Supplement to Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment related to web-scraping and other web-based collection activities for company-specific COVID-19-related information

October 2020

Program manager: Director, Mining, Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade Division

Reference to Personal Information Bank (PIB)

Not applicable as there are no direct personal identifiers being collected and retained.

Description of statistical activity

Statistics Canada will be automating web-scraping and other web-based collection activities in order to more expediently and efficiently gather web-based, public information required to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian economic activity.

This initiative will automate three methods for collecting web-based, public information that are currently performed manually:

  • Scraping of Canadian companies' websites and of provincial and territorial government websites that provide information on COVID-19 -specific essential services
  • Collecting information posted by these companies on their social media accounts (LinkedIn and Twitter)
  • Collecting company-specific information from news aggregator services (Government of Canada NewsDesk and Google News).

The information to be retrieved includes company name, date of access or date of publication, information source and “snippets” (paragraphs of text) that contain COVID-19 -related keywords of interest. This would provide information on pandemic-related closures, changes in products or production processes, lay-offs, etc.

Web-Scraping

Web-scraping is carried out by using automated programs, or "bots", to access specific parts of company websites containing news on current activities.

Statistics Canada will scrape on a daily basis the websites of the Canadian manufacturers with the largest sales for mentions of COVID-19 -related events such as closures, changes in products or production processes, lay-offs, etc. Provincial and territorial government websites that post information about essential services will also be scraped on a daily basis.

All scraping will be done in compliance with the site owners' terms and conditions.

Social Media

Relevant announcements by manufacturing companies on their LinkedIn and Twitter accounts will also be retrieved, either directly using an interface with the data (Application Programming Interface - API), or indirectly through NewsDesk (which provides this service in addition to news aggregation).

News Service

NewsDesk and Google News will also be accessed, using company names together with keywords as search terms.

While the company and provincial / territorial websites will be scraped on a daily basis, information from the social media accounts and news aggregators will be retrieved monthly.

The information collected from all three sources (web-scraping, social media and news services) will be processed, combined and stored in a database for access by Statistics Canada employees only, to assist with analysis of the economic impacts of COVID-19.

These activities are not meant to collect, create or use personal information. Should any personal information or personal identifiers – such as account name, handle, or any other piece of personal information relating to an individual – be inadvertently collected, this personal information will be stripped from the data and deleted.

Reason for supplement

The Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) addresses most of the privacy and security risks related to statistical activities conducted by Statistics Canada.

The purpose of this supplement is to address any privacy risks associated with the inadvertent collection of personal information, such as social media account names or handles relating to an individual, during the web-scraping and other web-based collection activities. If applicable, any personal information inadvertently collected will be stripped from the data and deleted.

Necessity and Proportionality

The automated web-scraping and web-based collection activities for the study of the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian economic activity are not meant to collect, create or use personal information. Any personal information inadvertently collected during these activities will be stripped from the data and deleted.

Furthermore, this project has been assessed against Statistics Canada's Necessity and Proportionality Framework:

  1. Necessity: This information is needed to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the manufacturing sector and to generate flash estimates of monthly GDP, a new statistical product put out by Statistics Canada.

    This activity will augment coverage and allow for high quality information on the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian economic activity for the benefit of Statistics Canada stakeholders, including the public, and will inform government policy and decision-making.

    This information will help provide more accurate data that will enable Canadians to have a much better understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting various industries across Canada. For example the impacts of lock-down measures and plant closures on employment; how certain manufacturers modified their production line to produce personal protection equipment, respirators or hand sanitizer; others where employment is on the rise, etc.

    This type of web-based information is used by economic programs to validate, augment and analyze the information collected by other instruments: surveys or administrative data. Analysts use this information to ensure the quality of statistical products and to gain an understanding of the economic phenomena being measured.

  2. Effectiveness (Working assumptions): In the current pandemic context where economic activity is impacted and quickly evolving, the automation of this web-scraping activity provides the means of obtaining information on emerging or current issues regarding economic activity in a systematic, efficient and timely manner.

    When deployed in an interactive environment where information can be collected and presented on a daily basis, these tools will support the agency in meeting one of its stated objectives: the near real-time release of statistical information.

    Automating the data collection process is expected to result in measurable time and resource savings. In addition, automation makes it easier to share information across programs, which will ensure coherence of analysis across the agency.

