Business or organization information
1. Which of the following categories best describes this business or organization?
- Government agency
- Private sector business
- Non-profit organization
- Who does this organization primarily serve?
- Households or individuals
e.g., child and youth services, community food services, food bank, women's shelter, community housing services, emergency relief services, religious organization, grant and giving services, social advocacy group, arts and recreation group
- Businesses
e.g., business association, chamber of commerce, condominium association, environment support or protection services, group benefit carriers (pensions, health, medical)
- Don't know
2. In what year was this business or organization first established?
Year business or organization was first established:
OR
Don't know
3. In the last 12 months, did this business or organization conduct any of the following international activities?
Select all that apply.
- Export goods outside of Canada
Include both intermediate and final goods.
- Export services outside of Canada
Include services delivered virtually and in person.
e.g., cloud services, legal services, environmental services, architectural services, digital advertising
- Make investments outside of Canada
- Sell goods to businesses or organizations in Canada who then resold them outside of Canada
- Import goods from outside of Canada
Include both intermediate and final goods.
- Import services from outside of Canada
Include services received virtually and in person.
e.g., cloud services, legal services, environmental services, architectural services, digital advertising
- Relocate any business or organizational activities or employees from another country into Canada
Exclude temporary foreign workers.
- Engage in other international business or organizational activities
OR
- None of the above
4. Over the next three months, how are each of the following expected to change for this business or organization?
Exclude seasonal factors or conditions.
- Number of employees
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Vacant positions
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Sales of goods and services offered by this business or organization
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Selling price of goods and services offered by this business or organization
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Demand for goods and services offered by this business or organization
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Imports
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Exports
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Operating income
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Operating expenses
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Profitability
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Cash reserves
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Capital expenditures
e.g., machinery, equipment
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Training expenditures
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
- Marketing and advertising budget
- Increase
- Stay about the same
- Decrease
- Not applicable
- Don't know
Business or organization obstacles
5. Over the next three months, which of the following are expected to be obstacles for this business or organization?
Select all that apply.
- Shortage of labour force
- Recruiting skilled employees
- Retaining skilled employees
- Shortage of space or equipment
- Rising cost of inputs
An input is an economic resource used in a firm's production process.
e.g., labour, capital, energy and raw materials
- Cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), additional cleaning or implementing distancing requirements
- Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
- Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
- Maintaining inventory levels
- Insufficient demand for goods or services offered
- Fluctuations in consumer demand
- Attracting new or returning customers
- Cost of insurance
- Transportation costs
- Obtaining financing
- Government regulations
- Travel restrictions and travel bans
- Increasing competition
- Challenges related to exporting goods and services
- Maintaining sufficient cash flow or managing debt
- Speed of internet connection
- Other
OR
- None of the above
Flow condition: If “Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada”, “Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad”, or “Maintaining inventory levels” is selected in Q5, go to Q6. Otherwise, go to Q7.
6. How long does this business or organization expect the following to continue to be an obstacle?
- Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
- Less than 3 month
- 3 months to less than 6 months
- 6 months to less than 12 months
- 12 months or more
- Don't know
- Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
- Less than 3 month
- 3 months to less than 6 months
- 6 months to less than 12 months
- 12 months or more
- Don't know
- Maintaining inventory levels
- Less than 3 month
- 3 months to less than 6 months
- 6 months to less than 12 months
- 12 months or more
- Don't know
Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business or non-profit organization, go to Q7. Otherwise, go to Q8.
Expectations for the next year
7. In the next 12 months, are there any plans to expand or restructure this business or organization, or acquire or invest in other businesses or organizations?
Restructuring involves changing the financial, operational, legal or other structures of a business or organization to make it more efficient or more profitable.
- Yes
- Does this business plan to:
Select all that apply.
- Expand current location of this business
- Expand this business or organization to other locations
- Expand this business or organization without increasing physical space
i.e., hiring more staff who will work remotely
- Restructure this business or organizations
- Acquire other businesses, organizations or franchises
- Invest in other businesses or organizations
- Merge with other businesses or organizations
- No
- Don't know
Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business, go to Q8. Otherwise, go to Q9.
8. In the next 12 months, are there any plans to transfer, sell or close this business?
- Yes
- Does this business plan to:
- Transfer to family members without money changing hands
- Sell to family members
- Sell to employees
- Sell to external parties
- Close the business
- Don't know
- No
- Don't know
Trade agreements
9. Is this business or organization aware of the existence of any of the following trade agreements?
- Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
Previously the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Not aware of existence of agreement
- Aware of existence but not familiar with details of agreement
- Familiar with details of agreement
- Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Not aware of existence of agreement
- Aware of existence but not familiar with details of agreement
- Familiar with details of agreement
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- Not aware of existence of agreement
- Aware of existence but not familiar with details of agreement
- Familiar with details of agreement
Flow condition: If “Export or sell goods outside of Canada”, “Export or sell services outside of Canada”, “Import or buy goods outside of Canada” or “Import or buy services outside of Canada” is selected in Q3, go to Q10. Otherwise, go to Q11.
