Statistics Canada
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Unincorporated firms
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The unincorporated sector comprises self-employed owners of farms, businesses or professional practices that are not corporate legal entities. In 2002, they accounted for about 10% of the gross domestic product generated by the business sector.
Entrepreneurs create unincorporated enterprises for many reasons: they might desire the independence of self-employment, or they might be pushed into it by a lack of jobs. It’s the model of choice for many physicians, lawyers and other professionals.
The Labour Force Survey counted 2.6 million self-employed Canadians in 2008, 15,000 more than in 2007. About 65% of self-employed people were men; 35% were women. About 72% worked in services, and 28% in goods-producing. Less than 10% of self-employed businesses used paid help and less than 1% used unpaid family help.
