Why are we conducting this survey?

The purpose of this survey is to produce monthly statistics on stocks of butter and cheese held in cold storage warehouses.

The data are used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Dairy Commission, provincial governments and the Dairy Farmers of Canada to assist in the development, administration and evaluation of agricultural policies.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record linkages

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

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data, and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Enterprise Statistics Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

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

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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

Business or organization and contact information

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

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

Legal Name

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

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

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

Operating Name

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

• Legal name
• Operating name (if applicable)

2. Verify or provide the contact information of the designated business or organization contact person for this questionnaire and correct where needed.

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

• First name
• Last name
• Title
• Preferred language of communication
  • English
  • French
• Mailing address (number and street)
• City
• Province, territory or state
• Postal code or ZIP code
• Country
  • Canada
  • United States
• Email address
• Telephone number (including area code)
• Extension number (if applicable)
  The maximum number of characters is 10.
• 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
  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 (NAICS).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description and examples

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

Main activity

5. You indicated that is not the current main activity. Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as:?

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

6. 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

Dairy products — domestic and imported

1. What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following butter and butter oil products?

Include:

• domestic and imported products
• salted and unsalted butter.

Dairy products - domestic and imported

Include:

• inventory for all dairy products held in your establishment(s), whether owned by you or by others
• inventory stored in specially rented rooms to which only you have access (except in emergency)
• stocks held on government accounts.

Exclude products held in common or cold public storage (these will be reported by operators of those establishments).

Total inventory of butter and butter oil products

Please report all inventory of butter and butter oil products including domestic and imported butter and butter oil products.

a. to c. Creamery butter

Include:

• salted and unsalted butter
• whipped butter
• light or 'lite' butter
• cultured butter
• sweet butter
• calorie-reduced butter
• dairy spread.

Exclude reworked butter and manufacturing cream.

What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following butter and butter oil products?

1. What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following butter and butter oil products?	Total inventory on 1st of month (kg)
a. Creamery butter — held under Plan A
b. Creamery butter — held under Plan B
c. Creamery butter — held privately
Total creamery butter
d. Whey butter
e. Butter oil

2. What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following types of cheese?

Include domestic and imported products.

Dairy products - domestic and imported

Include:

• inventory for all dairy products held in your establishment(s), whether owned by you or by others
• inventory stored in specially rented rooms to which only you have access (except in emergency)
• stocks held on government accounts.

Exclude products held in common or cold public storage (these will be reported by operators of those establishments).

Total inventory of cheese

Please report all inventory of cheese including domestic and imported cheese.

a. Cheddar

Include all sizes of cheddar cheese: block, stirred curd, curd and cheddar cheese used to make processed cheese.

b. Mozzarella

Include:

• American full fat mozzarella (27% to 28 % B.F.)
• American low fat mozzarella (17% to 20 % B.F.)
• Italian full fat mozzarella (22% to 24 % B.F.)
• Italian low fat mozzarella (15 % B.F.)
• other mozzarella cheese products.

c. Other factory cheese (all varieties except cheddar, mozzarella and processed)

Include brick, casata, feta, gouda, marble, swiss, curd cheese, etc.

d. Processed cheese

Include processed cheese, processed cheese food, processed cheese spread made from cheddar cheese or other cheeses.

What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following types of cheese?

2. What was the total inventory in kilograms (kg) of the following types of cheese? Include domestic and imported products	Total inventory on 1st of month (kg)
a. Cheddar Include all sizes, curds, etc.
b. Mozzarella
c. Other factory cheese (all varieties except cheddar, mozzarella and processed)
d. Processed cheese
Total cheese

3. Of the above dairy products held on 1st of month (kg), were any owned by dairy processors?

• Yes
• No

Inventory owned by dairy processors

4. Of the dairy products held in inventory on 1st of month (kg), which of the following were owned by dairy processors?

Select all that apply.

Inventory owned by dairy processors

Please indicate whether or not any of the dairy products held in inventory were owned by dairy processors.

Include inventory of dairy products which were owned by dairy processors AND which were:

• held in your establishment(s) or
• stored in specially rented rooms to which only you have access (except in emergency) or
• held on government accounts.

Exclude dairy products held in common or cold public storage (these will be reported by operators of those establishments).

Of the dairy products held in inventory on 1st of month (kg), which of the following were owned by dairy processors?

4. Of the dairy products held in inventory on 1st of month (kg), which of the following were owned by dairy processors?	Inventory owned by dairy processors	Number of processors
Creamery butter — held under Plan A
Creamery butter - held under Plan B
Creamery butter - held privately
Whey butter
Butter oil
Cheddar
Mozzarella
Other factory cheese (all varieties except cheddar, mozzarella and processed)
Processed cheese

5. For the following dairy product(s), what is the name of the dairy processor(s) and the quantity of inventory owned in kilograms (kg) by each dairy processor?

