in the NCR. This information is necessary to plan and make data- driven decisions about occupational health and safety, accommodations, and to ensure the planned level of office and collaborative space (e.g., hybrid- enabled rooms) are sufficient to meet the growing demand.
Card ID Number

Card Type

Statistics Canada employee passes as well as temporary passesFootnote 2 for Statistics Canada employees will be used.

Other types of cards such as visitorsFootnote 3 and cleaners will be removed from the data before it is made available by SFD to HRBI.

Use of the cards at Stats Can NCR facilities.

2.2 List of individuals having access to the personal information

The table below lists the position of employees involved in this activity who will have access to the personal information, described in section 2.1.

Title of the position Number of individuals having access to the personal information Justification – Need to know
Unit Head (HRBI) 1 Reviewing the process and sometimes receiving the data, cleaning the records, running the summary reports.
Subject Matter Analyst (HRBI) 3 Receiving the data, cleaning the records, running the summary reports.

2.3 Description of the handling of the personal information

Employee name and date of access are required as part of the internal data transfer from SFD to HRBI in order to produce summary statistics. Two measures of occupancy are required:

  1. total occupancy in a given time period (ex. by day or week);
  2. total number of unique employees who worked from the office in a given time period (ex. by week or month).

2 The card number and the date that are collected through the security terminals when a card is used are the only elements that will be made available to HRBI in relation to a StatCan employee temporary pass.
3 Visitors are considered to be non-StatCan employees requiring access to the StatCan facilities. The personal information that is provided to the front desk to complete a paper-based document, in relation to the issuance of temporary passes to visitors as well as for the issuance of employee's temporary passes, will not be made available by SFD to HRBI or used. It is outside the scope of this activity. No data will be made available or used in regards to visitors.

Once the data has been cleaned, the individual records will be aggregated by date. Once aggregated, the information will not be used to re-identify individuals. This process will be done prior to the creation of the summary reports. There will be no individual data included in the summary report, meaning that no individual could be identified or tracked using the summary report. The report will contain the following counts:

  1. total occupancy by day, week, and month;
  2. unique number of visitors by week and month;
  3. average occupancy by day of the week.

The individual level data will be stored in a secured folder. Access will be limited to the list of individuals in section 2.2. Neither the identifiable information or the aggregated data will be used by HRBI for any administrative purpose as part of this activity. The individual level data will be retained for one year for validation purposes, after which point it will be disposed of securely.

Section 3: Necessity and Proportionality

  1. Necessity

With more employees returning to the office, and the implementation of a minimum two days/week hybrid environment effective in September 2022, it is important to monitor the occupancy trends of the offices in the NCR. These figures are necessary for HR and Facilities to plan and make data-driven decisions about occupational health and safety, accommodations, and to ensure the planned level of office and collaborative space (e.g., hybrid-enabled rooms) are fully equipped to meet the growing demand. For example, on-site occupancy levels will allow to make decisions on the number of fully equipped workstations (e.g. Two monitors per station, ergonomic chair, sit-stand desk and other supporting tech) that are required to meet the needs. These decisions aid in the promotion of a safe and healthy workplace for employees.

The date variable will be used to aggregate the individual records by day, week and month. This variable is necessary to determine the total occupancy for a given time frame. This is required to ensure that the level of office space available meets the demand. For example, on a given day, if there are 3,500 employees who visit the office, Statistics Canada must ensure there are, at a minimum, 3,500 work stations available.

The name variable is required to clean the data (ex. removing duplicates) and to determine the number of unique employees who worked from the office in a given time frame. It is important to measure the aggregate count of employees who are attending the office more than twice a week/month, and to measure unique visits in a given time period. This metric may be used to determine the level of fixed office space required. If there are a certain number of employees who visit the office more than X days in a month, permanent office space may be required.

This metric will also be used to measure, at an organizational level, the proportion of employees who are using the office in a given time period (ex. in a week or in a month). If there are a small number of employees who are using the office frequently, less office space will be required than if there are a large number of unique employees are using the office space less frequently. This metric is at the aggregate level, meaning no individuals can be tracked.