10. Which of the following trade agreements does this business or organization currently carry out trade under?
- Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
Previously the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Don’t know
- Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Don’t know
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- Currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement
- Don’t know
Flow condition: If “Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement” for “Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)” is selected in Q10, go to Q11. Otherwise, go to Q12.
11. What is the primary reason this business or organization does not carry out trade under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)?
- This business or organization does not trade with the United States or Mexico
- Do not understand the process
- Documents are too complicated
- Benefits of using are too small
- Products do not qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Too difficult to prove that products qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Importer chooses not to claim
- Other
Flow condition: If “Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement” for “Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)” is selected in Q10, go to Q12. Otherwise, go to Q13.
12. What is the primary reason this business or organization does not carry out trade under the Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)?
- This business or organization does not trade with the European Union
The European Union includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
- Do not understand the process
- Documents are too complicated
- Benefits of using are too small
- Products do not qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Too difficult to prove that products qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Importer chooses not to claim
- Other
Flow condition: If “Does not currently carry out trade under this agreement” for “Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)” is selected in Q10, go to Q13. Otherwise, go to Q14.
13. What is the primary reason this business or organization does not carry out trade under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)?
- This business or organization does not trade with the Trans-Pacific countries
Trans-Pacific countries includes Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
- Do not understand the process
- Documents are too complicated
- Benefits of using are too small
- Products do not qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Too difficult to prove that products qualify for Rules of Origin (ROO)
- Importer chooses not to claim
- Other
Flow condition: If “Import or buy goods outside of Canada” or “Import or buy services outside of Canada” is selected in Q3, go to Q14. Otherwise, go to Q19.
Digital ordering
Extranet:
A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI):
The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organisations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.
14. It was reported in a previous question that in the last 12 months, this business or organization imported goods or services from outside of Canada. What percentage of these import purchases were digitally ordered?
Include all purchases of goods and services by this business or organization where the order was placed, and the commitment to purchase was received over the Internet, including through web pages, applications, platforms, extranet or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Exclude orders placed by telephone, facsimile and email.
- 100%
- 50% to less than 100%
- 1% to less than 50%
- None
Flow condition: If “Import or buy goods outside of Canada” is selected in Q3 and “100%”, “50% to less than 100%” or “1% to less than 50%” is selected in Q14, go to Q15. Otherwise, go to the next flow.
Digital ordering of goods and services
15. In the last 12 months, which digital methods were used by this business or organization to order goods from suppliers in other countries?
Select all that apply.
- Electronic data interchange (EDI)
The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organizations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.
- E-commerce, through the supplier’s website, application or platform
- E-commerce, through a third-party website, application or platform
- Extranet
A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.
- Email
OR
- Goods were not digitally ordered from suppliers in other countries by this business or organization
Flow condition: If “Import or buy services outside of Canada” is selected in Q3 and “100%”, “50% to less than 100%” or “1% to less than 50%” is selected in Q14, go to Q16. Otherwise, go to Q19.
16. In the last 12 months, which digital methods were used by this business or organization to order services from suppliers in other countries?
Select all that apply.
- Electronic data interchange (EDI)
The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organizations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.
- E-commerce, through the supplier’s website, application or platform
- E-commerce, through a third-party website, application or platform
- Extranet
A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.
- Email
OR
- Services were not digitally ordered from suppliers in other countries by this business or organization
Flow condition: If any digital method to order services was selected in Q16, go to Q17. Otherwise, go to Q19.
Digital ordering of services
17. In the last 12 months, for services digitally ordered from suppliers in other countries, what percentage of these import purchases of services were digitally delivered to this business or organization?
Include services delivered digitally.
e.g., service provider and client remain in their respective countries with services delivered to Canada via electronic data interchange (EDI), video conferencing with clients, file sharing, websites, applications or platforms, or extranet
Exclude services delivered in person through a subsidiary or sub-contractor in Canada, or travel of service provider or supplier to have service delivered in-person.
e.g., services related to the installation of goods, on-site environmental assessments
- None
- 1% to less than 50%
- 50% to less than 100%
- 100%
Flow condition: If “1% to less than 50%”, “50% to less than 100%” or “100%” is selected in Q17, go to Q18. Otherwise, go to Q19.
18. In the last 12 months, how have purchases of digitally delivered services made by this business or organization from suppliers in other countries changed?
e.g., Service provider and client remain in their respective countries with services delivered to Canada via electronic data interchange (EDI), video conferencing with clients, file sharing, websites, applications or platforms, or extranet
- Increased
- Remained stable
- Decreased
- Don’t know
Ransomware
19. In the last 12 months, was this business or organization impacted by ransomware incidents?
Ransomware is a type of malware that restricts access to your computer or your files and displays a message that demands payment in order for the restriction to be removed.
- Yes
- Did this business or organization pay the ransom?
- No
- Don't know
Flow condition: If “Yes, this business or organization was impacted by ransomware incidents” is selected in Q19, go to Q20. Otherwise, go to Q21.
20. In the last 12 months, has this business or organization reported a ransomware attack to an insurance company?
Ransomware is a type of malware that restricts access to your computer or your files and displays a message that demands payment in order for the restriction to be removed.