Inventory owned by dairy processors

Include inventory of dairy products which were owned by dairy processors AND which were:

• held in your establishment(s) or
• stored in specially rented rooms to which only you have access (except in emergency) or
• held on government accounts.

Exclude dairy products held in common or cold public storage (these will be reported by operators of those establishments).

For the following dairy product(s), what is the name of the dairy processor(s) and the quantity of inventory owned in kilograms (kg) by each dairy processor?

5. For the following dairy product(s), what is the name of the dairy processor(s) and the quantity of inventory owned in kilograms (kg) by each dairy processor?	Name of dairy processor	Quantity owned on 1st of month (kg)
Creamery butter — held under Plan A
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Creamery butter — held under Plan B
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Creamery butter — held privately
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
Dairy processor 4
d. Dairy processor 5
e. Dairy processor 6
f. Dairy processor 7
g. Dairy processor 8
h. Dairy processor 9
Whey butter
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Butter oil
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Cheddar
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Mozzarella
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Other factory cheese (all varieties except cheddar, mozzarella and processed)
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9
Processed cheese
a. Dairy processor 1
b. Dairy processor 2
c. Dairy processor 3
d. Dairy processor 4
e. Dairy processor 5
f. Dairy processor 6
g. Dairy processor 7
h. Dairy processor 8
i. Dairy processor 9

Changes or events

1. Indicate any changes or events that affected the reported values for this business or organization, compared with the last reporting period.

Select all that apply.

• Strike or lock-out
  • How many days in [reference month] was this business or organization open?
• Exchange rate impact
• Price changes in goods or services sold
• Contracting out
• Organizational change
• Price changes in labour or raw materials
• Natural disaster
  • How many days in [reference month] was this business or organization open?
• Recession
• Change in product line
• Sold business or business units
• Expansion
• New or lost contract
• Plant closures
  • How many days in [reference month] was this business or organization open?
• Acquisition of business or business units
• Merger of business or business units
• Equipment failure
  • How many days in [reference month] was this business or organization open?
• Seasonal operation
  • How many days in [reference month] was this business or organization open?
• Increased market demand
• Decreased market demand
• Other
  Specify the other changes or events:
• No changes or events

Contact person

1. Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.
Is the provided given names and the provided family name the best person to contact?

• Yes
• No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

• First name:
• Last name:
• Title:
• Email address:
• Telephone number (including area code):
• Extension number (if applicable):
  The maximum number of characters is 5.
• Fax number (including area code):

Feedback

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

• Hours:
• Minutes:

Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Introduction

The objective of this text is to provide a general overview of the data produced by the Canadian International Merchandise Trade (CIMT) Program, with special reference to concepts and definitions.

Conceptual framework

1. Objectives and coverage: The objective of customs-basis CIMT statistics is to measure the change in the stock of material resources of Canada resulting from the movement of merchandise into or out of the country. Information on imports and exports are inputs into the Macroeconomic Accounts, and are used in the formulation of trade and economic policies. Governments, importers, exporters, manufacturers and shipping companies use international merchandise trade statistics to:

• monitor import penetration and export performance;
• monitor commodity price and volume changes; and
• examine transport implications.

2. Trade statistics (customs-basis/balance of payments-basis): Merchandise trade statistics are reported and presented on two different bases: customs and balance of payments.

Statistics for Canada's imports as well as exports to non-US destinations are compiled from Customs declarations filed with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Data for Canada's exports to the United States are derived from the administrative import records of the United States Customs and Border Protection and exchanged under the terms of a memorandum of understanding between Canada and the United States. Statistics developed from these Customs administrative records are commonly referred to as customs-basis trade statistics.

Customs-basis data are adjusted to conform to the National Accounts concepts and definitions. The adjustments to derive balance of payments-basis trade data include adjustments related to trade definition, valuation and timing. The principal difference between the two trade concepts is that customs-basis merchandise trade statistics cover the physical movement of goods as they are reflected in Customs documents while balance of payments-basis data are intended to cover the economic transactions that involve merchandise trade between residents and non-residents.

In addition, customs-basis export statistics may understate or incorrectly portray the destination of exports. Exports are incorrectly portrayed when the country of final destination is inaccurately reported on the Customs documentation. This occurs most frequently when goods are routed through an intermediary country before continuing on to their final destination. Statistics Canada does not have a direct measure of undercoverage, therefore a monthly estimated adjustment is included within balance of payments-basis data.