  1. Effectiveness - Working assumptions

The summary statistics that are produced with this data will provide HR and Facilities with the necessary information to plan and make data-driven decisions about occupational health and safety, accommodations, and office space requirements.

  1. Proportionality

There is a need for building occupancy statistics by day, as outlined in section 3.1 (Necessity). The potential impact on privacy is assessed as low given the safeguards in place which include:

  • The individual level data will be shared with only a small limited group of individuals in HRBI who will clean, deidentify and aggregate the data before it is included in the summary reports.
  • The summary reports will have no individual data and the information will not be disclosed or used for an administrative purpose.
  1. Alternatives

Alternatives have been explored and no feasible less privacy intrusive options were identified.

HRBI considered using the 'Return to Work' booking application data to measure the on-site occupancy. This data source did not meet the needs of the project because of poor data quality. Employees are not required to use the application in order to come in to the office, and employees who do book in the application may not actually come in to the office.

HRBI consulted with IT to determine if the number of employees accessing the server on-site could be measured. This was determined not to be feasible.

Section 4: Privacy Analysis

The following privacy analysis is based on the information included in sections 1 to 3 by HRBI as of August 15, 2022. Refer to the Automated Access Control System (AACS) PIA in regards to the principles that are not covered in this addendum.

Accountability

The AACS PIA states that "Statistics Canada is responsible for all personal information under its control". For the activity assessed in this addendum, the Assistant Chief Statistician of Corporate Strategy and Management is accountable for the personal information of employees collected through the AACS and stored in FEENICS that will be used by HRBI for the purpose described in this addendum.

Purpose

The original PIA in 2009 covered and assessed a limited use of the personal information collected using the AACS. The update to the PIA made in 2016 included and assessed an additional use. The current addendum covers the use of the AACS personal information (employee name and card ID number) to count the number of employees present daily, weekly at the NCR Stats Can facilities in the context of the

current pandemic and the return to work to a hybrid environment to ensure the safety of the employees present in the building. The next sub-section will demonstrate how this use is considered to be covered by the use section of the applicable Identification Cards and Access Badges - PSE 917. This purpose will be communicated to all current and new employees via a Privacy Notice Statement (see subsection on openness below).

Use

In order to use personal information from FEENICS without obtaining employee consent, the intended use of the personal information must match the original purpose for which it was collected or be for a consistent use. These uses and consistent uses must be described in their related Personal Information Banks (PIBs) as well as communicated to the individuals.

An employee should be in a position to understand that the personal information collected initially could be used for this other purpose and the notice that should be provided to each employee should include a reference to the related PIB(s).

Statistics Canada's Privacy Impact Assessment on the Automated Access Control System did not cover or assess this use of personal information from FEENICS. The PIA originally written in 2009 and updated in 2016 indicates that the use of the personal information collected and stored in FEENICS is "strictly restricted to the specific purpose of investigating matters related to safety, security, and personal management. In all cases, any authorized used will require the approval of the Departmental Security Officer."

The PIA indicates that the personal information collected in FEENICS is described in the Personal Information Bank Identification Cards and Access Badges - PSE 917, whereas personal information related to the issuance of temporary passes is covered by PIB Security Video Surveillance and Temporary Visitor Access Control Logs and Access Badges - PSU 9074. Both are standard TBS PIBs that apply to all federal institutions.

Personal information collected in regards to the issuance of temporary passes that are collected by departmental security is not covered in this analysis as it is not involved or used as part of this activity. Based on the information provided by HRBI, the information collected in regards to StatCan employees' temporary passes is limited to the temporary card number and date of use collected through FEENICS when a temporary pass is used at a building security terminal. No information about visitors who are not employees of StatCan will be handled by HRBI or would be used in relation to the activity assessed.
Based on the above, the PIB PSU 907 does not apply in the context of this activity.