    As a proof of concept, this initiative provides a test case of IT environments, machine learning, programming applications, and processes for the acquisition of information, all of which will allow the agency to modernize its processes for information collection, processing, reporting, and visualization.

  3. Proportionality: Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian economic activity does not require any personal information or personal identifiers. Only the necessary information about Canadian manufacturers will be collected. The data will be used only to enhance the agency's analysis and to replace what is currently collected manually. There is no intent to release this information to other departments or agencies, or to the public.

    The personal information that might be collected inadvertently is already in the public domain. Furthermore, since the privacy settings of the social media platforms being used (Twitter and LinkedIn) are well understood by users, especially when compared to the privacy settings of Facebook, the information being disclosed by users is being done so with their knowledge.

  4. Alternatives: The aim of this project is to automate processes and present the information in a usable format.

    The alternative is to collect social media information (the only source under consideration that may contain personal identifiers) on a manual and intermittent basis, which is the current process. In comparison to current methods, this project has the potential to generate considerable time savings and automatically track company-related developments in real time. As well, conducting a survey has also been considered, but it would not achieve the main goal which is to produce real-time information.

    Finally, in terms of privacy, this project is not accessing any information that isn't currently available to analysts using manual processes. Just as analysts don't currently retain personal identifiers contained in social media, this project will remove any such identifiers before further processing.

Mitigation factors

Any personal information that is inadvertently collected will be identified, removed and destroyed immediately. An application will be set up to automatically identify and remove user account IDs and similar identifiers that are not associated with the companies whose information is being sought.

Using Twitter as an example, tweets and the re-tweets that they include are presented as separate database records. These individual records contain fields with personal identifies such as the user ID and handle. As the data are being captured, the contents of these fields can be deleted for all users other than the companies whose information is being sought.

Conclusion

This assessment did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using existing safeguards.

Formal approval

This Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment has been reviewed and recommended for approval by Statistics Canada's Chief Privacy Officer, Director General for Modern Statistical Methods and Data Science, and Assistant Chief Statistician for Social, Health and Labour Statistics.

The Chief Statistician of Canada has the authority for section 10 of the Privacy Act for Statistics Canada, and is responsible for the Agency's operations, including the program area mentioned in this Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment.

This Privacy Impact Assessment has been approved by the Chief Statistician of Canada.

Why are we conducting this survey?

The purpose of this survey is to produce statistics on the stocks of frozen and chilled meat held in warehouses registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

These data will be aggregated with data from other sources to produce estimates of national and provincial stocks. These estimates are used by government and the private sector to make policy and investment decisions.

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

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record linkages

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

Data-sharing agreements

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

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

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

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

Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

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

You may also contact us by email at statcan.esdhelpdesk-dsebureaudedepannage.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-6583.

For this survey, there is a Section 12 agreement with the Prince Edward Island statistical agency.

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

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

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

3. Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

  • Operational
  • Not currently operational
    Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
    • Seasonal operations
      • When did this business or organization close for the season?
        Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        Date
    • Ceased operations
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Bankruptcy
        • Liquidation
        • Dissolution
        • Other
          Specify the other reasons why the operations ceased
    • Sold operations
      • When was this business or organization sold?
        Date
      • What is the legal name of the buyer?
    • Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
      • When did this business or organization amalgamate?
        Date
      • What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
      • What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
    • Temporarily inactive but will re-open
      • When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
        Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        Date
      • Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
    • No longer operating due to other reasons
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description and examples

  • This is the current main activity
  • This is not the current main activity

Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity

e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development

Main activity

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

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

6. Search and select the industry classification code that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.

Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)

  • Farming or logging operation
  • Construction company or general contractor
  • Manufacturer
  • Wholesaler
  • Retailer
  • Provider of passenger or freight transportation
  • Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
  • Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
  • Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
  • Provider of health care or social services
  • Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
  • Other sector

7. You have indicated that the current main activity of this business or organization is:
Main activity
Are there any other activities that contribute significantly (at least 10%) to this business or organization's revenue?

  • Yes, there are other activities
  • No, that is the only significant activity

Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's secondary activity

e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development

8. Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following activities?

When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.

Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following activities?
  Percentage of revenue
Main activity  
Secondary activity  
All other activities  
Total percentage  

Location of stocks

1. Are the stocks located at the following address?

  • Yes
  • No

Please report the address where the stocks are located.

