Monthly Natural Gas Distribution Survey - 2026

Why are we conducting this survey?

This survey is conducted by Statistics Canada in order to collect the necessary information to support the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). This program combines various survey and administrative data to develop comprehensive measures of the Canadian economy.

The statistical information from the IBSP serves many purposes, including:

  • Obtaining information on the supply of and/or demand for energy in Canada
  • Enabling governmental agencies to fulfill their regulatory responsibilities in regards to public utilities
  • Enabling all levels of government to establish informed policies in the energy area
  • Assisting the business community in the corporate decision-making process

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 and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations.

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 statcan.esd-helpdesk-dse-bureaudedepannage.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-6583.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as well as with the provincial and territorial government ministries responsible for the energy sector, the Ministère des Finances du Québec, the Canada Energy Regulator, Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

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

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

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

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Title
  • Preferred language of communication
    • English
    • French
  • Mailing address (number and street)
  • City
  • Province, territory or state
  • Postal code or ZIP code
  • Country
    • 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 (e.g., temporarily or permanently closed, change of ownership)
    Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
    • Seasonal operations
      • When did this business or organization close for the season?
        • Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        • Date
    • Ceased operations
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Bankruptcy
        • Liquidation
        • Dissolution
        • Other
      • Specify the other reasons why the operations ceased
    • Sold operations
      • When was this business or organization sold?
        • Date
      • What is the legal name of the buyer?
    • Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
      • When did this business or organization amalgamate?
        • Date
      • What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
      • What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
    • Temporarily inactive but will re-open
      • When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
        • Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        • Date
      • Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
    • No longer operating due to other reasons
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?

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

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

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

The target entity for which NAICS is designed are businesses and other organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. They include farms, incorporated and unincorporated businesses and government business enterprises. They also include government institutions and agencies engaged in the production of marketed and non-marketed services, as well as organizations such as professional associations, unions, 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 outlined in the 'Answering this questionnaire' section and which can be identified by the specified legal and operating name. The main activity is the activity which most defines the targeted business or organization's main purpose or reason for existence. For a business or organization that is for-profit, it is normally the activity that generates the majority of the revenue for the entity.

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

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

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

Description and examples

  • This is 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
  • This is not the current main activity

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 activity classification that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.

How to search:

  • If desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting the business or organization's activity sector.
  • Enter keywords or a brief description that best describe the business or organization’s main activity.
  • Press the Search button to search the database for an industry activity classification that best matches the keywords or description you provided.
  • Select an industry activity classification from the list.

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

Method of collection

1. Indicate whether you will be answering the remaining questions or attaching files with the required information.

  • Answering the remaining questions
  • Attaching files

Unit of measure

1. What unit of measure will this business use to report natural gas quantities?

Amounts: Report amounts (1000m3 or Gigajoules) of natural gas received and delivered during the month under review.

  • Thousands of cubic metres (103m3)
  • Gigajoules (GJ)

Supply of natural gas

2. What was the quantity of natural gas received directly from the following?

Natural gas supply

Transmission pipelines
Report quantities of natural gas received from transmission pipelines (NAICS 486210) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Transmission pipelines are establishments primarily engaged in the pipeline transportation of natural gas from gas fields or processing plants to local distribution systems.

Storage facilities
Report quantities of natural gas received from storage facilities (NAICS 493190) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Storage facilities include natural gas storage caverns and liquefied natural gas storage, but exclude establishments primarily engaged in liquefaction and regasification of natural gas for purposes of transport (NAICS 488990).

Other gas distributors (utility distribution systems)
Report quantities of natural gas received from other gas distributors (NAICS 221210) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Gas distributors are establishments primarily engaged in the distribution of natural or synthetic gas to the ultimate consumers through a system of mains.

Total supply of natural gas
Report total quantities of gas received.

What was the quantity of natural gas received directly from the following?
What was the quantity of natural gas received directly from the following? Unit of measure
a. Transmission pipelines  
b. Storage facilities  
c. Other gas distributors (utility distribution systems)  
Total supply of natural gas  

Note: In the following sections, you will be asked for data that will sum up to the total disposition of natural gas. This total value is expected to balance within +/- 5% of the total supply of natural gas indicated above.

Heating value of natural gas supply

3. What was the average heating value in gigajoules (GJ) per thousand cubic meters of natural gas received?

Heat value of natural gas supply

Average heating value in gigajoules per thousand cubic metres: Report average heat content (i.e., calorific value) of your natural gas receipts for the reported reference month.

Heating value in GJ per thousand cubic metres

Disposition of natural gas

4. During the reference month, to which of the following did this business deliver natural gas?

Select all that apply.

Direct deliveries to consumers

  • System gas consumers
  • Consumers who are enrolled with third party marketers such as Direct Energy
  • Consumers who have purchased their own natural gas directly from suppliers

Other deliveries

  • Transmission pipelines
  • Storage facilities
  • Other gas distributors

Disposition of natural gas - system gas consumers

5. For the following types of system gas consumers, what were the quantity and value of the natural gas delivered and the number of customers?

Exclude natural gas delivered to other distributors.

Disposition of natural gas - system gas consumers

Deliveries to system gas consumers
Report deliveries of utility-purchased natural gas to consumers.

Deliveries to power generation plants
Report gas delivered to electric power generation plants (NAICS 2211) connected directly to your company's distribution system (at metered interconnections).

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the generation of bulk electric power by natural gas.

Deliveries to other industrial consumers
Report gas delivered to industrial establishments other than power generation plants.

Include:

  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing

Exclude:

  • Electric power generation
  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Other commercial buildings (e.g., public institutions)
  • Natural gas transmission pipelines
  • Natural gas storage facilities
  • Natural gas distributors

Deliveries to commercial and institutional consumers
Report gas delivered to commercial and institutional establishments.

Include:

  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Other commercial buildings. (e.g., public institutions)

Deliveries to residential consumers
Report gas delivered for domestic use (including multi-dwelling apartments).

For the following types of system gas consumers, what were the quantity and value of the natural gas delivered and the number of customers?
For the following types of system gas consumers, what were the quantity and value of the natural gas delivered and the number of customers? Unit of measure CAN$ '000 Number of customers
a. Power generation plants      
b. Other industrial consumers      
Subtotal - deliveries to industrial consumers      
c. Commercial and institutional consumers      
d. Residential consumers      
Total quantity and value of natural gas delivered to system gas consumers and the number of customers      

Disposition of natural gas - consumers enrolled with third party marketers

6. For the following types of consumers who are enrolled with third party marketers such as Direct Energy, what were the quantity and value of natural gas delivered and the number of customers?

Exclude natural gas delivered to other distributors.

Disposition of natural gas - consumers enrolled with third party marketers

Deliveries to consumers enrolled with a third party marketer
Report deliveries to consumers who have purchased their natural gas through a gas marketer or broker.

Deliveries to power generation plants
Report gas delivered to electric power generation plants (NAICS 2211) connected directly to your company's distribution system (at metered interconnections).

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the generation of bulk electric power, by natural gas.

Deliveries to other industrial consumers
Report gas delivered to industrial establishments other than power generation plants.

Include:

  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing

Exclude:

  • Electric power generation
  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Other commercial buildings (e.g., public institutions)
  • Natural gas transmission pipelines
  • Natural gas storage facilities
  • Natural gas distributors

Deliveries to commercial and institutional consumers
Report gas delivered to commercial and institutional establishments.

Include:

  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Other commercial buildings. (e.g., public institutions)

Deliveries to residential consumers
Report gas delivered for domestic use (including multi-dwelling apartments).

For the following types of consumers who are enrolled with third party marketers such as Direct Energy, what were the quantity and value of natural gas delivered and the number of customers?
For the following types of consumers who are enrolled with third party marketers such as Direct Energy, what were the quantity and value of natural gas delivered and the number of customers? Unit of measure CAN$ '000 Number of customers
a. Power generation plants      
b. Other industrial consumers      
Subtotal - deliveries to industrial consumers      
c. Commercial and institutional consumers      
d. Residential consumers      
Total quantity and value of natural gas delivered to consumers enrolled with third party marketers such as Direct Energy and the number of customers      

Disposition of natural gas - purchased directly from suppliers

7. For the following types of consumers who have purchased their own natural gas directly from suppliers, what were the quantity of natural gas delivered and the number of customers?

Exclude natural gas delivered to other distributors.

Disposition of natural gas - purchased directly from suppliers

Deliveries to consumers who have purchased directly from suppliers
Report deliveries to consumers who have purchased their natural gas directly from suppliers.

Deliveries to power generation plants
Report gas delivered to electric power generation plants (NAICS 2211) connected directly to your company's distribution system (at metered interconnections).

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the generation of bulk electric power by natural gas.

Deliveries to other industrial consumers
Report gas delivered to industrial establishments other than power generation plants.

Include:

  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing

Exclude:

  • Electric power generation
  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Other commercial buildings (e.g., public institutions)
  • Natural gas transmission pipelines
  • Natural gas storage facilities
  • Natural gas distributors

Deliveries to commercial and institutional consumers
Report gas delivered to commercial and institutional establishments.

Include:

  • Wholesale and retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing - Other commercial buildings. (e.g., public institutions)

Deliveries to residential consumers
Report gas delivered for domestic use (including multi-dwelling apartments).

For the following types of consumers who have purchased their own natural gas directly from suppliers, what were the quantity of natural gas delivered and the number of customers?
For the following types of consumers who have purchased their own natural gas directly from suppliers, what were the quantity of natural gas delivered and the number of customers? Unit of measure Number of customers
a. Power generation plants    
b. Other industrial consumers    
Subtotal - deliveries to industrial consumers    
c. Commercial and institutional consumers    
d. Residential consumers    
Total quantity of natural gas delivered to
consumers who have purchased their own natural gas and the number of customers
   

Disposition of natural gas - other deliveries

8. What was the quantity of natural gas delivered to the following recipients?

Disposition of natural gas - other deliveries

Deliveries to transmission pipelines
Report quantities of gas delivered to transmission pipelines (NAICS 486210) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Transmission pipelines are establishments primarily engaged in the pipeline transportation of natural gas from gas fields or processing plants to local distribution systems.

Deliveries to storage facilities
Report quantities of gas delivered to storage facilities (NAICS 493190) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Storage facilities include natural gas storage caverns and liquefied natural gas storage, but exclude establishments primarily engaged in liquefaction and regasification of natural gas for purposes of transport (NAICS 488990).

Deliveries to other gas distributors
Report quantities of gas deliveries to other gas distributors (NAICS 221210) connected directly to your company's distribution system.

Gas distributors are establishments primarily engaged in the distribution of natural or synthetic gas to the ultimate consumers through a system of mains.

What was the quantity of natural gas delivered to the following recipients?
What was the quantity of natural gas delivered to the following recipients? Unit of measure
a. Transmission pipelines  
b. Storage facilities  
c. Other gas distributors (utility distribution systems)  
Total other deliveries  

Disposition of natural gas - other dispositions of natural gas

9. What was the quantity of natural gas consumed by this business for its own use?

Disposition of natural gas - other dispositions of natural gas

Own use: Report quantities of gas consumed in operating your pipeline system.

10. What was the quantity of natural gas attributed to line-pack fluctuations?

Disposition of natural gas - other dispositions of natural gas

Line pack fluctuation: Report the difference in the pipeline system from the beginning to the end of the reference month due to changes of temperature and/or pressure.

11. What was the quantity of natural gas attributed to metering differences, line losses, and other unaccounted-for and cyclical-billing adjustments?

Disposition of natural gas - other dispositions of natural gas

Metering differences, line loss, and other billing adjustments that are cyclical and not accounted for: Report the difference between the total supply and the total disposition. This difference includes leakage or other losses, discrepancies due to meter inaccuracies, and other variants, particularly billing lag.

Heating value of delivered natural gas

12. What was the average heating value in gigajoules (GJ) per thousand cubic metres of delivered natural gas?

Heat value of delivered natural gas

Average heating value in gigajoules per thousand cubic metres: Report average heat content (i.e., calorific value) of your total Disposition of natural gas for the reported reference month.

Heating value in GJ per thousand cubic metres

Summary of total supply and disposition of natural gas

13. This is a summary of the supply and disposition of natural gas.

Please review the values and if needed, press the Previous button at the bottom of the page to navigate to the previous pages to make any modifications.

Thousands of cubic metres (103m3)

  1. Total supply of natural gas
  2. Total disposition of natural gas

14. The total supply of natural gas X is disproportionate to the total disposition of natural gas X by greater than 5%. Please provide a justification in the box below or navigate backwards and correct your entries where necessary.

Provide your comments:
200 characters available

Changes or events

15. 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
  • Exchange rate impact
  • Price changes in goods or services sold
  • Contracting out
  • Organizational change
  • Price changes in labour or raw materials
  • Natural disaster
  • Recession
  • Change in product line
  • Sold business or business units
  • Expansion
  • New or lost contract
  • Plant closures
  • Acquisition of business or business units
  • Other
    Specify the other changes or events:
  • No changes or events

Contact person

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

Is John Smith 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

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

  • Hours:
  • Minutes:

18. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) Record Layout, Files, and Data Element Descriptions 2024/2025

Canadian Centre for Education Statistics

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

For use when reporting data for 2024/2025 and previous academic years

December 2025

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.

Table A
Data elements required to identify a unique record in each file and data elements required to link the files between them
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data Elements Required to Identify a Unique Record in Each File and the Required Data Elements to Link Them to Files. The information is grouped by Mnemonic (appearing as row headers), Name and File (appearing as column headers).
MnemonicNameFile
IDIPICSDSPSC
RepStartYearYear of start of report cycle100510001000100010001000
InstitInstitution code102510251025102510251025
Period (ID) / CourPer (SC)Reporting period1035n/an/an/an/a1035
Sub-period (ID) – CourSubPer (SC)Reporting sub-period1036n/an/an/an/a1036
ProgCodeStudent's program coden/a2000n/an/a2000n/a
CredenTypCredential typen/a2010n/an/a2010n/a
CourCodeStudent's course coden/an/a3000n/an/a3000
StudIDInstitution's student identifiern/an/an/a400040004000
ProgStartOriginal start date in programn/an/an/an/a5010n/a
CourStartDate student started coursen/an/an/an/an/a6020

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 2, 2026). 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.

Table 1
Institution Code - ID Files
Table summary
This table displays the results of Institution Code - ID Files. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Description, Codes, Alternate Codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicNameDescriptionCodesTypePositionSize
1005RepstartDateStart date of report cycle

Your report cycle should start on the day after the end of your previous year's winter session (or academic year if you do not have a winter session), including the time allocated for exams. If your institution has no activity during the summer, only use September 1 as the start of your report cycle if your academic year ends on August 31.

Possible scenarios (for illustrative purposes only; your data may vary) for the 2024/2025 report:

  • if last year's winter session ended on April 15, use April 16, 2024 (20240416) as your start date  and April 15, 2025 (20250415) as your end date, or
  • if the academic year ends on June 30 then use July 1, 2024 (20240701) as your start date and June 30, 2025 (20250630) as your end date.