PSE 917 specifies that permitted uses of the personal information (limited to: photographs, signatures, name and card numbers of holders) are to "maintain information relating to the issuance, use and cancellation of identification cards and access badges, and to assist in ensuring the security of government institution facilities and the safety and security of individuals and assets present in such facilities." The allowed consistent uses are limited to: "use personal information in the event of security- related incidents such as thefts or emergency situations".Footnote 4

The Office of Privacy Management's current understanding is that only information from FEENICS, not information related to temporary visitor's access controls logs and access badges is intended to be used in relation to this activity.

PIB Human Resources Planning – PSU 935 includes the use of limited personal information elements for the management of facilities, but personal information elements related to identification cards and access badges is not covered under this PIB. The PIBs Occupational Health and Safety - PSE 907 as well as Employment Equity and Diversity – PSE-918, were also reviewed and do not include personal information elements related to identification cards and access badges.

The intended purpose of the proposed activity is to count the number of employees who are working from StatCan offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) buildings in the context of the hybrid return to the workplace.

The intended use of personal information related to identification cards and access badges to count the number of employees (including employees using a temporary card) who are accessing the StatCan buildings in the National Capital Region to inform management of the number of individuals present at each work site daily, weekly and to ensure the safety of individuals in the buildings during the return to work to an hybrid environment in the current health context is considered to be covered in the uses section of the PIB PSE 917. More specifically, to maintain information related to the use of identification cards and access badges (including temporary cards) and to assist in ensuring the safety and security of individuals present in facilities.

The use of any additional data elements or any new use of personal information from FEENICS not included in the PIA or in this addendum would need to be assessed and an additional addendum developed accordingly.

Disclosure

Based on the information included in section 1 to 3 by HRBI, this activity will not involve any disclosure of the FEENICS personal information used for the purpose of this activity.

Openness

Section 5(2) of the Privacy Act requires that the institution collecting personal information inform the individuals to which the personal information relates, of the purpose for which it was collected. The AACS PIA has identified the lack of proper notification as a potential threat and stated that: detailed information about the AACS "has been communicated via the Internal Communication Network, the employee newsletter and staff emails". As the PIA was drafted in 2009, which pre-dates the issuance of the Directive on Privacy Practices by the Treasury Board, it would be prudent to draft a Privacy Notice Statement including the elements listed in section 6.2.9 of the Directive. This Privacy Notice Statement will be presented to StatCan employees before or at the time of collection of their personal information through FEENICS in order to comply with section 6.2.10 of the Directive mentioned above. Both the purpose and the use of the personal information, including the uses described in the current document, will be included in the Privacy Notice Statement. In the interim, communication has been sent on July 12, 2022, by the Chief Statistician to all StatCan employees mentioning "I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Statistics Canada Modernization Journey: Framework on Hybrid Work", which included a link to the document. The document includes the following statement: "To support the agency's ability to track onsite activity, inform floor design plans for PSPC renovations, and track the implementation of our hybrid work model, aggregated turnstile data will be used, wherever possible, to measure building occupancy levels."

Conclusion

This assessment concludes that this activity does not introduce any additional risks not addressed in the Automated Access Control System (AACS) PIA.

Footnotes

Footnotes

Footnote 1

See footnotes 3 & 4.

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Footnote 2

The card number and the date that are collected through the security terminals when a card is used are the only elements that will be made available to HRBI in relation to a StatCan employee temporary pass.

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Footnote 3

Visitors are considered to be non-StatCan employees requiring access to the StatCan facilities. The personal information that is provided to the front desk to complete a paper-based document, in relation to the issuance of temporary passes to visitors as well as for the issuance of employee’s temporary passes, will not be made available by SFD to HRBI or used. It is outside the scope of this activity. No data will be made available or used in regards to visitors.

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Footnote 4

The Office of Privacy Management’s current understanding is that only information from FEENICS, not information related to temporary visitor’s access controls logs and access badges is intended to be used in relation to this activity.

Return to footnote 4 referrer