3. System of trade: Canadian trade statistics are compiled according to the "general" system of trade, as defined by the United Nations Statistical Office. Conceptually, under the general system, the statistical frontier coincides with the geographical boundary. Under this system, imports include goods that have crossed Canada's territorial boundary for immediate consumption in Canada or for storage in Customs bonded warehouses. Domestic exports include goods grown, extracted or manufactured in Canada, including goods of foreign origin that have been materially transformed in Canada. Re-exports are exports of goods of foreign origin that have not been materially transformed in Canada, including foreign goods withdrawn for export from Customs bonded warehouses. Total exports are the sum of domestic exports and re-exports.

4. Valuation: For Customs purposes, imports are recorded at values established according to the provisions of the Customs Act, which reflects valuation methods based on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Valuation Code System. In general, the value for duty of imported goods must be equivalent to the transaction value or the price actually paid.

The transaction value of imported goods includes all transportation and associated costs incurred up to the point of direct shipment to Canada. Therefore, Canada's imports are valued Free on Board (FOB), place of direct shipment to Canada. It excludes freight and insurance costs in bringing the goods to Canada from the point of direct shipment.

Exports are recorded at the value declared on Customs documents, which reflect the transaction value (i.e., actual selling price or, in the case of a non-arm's length transaction, the transfer price used for company accounting purposes). Canada's exports are valued at FOB port of exit from Canada, including domestic freight charges to that point but net of discounts and allowances.

5. Statistical period: The closing of the statistical month for imports and exports is defined as the last calendar day of the month based on the date of clearance from Customs. Documents received too late for incorporation in the current month are assigned to the month the transaction took place and are published the following statistical month.

6. Trading partner attribution (country of origin/destination): On a custom basis, imports are attributed to the country of origin, that is the country in which the goods were grown, extracted or manufactured in accordance with the rules of origin administered by the CBSA. Customs-basis imports from the United States are attributed to the state of origin. On a balance of payments-basis, imports are attributed to the country of export instead of the country of origin to reflect the change in ownership of the goods.

Both customs- and balance of payments-basis exports are attributed to the country that is the last known destination of the goods at the time of export. Customs-basis exports to the United States are attributed to the state of destination.

7. Legal framework: Import and export statistics with countries other than the United States are derived from information contained in administrative records collected by the CBSA under the Customs Act. Copies of these documents (or information therefrom) are sent to Statistics Canada in accordance with Section 25 of the Statistics Act. It follows that the disclosure of trade statistics is governed by both the Customs Act and the Statistics Act and is subject to the provisions of Section 17(2)(a) of the latter. Disclosure of statistics for trade with the United States is governed by a memorandum of understanding that provides for the exchange of detailed import statistics between Canada and the United States.

Contact information

Telephone: 1-800-263-1136
Facsimile: 1-877-287-4369
Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca

Resources

• Calgary-based Crescent Point Energy Corp. announced it had entered into an arrangement agreement to acquire Hammerhead Energy Inc., also of Calgary, for total consideration of approximately $2.55 billion. The company said the transaction is expected to close in December 2023, subject to court, Toronto Stock Exchange and other stock exchange and regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.
• Vancouver-based Teck Resources Limited announced it had agreed to sell its entire interest in its steelmaking coal business, Elk Valley Resources, through a sale of a majority stake to Glencore plc of Switzerland for an implied enterprise value of USD $9.0 billion, and a sale of a minority stake to Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) of Japan. Teck said the closing of the Glencore transaction is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary conditions, including receipt of approvals under the Investment Canada Act and competition approvals in several jurisdictions. Teck also said the NSC transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and is also subject to customary conditions, including receipt of certain competition approvals.

Manufacturing

• On November 6th, Unifor announced that auto members at Stellantis had voted to ratify the Master Collective Agreement (covering the Windsor Assembly Plant, Brampton Assembly Plant and Etobicoke Casting Plant), along with agreements covering Unifor members working in the office, clerical and engineering unit, fire and security unit, and PDC units in Mississauga and Red Deer. Unifor said the three-year collective agreements cover approximately 8,200 Unifor members.
• On November 22nd, Unifor announced that members at the Magna Integram plant in Windsor had ratified a new tentative agreement after a five-day strike that began on November 9th. Unifor said the agreement covers 800 members.
• The Government of Canada announced support of up to $204.5 million for a $1 billion lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility in Maple Ridge, British Columbia to be constructed by E-One Moli of Taiwan. The Government said the new facility will create up to 350 new jobs.