  • Address (number and street):
  • City:
  • Province or territory:
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
    • Manitoba
    • New Brunswick
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Northwest Territories
    • Nova Scotia
    • Nunavut
    • Ontario
    • Prince Edward Island
    • Quebec
    • Saskatchewan
    • Yukon
  • Postal code:

Products in storage

2. Which of the following products were in storage at this location on ?

Select all that apply.

  • Pork - Domestic and imported
  • Beef - Domestic and imported
  • Veal - Domestic and imported
  • Mutton and lamb - Domestic and imported
  • Fancy meats
  • None of the above

All meat categories include brains, livers, sweetbreads, tongues, stomachs, kidneys, lungs and other glands for pharmaceuticals.
Beef, veal, and lamb include tails, headmeat, weasand meat, gullets, neck trim and blood plasma.

Pork - Domestic and imported

3. What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported pork products?

Include:

  • stocks held at this site only, regardless of ownership
  • smoked pork products
  • stocks held for export.

Exclude:

  • stocks held at another site
  • meat that has been further processed such as sausages, meat in soups or prepared dinners
  • back fat or rendered fat.

Conversion: 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms
Enter zero '0' if there are no stocks.

What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported pork products?
  Total stocks (kg)
Hams  
Loins  
Bellies  
Butts  
Picnics  
Ribs  
Backs and shoulders  
Trimmings  
Unclassified - other pork cuts and sundries not elsewhere listed  
Total domestic and imported pork products  

Beef - Domestic and imported

4. What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported beef products?

Include:

  • stocks held at this site only, regardless of ownership
  • stocks held for export.

Exclude:

  • stocks held at another site
  • meat that has been further processed such as sausages, meat in soups or prepared dinners
  • back fat or rendered fat.

Conversion: 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms
Enter zero '0' if there are no stocks.

What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported beef products?
  Total stocks (kg)
Bone-in domestic  
Bone-in imported  
Boneless domestic  
Boneless imported  
Total domestic and imported beef products  

Veal - Domestic and imported

5. What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported veal products?

Include:

  • stocks held at this site only, regardless of ownership
  • stocks held for export.

Exclude:

  • stocks held at another site
  • meat that has been further processed such as sausages, meat in soups or prepared dinners
  • back fat or rendered fat.

Conversion: 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms
Enter zero '0' if there are no stocks.

What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported veal products?
  Total stocks (kg)
Bone-in domestic  
Bone-in imported  
Boneless domestic  
Boneless imported  
Total domestic and imported veal products  

Mutton and lamb - Domestic and imported

6. What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported mutton and lamb products?

Include:

  • stocks held at this site only, regardless of ownership
  • stocks held for export.

Exclude:

  • stocks held at another site
  • meat that has been further processed such as sausages, meat in soups or prepared dinners
  • back fat or rendered fat.

Conversion: 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms
Enter zero '0' if there are no stocks.

What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following domestic and imported mutton and lamb products?
  Total stocks (kg)
Domestic mutton and lamb  
Imported mutton  
Imported lamb  
Total domestic and imported mutton and lamb products  

Fancy meats

7. What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following fancy meat products?

Include:

  • brains, livers, sweetbreads, tongues, stomachs, kidneys, lungs, other glands for pharmaceuticals
  • stocks held at this site only, regardless of ownership
  • stocks held for export.

Exclude:

  • stocks held at another site
  • meat that has been further processed such as sausages, meat in soups or prepared dinners
  • back fat or rendered fat.

Conversion: 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms
Enter zero '0' if there are no stocks.

What was the total stocks in kilograms (kg) of the following fancy meat products?
  Total stocks (kg)
Pork  
Beef  
Veal  
Lamb  
Total fancy meats products  

Changes or events

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

Select all that apply.

