Section 9: Products and Services

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Archived Content

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A broad range of tabulated data compiled from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is contained in regular publications and CANSIM (Statistics Canada's on-line electronic database). Analytical articles based on LFS data frequently appear in the Statistics Canada publications listed below. However, the wealth of information that can be extracted from the survey, and the variety of questions that can be addressed, are far too vast for regular publication. In order to meet particular analytical needs and address issues of current interest, the survey provides a custom tabulation service on a cost-recovery basis. A public use microdata file is also available for clients wishing to do their own data extractions and analyses.

Catalogued publications

Monthly: Labour Force Information (catalogue no. 71-001-X)

This publication is available at 8:30 a.m. on the day of each monthly release on either the first or second Friday of the month. It contains an analysis of the latest labour market developments in the context of recent trends, charts of major data series and tables of indicators for main demographic groups, industries, provincial and sub-provincial areas.

The timeliness and analytical content of this publication contribute to its popularity and use by the media, government, research institutions, and others who need quick reference to the latest labour market trends. An Internet version available in PDF or HTML on the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.gc.ca) ensures timely delivery.

The analytical commentary contained in this publication also appears electronically on the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.gc.ca) under the Latest indicators box. Select Unemployment rate, or click on “In the news: The Daily” at the top of the page and select the Labour Force Survey under the list of recent releases. It will appear at 8:30 a.m. on the day of each monthly release.

Occasional: Labour Statistics: Research Papers (catalogue no. 75-004-M)

The papers in this series cover a variety of topics related to labour statistics. These more in-depth studies are intended to showcase recent or historical trends in the labour market using data from Labour Statistics Division surveys as well as other administrative data sources.

Occasional: Labour Statistics: Technical Papers (catalogue no. 75-005-M)

The papers in this series cover a variety of technical topics related to the surveys of the Labour Statistics Division as well as data from administrative sources.

Occasional: Insights on Canadian Society (catalogue no. 75-006-X)

This publication brings together and analyzes a wide range of data sources in order to provide information on various aspects of Canadian society, including labour, income, education, social, and demographic issues that affect the lives of Canadians. This publication replaces Perspectives on Labour and Income (catalogue no. 75-001-X).

Monthly: Microdata File (catalogue no. 71M0001X)

This public use microdata file (PUMF) contains anonymized non-aggregated data for a wide variety of variables collected from the LFS. It is for users who prefer to do their own analysis by focusing on specific sub-groups in the population or by cross-classifying variables that are not in our catalogued products.

This PUMF contains both personal characteristics for all individuals in the household and most labour force characteristics for household members 15 years of age and over. These variables are available by province and for the three largest Census metropolitan areas of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. This is a monthly file, and is available going back to 1976.

Occasional: Improvements to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) (catalogue no. 71F0031X)

This paper introduces and explains the standard revisions and other modifications made to the Labour Force Survey estimates.

Occasional: Aboriginal Peoples Living Off-reserve in Western Canada: Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (catalogue no. 71-587-X)

This paper provides information on Aboriginal employment and unemployment, Aboriginal youths and the impact of education on labour market performance in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Occasional: The Aboriginal Labour Force Analysis Series (catalogue no. 71-588-X)

This series of analytical reports provides an overview of the labour market conditions among the Aboriginal off-reserve populations, based on estimates from the Labour Force Survey. These reports examine the Aboriginal labour force characteristics by Aboriginal group as well as diverse socio-economic and employment characteristics.

Occasional: The Immigrant Labour Force Analysis Series (catalogue no. 71-606-X)

This series of analytical reports provides an overview of the Canadian labour market experiences of immigrants to Canada, based on data from the Labour Force Survey. These reports examine the labour force characteristics of immigrants by reporting on employment and unemployment at the national level, the provincial level and large metropolitan areas. They also provide more detailed analysis by region of birth as well as in-depth analysis of other specific aspects of the immigrant labour market.

Occasional: Methodology of the Canadian Labour Force Survey (catalogue no. 71-526-X)

This publication offers an in-depth look at the methodological and operational aspects of the LFS, covering stratification, sampling, survey operations, weighting, estimation, and data quality. This document would be of interest to those who would like more in-depth methodological information on the LFS than provided by the Guide to the Labour Force Survey.

CANSIM

A large selection of high-demand LFS monthly and annual average time series is available on CANSIM, Statistics Canada's electronic online database. See the Related products section of this document for a complete listing.

Data tables

Each month, on the release day of LFS data, selected tables (in HTML) are updated on the Statistics Canada website www.statcan.gc.ca. Under the Browse by Subject tab, select Labour, then select Employment and unemployment, and from there, select Summary tables.

Custom tabulations

Custom tabulations can be arranged on an ad hoc or regular basis for a fee. This service enables users to specify tables and time series to meet their own requirements. For example, users may wish to have labour force estimates for age groups or educational levels that differ from those used in LFS publications. Subject matter and tabulation expertise is also provided to ensure that the customized data package is accurate and appropriate.

Access to microdata

A Research Data Centre (RDC) provides access to Statistics Canada’s confidential microdata files. They are accessible only to researchers with approved projects who have been sworn in as "deemed employees" of Statistics Canada. The RDC confidential microdata files contain most of the original information collected during the survey interview with the subject as well as derived variables added to the dataset afterwards. They also contain the Bootstrap weights used to calculate the exact variance, which are available only in the Master file. RDCs are located throughout the country. The following website has more information: www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/rdc/index.

The Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) complements existing methods of access to confidential micro-data. Using a secure username and password, the RTRA provides around the clock access to survey results from any computer with internet access. Confidentiality of the micro data is automated in the RTRA system, eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing for rapid access to results. In order to utilize the RTRA Program, applicants must complete an application form. More information is provided in the website www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/rtra/rtra.

General inquiries

For inquiries on any of these products and services, contact Statistics Canada's Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; international 1-514-283-8300; statcan.infostats-infostats.statcan@canada.ca).

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