Other news

• The Government of Canada released its 2023 Fall Economic Statement on November 21st, which included measures to help increase housing supply, improve affordability, and fight climate change. The Government forecasts a $40.0 billion deficit in 2023-2024 and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 1.1% in 2023 and 0.4% in 2024.
• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released its 2023 Economic Update on October 31st. The Government forecasts a $154 million deficit in 2023-2024 and a 0.7% contraction in real GDP in 2023.
• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a new, three-year phased poverty reduction plan that focusses on four key areas: reducing childhood poverty, creating meaningful and sustainable employment, improving income, and supporting seniors. The Government said the plan adds to other work currently underway and is supported by an investment that will grow to $85 million after three years.
• The Government of Ontario released its 2023 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review on November 2nd, which included launching the Ontario Infrastructure Bank, taking steps to remove the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax on new purpose-built rental housing, providing an additional $100 million to the Invest Ontario Fund, and extending the current gas and fuel tax rate cuts through to June 30, 2024. The Government forecasts a $5.6 billion deficit in 2023-2024 and real GDP growth of 1.1% in 2023 and 0.5% in 2024.
• The Government of Quebec released its economic and financial update on November 7th, which included additional investments totalling $4.3 billion over the next five years to provide better access to housing, combat homelessness, enhance food aid, support training in specific fields, adapt to climate change, and foster business investment. The Government forecasts a $4.0 billion deficit in 2023-2024 and real GDP growth of 0.6% in 2023 and 0.7% in 2024.
• Toronto-based Canadian Tire Corporation announced that it expects a decrease of 3% in full-time equivalent (FTE) employees as a result of targeted headcount reductions in Q4 and that, in addition, the elimination of the majority of current vacancies will result in a further FTE reduction of 3%. The company said it expects to take a charge of between $20.0 million and $25.0 million in Q4 2023 in relation to these actions.
• On November 2nd, Unifor announced that members at the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) had ratified new collective agreements covering 360 workers. Unifor said the ratification follows a strike that halted transit along the Seaway from October 22nd to October 30th.
• Montreal-based TVA Group announced a reorganization plan that will result in the elimination of 547 positions, or 31% of TVA Group's current workforce.

United States and other international news

• The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained the target range for the federal funds rate at 5.25% to 5.50%. The last change in the target range was a 25 basis points increase in July 2023. The Committee also said it will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities.
• The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to maintain the Bank Rate at 5.25%. The last change in the Bank Rate was a 25 basis points increase in August 2023.
• The Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee of Norway's Norges Bank left the policy rate unchanged at 4.25%. The last change in the policy rate was a 25 basis points increase in August 2023.
• The Executive Board of Sweden's Riksbank left the repo rate unchanged at 4.0%. The last change in the repo rate was a 25 basis points increase in September 2023.
• The Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced it will apply a negative interest rate of -0.1% to the Policy-Rate Balances in current accounts held by financial institutions at the BoJ and that it will purchase a necessary amount of Japanese government bonds (JGBs) without setting an upper limit so that 10-year JGB yields will remain at around zero percent.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the target for the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35%. The last change in the target for the cash rate was a 25 basis points increase in June 2023.
• New York-based WeWork Inc. announced that it and certain of its entities had filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and intended to file recognition proceedings in Canada under Part IV of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
• The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) announced on November 20th that members at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis had voted to ratify their new contracts.

Financial market news

• West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed at USD $76.41 per barrel on November 28th, down from a closing value of USD $81.02 at the end of October. Western Canadian Select crude oil traded in the USD $47 to $58 per barrel range throughout November. The Canadian dollar closed at 73.63 cents U.S. on November 28th, up from 72.09 cents U.S. at the end of October. The S&P/TSX composite index closed at 20,036.77 on November 28th, up from 18,873.47 at the end of October.

Canadian Centre for Education Statistics

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Record Layout, Files and Data Element Descriptions

For use when reporting data for 2022/2023 and previous academic years

December 2023

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Record Layout, Files and Data Element Descriptions
Data Submission Information at a Glance

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 Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) is a national survey that enables Statistics Canada to provide detailed information on enrolments and graduates of Canadian public postsecondary institutions in order to meet policy and planning needs in the field of postsecondary education. The 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 purposes and research purposes.

Please note that in the following record layout, words designating the masculine gender include the feminine gender.

PSIS Database Structure

The PSIS database holds data at two (2) levels: (1) institution, program and course data; and (2) student data. The institution, program and course data includes a list of all public postsecondary institutions in Canada, and an inventory of all programs and courses offered through these institutions. The student data contains demographic, program, and course information for students registered at these institutions.