  • Strike or lock-out
  • 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

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

  • Yes
  • No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

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

Feedback

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

  • Hours:
  • Minutes:

2. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Monthly Survey of Manufacturing: National Level CVs by Characteristic - September 2020

Text table 1: National Level CVs by Characteristic
Month Sales of goods manufactured Raw materials and components inventories Goods / work in process inventories Finished goods manufactured inventories Unfilled Orders
%
September 2019 0.60 0.91 1.13 1.41 1.07
October 2019 0.61 0.93 1.13 1.41 1.11
November 2019 0.59 0.95 1.17 1.37 1.12
December 2019 0.58 0.98 1.16 1.39 1.06
January 2020 0.64 0.99 1.26 1.32 1.10
February 2020 0.63 1.02 1.22 1.36 1.08
March 2020 0.68 0.99 1.17 1.41 1.10
April 2020 0.87 0.99 1.20 1.41 1.10
May 2020 0.80 1.04 1.13 1.37 1.06
June 2020 0.69 1.05 1.19 1.38 1.06
July 2020 0.69 1.02 1.15 1.42 1.10
August 2020 0.64 1.05 1.20 1.48 1.57
September 2020 0.68 1.05 1.20 1.53 1.50

Employment Insurance Coverage Survey: CVs for eligibility of the unemployed for employment insurance benefits, by province - 2019

Employment Insurance Coverage Survey: CVs for eligibility of the unemployed for employment insurance benefits, by province - 2019
Province Eligibility Rate Coefficient of Variation (C.V.)
Percentage (%)
Canada 82.4 2.2
Newfoundland 94.1 2.6
PEI 97.0 2.4
Nova Scotia 95.2 2.2
New Brunswick 96.7 2.1
Quebec 87.8 4.8
Ontario 75.7 4.6
Manitoba 79.1 9.2
Saskatchewan 83.2 7.6
Alberta 84.1 5.4
British Columbia 73.6 9.8

Visitor Travel Survey: C.V.s for Total Spending Estimates - Q1 2020

Visitor Travel Survey: C.V.s for Total Spending Estimates - Q1 2020
Province/Territory of Entry United States Overseas
Total Spending
($ 000,000)		 Spending C.V.
(%)		 Total Spending
($ 000,000)		 Spending C.V.
(%)
Newfoundland and Labrador 0.4 43.7 7.8 13.8
Prince Edward Island 0.0 17.9 0.0 0.0
Nova Scotia 2.4 19.9 4.0 34.1
New Brunswick 6.5 40.1 2.5 24.6
Quebec 214.6 6.4 191.4 6.4
Ontario 455.4 4.5 423.1 5.1
Manitoba 12.2 7.6 2.8 65.7
Saskatchewan 5.0 33.6 1.9 38.6
Alberta 90.2 8.4 55.9 11.2
British Columbia 341.8 7.5 443.6 5.0
Yukon 5.8 9.7 2.3 97.2
Canada 1134.4 3.3 1135.4 3.0

Why are we conducting this survey?

The Agricultural Water Survey is conducted to gather information on water use, irrigation methods and practices, and sources and quality of water used for agricultural purposes. This survey is part of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program. The data collected will be used in CESI's reporting activities and to inform water use policy and development of programs for Canadian irrigators. Statistics Canada will also use the survey results to report on total water use by sector in Canada.

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

Although voluntary, your participation is important so that the information collected is as accurate and complete as possible.

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.

Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about record linkage:

Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-877-949-9492

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

Data-sharing agreements

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 the Statistics Canada Help Desk- this link will open in a new window by email statcan.esdhelpdesk-dsebureaudedepannage.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-6583.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Institut de la statistique du Québec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

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

Reporting instructions

  • When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.
  • Percentages should be rounded to whole numbers
  • Enter '0' if there is no value to report

Who should complete this questionnaire?

This questionnaire should be completed by the person that has good knowledge of the irrigation activities practiced on this farm.

Deadline for completing this questionnaire

Please complete this questionnaire and submit it within 14 days of receipt.

Printing your completed questionnaire

You can print this questionnaire once you have completed and submitted it.

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.

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

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

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Title
  • Preferred language of communication
    • English
    • French
  • Mailing address (number and street)
  • City
  • Province, territory or state
  • Postal code or ZIP code
  • Country
    • Canada
    • United States
  • Email address
  • Telephone number (including area code)
  • Extension number (if applicable)
    The maximum number of characters is 5.
  • Fax number (including area code)