If your institution changes its report cycle, (i.e., if your winter session now ends on a different date such as April 30 instead of May 31 or your academic year now ends on August 1 instead of July 31), this will affect your start date of report cycle (RepStartDate). Be aware of any gaps between, or overlaps of, reporting periods that will occur from the previous year's PSIS submission. Please make the necessary adjustments to this year's PSIS submission to ensure the data is complete but not duplicated.

Postsecondary institutions that deliver programs only by non-traditional methods such as distance education, and therefore do not have a defined academic year or sessions, should use May 1 as their start date (or another date close to May 1 if more appropriate).

Repeat the same value on all ID records.

YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text1-88
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution codeRefer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text9-168
1035PeriodPeriod codeThe ID file describes how the postsecondary institution divides its year into periods (sessions, terms, or other components) during which courses are commonly offered. Periods can be of any length (although, not many courses span twelve (12) consecutive months or more). Periods include the time allocated for exams.

Provide one (1) ID record for each of your periods. Periods can start before the beginning of your report cycle (ID1005 above) and/or continue beyond the end of your report cycle.

Use this element and the next one to record your own code or name you use to describe the period and sub-period. You can use both elements if a period is divided into shorter units. If not, leave the next element blank. Elements ID1035 and ID1036 are also used in the Student Course (SC1035 and SC1036) File to specify the period in which the student took the course.

Example 1: a university offers courses during a spring/summer session, which it designates as SS, comprising an intersession (I) and a summer term (S); and during a fall session (F); and during a winter session (W); and during an academic year (AY). The university would report six (6) ID records having the following codes in this element and the next one:
The ID file describes how the postsecondary institution divides its year into periods (sessions, terms, or other components) during which courses are commonly offered. Periods can be of any length (although, not many courses span twelve (12) consecutive months or more). Periods include the time allocated for exams.

Provide one (1) ID record for each of your periods. Periods can start before the beginning of your report cycle (ID1005 above) and/or continue beyond the end of your report cycle.

Use this element and the next one to record your own code or name you use to describe the period and sub-period. You can use both elements if a period is divided into shorter units. If not, leave the next element blank. Elements ID1035 and ID1036 are also used in the Student Course (SC1035 and SC1036) File to specify the period in which the student took the course.

Example 1: a university offers courses during a spring/summer session, which it designates as SS, comprising an intersession (I) and a summer term (S); and during a fall session (F); and during a winter session (W); and during an academic year (AY). The university would report six (6) ID records having the following codes in this element and the next one: Period SS, no Sub-period; Period SS, Sub-Period I; Period SS, Sub-Period S; Periods F, W, AY; no Sub-period.

Example 2: a college offers courses during a fall session, which it designates as FALL; a winter session (WIN); and the academic year (YEAR). The college also offers courses during two (2) half-semesters in the fall, which it designates FALL1 and FALL2, and, for the summer period, one six (6)-weeks and two (2) 4-week periods, which it designates SUM1, SUM2 and SUM3. The college would report a total of eight (8) ID records having the following period codes in this element and sub-period codes for the next element: Period SUM, Sub-period 1; Period SUM, Sub-period 2; Period SUM, Sub-period 3; FALL, no sub-period; FALL, sub-periods, 1, 2; Period WIN, no Sub-period; YEAR, no sub-period.
The shorter periods could alternatively be coded SUM1, SUM2, SUM3, FALL1 and FALL2 in this element and the next element (Sub-period) will be blank.
The postsecondary institution's code or name of the period within which courses are offered.Text17-226
1036Sub_periodSub-period codeSub-period code during which courses are commonly offered. See previous element for more details.The postsecondary institution's code or name of the sub-period.Text23-286
1100ProvIDProvincial ID elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element. Leave any unused portion of the 80 characters blank.Components and codes as defined by provincial ministry.Text53-13280

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.

Table 2
Institution Program (IP) codes
Table summary
This table displays the results of Institution Program (IP) codes. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Description, Codes, Alternate Codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicNameDescriptionCodesTypePositionSize
1000RepStartYearYear of start of report cycleThe year in which the current report cycle starts. Assign the same first four (4) digits of the start date of the report cycle (as found in element ID1005 on the ID file).YYYY (Year)Text1-44
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution code.Refer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text5-128
2000ProgCodeProgram codeA program is a structured collection of educational activities (courses and other learning activities) arrayed to meet a set of learning objectives.

A program "proxy" may be used in PSIS to identify educational activities which fall outside the definition of "program."

Note: For degrees granted in Canadian universities, programs should fall within the parameters detailed in the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Ministerial Statement on Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada (2007), which uses similar descriptors as those used in the Bologna process.
Please refer to the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type for additional information on how to report programs.

Please report the program code as stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. For more details, refer to element SP2000 on the SP file. All program codes on the SP file must be present on this file including the non-program record(s) as element Program Code is used as a key field to match record on IP and SP files. 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 students' 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, co-op requirements, etc., 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 would combine the degree code and the specialization(s) or major field(s) of study in element 2000 of the IP and SP records.

The combination of the previous element (IP1025), this one and the next one (IP2010) constitute a key and therefore must be unique. Do not report duplicate combinations of these three (3) elements.
NoneText13-3220
2010CredenTypCredential typeThe type of formal qualification awarded for successful completion of a program, excluding certificates of attendance.

A "qualification" acknowledges successful completion of a program of study containing evaluative components. A "formal qualification" is a qualification that is recognized by an official body such as ministries of education, boards of governors or other ministry appointed bodies, federal departments or ministries, industry associations or sectors, apprenticeship and trades commissions, regulatory bodies or licensing agencies.
Definitions of the categories:
01: A non-postsecondary credential awarded as a high school diploma or its equivalent.
02: A credential awarded and recognized by official bodies as a "certificate".
03: A credential awarded and recognized by official bodies as a "diploma".
04: This category must only be used to assign "degree" credentials which are supported by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Ministerial Statement on Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada.
05: This category must only be used to assign credentials which are introduced as a response to the labour market shortage across the country. These programs usually are short, can be offered on-line or on-campus, may have an on-the-job training component, and may be developed to meet needs of the specific employer or occupation. Depending on the province/institution, these programs can also be assessed and recognized for both employment and/or further learning opportunities.
10: Formal qualifications granted upon successful completion of programs that are shorter than programs where a certificate is the formal qualification awarded.
11: A credential granted upon completion of sixty (60) transferable credits of an undergraduate program.
97: A credential from programs that do not fit in any of the other categories.
98: This category is used for non-programs (where no formal qualification can be obtained), credentials for programs where the learning or performance is not measured or evaluated, such as for certificates of attendance, as well as for any other program where no formal qualification is offered.

Please refer to the "Credential type" entry in the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type for inclusions, exclusions and additional information on each of the categories.

If the same program can award two (2) credentials, one for completing a certain level and a higher one for completing a longer version of the program, then provide two (2) records having the same program code (element IP2000) but different values in this element; e.g., a program awarding a certificate after one (1) year or a diploma after two (2) years would have two (2) records for this data element, the first with code "02 - Certificate" and the second with code "03 - Diploma".

For joint programs in which a student normally receives two (2) credentials, please refer to the "Joint credential program" entry in the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type to code the credential type.

For programs offered under an agreement with another (other) institution(s), please refer to the "Programs offered under an agreement" entry of the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type to code the credential type.

Please refer to Appendix B for acceptable reporting combinations between Credential type (IP/SP2010) and Program type (IP2015).
01 - General Equivalency Diploma/high school diploma
02 - Certificate
03 - Diploma
04 - Degree (includes applied degree)
05 - Micro-credential program
10 - Attestation and other short program credentials
11 - Associate degree
97 - Other type of credential associated with a program
98 - Not applicable
Text33-342
2015ProgTypeProgram typeA classification of programs that is based on a combination of factors such as the general purpose of the program; the type of instruction offered in terms of educational content; and the expected outcome of the program.
Definition of the categories:
01: Non-postsecondary programs that are offered in postsecondary institutions.
10: In-class or technical components of apprenticeship training when offered in postsecondary institutions.
20: Postsecondary programs that prepare students for entry into career, technical or pre-university programs.
21: Postsecondary skills programs that usually lead to a specific career path and into the labour market that is neither apprenticeship, pre-university, undergraduate nor graduate program. Educational requirements for this program are usually not greater than the secondary school diploma.
22: Postsecondary skills programs that usually lead to a specific career path and into the labour market and requires a certificate or a diploma from a career, technical or professional training program.
30: Postsecondary programs that prepare students for undergraduate studies but is not an undergraduate program.
40: Programs that prepare students for entry into a bachelor's degree program. It is an access or bridging option for a student who does not fully meet the requirements for entry into a bachelor's degree program. While this program does not generally lead to a qualification, some credits may be granted towards a bachelor's degree.
46: These are programs that are more academically-based programs which normally require a secondary school diploma or a college diploma in Quebec. Educational activities in these programs can be counted towards a bachelor's degree (applied, general or honours) or a professional degree. Undergraduate degrees normally allow entry into a second cycle graduate program.
47: Postsecondary programs that are not graduate programs and require a bachelor's degree for admission either explicitly or implicitly, such as is the case for concurrent bachelor's degree programs (where the outcome of these programs is equivalent to a program requiring a bachelor's degree, but the degree is not a requirement because of the concurrent nature of the program).
In Saskatchewan and British Columbia, this category also captures postsecondary programs at the undergraduate level for which degree completion requires a scope beyond a bachelor's degree due to its breadth and depth of learning.
50: Postsecondary programs that prepare students for entry into a master's degree program. A bachelor's degree is normally required for entry into this program.
53: Postsecondary programs that prepare students for entry into a doctoral degree program, without the student being admitted to the doctoral program.
58: This category covers health-related residency programs. At a minimum, these programs require undergraduate degrees for entry.
59: Graduate programs that normally require a bachelor's degree. Educational activities in these programs can be counted towards a master's degree. Degrees from second cycle graduate programs normally allow entry into third cycle graduate programs.
62: Graduate programs that normally require a master's degree. Educational activities in these programs can be counted towards a doctoral degree.
63: Graduate programs that normally require a doctoral degree. Post-doctorate activities that do not meet the definition of a "program," such as those in the labour market, are excluded from this category.
89: Any postsecondary program that does not fit in any of the program categories listed above.
91, 92, 93 and 94: Categories that serve to identify students registered in educational activities without being registered in a program. It includes students enrolled in courses who have not declared a program of intent.
91: These are courses or other educational activities that are not within a program and have no evaluative component.
92: These are undergraduate courses or other educational activities not within a program and have an evaluative component.
93: These are graduate courses or other educational activities that are not within a program and have an evaluative component.
94: These are postsecondary courses or other educational activities that are neither undergraduate nor graduate, are not within a program and have an evaluative component.

Please refer to the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type for inclusions, exclusions and additional information on each of the categories. Please refer also to Appendix B for acceptable reporting combinations between Credential type (IP/SP2010) and Program type (IP2015).

For joint programs in which a student normally receives two (2) credentials, please refer to the "Joint credential program" entry in the Reporting Guide for Program Type and Credential Type.
01 - Basic education and skills program
10 - Apprenticeship program
20 - Qualifying program for career, technical or pre-university
21 - Career, technical or professional training program
22 - Post career, technical or professional training program
30 - Pre-university program
40 - Undergraduate qualifying program
46 - Undergraduate program
47 - Post-baccalaureate non-graduate program
50 - Graduate qualifying program (second cycle)
53 - Graduate qualifying program (third cycle)
58 - Health-related residency program
59 - Graduate program (second cycle)
62 - Graduate program (third cycle)
63 - Graduate program (above the third cycle)
89 - Other programs
91 - Non-program (non-credit)
92 - Non-program (credit, undergraduate)
93 - Non-program (credit, graduate)
94 - Non-program (credit, other postsecondary)
Text37-382
2020ProgNameProgram nameThe program name as stored in the postsecondary institution's own administrative files.NoneText41-140100
2070ProgDurProgram durationThe normal instructional time to complete the course work for the entire program for a full-time student by traditional program delivery.

Use the next element (IP2071) to specify which unit of measure you are using. Use half-semesters (code 10), quarters or trimesters (code 12) or semesters or trimesters (code 15) if possible. Use weeks or months (code 08 or 09) only for programs shorter than one (1) year or for programs specifically organized in weeks or months. Use academic years or years (code 25 or 30) only if the program's courses are not delivered in shorter periods such as semesters or half-semesters or quarters.

Exclude program segments that are mainly on-the-job training or field placement or co-op work terms.

Leave this element blank only for non-program records and programs having no set duration, such as graduate programs.
Blank or numeric value including decimal point and two (2) decimal places.
e.g.,
1016.50 = 1016.5 units required
1.00 = 1 unit required
Numeric160-1656
2071ProgDurUnitProgram duration unitsIdentifies the unit of measure used in the previous element (IP2070). Assign "98 - Not applicable" only for non-program records and programs having no set duration, such as graduate programs.06 - Hours
08 - Weeks
09 - Months (a period of about 30 days)
10 - Half-semesters (a period of about 2 months)
12 - Quarters or trimesters (a period of about 3 months)
15 - Semesters or trimesters (a period of about 4 months)
25 - Academic years (a period of about 8 months)
30 - Years (a period of about 12 months)
98 - Not applicable
Text166-1672
2080ProgCredCredits needed to graduateThe number of credits or units of academic achievement required for graduating from or completing the entire program. Credits refer to the value that a postsecondary institution attaches to successful completion of a formal course of instruction and that can be applied by the recipient towards the requirements for a credential.

Use the next element (IP2081) to specify which unit of measure you are using. If the program is not organized by credits but instead requires the successful completion of some number of courses, report the number of courses here and assign code "06 - Courses" in the next element (IP2081). Exclude credits for on-the-job training (OJT) segments that cover most or all of a semester or other period (e.g., co-op work terms).

Leave this element blank only for non-credit programs or programs with no set credit or course requirements, such as graduate programs.
Blank or numeric value including decimal point and two (2) decimal places.
e.g.,
1.00 = 1 unit required
1016.50 = 1,016.5 units required
10000.00 = 10,000 units required
Numeric168-1758
2081ProgCredUnitProgram credit unitsIdentifies the unit of measure used in the previous element (IP2080).

Assign code "98 - Not applicable" only for non-credit programs or programs with no set credit or course requirements, such as graduate programs.
01 - Credits
02 - Credit hours
03 - Semester hours
04 - Course hours
05 - Credit points
06 - Courses
07 - Student contact hours
96 - Other units
98 - Not applicable (non-credit program or no set credit requirement)
Text176-1772
2400ProvIPProvincial IP elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element. Leave any unused portion of the 80 characters blank.Components and codes as defined by provincial ministryText235-31480

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.