The information required to feed the PSIS database is stored in the six (6) PSIS data files, which are transmitted to Statistics Canada. The six (6) files describe either the student, or the institution and its available programs. The files and their interrelationships can be described as follow: The Institution Description file is linked to the Institution Program and Institution Course files whereas the Student Description file is linked to the Student Program and Student Course files. In addition, the Student Program file is linked to the Institution Program file and the Institution Course file is linked to the Student Course file.

Note to user: Data elements not in bold are those required to identify a unique record (each column corresponds to a file). Data elements required to link the files between them are identified by row. For example, the data elements required to link the ID and the SC files are: 1005/1000, 1025, 1035 and 1036.

Six (6) PSIS Input Files and File Description

Listed below are six (6) PSIS input files which you will need to submit in your annual report cycle (due by February 1, 2022). A brief description of each file is also outlined below.

1. Institution Description (ID) file
2. Institution Program (IP) file
3. Institution Course (IC) file
4. Student Description (SD) file
5. Student Program (SP) file
6. Student Course (SC) file

Institution Metadata

1. Institution Description (ID) file

(Postsecondary institution metadata; number of elements = 5; length = 132 bytes)
The Institution Description (ID) file lists and describes the different periods of academic activity by which programs and courses are organized. Specifically, the records contained on the ID file describe how a postsecondary institution divides its year into periods (sessions, terms, or other components) during which courses are commonly offered. Postsecondary institutions provide one (1) ID record for each period that begins or ends during the twelve (12) month report cycle. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Institution Description (ID) file section of this document.)

Please note that the information contained on the ID file is used to validate the Institution Code (element ID1025) provided to all of the six (6) PSIS files. It is also used to validate the period in which student courses are offered (element ID1035). Each period in which courses are reported on the Student Course (SC) file must also be present on the ID file. 

2. Institution Program (IP) file

(Postsecondary institution metadata; number of elements = 11; length = 314 bytes)
The Institution Program (IP) file contains program code and program name (IP2000, IP2020), program duration (IP2070 and IP2071), credential type (IP2010) and other characteristics of each program offered by the postsecondary institution. The IP file is an inventory of the programs offered by the postsecondary institution. It contains one (1) IP record for each program offered during the twelve (12) month cycle.
Please note that there is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. The SP file contains one (1) record for each combination of student and program. Each program code reported on the SP file must be present on the IP file. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Institution Program (IP) file section of this document.)

3. Institution Course (IC) file

(Postsecondary institution metadata; number of elements = 7; length = 260 bytes)
The Institution Course (IC) file contains course code and course name (IC3000, IC3020), course credits normally awarded and course credit units (IC3090, IC3091) and other characteristics of each course offered by the postsecondary institution. The IC file is an inventory of the courses offered by the postsecondary institution. One (1) IC record for each of the courses offered during the twelve (12) month cycle should be reported.
Please note that there is a logical link between this file and the Student Course (SC) file. The SC file contains one (1) record for each combination of student and course. Each course code reported on the SC file must be present on the IC file. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Institution Course (IC) file section of this document.)

Student Metadata

4. Student Description (SD) file

(Student metadata; number of elements = 37; length = 1018 bytes)
The Student Description (SD) file contains demographic and other descriptive information about the students attending the various postsecondary institutions. Among others, it contains student name (SD4040 to SD4050), birth date (SD4230), gender (SD4240), Social Insurance Number (SIN) (SD4020), contact information (SD4060 to SD4180), and characteristics such as whether or not the student has self-identified as an Aboriginal person (SD4210).This file contains one (1) record per student per postsecondary institution.

Please note that there is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. The SD file contains one (1) record per student enrolled in a program or who has graduated from a program. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Student Description (SD) file section of this document.)

5. Student Program (SP) file

(Student metadata; number of elements = 17; length = 402 bytes)
The Student Program (SP) file contains one (1) record for each program in which the student was enrolled during the reporting cycle.  The student program record includes the original dates in which the student started/ended a program (SP5010, SP5090), student status in program at end of report cycle (SP5100), specialization or major field of study (SP5015 and SP5016), total transfer credits (SP5220), cumulative credits for program (SP5230) and other characteristics of the student’s program as recorded by the postsecondary institution.

Please note that there is a logical link between this file and the Institution Program (IP) file. Each program code reported on the SP file must be present on the IP file. In addition, there is a logical link between this file and the Student Description (SD) file. Each student record reported on the SD file must be associated with at least one (1) program record on the SP file. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Student Program (SP) file section of this document.)