3. Please verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

  • Operational
  • Not currently operational
    Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
    • Seasonal operations
      • When did this business or organization close for the season?
        • Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        • Date
    • Ceased operations
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Bankruptcy
        • Liquidation
        • Dissolution
        • Other - Specify the other reasons for ceased operations
    • Sold operations
      • When was this business or organization sold?
        • Date
      • What is the legal name of the buyer?
    • Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
      • When did this business or organization amalgamate?
        • Date
      • What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
      • What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
    • Temporarily inactive but will re-open
      • When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
        • Date
      • When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
        • Date
      • Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
    • No longer operating due to other reasons
      • When did this business or organization cease operations?
        • Date
      • Why did this business or organization cease operations?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description and examples

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

Main activity

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

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

6. Search and select the industry classification code that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.
Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)

  • Farming or logging operation
  • Construction company or general contractor
  • Manufacturer
  • Wholesaler
  • Retailer
  • Provider of passenger or freight transportation
  • Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
  • Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
  • Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
  • Provider of health care or social services
  • Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
  • Other sector

Crops

1. Which of the following crops did this operation produce or grow during the 20XX season?

Exclude:

  • land rented or leased to others
  • summerfallow
  • Christmas trees
  • greenhouses, nurseries and sod operations.

Select all that apply.

  • Forage crops
    • Include hay, improved pasture and silage
  • Field crops
    • Include potatoes
  • Fruit crops
    • Include all berries
  • Vegetable crops
    • Exclude potatoes

OR

  • Did not produce or grow any of the above crops during the 20XX season

Irrigated Crops

2. Did this operation irrigate forage crops during the 20XX season?

Irrigation is defined as applying water to the soil to assist the growing of crops in dry areas during periods of inadequate rainfall, to prevent soil compaction or erosion, or to protect plants against frost.

Include hay, improved pasture and silage.

Exclude land rented or leased to others

  • Yes
  • No

3. Did this operation irrigate field crops during the 20XX season?

Irrigation is defined as applying water to the soil to assist the growing of crops in dry areas during periods of inadequate rainfall, to prevent soil compaction or erosion, or to protect plants against frost.

Include potatoes.

Exclude land rented or leased to others

  • Yes
  • No

4. Did this operation irrigate fruit crops during the 20XX season?

Irrigation is defined as applying water to the soil to assist the growing of crops in dry areas during periods of inadequate rainfall, to prevent soil compaction or erosion, or to protect plants against frost.

Include all berries.

Exclude land rented or leased to others

  • Yes
  • No

5. Did this operation irrigate vegetable crops during the 20XX season?

Irrigation is defined as applying water to the soil to assist the growing of crops in dry areas during periods of inadequate rainfall, to prevent soil compaction or erosion, or to protect plants against frost.

Exclude

  • land rented or leased to others
  • potatoes
  • Yes
  • No

6. During the 20XX season, what were the reasons this operation was unable to irrigate?

Exclude land rented or leased to others

Select all that apply.

  • Shortage of on-farm surface water
    • Include lakes, rivers, creeks or streams, ponds or dugouts.
  • Shortage of on-farm underground water or well water
    • Include shallow wells and deep wells.
  • Poor water quality
  • High cost of obtaining water
    • E.g., cost of deliver, cost of fuel to operate pumps, cost of installing irrigation system
  • Irrigation ban
  • Equipment breakdown
  • Lack or personnel
  • Other
    • Specify other reason

OR

  • Nothing prevented this operation from irrigating

Units of measure

7. What are the units of measure that will be used to report the land areas and quantity of water used for irrigation throughout the questionnaire?

Land areas

  • Acres
  • Hectares
  • Arpents

Quantity of water used for irrigation

  • Inches (in)
  • Millimeters (mm)
  • Imperial gallons (imp. gal.)
  • U.S. gallons (U.S. gal)
  • Litres (L)
  • Cubic metres (m³)
  • Total acre-feet
  • Acres_feet per acre
  • Imperial gallons per acre
  • U.S. gallons per acre

Forage crops

8. What area of land was irrigation applied to for forage crops during the 20XX season?

Report the areas only once, even if more than one forage crop will be grown in the same area.

Include hay, improved pasture and silage.

Exclude land rented or leased to others.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate

Total irrigated land area for forage crops:

9. How many acres of forage crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?

Specify the total irrigated area for forage crops that received irrigation during the 20XX season.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

How many acres of forage crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?
  20XX Irrigated land area 20XX Quantity of water used
April 20XX    
May 20XX    
June 20XX    
July 20XX    
August 20XX    
September 20XX    
October 20XX    
Total  

10. What irrigation methods were used to irrigate forage crops during the 20XX season?

Select all that apply.