Table 3
Institution Course (IC) File Codes
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3: Institution Course (IC) File Codes. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Description, Codes, Alternate codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicNameDescriptionCodesTypePositionSize
1000RepStartYearYear of start of report cycleThe year in which the current report cycle starts. Assign the first four (4) digits of the start date of the report cycle (as found in element ID1005 on the ID file).YYYY (Year)Text1-44
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution code.Refer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text5-128
3000CourCodeCourse codeThe unique code for the course as it is stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files; e.g., the course code "CHEM 101" might represent "Introduction to Chemistry".

Include non-credit courses.

In cases where a lab and a lecture have independent course codes in the postsecondary institution's administrative system, report separate courses on the IC file, e.g., "CHEM 101 Lecture" would be a different course from "CHEM 101 Lab".

All course codes in element SC3000 on the SC file must also be present on this file.
NoneText13-3220
3020CourNameCourse nameThe course name as it is stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. In the above example for "CHEM 101", "Introduction to Chemistry" would be recorded here.NoneText33-132100
3090CourCredCourse credits normally awardedThe number of course credits or units of academic achievement normally awarded for successful completion of the course. Use the next element (IC3091) to specify which unit of measure you are using. If possible, use the same unit of measure as in elements IP2080 or IP2081 on the IP file.

For non-credit courses or courses having no credit or course value assigned, leave this element blank and assign code "98 - Not applicable" in the next element. Also, leave blank for continuing education courses that do not count for academic credit.

In some cases, the credits awarded for a course will vary from student to student depending on the student's program. In those cases, report the normal number of credits here and show the variation on the students' course records in element SC6060.
Blank or numeric value including decimal point and two (2) decimal places.
e.g., 1.00 = 1 unit awarded
16.50 = 16.5 units awarded
Numeric145-1528
3091CourCredUnitCourse credit unitsIdentifies the unit of measure used in the previous element (IC3090).01 - Credits
02 - Credit hours
03 - Semester hours
04 - Course hours
05 - Credit points
06 - Courses
07 - Student contact hours
96 - Other units
98 - Not applicable (non-credit course or course having no credit or course value assigned)
Text153-1542
3200ProvICProvincial IC elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element. Leave any unused portion of the 80 characters blank.Components and codes as defined by provincial ministryText181-26080

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.

Table 4
Student Description (SD) File Codes
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4: Student Description (SD) File Codes. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Description, Codes, Alternate codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicNameDescriptionCodesTypePositionSize
1000RepStartYearYear of start of report cycleThe year in which the current report cycle starts. Assign the same first four (4) digits of the start date of report cycle (as found in element ID1005 on the ID file).YYYY (Year)Text1-44
1010RepTypReport typeReport F for an entire Full-year reporting period (twelve (12) months).F - Entire Full Year reporting periodText51
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution code.Refer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text6-138
4000StudIDInstitution's Student IdentifierThe postsecondary institution's permanent identifier for the student while in this postsecondary institution. Use the same number for this student from year to year.NoneText14-2714
4010TStudIDType of Student I.D.Indicates the type of I.D. number reported in the previous element (SD4000).01 - I.D. number assigned by postsecondary institution independently of any provincial or national numbering system
02 - Provincial student Identification number
Text28-292
4020SINSocial Insurance NumberThe student's Social Insurance Number (SIN) if the student is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Otherwise, leave blank. Do not report dummy SIN's. SIN's failing the check-digit routine will be deleted at Statistics Canada.9-digit SINText30-389
4030PSIS_NSNPSIS National Student NumberThe PSIS respondents currently using this data element to report the provincial student number can continue to use it. Text39-6830
4040FirstNameFirst nameStudent's first (given) name.NoneText69-10840
4041MidNameMiddle name(s) and/or initialsStudent's middle name(s) and/or initials.

If your postsecondary institution stores first name and middle name(s)/initials together as one (1) field, enter both in the previous element (SD4040) and leave this element blank.
NoneText109-14840
4042SurnameSurnameStudent's surname (last name).NoneText149-18840
4050PrevSurnamePrevious surnameStudent's previous surname; e.g., name prior to marriage. If the postsecondary institution stores more than one (1) previous surname report the most recent only.NoneText189-22840
4060CurrPostalCurrent postal/zip codeStudent's postal or zip code while enrolled in the program or course(s).NoneText229-23810
4070CurrCntryCurrent country of residenceStudent's country of residence (where the student is living) while enrolled in the program or course(s).

For most students this is Canada, but some students live in the U.S. and commute to Canada for classes, and others study by Distance Education from other countries.
Refer to the Standard Classification of Countries and Areas of Interest Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text239-2435
4071CurrCntryTxtCurrent country of residence (Text)Student's country of residence (where the student is living) as reported in the postsecondary institutions administrative records. Leave this element blank if the country code is reported in the previous element (SD4070).NoneText244-27330
4080CurrPhoneCurrent telephone numberStudent's telephone number while enrolled in the program or course(s). Include the area code.NoneText274-29320
4090CurrEmailCurrent e-mail addressStudent's Internet e-mail address while enrolled in the program or course(s).NoneText294-37380
4100PermLine1Permanent address line 1Line 1 of the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation. Ensure that city/town, county, province, country and postal or zip code are reported in their own respective elements (SD4110 onwards) and not included in this element or the subsequent address lines.NoneText374-42855
4101PermLine2Permanent address line 2If applicable, line 2 of the permanent address. Lines 1 and 2 should contain all the address information up to but not including the city/town. See element SD4100 for more details.NoneText429-48355
4102PermLine3Permanent address line 3If applicable, line 3 of the permanent address. Note that this element is smaller than lines 1 and 2. See element SD4100 for more details.NoneText484-51330
4103PermLine4Permanent address line 4If applicable, line 4 of the permanent address. Note that this element is smaller than lines 1 and 2. See element SD4100 for more details.NoneText514-54330
4104PermLine5Permanent address line 5If applicable, line 5 of the permanent address. Note that this element is smaller than lines 1 and 2. See element SD4100 for more details.NoneText544-57330
4110PermCityCity or town of permanent addressCity or town of the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current city or town of the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation.NoneText574-60835
4130PermProvUpdtProvince or state of permanent address (updated)Province or state of the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current province or state of the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation.

Assign ZY (Not applicable) for addresses outside Canada and the U.S.
Refer to the Province and State Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text648-6492
4150PermCntryCountry of permanent addressCountry of the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current country of the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation.Refer to the Standard Classification of Countries and Areas of Interest Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text685-6895
4151PermCntryTxtCountry of the permanent address (text)Country (text) of the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current country (text) of the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation.

Leave this element blank if the code is reported in the previous element (SD4150).
NoneText690-71930
4160PermPostalPostal or zip code of permanent addressPostal or zip code of the permanent address.NoneText720-72910
4180PermPhoneTelephone number at permanent addressTelephone number at the permanent address reported by the student on their application for admission or the most current telephone number at the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation. Area code must be included.NoneText730-74920
4200SensRecSensitive recordIdentifies sensitive records. Report Code "1 - Yes" only for deceased students or students who might be endangered by being included in a follow-up survey, such as students who are under the witness protection program. If you do not carry this information, assign code "2 - No".1 - Yes, sensitive record
2 - No
Text7501
4210AboriginalIndigenous identityIndicates the self-declared Indigenous identity of the student as defined by the Canadian Constitution which recognizes three groups of Indigenous peoples: First Nations (North American Indians), Métis and Inuk (Inuit).

Depending on how your institution collects data on Indigenous students, First Nations (North American Indians) could include those who are 'Status' or 'Non-Status' Indians/First Nations.

If the student reported being an Indigenous person without specifying the group, use code 7-Indigenous, group not specified.

If the student did not report being an Indigenous, use code "8"-Not self-declared Indigenous".
4 - First Nations (North American Indians)
5 - Métis
6 – Inuk (Inuit)
7 –Indigenous, group not specified
8 - Not self-declared Indigenous
9- Unknown
Text7511
4230BirthBirth dateStudent's birth date. If your postsecondary institution uses a fictitious date to represent "Unknown" (e.g., 19010101 or 19000101), do not report the fictitious date here. Leave blank if unknown.YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text754-7618
4240GenderGenderStudent's gender.1 - Man
2 - Woman
3 - Non-binary person
9 - Unknown
Text7621
4250TongueMother tongueMother tongue, defined as the language first learned at home in childhood and still understood.001 - English
002 - French
123 - Other language
124 - English and French
125 - English and non-official language(s)
126 - French and non-official
language(s)
127 - Eng.,Fr. and non-official
language(s)
999 - Unknown
Text763-7653
4280CitizCountry of citizenshipCountry of citizenship as of the end of the report cycle (end of winter term).

For permanent resident (formerly called "landed immigrant"), code the country of which the student is currently a citizen, not Canada.

For students with dual citizenship, one of which is Canadian, code Canada.

For students from a colony or a dependency, code the colony or dependency and not the parent country; for example, code St. Pierre-et-Miquelon as the country of citizenship for students from that dependency even though France is the country from which they hold citizenship.

If a student is registered in a department, faculty or division of continuing education or adult training extension, and the information on the country of citizenship is not available, code Canada as country of citizenship.
Refer to the Standard Classification of Countries and Areas of Interest Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text792-7965
4281CitizTxtCountry of citizenship (text)Country (text) of citizenship as stored in the postsecondary institution's files. Leave this element blank if the code is reported in the previous element (SD4280).N/aText797-82630
4290StatStudStatus of Student in CanadaThe status of the student in Canada as of the end of the report cycle (end of winter term).

If a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is studying outside Canada by internet or at an offshore campus, please report them as either 0 or 1.
Do not leave this element blank.
0 - Canadian citizen (including North American Indian/First Nation, Métis and Inuk)
1 - Permanent resident (formerly called landed immigrant)
2 - International student with study permit/student visa (a permit obtained by a student to enter Canada for the sole purpose of attending a postsecondary educational institution)
3 - International student with other visa status
5 - Non-Canadian, no visa status (as student is studying outside Canada; e.g., by internet or at an offshore campus)
6 - Refugee
7 - Non-Canadian, status unknown
9 - Unknown
Text8271
4370PermProv1stPermanent province of residence declared upon admissionPermanent province or state of residence reported by the student on their application at admission.

For Canadian citizens and permanent residents, report the permanent home province in Canada as follows:
(a) For those students entering your institution immediately after high school/Cégep completion (i.e., within the last twelve (12) months), report the province of the last high school/Cégep attended.
(b) For all other students (i.e., not coming immediately after high school/Cégep completion), report the province of permanent home address on the date of application for admission.

The information should not be updated for students who were enrolled at the reporting postsecondary institution within the last twelve (12) months (returning/on-going students). However, the information for this element should be updated for students who were not enrolled at the reporting postsecondary institution within the last twelve (12) months but had attended the reporting postsecondary institution at some time in the past (re-entering students).

This element may or may not be the same as Province or state of the permanent address (element SD4130) declared on the SD file.

The element SD4130 requires the permanent address maintained by the postsecondary institution for follow-up surveys of students after graduation.

No blanks permitted.
Refer to the Province and State Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text937-9382
4400ProvSDProvincial SD elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element.

Leave any unused portion blank.
Components and codes as defined by provincial ministryText939-101880

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.

Table 5
Student Program (SP) File
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 5: Student Program (SP) File. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Codes, Alternate codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicName CodesTypePositionSize
1000RepStartYearYear of start of report cycleThe year in which the current report cycle starts. Assign the same first four (4) digits of the start date of the report cycle (as found in element ID1005 on the ID file).YYYY (Year)Text1-44
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution code.Refer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025”.Text6-138
4000StudIDInstitution's Student IdentifierThe postsecondary institution's permanent identifier for the student while in this postsecondary institution. Use the same identifier for this student from year to year.

There must be a record on the SD file for this student.

Report one (1) SP record for each program in which the student is registered at any time during the report cycle.
NoneText14-2714
2000ProgCodeStudent's program codeThe student's program code as stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. There must be one (1) record on the IP file for this program; i.e., this code must be present in element IP2000 on the IP file.

For students taking courses without being registered in a program, create one (1) SP non-program record for each of the appropriate non-program categories. Note that there must be a corresponding record on the Institution program (IP) file in element IP2000. Follow the instructions in the other elements for the assignment of "Not applicable" codes. 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.

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 IP/SP2000 and the student's specialization(s) or major field(s) of study in elements SP5015, SP5016 and SP5017.
NoneText28-4720
2010CredenTypCredential typeThe type of formal qualification awarded for successful completion of a program, excluding certificates of attendance.

A "qualification" acknowledges successful completion of a program of study containing evaluative components. A "formal qualification" is a qualification that is recognized by an official body such as ministries of education, boards of governors or other ministry appointed bodies, federal departments or ministries, industry associations or sectors, apprenticeship and trades commissions, regulatory bodies or licensing agencies.

See element IP2010 for more details.

The combination of information of the previous data element (SP2000) and this one must also be present on the IP file in data elements IP2000 and IP2010.
01 - General Equivalency Diploma/high school diploma
02 - Certificate
03 - Diploma
04 - Degree (includes applied degree)
05 - Micro-credential program
10 - Attestation and other short program credentials
11 - Associate degree
97 - Other type of credential associated with a program
98 - Not applicable
Text48-492
5010ProgStartOriginal start date in programThe date the student started (first enrolled or registered) in the program as defined in element SP2000 above. Report the date the student originally started in the program, not the date the student continued in the current report cycle. The start date will remain unchanged for subsequent enrolments by the same student in the same program, even if the student quits the program and then resumes it. For a student who completed a common first year and is now enrolled in the next phase of the program, report the start date of the common first year.

Do not leave this data element blank.

For students in non-programs, report the first date the student registered for courses in the non-program.
YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text50-578
5015Major1First specialization or major field of studyThe student's first specialization or major field of study code as stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. Do not report "minors".
Postsecondary institutions that assign unique program codes for each combination of Degree and Specialization/Major(s) should report those codes as part of element SP2000 and leave elements SP5015, SP5016 and SP5017 blank.

Leave this data element blank for students in non-programs.
NoneText58-6710
5016Major2Second specialization or major field of studyThe student's second specialization or major field of study code as stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. Do not report "minors".
Postsecondary institutions that assign unique program codes for each combination of Degree and Specialization/Major(s) should report those codes as part of element SP2000 and leave elements SP5015, SP5016 and SP5017 blank.

Leave this data element blank for students in non-programs.
NoneText68-7710
5070Co_opCo-op program indicatorIndicates whether the student was classified as a Co-op student in this program as of the end of the report cycle (end of winter term). A co-operative education program is a program that formally integrates a student's academic studies with work experience in their field of study. Students in a co-op program will alternate periods of time spent in school with paid work in business, industry, or government.
Assign "1 - Yes" for all Co-op students whether they are on work terms or in class at the end of the report cycle.

For students in non-programs, report code "8 - Not applicable".
1 - Yes
2 - No
8 - Not applicable (non-program)
9 - Unknown
Text2381
5085RegStatStudent's registration statusRegistration status (full-time/part-time) of all students enrolled at the postsecondary institution at the time of the fall snapshot date, that is, a single date chosen by the institution which falls from September 30 to December 1. A student is considered to be enrolled if they are registered in at least one (1) educational activity (course or other learning activity) on the day of the fall snapshot.