6. Student Course (SC) file

(Student metadata; number of elements = 10; length = 258 bytes)
The Student Course (SC) file contains one (1) record for each course in which the student was enrolled during the reporting cycle. Also, include one (1) course record for students that are registered either in a CO-OP work term, writing a thesis, or performing any other academic activities related to their program but not structured as a course. The student course record includes the dates which the student started/ended the course (SC6020, SC6021) and status in course at end of report cycle (SC6030).

Please note that there is a logical link between this file and the Institution Course (IC) file. Each course code reported on the SC file must be present on the IC file. In addition, there is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. Each program in which the student was enrolled (SP file) must be associated with at least one (1) course record on the SC file. The SP record for a student who graduates during the report cycle and for which the student did not have any course registrations during the report cycle (e.g., the student applies for and is granted a credential during the current report cycle for work completed in an earlier cycle) should not have an associated SC record. (For more detailed information, please refer to the Student Course (SC) file section of this document.)

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Institution Description (ID) File

The following data elements are required to identify unique records: Start date of report cycle (ID1005), Institution Code (ID1025), Period Code (ID1035), and Sub-period Code (ID1036)

Record Layout, Files and Data Element Descriptions

First, select your start date of report cycle and store it in element ID1005. Please see the description of ID1005 for guidance on how to select your report cycle.

The Institution Description (ID) file lists and describes the different periods of academic activity by which programs and courses are organized. Specifically, the records contained on the ID file describe how a postsecondary institution divides its year into periods (sessions, terms, or other components) during which courses are commonly offered. Postsecondary institutions provide one (1) ID record for each period that begins or ends during the twelve (12) month report cycle. Periods can be of any length (although not many courses span twelve (12) consecutive months or more). Periods include the time allocated for exams. Your periods can begin before your report start date and can extend beyond the end of your report cycle. See data element ID1035, (Period Code) for suggestions on how to report periods.

Institution Code (element 1025 on all six (6) PSIS files)

You will find your code(s) on the list of postsecondary institution codes supplied by Statistics Canada.

Each eight (8)-digit code comprises a two (2)-digit province, a three (3)-digit postsecondary institution and a three (3)-digit campus. The list contains one (1) code for the parent postsecondary institution and one (1) for each campus. The parent institution code has 000 in the last three (3) digits, while the campuses are numbered sequentially beginning with 001. Postsecondary institutions without campuses have only a parent institution code. Examples: Postsecondary institution XXX in province P1 has two (2) campuses and postsecondary institution YYY in province P2 has none. Their codes would appear on the code list as follows: Postsecondary institution XXX includes P1XXX000 for Parent Institution; P1XXX001, Campus 1; P1XXX002; Campus 2; and Postsecondary institution YYY includes P2YYY000 for Parent Institution.

If your postsecondary institution has campuses, you can choose to report your PSIS data at the campus level or at the parent (000) level depending on how you store your postsecondary institution metadata and student metadata on your own administrative systems. We recommend reporting at the lowest level available, as more detailed analysis can potentially be done.

The following combinations of reporting level and file type are valid. Choose one (1) reporting level for all three (3) postsecondary institution metadata files and one (1) for all three (3) student metadata files; (i.e., do not combine parent- and campus-level reporting within the three (3) postsecondary institution metadata files or within the three (3) student metadata files).

Postsecondary institution metadata (ID, IP, IC) Parent Institution and Campus is paired with Student metadata (SD, SP, SC) Parent Institution and Campus.

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Institution Program (IP) File

The following data elements are required to identity unique records: Year of Start of Report Cycle (IP1000), Institution Code (IP1025), Program Code (IP2000), and Credential Type (IP2010)

Record Layout, Files and Data Element Descriptions

The Institution Program (IP) file contains program code and program name (IP2000, IP2020), program duration (IP2060 to IP2071), credential type (IP2010, IP2011), educational entrance requirements (IP2150 to IP2155) and other characteristics of each program offered by the postsecondary institution. The IP file is an inventory of the programs offered by the postsecondary institution. It contains one (1) IP record for each program offered during the twelve (12) month cycle.

There is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. The SP file contains one (1) record for each combination of student and program. Each program code reported on the SP file must be present on the IP file.

If students are taking courses without registration in a program, create as many non-program records on the IP file for each of the non-program categories appropriate to your institution (see element IP2015). This will involve:

1. putting a program name in element IP2020;
2. putting a program code in element IP2000;
3. putting a value of "98 - Not applicable" in element IP2010;
4. assigning the students to this program in the SP file; and
5. following the instructions in the other elements for the assignment of "Not Applicable" code for this non-program record.

Please refer to the "Program type" and "Non-credit" entries of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type for additional information on the non-programs.