  • Sprinkler irrigation
    • Include hand move; solid or permanent set; side roll; wheel line, wheel move or wheel roll; traveller, volume gun, travelling gunwalker, overhead or circular; linear move; and centre pivot.
  • Micro-irrigation
    • Include surface drip, sub-surface drip, micro-sprinklers, bubblers, micro jets and hand watering.
  • Surface irrigation
    • Include down rows, furrows, corrugations, border dyke, level basins, uncontrolled flooding and back flooding. Exclude surface drip irrigation.

Field crops

11. What area of land was irrigation applied to for field crops during the 20XX season?

Report the areas only once, even if more than one forage crop will be grown in the same area.

Include potatoes.

Exclude land rented or leased to others.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

Total irrigated land area for field crops:

12. How many acres of field crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?

Specify the total irrigated area for field crops that received irrigation during the 20XX season.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

How many acres of field crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?
  20XX Irrigated land area 20XX Quantity of water used
April 20XX    
May 20XX    
June 20XX    
July 20XX    
August 20XX    
September 20XX    
October 20XX    
Total  

13. What irrigation methods were used to irrigate field crops during the 20XX season?

Select all that apply.

  • Sprinkler irrigation
    • Include hand move; solid or permanent set; side roll; wheel line, wheel move or wheel roll; traveller, volume gun, travelling gun, walker, overhead or circular; linear move; and centre pivot.
  • Micro-irrigation
    • Include surface drip, sub-surface drip, micro-sprinklers, bubblers, micro jets and hand watering.
  • Surface irrigation
    • Include down rows, furrows, corrugations, border dyke, level basins, uncontrolled flooding and back flooding. Exclude surface drip irrigation.

Fruit crops

14. What area of land was irrigation applied to for fruit crops during the 20XX season?

Report the areas only once, even if more than one field crop will be grown in the same area.

Include all berries.

Exclude land rented or leased to others.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate

Total irrigated land area for field crops:

15. How many acres of fruit crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?

Specify the total irrigated area for fruit crops that received irrigation during the 20XX season.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

How many acres of fruit crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?
  20XX Irrigated land area 20XX Quantity of water used
April 20XX    
May 20XX    
June 20XX    
July 20XX    
August 20XX    
September 20XX    
October 20XX    
Total  

16. What irrigation methods were used to irrigate fruit crops during the 20XX season?

Select all that apply.

  • Sprinkler irrigation
    • Include hand move; solid or permanent set; side roll; wheel line, wheel move or wheel roll; traveller, volume gun, travelling gun, walker, overhead or circular; linear move; and centre pivot.
  • Micro-irrigation
    • Include surface drip, sub-surface drip, micro-sprinklers, bubblers, micro jets and hand watering.
  • Surface irrigation
    • Include down rows, furrows, corrugations, border dyke, level basins, uncontrolled flooding and back flooding. Exclude surface drip irrigation.

Vegetable crops

17. What area of land was irrigation applied to for vegetable crops during the 20XX season?

Report the areas only once, even if more than one vegetable crop will be grown in the same area.

Exclude

  • land rented or leased to others.
  • Potatoes.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate

Total irrigated land area for vegetable crops:

18. How many acres of vegetable crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?

Specify the total irrigated area for vegetable crops that received irrigation during the 20XX season.

When exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

How many acres of vegetable crops was irrigation applied to for the following months?
  20XX Irrigated land area 20XX Quantity of water used
April 20XX    
May 20XX    
June 20XX    
July 20XX    
August 20XX    
September 20XX    
October 20XX    
Total  

19. What irrigation methods were used to irrigate forage crops during the 20XX season?
Select all that apply.

  • Sprinkler irrigation
    • Include hand move; solid or permanent set; side roll; wheel line, wheel move or wheel roll; traveller, volume gun, travelling gun, walker, overhead or circular; linear move; and centre pivot.
  • Micro-irrigation
    • Include surface drip, sub-surface drip, micro-sprinklers, bubblers, micro jets and hand watering.
  • Surface irrigation
    • Include down rows, furrows, corrugations, border dyke, level basins, uncontrolled flooding and back flooding. Exclude surface drip irrigation.