The designation of full-time versus part-time registration status is defined by the reporting postsecondary institution.

If a student is not registered on the fall snapshot date, assign code "98 - Not applicable".

For students in non-programs, they are unlikely to be coded to "01 - Full-time".
01 - Full-time student
02 - Part-time student
98 - Not applicable (not registered on this date)
Text246-2472
5090ProgEndEnd date in programThe date the student completed or withdrew from the program or else transferred to another program. This element refers to the entire program, not just the component taken during the report cycle.

If the next element (SP5100) is coded "02 - Successfully completed" or "04 - Graduated from program", give the date the program was completed. If SP5100 is coded 05, 06, 07 or 08, give the date the student ended the program or transferred to another program. Otherwise, leave this element blank.
YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text250-2578
5100ProgEndStatStatus in program at end of report cycleThe student's status in the program as of the end of the report cycle, as known by the postsecondary institution.

If the student completed the program during the report cycle by meeting the minimum academic requirements to receive credit for the whole program, and the graduation date is more than one (1) month after the end of the report cycle, assign code "02 - Successfully completed" and report the program end date in element SP5090 ProgEnd.

If the graduation date is before or within one (1) month of the end of the report cycle, assign code "04 - Graduated from program" and report the program end date in element SP5090 ProgEnd as well as graduation date in element SP5120 GradDate.

If the student's status was under review or dependent on the completion or grading of courses which would normally have ended by the end of the report cycle, assign "99 - Status Unknown". Note: A student with "99 - Status Unknown" is to be included in the next report cycle with an updated program end status.

If the student enrols in the next phase of program (e.g. at the end of report cycle, the student is registered to return next fall), assign code "01- Eligible to enrol in next phase of program". Note: For students completing a prerequisite program (e.g., common first year), assign code 01.

If the student is enrolled in a program and the current year registration continues through the end of the report cycle, assign code "03 - Still enrolled in program".

If the student has not completed the program and will probably not be continuing in or returning to the program, assign code 05, 06, 07 or 08. For students who have transferred to another program within the same faculty or to another faculty, assign code "06 - Withdrew from program" and report the transfer date in SP5090 ProgEnd. Students under suspension as of the end of the report cycle should be coded "07 - Not eligible to enrol at same institution" even if the suspension is likely to be lifted later.

If a student is enrolled in a non-program, assign code '98 - Not-applicable".
01 - Eligible to enrol in next phase of program
02 - Successfully completed course-work requirements for whole program but had not officially graduated as of date PSIS files were produced
03 - Still enrolled in program (registration continued through end date of report cycle)
04 - Graduated from program (officially received qualification at the end of the report cycle)
05 - Not eligible to enrol in same program
06 - Withdrew from program (e.g., discontinued studies in program) or transferred to another program within the same faculty or not, at the same institution
07 - Not eligible to enrol at same institution or under suspension
08 - Student deceased
96 - Other
98 - Not applicable (non-program)
99 - Status unknown (under review or not yet determined when the PSIS files were produced)
Text258-2592
5120GradDateConvocation or graduation dateThe date the student received the degree, diploma or certificate for completing the program. The graduation date reported must be within the reporting cycle or within one (1) month of the end of the report cycle. Students coded "04 - Graduated from program" in the previous element (SP5100 ProgEndStat) must have a convocation or graduation date reported.

Leave blank if the student is not in a program that leads to a credential.
YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text260-2678
5220TotTranCredTotal transfer creditsThe total number of credits or units of academic achievement granted by this postsecondary institution toward this program for education taken at other postsecondary institutions, including prior learning assessment (PLA). Report the total number granted from the time the student first enrolled in the program until the end of the report cycle. Use the same units of measure as reported in elements IP2080 or IP2081 on the IP file (credits needed to graduate). Leave blank for students not in a program or in non-credit programs or programs with no set credit or course requirements.Blank or numeric value with decimal point and two (2) decimal places.Numeric300-3078
5230TotCredCumulative credits for programThe cumulative number of credits or units granted to the student for this program as of the end of the report cycle. Report the total number granted from the time the student first enrolled in the program until the end of the current report cycle. Include credits earned at this postsecondary institution and transfer credits reported in the previous element (SP5220). Use the same units of measure as reported in element IP2080 or IP2081 on the Institution Program (IP) File (credits needed to graduate). Leave blank for students not in a program or in non-credit programs or programs with no set credit or course requirements.Blank or numeric value with decimal point and two (2) decimal places.Numeric308-3158
5300ProvSPProvincial SP elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element. Leave any unused portion of the 80 characters blank.Components and codes as defined by provincial ministryText316-39580
5400CIPCodeRepClassification of Instructional Programs code reported

The CIP code assigned to the student's program by the provincial ministry or other administrative body to identify the field of study of the program according to the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2021(Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2021)
Leave this element blank in the following cases:

  • If you do not assign these codes
  • For students in non-programs.

CIP codes reported here may be referred to along with other program information in finalizing the CIP code that Statistics Canada will assign to the student program.
It will not necessarily be used as the final code, unless specific discussions and agreements have first taken place with Statistics Canada.

Verify if codes reported by provincial ministry correspond with the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2021Text396-4027

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.

Table 6
Student Course (SC) File
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 6: Student Course (SC) File. The information is grouped by Element Number (appearing as row headers), Mnemonic, Name, Codes, Alternate codes, Core, Type, Position and Size (appearing as column headers).
Element NumberMnemonicName CodesTypePositionSize
1000RepStartYearYear of start of report cycleThe year in which the current report cycle starts. Assign the same first four (4) digits of the start date of the report cycle (element ID1005 on the ID file).YYYY (Year)Text1-44
1025InstitInstitution codeReporting PSIS postsecondary institution code.Refer to the Postsecondary Institution Codes in Section 4 of the document titled “PSIS Reporting Documentation 2024/2025".Text6-138
4000StudIDInstitution's Student IdentifierThe postsecondary institution's permanent identifier for the student while in this postsecondary institution. Use the same number for this student from year to year.
There must be a record on the Student Description (SD) File for this student.
NoneText14-2714
3000CourCodeStudent's course codeThe unique code for the course as it is stored in the postsecondary institution's administrative files. All course codes on this file must also be present in element IC3000 on the IC file. Include a 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. Also include non-credit courses. See element IC3000 on the IC file for more details.

Report each course the student was enrolled in after the final day for course additions and deletions (as defined by the 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.

Include courses taken under a formal brokering agreement (see element SC6080) only if the course is present in your postsecondary institution's inventory of courses as given on the IC file. Exclude courses taken at another postsecondary institution for which you do not have a course record on your IC file.
NoneText28-4720
1035CourPerPeriod in which course was delivered to studentThe period (session, term or other interval) that describes when the course was delivered to the student. Use your code or name as defined in element ID1035 of the ID record. This element combined with the next one (ID1036) must be present on the ID file.The postsecondary institution's code or name of the period as reported in element ID1035 of the ID fileText48-536
1036CourSubPerSub-period in which course was delivered to studentThe sub-period that best describes when the course was delivered to the student. Use your code or name as defined in element ID1036 of the ID record. This element combined with the previous one (ID1035) must be present on the ID file.The postsecondary institution's code or name of the period as reported in element ID1036 of the ID fileText54-596
6020CourStartDate student started courseThe date the student started the course. This date may be before the start of the report cycle.
Do not leave this element blank. If the actual date the student started the course is not recorded in the postsecondary institution's student record, use the start date of the course as it appears in the postsecondary institution's timetable.
YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text60-678
6021CourEndDate student ended courseThe date for which the student withdrew from, has completed or will complete the course. If the course extends beyond the end of the report cycle, report the date the course will end.

If the date for which the student has completed or will complete the course is not recorded in the postsecondary institution's student record, use the end date of the course as it appears in your timetable or calendar, or estimate when the course would end for a full-time student taking the course by traditional course delivery. Leave this element blank only if the student has not yet completed the course and the end date cannot be predicted because the course has no set duration, such as a thesis or a course in which the student continues until achieving a certain mastery level.
YYYYMMDD (YearMonthDay)Text68-758
6030CourEndStatStatus in course at end of report cycleThe student's status in the course at the end of the report cycle. A student who completes a course and has met the minimum academic requirements to receive credit for the course should be assigned code "01 - Successfully completed". If the course extends beyond the end of the report cycle, assign code "02 - Still enrolled". If the student is repeating the course to improve his grade, report the end status as if the student were taking the course for normal credit.
Assign code "98 - Not applicable" only for non-credit courses.
01 - Successfully completed
02 - Still enrolled
03 - Withdrew without academic penalty
04 - Did not complete (failed course or withdrew with academic penalty)
05 - Not applicable (student audited course)
07 - Student deceased
96 - Other
98 - Not applicable (non-credit course)
99 - Status unknown (incomplete or under review or not yet determined)
Text76-772
6300ProvSCProvincial SC elementsProvincial ministries wanting to define additional elements for provincial reporting can use this composite element. Leave any unused portion of the 80 characters blank.Components and codes as defined by provincial ministryText179-25880
Table B
Reporting of acceptable combinations between Credential type (IP2010/SP2010) and Program type (IP2015)
Program Type (IP2015)Credential type (IP2010/SP2010)
1234510119798
1YesYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
10NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
20NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
21NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
22NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
30NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
40NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
46NoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYes
47NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
50NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
53NoYesYesNoNoYesNoYesYes
58NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
59NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
62NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
63NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
89NoYesYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
91NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYes
92NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYes
93NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYes
94NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYes

For the 2024/2025 report cycle, the submission deadline is February 2, 2026.

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

Statistics Canada's 2026-27 Departmental Plan

On this page

At a glance

This departmental plan details Statistics Canada's priorities, plans and associated costs for the upcoming three fiscal years.

These plans align with the priorities outlined in the Mandate Letter as well as Statistics Canada's vision, mission, raison d'être and operating context.

Key priorities

Statistics Canada identified the following key priorities for 2026-27:

  • Build the next generation of statistical programs and operations.
  • Build and adopt a complete enabling infrastructure.
  • Shape a healthy, diverse and skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs of Canadians.

Comprehensive Expenditure Review

The government is committed to restraining the growth of day-to-day operational spending to make investments that will grow the economy and benefit Canadians.

As part of meeting this commitment, Statistics Canada is planning the following spending reductions (not cumulative):

  • 2026-27: $52,893,480
  • 2027-28: $69,715,356
  • 2028-29: $95,953,628

It is anticipated that these spending reductions will involve a decrease of approximately 900 full-time equivalents by 2028-29.

Statistics Canada will achieve these reductions by doing the following:

  • Program realignment through targeted reductions and rescoping.
  • Implementation of program cost-saving efficiencies.

The figures in this departmental plan reflect these reductions.

Highlights for Statistics Canada in 2026-27

Statistics Canada undertakes a wide array of data collection and analysis activities and two will be especially significant in 2026-27. As required by law, the agency will conduct the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture, both of which will be launched in May 2026.

Through the Census of Population, the agency will collect and produce comprehensive information on the demographics of people and households across Canada. This national exercise requires extensive preparation to ensure that Statistics Canada's infrastructure, systems and workforce ready to deliver Canada's largest statistical undertaking. The 24th Census of Population will include new topics—such as sexual orientation and homelessness—and will leverage emerging technologies to better meet Canadians' evolving data needs.

For the 2026 Census of Agriculture, Statistics Canada will introduce questions on new commodities to capture emerging agricultural trends. The agency will also expand the use of administrative data to reduce response burden while maintaining the high-quality agricultural information that Canadians, businesses and governments rely on.

In 2026-27, total planned spending (including internal services) for Statistics Canada is $1,056,027,729 and total planned full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) is 7,293.

Summary of planned results

The following provides a summary of the results the department plans to achieve in 2026-27 under its main areas of activity, called "core responsibilities."

For complete information on Statistics Canada's total planned spending and human resources, read the Planned spending and human resources section of the full plan.

From the Minister

Headshot of The Honourable Mélanie Joly

The Honourable Mélanie Joly

Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

It is our pleasure to present the 2026-27 Departmental Plan for Statistics Canada, which outlines the key priorities the agency is working to advance for the benefit of all Canadians.

As the country continues to face a complex landscape shaped by economic, demographic and technological shifts, Statistics Canada remains committed to its role as Canada's trusted data steward. By delivering timely, relevant and high-quality data, the agency empowers governments, businesses and communities to make evidence-based decisions that respond to evolving societal needs.

In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will increase the efficiency of its statistical programs to meet savings targets, while maintaining its commitment to excellence in data quality and service delivery. The agency will advance initiatives to strengthen data on affordability, housing, health, education and equity—critical areas that reflect the lived realities of Canadians and influence policy development across sectors. These efforts will be supported by the adoption of innovative tools, methodologies and technologies that improve data operations, collection, infrastructure and analysis.

Two significant undertakings for the year ahead are the 2026 Census of Population and the 2026 Census of Agriculture. These large-scale initiatives take place every five years and provide the most comprehensive statistical portraits of Canada's increasingly diverse population and its agriculture sector. Together, they serve as essential tools for planning services, infrastructure and programs that reflect the needs of all Canadians and support the sustainability of our communities and food systems.

Collectively, these initiatives ensure that Statistics Canada remains sustainable and focused on delivering what Canadians need today to build a better future.

We invite you to read this report to learn more about how Statistics Canada, as part of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Portfolio, is supporting all Canadians in participating in, and benefitting from, a competitive and growing economy.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

From the Chief Statistician

Headshot of André Loranger

André Loranger

Chief Statistician of Canada

Canada is navigating a period of rapid and complex transformation. Shifts in the global trading environment, technological innovation and evolving social dynamics are reshaping the way Canadians live, work and interact. Statistics Canada plays a vital role in measuring and understanding the impact of changes on Canada's economy and society and providing critical insights to Canadians.

The agency's 2026-27 Departmental Plan reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality statistical information that supports evidence-based policy and decision making. Over the next few years, we will fulfill this commitment while at the same time implementing the austerity announced in Budget 2025. As we modernize our processes, we will continue to prioritize services and programs, while also finding new efficiencies. Through careful planning and prudent resource management, we will continue to invest in initiatives that enhance data quality, innovation and public value.

In 2026-27, the agency's work will continue to be guided by three key strategic priorities:

  • Build the next generation of statistical programs and operations.
  • Build and adopt a complete enabling infrastructure.
  • Shape a healthy, diverse and skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs of Canadians.

In May 2026, Statistics Canada will conduct the Census of Population, a cornerstone of Canada's statistical system. Following extensive consultations, this census will include new questions on homelessness, sexual orientation and mobility. These data will help inform policies on housing, health, education and equity, helping governments and communities to respond more effectively to real-world needs. We will also conduct the Census of Agriculture, which provides crucial agricultural information to farm operators, agricultural organizations and policy makers at all levels of government.