Universities that store their program data with separate fields for degree and specialization(s) or major field(s) of study may be able to report just the degree code in element IP2000 and the student’s specialization(s) or major field(s) of study in elements SP5015, SP5016 and SP5017 on the SP file. For example, if all BA programs have the same duration, credit requirement, provincial funding code, entrance requirements, on-the-job training (OJT) components, etc., then you could report only one (1)  IP record for all BA’s, with element IP2000 = "BA", and then show the different majors on the SP records of individual students. But if some of the BA programs have different durations or credit requirements, etc., then you must provide separate IP records for them. In these cases, you could combine the degree code and the specialization(s) or major field(s) of study in element IP2000 of the IP and SP records.

For programs that award two (2) credentials, please refer to the "Joint credential program" entry of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type.

For programs that may lead to the option of several qualifications in terms of successful outcomes, such as one program (same code) which leads to a certificate or a diploma, please refer to the "programs with multiple exit options" entry of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type.

For apprenticeship programs, provide one (1) IP record for each year or level of the program.

For the entire reporting period, describe all the programs offered during the twelve (12) months beginning on your Report Cycle Start Date.

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Institution Course (IC) File

The following data elements are required to identify unique records: Year of Start of Report Cycle (IC1000), Institution Code (IC1025), and Course Code (IC3000)

Record Layout, Files and Data Element Descriptions

The Institution Course (IC) file contains course code and course name (IC3000, IC3020), course duration and course duration units (IC3080, IC3081), course credits normally awarded and course credit units (IC3090, IC3091) and other characteristics of each course offered by the postsecondary institution. The IC file is an inventory of the courses offered by the postsecondary institution. One (1) IC record for each of the courses offered during the twelve (12) month cycle should be reported.

There is a logical link between this file and the Student Course (SC) file. The SC file contains one (1) record for each combination of student and course. Each course code reported on the SC file must be present on the IC file.

For the entire reporting period, describe all the courses offered during the twelve (12) months beginning on your Report Cycle Start Date.

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Student Description (SD) File

The following data elements are required to identity unique records: Year of Start of Report Cycle (SD1000), Institution Code (SD1025), and Institution's Student Identifier (SD4000)

Record Layout, Files, and Data Elements Descriptions

The Student Description (SD) file contains demographic and other descriptive information about the students attending the various postsecondary institutions. Among others, it contains student name (SD4040 to SD4050), birth date (SD4230), gender (SD4240), Social Insurance Number (SIN) (SD4020), contact information (SD4060 to SD4180), and characteristics such as whether or not the student has self-identified as an Aboriginal (SD4210). This file contains one (1) record per student per postsecondary institution.

You are requested to provide one (1) record for each student registered at the postsecondary institution at any time between your Start Date of report cycle (ID1005) and the end of your winter term, or the end of your academic year if your postsecondary institution does not have a winter term. Also, include one (1) SD record for a student who graduates during the report cycle, even if the student did not have any course registrations during the report cycle (e.g., the student applies for, and is granted a credential during the current report cycle for work completed in an earlier cycle).

Also, include any students who were last registered in the previous report year and whose status in the program was "Unknown" at the time the previous year's Report was produced. The "Unknown" status refers to element SP5100 on the SP file: Status was unknown (under review or not yet determined or dependent on the completion or grading of courses that normally would have ended by the end of the report cycle). These students should be included in the Report to ensure that Statistics Canada can update their end status.

If the student was registered in more than one (1) program during the report cycle, provide only one (1) SD record and multiple Student Program (SP) records.

There is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. The SD file contains one (1) record per student enrolled in a program or who has graduated from a program in the current reporting year.

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Student Program (SP) File

The following data elements are required to identity unique records: Year of Start of Report Cycle (SP1000), Institution Code (SP1025), Institution's Student Identifier (SP4000), Student's Program Code (SP2000), Credential Type (SP2010), and Original Start Date in Program (SP5010)

Record Layout, Files, and Data Elements Descriptions

The Student Program (SP) file contains one (1) record for each program in which the student was enrolled during the reporting cycle. The student program record includes the original dates in which the student started/ended a program (SP5010, SP5090), student status in program at end of report cycle (SP5100), specialization or major field of study (SP5015 to SP5021), total transfer credits (SP5220), fees billed (SP5190 to SP5200), cumulative credits for program (SP5230) and other characteristics of the student’s program as recorded by the postsecondary institution.

Report one (1) SP record for each program in which the student is registered at any time during the report cycle. Also, include one (1) SP record for a student who graduates during the report cycle, even if the student did not have any course registrations during the report cycle (e.g., the student applies for and is granted a credential during the current report cycle for work completed in an earlier cycle).

If the student was registered in more than one (1) program during the report cycle, provide only one (1) SD record and multiple Student Program (SP) records.