Summary

20. This is a summary of this operation's total irrigated area and quantity of water used during the 20XX season.

This is a summary of this operation's total irrigated area and quantity of water used during the 20XX season.
  20XX Irrigated land area 20XX Quantity of water used
a. Forage crops    
b. Field crops    
c. Fruit crops    
d. Vegetable crops    
Total    

Irrigation practices and water sources

21. Of all the water used for irrigation during the 20XX season, what percentage came from each of the following?

Of all the water used for irrigation during the 20XX season, what percentage came from each of the following?
  20XX Percentage
a. On-farm, underground water or well water
  • Include shallow wells and deep wells.
  
b. On-farm lakes, rivers, creeks or streams, ponds or dugouts.
i.e., direct access (surface water)		  
c. Off-farm water transported to the farm.
e.g., via pipeline, canal system or vehicle, including municipal water and any surface water located off-farm		  
d. Other
  • Specify
  
Total  

Off-farm water transported to the farm

22. Of all the off-farmwater used for irrigation during the 20XX season, what percentage came from each of the following?

Of all the off-farmwater used for irrigation during the 20XX season, what percentage came from each of the following?
  20XX Percentage
a. Tap water  
b. Treated wastewater  
c. Provincial water sources
e.g., irrigation district, irrigation project		  
d. Private sources  
e. Other
  • Specify other source
  
Total  

23. Why did this operation need to obtain water from an off-farm source during the 20XX season?

Select all that apply

  • No water or not enough water available on the farm for irrigation
  • Poor quality of on-farm water for irrigation
  • Equipment breakdown
  • Other
    • Specify other reason

Water and energy conservation practices

24. Which of the following practices were used during the 20XX season to conserve water or energy?

Select all that apply

  • Wind breaks
    • e.g., fences, tree lines, hedges
  • Leaving stubble on fields
    • E.g., minimum tillage, direct seeding
  • Watering at night or in the morning
  • Pressure reduction
  • Water or energy saving nozzles
  • Incorporating compost or other material into soil to increase soil water retention
  • Other
    • Specify other practice

OR

  • No water or energy saving practices were used during the 20XX season

Crops

25. Did this operation ever produce or grow forage, field, fruit or vegetable crops in previous seasons?

  • Yes
  • No

Irrigated crops

26. Did this operation apply irrigation to any of its crops in previous seasons?

Irrigation is defined as applying water to the soil to assist the growing of crops in dry areas during periods of inadequate rainfall, to prevent soil compaction or erosion, or to protect plants against frost.

  • Yes
  • No

Changes or events

27. Indicate any changes or evens that affected the reported values for this operation compared with the last reporting period.

Select all that apply

  • Strike or lock-out
  • Natural disaster
  • Acquisition of business or business units
  • Other
    • Specify the other changes or events

OR

  • No changes or events

Contact person

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

Is the respondent given names and respondent family names 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)
  • Fax number (including area code)

Feedback

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

  • Hours
  • Minutes

30. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Retail Commodity Survey: CVs for Total Sales (August 2020)

Retail Commodity Survey: CVs for Total Sales (August 2020)
NAPCS-CANADA Month
202005 202006 202007 202008
Total commodities, retail trade commissions and miscellaneous services 0.68 0.64 0.69 0.70
Retail Services (except commissions) [561] 0.67 0.64 0.69 0.69
Food at retail [56111] 0.74 0.64 0.61 0.80
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, at retail [56112] 0.61 0.55 0.52 0.52
Cannabis products, at retail [56113] 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clothing at retail [56121] 1.62 1.15 1.04 1.01
Footwear at retail [56122] 2.37 2.26 2.05 2.14
Jewellery and watches, luggage and briefcases, at retail [56123] 20.11 9.57 10.12 8.45
Home furniture, furnishings, housewares, appliances and electronics, at retail [56131] 1.00 0.71 0.71 0.71
Sporting and leisure products (except publications, audio and video recordings, and game software), at retail [56141] 3.99 2.04 2.66 2.89
Publications at retail [56142] 8.80 8.08 7.42 8.13
Audio and video recordings, and game software, at retail [56143] 2.17 3.19 6.29 6.70
Motor vehicles at retail [56151] 2.43 2.20 2.64 2.60
Recreational vehicles at retail [56152] 7.20 5.71 3.50 3.92
Motor vehicle parts, accessories and supplies, at retail [56153] 1.83 1.58 1.91 1.76
Automotive and household fuels, at retail [56161] 2.79 3.40 2.65 2.09
Home health products at retail [56171] 2.65 2.56 2.77 2.30
Infant care, personal and beauty products, at retail [56172] 3.68 3.47 3.72 4.31
Hardware, tools, renovation and lawn and garden products, at retail [56181] 2.19 2.11 1.59 1.35
Miscellaneous products at retail [56191] 2.84 3.12 2.57 2.41
Total retail trade commissions and miscellaneous servicesFootnotes 1 1.92 1.66 1.62 1.66