Beyond the censuses, Statistics Canada will continue to strengthen its economic and social statistics programs. Updated economic frameworks and an increased focus on trade statistics will help Canadians understand and navigate changing economic conditions, along with the critical information on affordability and inflation that we will continue to publish. In addition, new data on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies will help Canadian businesses stay competitive, while promoting digital access, safety and inclusion. The agency will expand social statistics and analysis on employment, housing, financial resilience, immigration and crime, which will help government programs and policies better reflect the different realities of Canadians.

Statistics Canada plays an important leadership role internationally, contributing to the development of international statistical standards, frameworks and classifications. This work shapes international statistics and ensures domestic data are aligned and comparable worldwide. To this end, the agency is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy steering group which focuses on improving the quality and comparability of statistical data across countries. As chief statistician, I am also proud to continue to serve as chair of the United Nations Conference of European Statisticians (CES), driving innovation in the field of statistics. The CES is one of the oldest statistical bodies globally, with its roots tracing back to the League of Nations and the first Conference on Statistics in 1928. Over the years it has played a significant role in promoting statistical development and improving the methodologies used in national statistics. In addition to these statistical committees, Statistics Canada is well represented and leads many other international statistical expert and working groups.

Statistics Canada will continue to explore modern technologies and methodologies—such as innovative data collection strategies—and enhance its infrastructure. The agency's responsible integration of AI will improve the website search and power the new chatbot functionality, making it easier for Canadians to access and benefit from high-quality statistics, while boosting operational efficiency.

The agency will continue to invest in the development of our workforce with a focus on change management, analytical skills and leadership competencies. This training will ensure that managers and employees are equipped to adapt to evolving organizational needs.

Together, these initiatives will ensure that governments, businesses and people have the information they need to make sound decisions and build a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous Canada.

André Loranger
Chief Statistician of Canada

Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibility: Statistical information

Description

Statistics Canada's core responsibility is to produce objective, high-quality statistical information for the whole of Canada. The statistical information produced relates to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and other activities and conditions of the people of Canada.

The role of Statistics Canada as Canada's national statistical agency

Canada is experiencing a socioeconomic transformation shaped by global trade dynamics; demographic shifts; and rapid technological advances, such as artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers opportunities to increase productivity and reshape industries, it also introduces complex considerations regarding privacy, ethics and workforce adaptation. In this environment, Statistics Canada's role as Canada's national statistical agency is more important than ever in providing timely and trusted data to inform evidence-based decisions and help Canadians navigate change.

Statistics Canada's extensive suite of statistical programs provides invaluable insight into Canada's economy, society and environment, informing decisions that affect Canadians every day—from determining where schools and health facilities are built to monitoring food prices and preparing for emergencies. Four of the agency's programs are foundational to shaping Canada's economic and social policies:

  • The Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture provide vital insights for infrastructure planning, community services and agricultural development.
  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks inflation, informing fiscal policy and the Bank of Canada's monetary decisions.
  • The Labour Force Survey (LFS) measures employment and labour market trends to guide workforce and training policies.
  • The System of National Accounts (SNA) provides a comprehensive view of economic activity, including gross domestic product (GDP), enabling analysis and decision making across government and industry.

Statistics Canada will carry out its role while

  • contributing to standards and statistical practices
  • maintaining trust in statistics
  • navigating a new reality for national statistical organizations.

It will do this in alignment with its key priorities while continuing to value and support employees. By fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace, Statistics Canada ensures its people are motivated and equipped to deliver results for Canadians.

  • Contributing to statistical standards and practices: To support its role and maintain public trust, Statistics Canada adheres to established standards and frameworks—such as the United Nations (UN) Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (PDF)—ensuring credibility and data coherence and comparability over time. Through engagement with international organizations, the agency shapes global statistical standards, making sure that they reflect Canadian values and priorities and that domestic data are comparable worldwide.

    Within Canada, Statistics Canada will continue to lead the 2023–2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service to promote sound data stewardship, secure and ethical data use, and high-quality statistical practices. Internationally, the agency contributes to developing and maintaining global classification systems—such as the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS)—and participates in initiatives like the ongoing update of the Generic Statistical Business Process Model, led by the UN Economic Commission of Europe.

  • Maintaining trust in statistics: Statistics Canada's role is to provide Canadians with high-quality, reliable information they can trust. However, misinformation can erode confidence in public institutions and undermine this role. To address this challenge, Statistics Canada will continue to uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity and ethics, while strengthening transparency through its communication efforts, website updates and ongoing outreach via its Trust Centre.

    The agency will implement a misinformation response strategy that includes protocols to identify and address misinformation, enhance social media monitoring, and increase public engagement on responsible data use. Statistics Canada will also collaborate with other federal and international partners to share expertise and best practices for maintaining data integrity.

  • Navigating a new reality for national statistical organizations: National statistical organizations are navigating a rapidly evolving environment marked by declining response rates, growing privacy concerns, the increasing availability of big data and an expanding ecosystem of private data providers. To remain relevant and trustworthy, Statistics Canada will continue to innovate by adopting new methodologies, addressing ethical considerations and collaborating with partners across the data landscape.

    As part of this effort, the agency is leading international work to establish practical guidelines that will address non-response bias, reduce survey costs and enhance data quality, contributing to the evolution of national statistical systems worldwide.

Together, these initiatives will position Statistics Canada to build a more modern, responsive and trusted statistical system to serve Canadians in an era of rapid change. This work will be supported by a skilled and adaptable workforce and by partnerships that promote collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.

Quality of life impacts

Statistics Canada plays a key role in providing high-quality, timely data on quality of life in Canada. The agency's core responsibility—to provide high-quality statistical information for the whole of Canada—contributes to the "Good governance" domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and, more specifically, to "Confidence in institutions." The agency's data will support other departments in planning their activities and reporting on quality of life outcomes.

Indicators, results and targets

This section presents details on the department's indicators, the actual results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates for statistical information. Details are presented by departmental result.

Table 1: High-quality statistical information is available to Canadians

Table 1 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under statistical information.

Table 1: High-quality statistical information is available to Canadians
Departmental Result Indicators Actual Results 2026–27 Target Date to Achieve Target
Number of post-release corrections due to accuracy for mission critical programs
  • 2022–23: 11
  • 2023–24: 4
  • 2024–25: 4
0Table 1 - Footnote 1 March 31, 2027
Percentage of international standards with which Statistics Canada conforms
  • 2022–23: 98%
  • 2023–24: 99%
  • 2024–25: 99%
95% March 31, 2027
Number of statistical products available on the website
  • 2022–23: 46,318
  • 2023–24: 49,084
  • 2024–25: 51,557
56,400 March 31, 2027
Number of Statistics Canada data tables available on the Open Data Portal
  • 2022–23: 8,884
  • 2023–24: 9,373
  • 2024–25: 9,823
10,600 March 31, 2027
Table 1 - Footnote 1

Statistics Canada aims to avoid any accuracy errors in its official release vehicle.

Table 1 - Return to footnote 1 referrer

Table 2: High-quality statistical information is accessed by Canadians

Table 2 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under statistical information.

Table 2: High-quality statistical information is accessed by Canadians
Departmental Result Indicators Actual Results 2026–27 Target Date to Achieve Target
Number of visits to Statistics Canada's website
  • 2022–23: 31,283,576
  • 2023–24: 31,979,082
  • 2024–25: 29,651,045
40,000,000Table 2 - Footnote 1 March 31, 2027
Number of hits on Statistics Canada's Application Programming Interface (API)
  • 2022–23: 10,073,000
  • 2023–24: 16,136,428
  • 2024–25: 22,995,048
33,300,000Table 2 - Footnote 2 March 31, 2027
Percentage of website visitors that found what they were looking for
  • 2022–23: 75%
  • 2023–24: 76%
  • 2024–25: 77%
75%Table 2 - Footnote 3 March 31, 2027
Number of interactions on social media
  • 2022–23: 1,012,981
  • 2023–24: 1,048,983
  • 2024–25: 3,297,051
10,000,000Table 2 - Footnote 4 March 31, 2027
Table 2 - Footnote 1

An increase in the number of website visits is anticipated with the launch of the 2026 Census.

Table 2 - Return to footnote 1 referrer

Table 2 - Footnote 2

The target is based on recent historical increases in API use and anticipated continued growth.

Table 2 - Return to footnote 2 referrer

Table 2 - Footnote 3

The target for "percentage of website visitors who found what they were looking for" will be adjusted from 78% to 75% for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Table 2 - Return to footnote 3 referrer

Table 2 - Footnote 4

The agency anticipates a significant increase in social media interactions because of the 2026 Census.

Table 2 - Return to footnote 4 referrer

Table 3: High-quality statistical information is relevant to Canadians

Table 3 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under statistical information.

Table 3: High-quality statistical information is relevant to Canadians
Departmental Result Indicators Actual Results 2026–27 Target Date to Achieve Target
Number of media citations on Statistics Canada data
  • 2022–23: 213,229
  • 2023–24: 189,655
  • 2024–25: 148,285
140,000Table 3 - Footnote 1 March 31, 2027
Number of journal citations
  • 2022–23: 44,271
  • 2023–24: 44,042
  • 2024–25: 42,785
38,000 March 31, 2027
Percentage of users satisfied with statistical information
  • 2022–23: N/A
  • 2023–24: 88%
  • 2024–25: 92%
80% March 31, 2027
Table 3 - Footnote 1

The target reflects a higher anticipated level of activity due to increased media coverage for the 2026 Census.

Table 3 - Return to footnote 1 referrer

Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

The following section describes the planned results for statistical information in 2026-27.

Statistical information

In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will continue to modernize its statistical programs and provide its employees with the tools and training they need to deliver on its core responsibility of providing trustworthy, objective, high-quality information for Canadians. These efforts will allow the agency to maintain its relevance and support its key priority to build the next generation of statistical programs and operations.

The agency will focus on areas that are critical to responding to government priorities and building a comprehensive picture of the country:

  • the 2026 Censuses
  • economic statistics
  • social statistics
  • modern statistical methods
  • an enabled workforce.
The 2026 Censuses

Following several years of preparation, Statistics Canada will conduct the 2026 Census of Population and Census of Agriculture in May 2026. Together, these programs will produce detailed information on Canada's population of over 40 million people and their households, farms and agricultural products. Census data will inform planning for services such as child care, education and health care, as well as the development of policies and programs that support Canada's farm operators and their communities.

The census programs represent Statistics Canada's most complex and visible undertaking. They involve the recruitment of thousands of employees—including enumerators who conduct in-person data collection—and extensive coordination across the agency's collection, communications, analysis and dissemination teams. The Census of Population is expected to process approximately 2 million paper questionnaires and many more online submissions, while responding to over 1 million calls for assistance. In parallel, the Census of Agriculture will send out roughly 200,000 letters inviting farm operators to respond online, generating more than 3 million data points for analysis and dissemination.

  • Census of Population: In response to stakeholder feedback received during national consultations, the 2026 Census of Population will introduce new questions on sexual orientation, homelessness and mobility to address the evolving data needs of Canadians. It will also mark the first use of cloud technology in a Canadian census, enhancing data security and resilience against cyber threats. To further support respondents, the agency will introduce a new chatbot that provides real-time assistance throughout the collection process. Data releases will begin in February 2027 with information on population and dwelling counts.
  • Census of Agriculture: Statistics Canada will continue to modernize the Census of Agriculture to reduce its burden on respondents and better reflect emerging agricultural trends. Greater use of administrative data will simplify reporting for farm operators while supporting the collection of information on new products and practices in the sector. The first major release of Census of Agriculture results is planned for May 2027.
Economic statistics

Building on the foundation provided by the census, Statistics Canada's economic statistics program offers detailed insights into the forces shaping Canada's economy and its competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

Statistics Canada plays a central role in providing reliable and timely economic data to support informed decision making by governments, businesses and Canadians. The agency's broad suite of programs—covering agriculture, business performance, construction, energy, the environment, GDP, inflation, manufacturing, trade and wealth—helps track the nation's economic performance. This information also promotes transparency and enables sound investment decisions across Canada's economy.

In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will continue to deliver its core economic statistics while responding to new and emerging data needs related to

  • economic performance
  • international trade
  • internal trade
  • affordability
  • new technologies.

Economic performance

Canada's economy continues to adjust to the realignment of global trade systems and the ongoing challenge of domestic labour productivity. In this context, Statistics Canada remains committed to producing accurate and timely data that help Canadians understand and respond to evolving economic conditions.

  • Economic measurement: Statistics Canada will continue to produce robust, high-quality estimates of economic activity through its suite of economic accounts. These accounts illustrate how money moves through the economy, detailing what people earn and spend, what businesses produce and invest, how much is traded internationally, and how government finances operate. This information forms the foundation for key indicators, such as GDP, to guide fiscal and monetary policy. The agency will also capture the economic impacts of events such as wildfires, infrastructure damage, and fiscal policy changes related to taxes and subsidies.
  • Updated frameworks: Statistics Canada will embark on a multi-year update of its measurement frameworks to align with the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA) and the seventh edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual. These updates will be coordinated with those of other national statistical organizations to ensure international comparability. The changes will strengthen Canada's capacity to measure emerging areas of the economy, such as the valuation of natural resources and data, and will enhance the accuracy of international investment statistics, providing Canadians with a clearer picture of the country's exposure to global financial risks.

International trade

International trade remains a cornerstone of Canada's economy, with exports accounting for nearly one-quarter of GDP. As global trade patterns evolve and new data needs emerge, Statistics Canada is committed to producing relevant, high-quality statistics that track the country's trade in goods and services. To optimize the accessibility and usability of Canada's rich set of trade statistics, the agency will also maintain and seek opportunities to enhance its suite of interactive tools and data products that inform policy makers, businesses and the public. This includes the monthly International Trade Explorer, which allows users to explore details of Canada's trade relationships, and the Canadian International Merchandise Trade Web Application, which provides detailed trade data by commodity.

Internal trade

Internal trade is an essential element of Canada's economy and plays an important role in mitigating the effects of international trade disruptions. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will enhance its estimates of internal trade flows by commodity to better support the analysis of economic integration and supply-chain resilience.

  • Enhanced estimates of trade flows by commodity: To highlight the economic importance of internal trade in Canada, the agency will release expanded datasets on interprovincial and territorial trade flows, aligned with the SNA. These updated datasets—scheduled for release in 2026-27—will include origin and destination details and data for 2025.
  • Improved supply-chain data and metrics: In collaboration with Transport Canada, Statistics Canada will expand its production of supply-chain indicators, including data on commodity and trade flows, supply-chain price and volume indexes, and updates to the Canadian Transportation Economic Account. Analysis will assess how regulatory changes and disruptions to transportation corridors affect supply chains. This work will inform decisions related to multimodal transportation, transportation corridors and internal trade, strengthening supply-chain resilience across Canada.