Recruitment, retention and training
21. Over the next 12 months, does this business or organization plan to do any of the following?
Select all that apply.
- Increase wages offered to new employees
- Increase wages offered to existing employees
- Increase benefits offered to new employees
- Increase benefits offered to existing employees
- Offer signing bonuses or incentives to new employees
- Apply for learning and development programs provided by governments in order to upskill or reskill current employees
- Work with education and training institutions to offer work-integrated learning programs such as co-ops, internships, and apprenticeships
- Provide tuition support to employees to take courses or programs
- Provide employees with paid time to engage in learning and development programs
- Encourage employees to participate in on-the-job training
- Encourage employees to acquire micro-credentials which help individuals develop job-related competencies
Micro-credentials are short, concentrated groups of courses that are based on industry needs. They are generally offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend to be more narrowly focused in comparison with traditional degrees and certificates. Some micro-credentials may be stackable and can be combined to form a part of a larger credential.
OR
- None of the above
Funding or credit
22. Over the next 12 months, how would the absence of government support programs impact the survival of this business or organization?
Examples of government support programs include the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).
- No impact
- Low impact
- Medium impact
- High impact
- Don’t know
23. Over the next 12 months, to what extent does this business or organization foresee challenges in repaying funding received from repayable government support programs put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Examples of repayable government support programs include the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Indigenous Business Initiative (sometimes referred to as the Emergency Loan Program (ELP), issued through an Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFI) or Métis Capital Corporations (MCCs)).
- Not a challenge
- A minor challenge
- A major challenge
- Don’t know
- This business or organization did not receive any repayable funding from government support programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic
Liquidity and debt
24. Does this business or organization have the cash or liquid assets required to operate for the next three months?
- Yes
- No
- Will this business or organization be able to acquire the cash or liquid assets required?
- Don't know
25. Does this business or organization have the ability to take on debt?
- Yes
- No
- For which of the following reasons is this business or organization unable to take on debt?
Select all that apply.
- Cash flow
- Lack of confidence or uncertainty in future sales
- Request would be turned down
- Too difficult or time consuming to apply
- Terms and conditions are unfavourable
e.g., interest rate, payment period
- Credit rating
- Other
- Don't know
Teleworking
26. Over the next three months, what percentage of the employees of this business or organization is anticipated to do each of the following?
Exclude staff that are primarily engaged in providing driving or delivery services or staff that primarily work at client premises.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
If the percentages are unknown, leave the question blank.
- Work exclusively on-site
Percentage of employees:
- Telework exclusively
Percentage of employees:
- Have a hybrid telework and on-site work arrangement
Percentage of employees:
Flow condition: If 1% or more of this business’s or organization’s workforce is anticipated to telework exclusively in Q26, go to Q27. Otherwise, go to Q28.
27. It was indicated that at least some of the employees of this business or organization are anticipated to telework exclusively. What percentage of these employees are based in a different province or territory than this business or organization?
Include employees that will be working outside of Canada.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage of employees based in a different province or territory as employer:
OR
Don't know
Flow condition: If 100% of this business’s or organization’s workforce is anticipated to work exclusively on-site in Q26, go to Q29. Otherwise, go to Q28.
Cybersecurity
28. In the last 12 months, did this business or organization review its cybersecurity policies in response to employees working remotely?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Don't know
Future outlook
29. Over the next 12 months, what is the future outlook for this business or organization?
- Very optimistic
- Somewhat optimistic
- Somewhat pessimistic
- Very pessimistic
- Don’t know
30. Compared to sales from October to December 2019, how does this business or organization expect sales from October to December 2021 to change?
- Sales are expected to be lower
- How long is it expected to take for sales to return to their pre-pandemic levels?
- 3 to 6 months
- 6 to 12 months
- More than 12 months
- Unlikely to return to pre-pandemic level
- Don’t know
- Sales are expected to be about the sameo
- Sales are expected to be higher
- Don’t know
Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business, go to Q31. Otherwise, go to “Contact person”.
Ownership
(i) The groups identified within the following questions are included in order to gain a better understanding of businesses owned by members of various communities across Canada.
31. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by women?
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
32. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples?
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
33. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by immigrants to Canada?
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
34. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by persons with a disability?
Include visible and non-visible disabilities.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
35. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by LGBTQ2 individuals?
The term LGBTQ2 refers to persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or two-spirited.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
36. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities?
A member of a visible minority in Canada may be defined as someone (other than an Indigenous person) who is non-white in colour or race, regardless of place of birth.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
Percentage:
OR
Don't know
Flow condition: If more than 50% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities, go to Q37. Otherwise, go to “Contact person”.
37. It was indicated that at least 51% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities. Please select the categories that describe the owner or owners.
Select all that apply.
- South Asian
e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan
- Chinese
- Black
- Filipino
- Latin American
- Arab
- Southeast Asian
e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai
- West Asian
e.g., Afghan, Iranian
- Korean
- Japanese
- Other group
OR
- Prefer not to say