There is a logical link between this file and the Institution Program (IP) file. Each program code reported on the SP file must be present on the IP file. In addition, there is a logical link between this file and the Student Description (SD) file. Each student record reported on the SD file must be associated with at least one (1) program record on the SP file.

Universities that store their program data with separate fields for degree and specialization(s) or major field(s) of study should report the student's degree in element SP2000 and the student's specialization(s) or major field(s) of study in elements SP5015, SP5016 and SP5017.

For programs that award two (2) credentials, please consult the "Joint credential program" entry of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type.

If the student is taking courses without being registered in a program, do not omit the student from the SP file. Create one (1) SP record with a non-program code in element SP2000 to match the non-program record created on the IP file. Follow the instructions in the other elements of the SP file for the assignment of "Not applicable" codes for this non-program record. Please refer to the "Program type" and "Non-credit" entries of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type for additional information on the non-program records.

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS)
Student Course (SC) File

The following data elements are required to identity unique records: Year of Start of Report Cycle (SC1000), Institution Code (SC1025), Institution's Student Identifier (SC4000), Student's Course Code (SC3000), Date Student Started Course (SC6020), and Number or Code of Student's Course Section (SC6070)

Record Layout, Files, and Data Elements Descriptions

The Student Course (SC) file contains one (1) record for each course in which the student was enrolled during the reporting cycle. Also, include one (1) course record for students that are registered either in a CO-OP work term, writing a thesis, or performing any other academic activities related to their program but not structured as a course. The student course record includes the dates which the student started/ended the course (SC6020, SC6021), status in course at end of report cycle (SC6030), the credits student would receive for course (SC6060), tuition fees billed for course (SC6040) and other characteristics of the student’s course as recorded by the postsecondary institution.

Report one (1) SC record for each course in which the student is registered at any time during the report cycle after the final day for course additions and deletions (as defined by your postsecondary institution: usually about two (2) weeks after classes begin). Exclude courses for which the student is wait listed. Also, exclude courses for which the student was not registered and did not actually attend, even if the student received credit for the course by means of a challenge or by some other administrative method.

There is a logical link between this file and the Institution Course (IC) file. Each course code reported on the SC file must be present on the IC file. In addition, there is a logical link between this file and the Student Program (SP) file. Each program in which the student was enrolled (SP file) must be associated with at least one (1) course record on the SC file. The SP record for a student who graduates during the report cycle and for which the student did not have any course registrations during the report cycle (e.g., the student applies for and is granted a credential during the current report cycle for work completed in an earlier cycle) should not have an associated SC record.

For the 2022/2023 report cycle, the submission deadline is February 1, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail at statcan.PSIS-SIEP.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

The following reports provide an overview of Statistics Canada's activities in relation to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Annual Report on the Access to Information Act

• Access to Information Annual Report 2023-2024
• Access to Information Annual Report 2022-2023Archived
• Access to Information Annual Report 2021-2022Archived
• Access to Information Annual Report 2020-2021Archived
• Access to Information Annual Report 2019-2020Archived
• Access to Information Annual Report 2018-2019Archived

Annual Report on the Privacy Act

• Privacy Annual Report 2023-2024
• Privacy Annual Report 2022-2023Archived
• Privacy Annual Report 2021-2022Archived
• Privacy Annual Report 2020-2021Archived
• Privacy Annual Report 2019-2020Archived
• Privacy Annual Report 2018-2019Archived

Consultative engagement objectives

On behalf of The Centre for Direct Health Measures (CDHM), Statistics Canada will hold a series of consultations with stakeholders in the Oral Health community (i.e., regulatory authorities, professional associations, and research networks).

The purpose of this engagement activity is to understand stakeholder preferences when communicating results and new data developed by the new Oral Health Statistics Program, their access to information and their level of interest in engaging directly with data. This activity also aims to identify additional data sources.

The insights and experiences of the oral health community will be essential to develop relevant and timely data dissemination products and strategies that will support future data users. We encourage you to attend these sessions which will be led by CDHM and will include participation from members of the Oral Health Branch of Health Canada.

How to get involved

This consultative engagement activity is now closed.

If you are a part of the oral health community, and you wish to contribute your insights, please contact us at consultativeengagement-mobilisationconsultative@statcan.gc.ca for more details on how to participate.

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held, or collected by the agency is kept strictly confidential; it is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada's privacy policies, please consult the privacy notice.

Results

We want to thank all participants who provided their feedback which will be essential in developing relevant and timely data dissemination products and strategies that support data users. We invite you to read the results report from the consultative engagement activities on Canada's Oral Health Statistics Program.