Affordability

Affordability remains a top concern for many Canadians. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will continue to deliver a broad range of data products and analytical tools that shed light on affordability and inflation, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Portal, the Food Price Data Hub and the Personal Inflation Calculator. To strengthen public understanding of inflation and consumer trends, the agency will continue to engage directly with Canadians through webinars, podcasts and technical briefings on topics such as changing consumption patterns, shrinkflation and food price measurement. These efforts will enhance statistical literacy and ensure that the CPI remains a trusted and transparent measure for households, businesses and governments.

New technologies

As new technologies reshape the global economy, Statistics Canada will provide data and analysis to help Canadians understand and adapt to this transformation. Through the relaunch of technology-related surveys and the introduction of new studies, the agency will examine AI adoption and readiness, as well as the broader impacts of emerging technologies on productivity, research and development, and intellectual property. These insights will inform policies and programs that enable Canadian businesses to innovate and remain competitive, while supporting digital access, safety, literacy and inclusion for Canadians.

Social statistics

Complementing its economic data, Statistics Canada's social statistics program provides vital insights into the lives of Canadians, covering areas such as health, education, employment, the population, travel and tourism. These data are essential for understanding how Canadian society is evolving and for supporting policies that enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. In 2026-27, the agency will continue to deliver a broad range of social statistics, including data on

  • employment
  • housing
  • financial resilience
  • immigration
  • crime and justice.

Employment

Canada's labour market is evolving in response to emerging technologies, demographic shifts and changing global trade dynamics. Statistics Canada will continue to generate timely, high-quality information to help governments, businesses and Canadians understand these trends and adapt effectively.

  • Ongoing survey programs: In 2026-27, the agency will continue to produce core labour market insights through the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours. Statistics Canada will enhance the availability of local labour market information by expanding the use of small area estimation (SAE) modelling techniques. SAE improves the accuracy of employment and unemployment estimates by combining survey data with employment insurance records and demographic projections in areas where LFS samples are too small to produce reliable data. Statistics Canada will also incorporate additional data sources, such as information from the census, to produce new indicators describing the job and worker characteristics of Canada's 20-million-strong labour force.
  • Linking education and labour datasets: Statistics Canada links labour statistics with administrative education data to deliver deeper insights without increasing response burden. These linked datasets allow policy makers and researchers to follow individuals' journeys through education, training and employment. They support longitudinal analysis to offer a clearer picture of student and apprenticeship pathways, transitions into the workforce, and long-term career outcomes. Statistics Canada will continue to leverage data linkages to help governments, educational institutions and learners better understand how education influences career trajectories—insights that are increasingly important in an economy shaped by technological and structural change.

Housing

There were more than 16.5 million households in Canada in 2024, and many continue to face both high demand and high prices for homes. Through programs such as the Canadian Housing Statistics Program, the Quarterly Rent Statistics program and the Canadian Income Survey, Statistics Canada provides timely, reliable information on housing affordability and the Canadians most affected by high housing costs. In 2026-27, the agency will expand its data production and analysis on housing conditions, market trends and factors influencing housing affordability. It will also deliver information on the outcomes of federal housing programs to support the development of effective, evidence-based housing policies and programs that respond to the needs of Canadians.

Financial resilience

Canadians continue to face financial pressures driven by persistent affordability challenges and a changing labour market. To help address these realities, Statistics Canada conducts surveys and research that shed light on poverty and financial security, supporting the development of policies that improve Canadians' financial well-being. In 2026-27, the agency will continue to provide timely data and analysis through initiatives such as the Dimensions of Poverty Hub, which offers accessible information on poverty and financial resilience.

  • Poverty: Statistics Canada will continue to produce the Market Basket Measure, which is used to set regional poverty thresholds based on the cost of essential goods and services for a family of four. Families with disposable income below these thresholds are considered to be living in poverty. In 2023, just over 10% of Canadians were classified as living in poverty. In collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency will develop poverty estimates for smaller communities to provide a more detailed picture of poverty across Canada.
  • Financial security: In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will publish results from the 2025 Survey of Financial Security, offering an updated snapshot of the financial health of Canadian households. The agency will also assess the feasibility of using alternative data sources to measure savings in registered plans, such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans, First Home Savings Accounts and Tax-Free Savings Accounts, to provide deeper insights into Canadians' financial preparedness and resilience.

Immigration

Immigration data—together with birth and death records—are essential to producing accurate and timely population estimates. Immigrants represented nearly one-quarter of Canada's population in 2021, underscoring the importance of these data for planning and policy. Statistics Canada's immigration statistics inform government decisions on resource allocation, economic development and social integration. In 2026-27, the agency will continue to monitor immigration flows and population movements to provide accurate demographic estimates that support government programming and priorities such as affordable housing and community services.

  • Demographic estimates and projections: Statistics Canada will explore new data sources on immigration flows, refine estimation methods and produce more disaggregated data to strengthen and expand its population estimates. These modernization efforts will ensure that the agency continues to deliver the high-quality demographic estimates and projections that Canadians and all levels of government rely upon.
  • The Longitudinal Immigration Statistical Environment (LISE): The LISE connects data from the Longitudinal Immigration Database with health, education and Census of Population datasets, among others, to support in-depth analysis of the socioeconomic outcomes of newcomers to Canada. These linked datasets enable policy makers and researchers to better understand newcomers' experiences over time—from arrival and settlement to participation in education, work and community life. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will expand access to the LISE through its network of research data centres. These data will inform immigration policies and programs and support planning for education, health care and other essential services.

Crime and justice

Statistics Canada produces data and analysis on multiple aspects of Canada's criminal justice system—from the number of adults and youth in custody to the outcomes of police-reported incidents. These statistics inform the development of policies and programs that promote public safety and an equitable justice system. In 2026-27, the agency will support initiatives that enhance the understanding of key justice issues, including bail practices and the reporting of non-criminal hate incidents (NCHIs).

  • Bail statistics: As part of a federal action plan to improve the availability of bail statistics, Statistics Canada will participate in a study to identify relevant bail metrics, assess data collection and reporting challenges, and propose solutions. This work will contribute to the development of a more comprehensive national picture of bail practices in Canada.
  • NCHIs: Statistics Canada will conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility of tracking NCHIs in Canada. These incidents do not meet the legal definition of a criminal offence but monitoring them can help detect potential escalations in hostility and violence. Using reports made to police, the agency will explore the feasibility of producing NCHI data at the national level, supporting efforts to monitor community safety and cohesion.
Modern statistical methods

Underpinning Statistics Canada's efforts to maintain relevant economic and social statistics is its commitment to refining and updating its statistical methods to build the next generation of statistical programs and operations. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will continue to investigate new methods to produce high-quality data in the face of declining response rates. The agency will also continue to leverage data linkages and alternative data to produce new insights without increasing the burden on respondents.

  • Adaptive collection design: Statistics Canada will continue evaluating ways to improve response rates for the LFS, one of the agency's core programs. Building on earlier initiatives, such as the "online-first" strategy (which promotes the use of online questionnaires for data collection) and the contact confirmation initiative (which establishes early contact with households in the sample), the agency will next explore adaptive collection design. This method will tailor collection activities to the respondent—based on information obtained during previous cycles of the LFS—to adjust the timing and frequency of follow-ups, among other strategies.
  • Gridded data initiative: Statistics Canada's gridded data initiative provides detailed, map-based information to support decision makers at all levels of government across Canada. This activity organizes community-level data into a national grid, integrating administrative sources—such as tax and immigration files—with estimates of GDP, employment and crime modelled for small geographic areas. These data can be further linked with physical features like infrastructure, watersheds, and urban or rural designations. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will expand the initiative to cover new topics, which will allow governments to better understand how socioeconomic issues and environmental events impact local communities.
  • Enhanced Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE): The SDLE expands the research potential of existing datasets—such as those related to health, justice, education and income—through the creation of linked analytical data files. Linking datasets allows for additional analytical insights without collecting more information from Canadians. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will incorporate more health data into the SDLE, further supporting the development of effective health policies and programs.
An enabled workforce

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, equipping employees with the right tools, training and guidance is essential for organizational success. A well-supported workforce can adapt to new challenges, maintain productivity and drive innovation. Aligned with Statistics Canada's key priority to shape a healthy, diverse and skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs of Canadians, the agency will provide employees with the resources necessary to respond to government priorities by

  • promoting mental health through the delivery of wellness and awareness campaigns to foster a psychologically healthy and safe workplace
  • providing robust information technology (IT) infrastructure, advanced IT tools and strengthened cyber security
  • enhancing employee development so employees feel confident in leveraging new programming and analytical tools and methods
  • equipping managers to effectively guide and support employees as they advance their work and navigate change.

Through Statistics Canada's plans to achieve results, the agency will provide valuable insights for Canadians by responding to emerging issues, leveraging new methods and technologies, and supporting its employees. The agency will also work to embed Indigenous data priorities into the national statistical system, supporting the Government of Canada's commitment to reconciliation.

Gender-based Analysis Plus

Statistics Canada plays a vital role in supporting Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) by providing detailed and reliable information on Canada's diverse demographic groups. The agency will continue to prioritize the availability of disaggregated statistics to inform decision makers through a wide range of data sources, including surveys and administrative data sources. A key objective is to ensure that these data and analyses are accessible to Canadians, researchers and policy makers. The Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics (GDIS) Hub serves as a central access point for data, analyses and reference materials relevant to GBA Plus, including those that support the Gender Results Framework.

In 2026-27, the GDIS Hub will continue to be updated with the latest disaggregated statistical products available. In addition, Statistics Canada will continue to disaggregate key indicators within the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and the Canadian Indicator Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further strengthening Canada's capacity to measure well-being and equity across population groups.

Planned resources to achieve results

Table 4: Planned resources to achieve results for statistical information

Table 4 provides a summary of the planned spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.

Table 4: Planned resources to achieve results for statistical information
Resource Planned
Spending 970,615,786
Full-time equivalents 6,692

Complete financial and human resources information for the Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Program inventory

Statistical information is supported by the following programs:

  • Economic and Environmental Statistics
  • Socio-economic Statistics
  • Censuses
  • Cost-recovered Statistical Services
  • Centres of Expertise.

Additional information related to the program inventory for statistical information is available on the Results section on GC InfoBase.

Internal services

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

  • acquisition management services
  • communications services
  • financial management services
  • human resources management services
  • information management services
  • information technology services
  • legal services
  • material management services
  • management and oversight services
  • real property management services

Plans to achieve results

This section presents details on how the department plans to achieve results and meet targets for internal services.

Internal services are essential to Statistics Canada's success, providing the support, resources and infrastructure employees need to work effectively and efficiently. By managing professional development, technology and internal systems, the agency can ensure that it operates smoothly, advances its key priorities and delivers on its mandate.

In 2026-27, the agency will continue to

  • build a healthy, diverse and inclusive workforce grounded in values and ethics
  • invest in capacity building across all areas of the agency
  • strengthen its digital readiness through modern tools, systems and processes
  • conduct internal audit and evaluation exercises.
Building a healthy, diverse and inclusive workforce grounded in values and ethics

Statistics Canada's greatest strength is its people, and one of the agency's key priorities is to shape a healthy, diverse and skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs of Canadians. In 2026-27, the agency will continue to invest in employee well-being through training, engagement and awareness initiatives. Statistics Canada will also enhance the implementation of its strengthened Code of Conduct, reinforcing accountability, integrity and trust across the agency.

To advance reconciliation, accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion, Statistics Canada will embed accessibility and inclusive design principles into its digital platforms and implement targeted initiatives that promote a healthy, respectful and diverse workplace.

Investing in capacity building across all areas of the agency

Training is essential to developing employees' skills, building their confidence and helping them to adapt to a changing work environment. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will continue to take a multi-faceted approach to capacity building, focusing on

  • developing skills to support the adoption of modern, open-source technologies and AI
  • strengthening analytical expertise, management competencies and interpersonal skills
  • enhancing executives' skills in all areas, from AI upskilling and strengthening leadership competencies, to promoting their change leadership capacity, allowing them to better support employees through all aspects of their work.

Through these efforts, Statistics Canada will ensure its workforce remains agile, capable and equipped to meet the evolving data needs of Canadians, contributing to its key priority to shape a healthy, diverse and skilled workforce.

Strengthening digital readiness through modern tools, systems and processes

In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will leverage new digital tools and infrastructure to become a more agile and innovative agency, advancing its key priorities to

  • build the next generation of statistical programs and operations
  • build and adopt a complete enabling infrastructure.

A centralized data repository will make it easier for employees to find and use data, supporting the production of high-quality, timely statistics for Canadians. New functionality, such as self-serve platforms, will also empower employees to access the IT systems and resources they need, when they need them. The agency will continue to strengthen its cyber security posture to ensure the secure and successful delivery of all of its statistical programs, including the 2026 censuses. These initiatives align with the agency's Target Enterprise Architecture—Statistics Canada's long-term digital roadmap that guides the future development of its systems, processes and infrastructure.

Conducting internal audit and evaluation exercises

In 2026-27, Statistics Canada's Audit and Evaluation Branch will conduct audits, evaluations and advisory engagements to provide assurance and generate insight on the effectiveness of the agency's management practices. These activities will assess the appropriateness of decision making, governance structures and processes that enable employees to operate efficiently within a robust management system. In addition, user-centric evaluations will examine the relevance and performance of programs, offering evidence-based insight into how effectively user needs are considered and met in program design and delivery.

Planned resources to achieve results

Table 5: Planned resources to achieve results for internal services this year

Table 5 provides a summary of the planned spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.

Table 5: Planned resources to achieve results for internal services this year
Resource Planned
Spending 85,411,943
Full-time equivalents 601

Complete financial and human resources information for the Statistics Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

Statistics Canada is committed to meeting targets of awarding at least 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses each year.

Statistics Canada incorporates Indigenous businesses into its procurement strategy. This includes using voluntary and conditional Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business set-asides when qualified Indigenous suppliers are identified in the market, raising awareness about the initiative with each requisition, and enhancing internal expertise through training sessions hosted by Indigenous Services Canada. The agency's forecasted targets were developed through consultation with key internal stakeholders, as well as an analysis of historical procurement data to identify commodities previously sourced by Indigenous businesses.

Statistics Canada's deputy head has approved an exception for software renewal contracts and specific software needs to support business objectives, including the Census of Population. While there may be an opportunity to open the software solution to competitive bidding when the contract expires, maintenance and support for software are limited by intellectual property and interoperability constraints. As a result, the mitigation strategy to reduce recurrence focuses on maximizing capacity with Indigenous businesses.

Statistics Canada will track progress toward meeting the 5% target and will adjust its procurement strategies as needed.

Table 6: Percentage of contracts planned and awarded to Indigenous businesses

Table 6 presents the current, actual results with forecasted and planned results for the total percentage of contracts the department awarded to Indigenous businesses.

Table 6: Percentage of contracts planned and awarded to Indigenous businesses
5% Reporting Field 2024-25 Actual Result 2025-26 Forecasted Result 2026-27 Planned Result
Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses 11.21% 5.71% 5.52%

Department-wide considerations

Related government priorities

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

Statistics Canada contributes to Canada's commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing the data needed to track progress toward the SDGs. In 2026-27, Statistics Canada will explore ways to expand the availability of disaggregated data in its national SDG reporting. The agency will conduct analytical studies to better understand SDG progress across different subpopulations, examine the interconnections among goals and assess how the SDG framework aligns with other national statistical frameworks used by the Government of Canada.

As a member of the UN Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators, the agency will continue to support other countries in implementing the Global Indicator Framework and addressing data challenges related to SDG measurement. Statistics Canada also serves on the UN Economic Commission for Europe task team for measuring progress, where it is co-leading the development of a new methodology for assessing SDG progress. This methodology will be featured in the second addendum to the Conference of European Statisticians Road Map on Statistics for SDGs.

More information on Statistics Canada's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Artificial intelligence

Emerging technologies such as AI are central to addressing many of the challenges faced by national statistical organizations and will enable Statistics Canada to build the next generation of statistical programs and operations. These technologies will be implemented in line with Statistics Canada's long-standing commitments to privacy, transparency and responsible data use. The agency will continue to build on its adoption of AI by developing and supporting scalable, secure and sustainable digital infrastructure.

AI will be applied to enhance the search function on the Statistics Canada website, helping Canadians find the information they need more easily. AI chatbots will also be used to support services such as the census and general inquiries, improving responsiveness and reducing wait times for users. Aligned with the objectives of the Statistics Canada AI strategy, by the end of 2026-27, agency staff will

  • integrate AI assistants into their daily work to increase efficiency
  • use AI-enabled automated coding for standard classifications such as NAICS and NAPCS
  • expand the use of AI for data extraction from unstructured sources such as satellite images and PDF files.

Key risks

To accomplish its objectives, Statistics Canada must develop strategies to address risks that could impact its ability to achieve its mandate. The agency uses an integrated risk management approach to identify, assess and respond to risks, embedding these considerations into its decision-making process. The following risks are the most relevant to achieving the agency's planned results in 2026-27:

  • Public trust: The agency may not be perceived as a trusted national statistical office. To mitigate this, Statistics Canada will communicate proactively and transparently with Canadians to reinforce its role as an authoritative source of high-quality statistical information.
  • Relevance: Statistics Canada information and services may be seen as less relevant if they do not meet users' evolving needs. To address this risk, the agency will ensure it is viewed as a relevant, authoritative source of information by Canadians, even as emerging tools become more widespread. The agency will align with international standards, adapt to changes in privacy legislation and position itself to offer a unique value proposition. The agency will also strengthen engagement with policy makers to ensure alignment with policy shifts and regulatory updates.
  • Organizational resilience: Challenges may arise in delivering the agency's mandate because of workforce attrition or outdated technology, infrastructure and business processes. In response, the agency will promote training and employee wellness initiatives to close knowledge gaps and improve employee retention. The agency will also invest in next-generation statistical infrastructure.
  • Financial capacity: Reduced budgets may hinder Statistics Canada's ability to effectively fulfill its role. To address this, the agency will align and prioritize resources to safeguard the delivery of its core statistical programs.

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of Statistics Canada's planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and of planned spending for 2026-27 with actual spending from previous years.

Spending

This section presents an overview of the department's planned expenditures from 2023-24 to 2028-29.

Budgetary performance summary

Table 7: Three-year spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

Table 7 presents Statistics Canada's spending over the past three years to carry out its core responsibilities and for internal services. Amounts for the 2025–26 fiscal year are forecasted based on spending to date.

Table 7: Three-year spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Core responsibilities and Internal services 2023-2024 Actual Expenditures 2024-25 Actual Expenditures 2025-2026 Forecast Spending
Statistical Information 784,946,138 763,566,349 810,405,025
Internal services 88,762,478 99,113,781 94,445,823
Total gross 873,708,616 862,680,130 904,850,848
Respendable revenue -132,999,612 -128,407,475 -110,075,609
Total net 740,709,004 734,272,655 794,775,239

More financial information from previous years is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.

Table 8: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

Table 8 presents Statistics Canada's planned spending over the next three years by core responsibilities and for internal services.

Table 8: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Core responsibilities and Internal services 2026-27 Planned Spending 2027-28 Planned Spending 2028-29 Planned Spending
Statistical Information 1,090,488,458 678,005,501 577,720,384
Internal services 85,539,271 81,968,939 75,888,781
Total gross 1,176,027,729 759,974,440 653,609,165
Respendable revenue -120,000,000 -120,000,000 -120,000,000
Total net 1,056,027,729 639,974,440 533,609,165

More detailed financial information on planned spending is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.

Table 9: Budgetary gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)

Table 9 reconciles gross planned spending with net spending for 2026-27.

Table 9: Budgetary gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)
Core responsibilities and Internal services 2026-27 Gross planned spending (dollars) 2026-27 Planned revenues netted against spending (dollars) 2026-27 Planned net spending (authorities used)
Statistical Information 1,090,488,458 -119,872,672 970,615,786
Internal services 85,539,271 -127,328 85,411,943
Total 1,176,027,729 -120,000,000 1,056,027,729

Information on the alignment of Statistics Canada's spending with Government of Canada's spending and activities is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.

Funding

This section provides an overview of the department's voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and for internal services. For further information on funding authorities, consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures.

Graph 1: Approved funding (statutory and voted) over a six-year period

Graph 1 summarizes the department's approved voted and statutory funding from 2023-24 to 2028-29.

Graph 1: Approved funding (statutory and voted) over a six-year period

For further information on Statistics Canada's departmental appropriations, consult the 2026-27 Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of Statistics Canada's operations for 2025-26 to 2026-27.

Table 10: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2027 (dollars)

Table 10 summarizes the expenses and revenues which net to the cost of operations before government funding and transfers for 2025-26 to 2026-27. The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

Table 10: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2027 (dollars)
Financial information 2025-26 Forecast results 2026-27 Planned results Difference (Planned results minus forecasted)
Total expenses 1,018,814,250 1,352,602,923 333,788,673
Total revenues 110,075,609 120,000,000 9,924,391
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 908,738,641 1,232,602,923 323,864,282

A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated Notes for 2026-27, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, is available on Statistics Canada's website.

Human resources

This section presents an overview of the department's actual and planned human resources from 2023-24 to 2028-29.

Table 11: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services

Table 11 shows a summary of human resources, in full-time equivalents, for Statistics Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Human resources for the 2025–26 fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date.

Table 11: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibilities and internal services 2023-24 Actual full-time equivalents 2024-25 Actual full-time equivalents 2025-26 Forecasted full-time equivalents
Statistical Information 6,291 6,075 6,350
Internal services 619 685 664
Total gross 6,910 6,760 7,014
Respendable revenue -1,373 -1,267 -1,087
Total net 5,537 5,493 5,927

Table 12: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

Table 12 shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents, for each of Statistics Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services planned for the next three years.

Table 12: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibilities and internal services 2026-27 Planned full-time equivalents 2027-28 Planned full-time equivalents 2028-29 Planned full-time equivalents
Statistical Information 6,692 5,756 4,984
Internal services 601 576 532
Total gross 7,293 6,332 5,516
Respendable revenue -1,164 -1,164 -1,164
Total net 6,129 5,168 4,352

Federal tax expenditures

Statistics Canada's Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.

This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.

Corporate information

Definitions

2026 Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey

This primary format of this collection instrument is an Excel-based questionnaire. For the cells labeled "Products", "Shipping region", "Receiving region" and “Storage region”, there is a limited number of valid responses that are provided via dropdown in the primary document. Please see the section "Lists of valid responses" at the end of the document for the valid responses.

This document is confidential when completed.

Coverage Statement:

If necessary, please make address label corrections in the boxes below.

  • Legal name
  • Business name
  • Title of contact
  • First name of contact
  • Last name of contact
  • Address (number and street)
  • City
  • Province/territory or state
  • Country
  • Postal code/ zip code
  • Language preference
    • English
    • French

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

To obtain information on the supply of and demand for energy in Canada. This information serves as an important indicator of Canadian economic performance, is used by all levels of government in establishing informed policies in the energy area and, in the case of public utilities, is used by governmental agencies to fulfil their regulatory responsibilities. The private sector likewise uses this information in the corporate decision-making process. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Security of emails and faxes

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

Confidentiality

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

Data-sharing agreements

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

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

Reporting instructions

Please refer to the reporting instruction.

Inventories (cubic metres)

Reporting period:

Instructions:

  1. Pipelines: Include inventories held in tanks, terminals and lines.
    Marine vessels: Include inventories held on vessels and at terminals.
  2. For each product (see Product List tab) and region, please report opening and closing inventories for the month.
    Report opening inventories on the 1st day of the reporting month (start of day).
    Report closing inventories on the last day of the reporting month (end of day).
    Note: Opening inventories should equal previous month's closing inventories.
  3. For product definitions and detailed survey instructions please consult the Reporting Instructions.

Comments: Indicate any changes or events that affected reported inventories for this reporting period.

Inventories (cubic metres)
Products Storage region Inventories
Start of Month
(in cubic metres)
Inventories
End of Month
(in cubic metres)
       

Movements (cubic metres)

Reporting period:

Instructions:

  1. Please report all movements (volume) by product type moved from shipping region to receiving region.
  2. Report each volume based on the arrival of the product at the receiving region for the specified reporting period.
  3. Exclude intermediate movements if operating in more than two provinces.
    Pipeline example: A shipment originating in US, passing through Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and terminating in Alberta, is reported as a movement from United States to Alberta only.
    Marine vessel example: A shipment originating in US, passing through Newfoundland and Quebec, and terminating in Ontario, is reported as a movement from United States to Ontario only.
  4. For product definitions and detailed survey instructions please consult the Reporting Instructions.

Comments: Indicate any changes or events that affected reported movements for this reporting period.

Movements (cubic metres)
Products Shipping region Receiving region Volume
(in cubic metres)
       

Lists of valid responses

Products

  • Asphalt
  • Aviation gasoline, blending components
  • Aviation gasoline, finished
  • Biodiesel (FAME)
  • Crude oil, bitumen
  • Crude oil, heavy crude oil
  • Crude oil, lease condensate
  • Crude oil, light crude oil
  • Crude oil, synthetic crude oil
  • Diesel fuel oil
  • Fuel ethanol
  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids (mixed)
  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids, butanes
  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids, ethane
  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids, pentanes plus
  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids, propane
  • Hydrogen
  • Jet fuel, Kerosene-type
  • Kerosene
  • Light fuel oil (No. 2 and No. 3 heating fuel oils)
  • Lubricants
  • Miscellaneous products
  • Motor gasoline, blending components
  • Motor gasoline, finished
  • Petroleum coke
  • Petrochemical feedstocks
  • Renewable diesel (HDRD/HVO)
  • Residual fuel oil\Heavy fuel oil (No. 4, No.5 and No. 6 fuel oils)
  • Still gas
  • Special naphthas (solvents)
  • Unfinished oils (excluding synthetic crude oil)
  • Wax

Region

  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Nova Scotia
  • New Brunswick
  • Quebec
  • Ontario
  • Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut
  • United States
  • Foreign, non U.S.

Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - October 2025

Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - October 2025
Geography Month
202410 202411 202412 202501 202502 202503 202504 202505 202506 202507 202508 202509 202510
percentage
Canada 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5
Newfoundland and Labrador 1.3 1.5 1.1 1.4 0.8 0.7 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7
Prince Edward Island 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nova Scotia 6.2 9.5 12.0 7.0 3.8 3.8 7.1 10.7 2.8 2.8 1.6 1.2 1.4
New Brunswick 3.4 2.7 2.3 3.3 1.8 1.4 4.3 1.5 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.7 0.7
Quebec 4.3 4.8 4.4 4.5 5.5 3.7 4.3 3.1 1.3 1.8 1.3 2.0 1.6
Ontario 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.7 3.2 1.7 2.3 1.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0
Manitoba 2.9 1.9 2.3 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.2 0.8 0.8 1.1 0.4 0.3
Saskatchewan 1.5 1.0 1.4 1.6 0.7 0.8 1.6  0.5 0.4 0.9 0.6 1.0 0.3
Alberta 1.3 1.9 1.2 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
British Columbia 3.1 2.7 2.2 2.6 2.9 1.9 1.8 2.2 0.8 1.1 1.6 1.8 2.7
Yukon Territory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Northwest Territories 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nunavut 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Monthly Survey of Manufacturing: National Level CVs by Characteristic - October 2025

National Level CVs by Characteristic, October 2025
Table summary
This table displays the results of Monthly Survey of Manufacturing: National Level CVs by Characteristic. The information is grouped by Month (appearing as row headers), and Sales of goods manufactured, Raw materials and components inventories, Goods / work in process inventories, Finished goods manufactured inventories and Unfilled Orders, calculated in percentage (appearing as column headers).
Month Sales of goods manufactured Raw materials and components inventories Goods / work in process inventories Finished goods manufactured inventories Unfilled Orders
%
October 2024 0.76 1.11 1.87 1.25 1.52
November 2024 0.70 1.11 1.81 1.25 1.64
December 2024 0.63 1.06 1.89 1.26 1.45
January 2025 0.67 1.11 1.71 1.25 1.45
February 2025 0.72 1.14 1.85 1.33 1.46
March 2025 0.72 1.18 1.77 1.38 1.49
April 2025 0.75 1.16 1.78 1.41 1.52
May 2025 0.78 1.20 1.87 1.45 1.51
June 2025 0.81 1.19 1.77 1.43 1.43
July 2025 0.74 1.21 1.82 1.41 1.42
August 2025 0.77 1.23 1.84 1.37 1.39
September 2025 0.78 1.30 1.91 1.47 1.32
October 2025 0.75 1.22 1.85 1.44 1.38

User guide for data processing, quality and limitations - 2023

Introduction

The Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP) aims to provide detailed insights on residential properties in Canada and their owners. However, certain estimates are subject to limitations or may not be available for some jurisdictions or variable types because of differences in data sources, regional coverage and processing steps.

The purpose of this document is to help the reader interpret and use data from the CHSP. It outlines key data quality considerations and specific limitations affecting the availability and comparability of estimates across some domains.

To consult changes that are specific to a given reference year, please refer to the Summary of changes - Surveys and statistical programs - Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP).

Data processing

  • Random rounding is applied to all raw counts to protect the confidentiality of owners in the totals. Totals and subtotals may not equal the sum of components.
  • Percentages are calculated from rounded counts.
  • Averages and medians are calculated using only non-missing, non-null, and values greater than zero for the variables of interest (for example, assessment value, total living area and total income).
  • Assessment value per square foot refers to the assessment value of a property divided by its total living area.
  • Some property or owner characteristics are in the "unspecified" category either because the corresponding information was not received from the data provider or because there is no identifiable link connecting the property to the owner information. Therefore, users must take this limitation into account when interpreting the data.
  • Previous reference period estimates are subject to revision.
  • Each year, geocoding is updated based on the best available location information, which may result in slight variations in the counts of census subdivisions from one year to the next.

Universe of property tables

The tables 46-10-0093, 46-10-0094 and 46-10-0095 are restricted to residential properties in Canada. The geographic location of a property is determined by its physical address. Mixed-use properties (e.g., residential and commercial) are included, but the property characteristics reported in the tables reflect only the residential portion of mixed-use properties. The universe covers residential properties across Canada. However, it does not cover residential properties located on reserves or collective dwellings. It also excludes commercial, industrial, and institutional properties.

Universe of owner tables

The tables 46-10-0030 and 46-10-0069 include all residential property owners at the provincial level. However, table 46-10-0030 also provides data on buyers, who are property owners who acquired a property, either on or off the market, between January 1 and December 31 of the previous reference year.

The tables 46-10-009646-10-0097 and 46-10-0098 are restricted to resident owners who are persons occupying their residential property. An owner's geographic location is determined by the location of the occupied property.

In the case of Nunavut, where information on owner-occupied properties is unavailable, the universe includes all resident owners who are persons without restrictions on owner-occupancy. For owners with multiple properties, the geographic location and property characteristics are based on the residential property with the highest assessment value.

Universe of buyer table

The table 46-10-0099 is restricted to resident buyers who are persons who filed their T1 tax return form in the previous year and purchased a property in a market sale.

Data availability and limitations

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Estimates are not available at the provincial level and for the category "outside of census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs)."
  • Estimates by property type are available only for the census subdivision of St. John's.

Prince Edward Island

  • Estimates of total living area and assessment value per square foot are not available.

New Brunswick

  • Estimates of total living area and assessment value per square foot for condominium apartments are not available.
  • The "total, all property types" category excludes condominium apartments; therefore, users should consider this limitation when interpreting estimates of total living area and assessment value per square foot for this group.

Manitoba

  • Estimates by property use of residential property are suppressed in many areas due to lower linkage quality.
  • The estimate of the number of owner-occupied residential property is underestimated due to the quality of the linkage.

Saskatchewan

  • Provincial estimates exclude the census subdivision of Prince Albert.
  • Owner-related variables are not available because of missing owners' information.

Alberta

  • Estimates by property use and residency status of residential property are suppressed due to low data quality.
  • The number of resident owners who are persons occupying a residential property, which represent the universe of the owner tables, is underestimated due to the low linkage quality. Therefore, the number of owners should be interpreted with caution.

Yukon

  • Estimates by property use and residency status of residential property are available only for the census subdivision (CSD) of Whitehorse.
  • The number of resident owners who are persons occupying a residential property, which represent the universe of the owner tables, is underestimated due to the low linkage quality outside the CSD of Whitehorse. Therefore, the number of owners outside this CSD should be interpreted with caution.

Northwest Territories

  • Data are available only for the CA of Yellowknife.
  • Estimates by property type and period of construction are not available.
  • Estimates of total living area and assessment value per square foot are not available.

Nunavut

  • Estimates by property type, period of construction and property use are not available.
  • Estimates of total living area and assessment value per square foot are not available.

Variable-specific limitations

Property use of residential property

  • The property use indicator is suppressed outside CMAs and CAs due to low linkage quality. It may also be removed in certain regions where its reliability has been deemed insufficient.
  • For the most recent period of construction, the property use indicator is less precise. Consequently, these estimates should be used with caution.

Owner-occupancy

  • The quality of the linkage is unreliable outside CMAs and CAs, leading to an underestimation of the number of resident owners who are persons occupying a residential property, which represents the universe of the owner tables (except for Nunavut). Therefore, Census Subdivisions (CSDs) located outside CMAs and CAs are not included in the owner tables. Although aggregate estimates for the category "outside of census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs)" are still provided, the number of owners in this category should be interpreted with caution.

Assessment value

  • Because provinces and territories have varying assessment periods and assessment roll durations from one region to another, it is not possible to make precise comparisons between the assessment values of properties located in different provinces or territories. To obtain the reference years for property assessment values, please refer to the document linked on the CHSP web page: Reference years of the property stock and assessment values, by province and territory.

Number of residential properties owned

  • The number of properties owned by the property owner is limited to residential properties that are within a given province.

Sale Price

  • Estimates of property sale prices are limited to transactions conducted on the market and are available only for residents.

Number of Buyers

  • Estimates of the number of buyers are restricted to residents only.

Composite quality indicator

The composite quality indicators (CQI) combine multiple individual quality indicators (QIs) representing the quality of various CHSP data processing steps (for example, coding, geocoding, linkage, imputation). The CQIs are available for certain tables, such as the following:

Table 46-10-0093-01 Residential properties by characteristics, property use and ownership type

Table 46-10-0094-01 Residential properties by characteristics and residency status.

The CQI letter grades are defined as follows:

A – Excellent: All domain variables and the variable of interest are of excellent quality.

B – Very good: All domain variables and the variable of interest are of very good to excellent quality.

C – Good: The quality of some of the domain variables or the variable of interest is considered good, while all the other variables are of very good to excellent quality.

D – Acceptable: The quality of some of the domain variables or the variable of interest is considered acceptable, while all the other variables are of good to excellent quality.

E – Use with caution: The quality of several domain variables or the variable of interest is considered poor.

F – Too unreliable to be published

Retail Commodity Survey: CVs for Total Sales (September 2025)

Retail Commodity Survey: CVs for Total Sales (September 2025)
Table summary
This table displays the results of Retail Commodity Survey: CVs for Total Sales (September 2025). The information is grouped by NAPCS-CANADA (appearing as row headers), and Month (appearing as column headers).
NAPCS-CANADA Month
202506 202507 202508 202509
Total commodities, retail trade commissions and miscellaneous services 0.54 0.59 0.59 0.51
Retail Services (except commissions) [561] 0.53 0.59 0.59 0.51
Food and beverages at retail [56111] 0.33 0.35 0.34 0.30
Cannabis products, at retail [56113] 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clothing at retail [56121] 0.55 0.65 0.74 1.17
Jewellery and watches, luggage and briefcases, at retail [56123] 2.12 1.98 2.35 2.42
Footwear at retail [56124] 1.13 1.09 1.21 1.11
Home furniture, furnishings, housewares, appliances and electronics, at retail [56131] 0.79 0.74 0.72 0.76
Sporting and leisure products (except publications, audio and video recordings, and game software), at retail [56141] 2.16 3.03 2.97 3.36
Publications at retail [56142] 8.65 8.46 8.67 9.62
Audio and video recordings, and game software, at retail [56143] 3.05 4.04 5.66 5.71
Motor vehicles at retail [56151] 1.84 1.97 2.23 1.80
Recreational vehicles at retail [56152] 3.15 3.61 2.90 3.25
Motor vehicle parts, accessories and supplies, at retail [56153] 1.35 1.27 1.68 1.46
Automotive and household fuels, at retail [56161] 1.37 1.36 1.46 1.36
Home health products at retail [56171] 2.68 3.22 2.62 2.39
Infant care, personal and beauty products, at retail [56172] 2.57 2.61 2.58 2.40
Hardware, tools, renovation and lawn and garden products, at retail [56181] 2.04 1.94 1.37 1.34
Miscellaneous products at retail [56191] 3.14 2.67 2.27 2.49
Retail trade commissions [562] 1.63 1.57 1.67 1.52

Federal Patents, Licences and Royalties Survey 2024-2025

Information for respondents

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 Objective

This survey collects information that is necessary for monitoring federal patent, royalty and licensing related activities in Canada, and to support the development of science and technology policy. The survey is conducted by Statistics Canada, on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). The data collected will be used by federal science policy analysts. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Confidentiality

Your answers are confidential. 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.

Security of emails and faxes

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

Data sharing agreement

To reduce response burden and to ensure more uniform statistics, Statistics Canada has entered into an agreement under Section 12 of the Statistics Act with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for sharing information from this survey. ISED has agreed to keep the information confidential and use it only for statistical purposes. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with ISED by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. You may also contact us by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 1-514-496-4879.

Record linkages

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

Authorization

I hereby authorize Statistics Canada to disclose any or all portions of the data supplied on this questionnaire that could identify this department.

  • Yes
  • No

Department or agency:

Name of person authorized to sign:

Signature:

Program Official position:

E-mail address:

Telephone number:

Extension:

Section 1 - Identifying intellectual property (IP)

1.1 – Reports and disclosures

Please indicate the number of new instances of Intellectual Property reported or disclosed during the reference year, April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The types of Intellectual Property are defined in the Respondent Guide, Section 4.1.

Intellectual Property: Number of new IP reports and disclosures

  • Inventions
  • Copyrightable IP
  • Trademarks
  • New plant varieties
  • Know-how
  • Other (please specify):

1.2 - Reports and disclosures resulting in protection activity

Please indicate how many instances of Intellectual Property (not necessarily new) resulted in protection activity by this organization during the reference year, April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The types of Intellectual Property are defined in the Respondent Guide, Section 4.1.

Intellectual Property: Number of IP reports and disclosures resulting in protection activity

  • Inventions
  • Copyrightable IP
  • Trademarks
  • New plant varieties
  • Other (please specify):

Section 2 - Patents

2.1 – Patent applications filed and issued

Please report the number of patent applications filed and issued during the reference year, April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Patent activity: Count

  • Total patent applications filed
  • Total patents issued

2.2 – Patent applications held or pending

Please report the number of patent applications held and pending at the end of the reference year, as of March 31, 2025.

Patent activity: Count

  • Total patents held (including patents issued)
  • Total patents pending

Section 3 - Licences

3.1 – New and active licences

Please report the number of new licences executed during the reference year, April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Please report the number of active licences at the end of the reference year, as of March 31, 2025.

Include Canadian and foreign licences. Please see the Respondent Guide, Section 4.3.1, for detailed definitions.

New licences executed: Count:

  • Royalty-bearing
  • Royalty-free
  • Total

Active licences: Count

  • Royalty-bearing
  • Royalty-free
  • Total

3.2 – Income received from licensed IP

Please specify the total income received from licensed IP during the reference year, April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Report amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars and in whole numbers only (no decimals).

Income received from  licensed IP: Total CAD$ (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

  • Income received from  licensed IP

Section 4 - Respondent guide

This questionnaire, in general, covers the intellectual property generated from R&D activities. We acknowledge that commercializable IP arises from other activities as well and that it may be difficult to differentiate. Whenever possible, please report figures for IP generated from R&D activities. If this is not possible, please note that the figures include IP generated from non-R&D activities.

If exact numbers are not readily available, please provide estimates with a note indicating this.

Please do not leave any question blank. Enter «0» if the value is known to be zero. If the data are not available, enter «..». In cases where the question is not applicable, enter "N/A".

This guide may provide specific examples to further clarify broadly defined categories or terms. Sometimes example lists are misinterpreted as inclusion lists. If you are unsure of any definitions, please reach out to your StatCan contact during the collection period. Please do not report for joint IP to avoid multi-counting issues.

Report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Notes on survey questions

4.1. Notes for Section 1 - Identifying Intellectual Property (IP)

  • Invention: Includes any new and useful art, process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement in any art, process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter (Public Servants Inventions Act. R.S., c. P-31, s. 1.). Some inventions are patentable in some jurisdictions but not in others: these include novel genetically-engineered life forms, new microbial life forms, methods of medical treatment and computer software.
  • Copyrightable IP: Copyright protection applies to all original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works provided the conditions set out in section 5 of the Copyright Act have been met. Each of these general categories covers a wide range of creations. Examples are provided below:
    • literary works such as books, pamphlets, computer programs, software and other works consisting of text
    • dramatic works such as motion picture films, plays, screenplays and scripts
    • musical works such as musical compositions with or without words
    • artistic works such as paintings, drawings, maps, photographs, sculptures and plans

We understand that it is hard to count all copyrightable IP. For Section 1.1, please provide the number of copyrightable IP reported or disclosed to your departmental IP office by employees of your department during the reference period. For Section 1.2, please report any copyrights registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) during the reference period. 

For survey purposes, please exclude journal articles from your reporting.

  • Trademarks: These are words, symbols, designs, or combinations thereof used to distinguish your wares or services from someone else's. Trademarks are registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
  • New plant varieties: Certain plant varieties that are new, different, uniform and stable may be protected by registration with the Plant Breeders' Rights Office, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  • Know-how: This is practical knowledge, technique or expertise. For example, certain information is codified in the patent application, but a researcher’s know-how could be valuable for commercial optimization of the product. Know-how can be licensed independently of the terms of a related patent.

Notes for Section 1.2: Please report the number of IP resulting in protection activity, not the number of times protection activity occurred. For example, if one invention has multiple patents, this should be counted once since there is only one IP involved. Know-how is not applicable for this section because Know-how is not formally protected.

4.2. Notes for Section 2 - Patents

Total patent applications filed: Please include in your total:

  • Initiating patent applications: includes provisional or first filings. Please report for any initiating patent applications during the reference period, even if they were revoked at a later date.
  • Follow-on patent applications: includes any that claim priority from an initiating patent application.

Total patents issued includes patents that have been approved for protection during the reference period.

Total patents held is the total number of patents owned or controlled at the end of the reference period. It includes patents issued, such that they were still held at the end of the reference period.

Total patents pending includes any patents filed during or before the reference period that have not been issued yet. Please report the total number of patents pending at the end of the reference period.

Note: International (for example, Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, PCT) and regional applications (e.g., European Patent Office applications) should be counted as single applications. This means a patent family only needs to be counted once. Filed patents not yet issued may be pending. If filed during the reference period, these pending patents would be captured by Total patent applications filed.

4.3.1. Notes for Section 3.1 - New and active licences

New licences executed refers to the number of new licence agreements completed during the reference period. Please include both Canadian and foreign licences in your count.

Active licences refers to the number of existing licence agreements in place at the end of the reference period. This includes any ongoing, new, amended or renegotiated licence agreements in place at the end of the reference period. Please include both Canadian and foreign licences in your count.

Royalty bearing licences refers to licence agreements where licensees compensate IP owners for use of their IP. Compensation to the IP owner can take different forms (% of sales, lump sum payments, equity, etc.). Compared to total licences, this portion of licences aligns better with the dollar amounts in Section 3.2.

Royalty-free licences refers to licence agreements without set compensation for IP owners. The licensee is generally required to respect established conditions but does not provide payment to benefit from the IP rights. While these licences do not generate income for federal departments, they allow licensees to use federal department IP to benefit Canadians.

Note: Please exclude click/wordwrap end user licence agreements (EULAs) including open government licences, and EULAs associated with free downloadable software.

4.3.2. Notes for Section 3.2 - Income received from licensed IP

Income received from licensed IP refers to all income received through IP commercialization during the reference period. This includes income from any royalty structure, for example, sales-based, milestone payments, minimum annual royalties, etc. It also includes income from one-time sales of IP, contributions or fees from licensees, and any other income generated through commercializing IP.

Note: If expired licences generated revenue during the reference period, please still report these amounts. Please exclude click/wordwrap end user licence agreements (EULAs) including open government licences, and EULAs associated with free downloadable software.