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Comprises the following North American Product Classification System (NAPCS): 51411, 51412, 53112, 56211, 57111, 58111, 58121, 58122, 58131, 58141, 72332, 833111, 841, 85131 and 851511.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Request for information – Economic accounts

Under the authority of the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada is hereby requesting the following information, which will be used solely for statistical and research purposes and will be protected in accordance with the provisions of the Statistics Act and any other applicable law. This is a mandatory request for data.

National accounts and Gross Domestic Product

Information on insured mortgages

What information is being requested?

Statistics Canada is requesting administrative data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on insured mortgages, including mortgage volume, loan-level characteristics, property characteristics, measures of loan performance, and housing market indicators, aggregated at the 3-digit postal code level (i.e., forward sortation area).

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information.

What years of data will be requested?

Monthly data as of December 2024

From whom will the information be requested?

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada requires this information to develop more timely information related to household financial risk. Through this data acquisition, researchers, decision-makers, and the Canadian public will benefit from a more accurate set of official statistics related to debt and leverage for Canadian households, allowing them to better account for the distribution of debt holdings across a range of aggregated borrower and loan characteristics.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

As the national housing agency, the CMHC is in a unique position to collect comprehensive information regarding insured mortgages in Canada.

When will this information be requested?

January 2025

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

Statistics Canada will develop the necessary financial information to provide more detailed and informative indicators of household financial risk in support of various programs, most notably:

When was this request published?

January 2, 2025

Information by fund on gross sales and gross redemptions of investment fund units and reinvested distributions

What information is being requested?

Statistics Canada is requesting information by fund on aggregate gross sales (to investors) and gross redemptions (by investors) of investment fund units and reinvested distribution amounts. This would include the value of units sold and redeemed in each period as well as the investment incomes that unit holders receive and that are subsequently reinvested to purchase additional fund units. The information on aggregated period sales, redemptions and reinvested distributions are being requested at the fund-level and includes variables such as fund ID, fund name, company, type of transaction (purchase, redemption, reinvested distribution), dollar value of unit purchases/redemptions (at transaction price) or reinvestment amount, and number of units purchased or redeemed. Classification information is also being requested, such as CIFSC (i.e., the standard classifications of Canadian-domiciled mutual funds), mutual fund group type and investment product type (i.e., stand-alone fund versus fund-of-funds).

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information.

What years of data will be requested?

All available data held at time of request and ongoing, monthly.

From whom will the information be requested?

This information is being requested from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada.

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada requires this information to create and publish statistics on household wealth in the Financial and Wealth Accounts (i.e., National Balance Sheet) as it relates to holdings of mutual funds investments. Canadians look to the National Balance Sheet to better understand how households are performing in terms of overall wealth and investment activity. These data on mutual fund sales and redemptions will distinguish the change in mutual fund wealth due to the buying or selling of units versus changes in the price of fund units. With this distinction, Statistics Canada can more effectively identify data issues and incoherence with the goal of improving data quality. This also impacts policymakers who, in setting fiscal or monetary policies, monitor both household debt as well as household assets that can be used to reduce debt. With trillions of dollars in mutual fund holdings among households, this source of wealth is a significant counterbalance to household liabilities.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

The Investment Funds Institute of Canada is responsible for collecting information on the investment funds industry in Canada. They are the authoritative source for this information.

When will this information be requested?

September 2023 and onward (monthly)

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

When was this request published?

September 8, 2023

Information on the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)

What information is being requested?

Aggregated information on recipients of HASCAP across a range of socioeconomic categories, including province/territory, industry, employment status, business size, source of funds, as well as other characteristics such as the application date and status, and the value and terms of the funds provided.

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information.

What years of data will be requested?

Monthly data initiated from the inception of HASCAP in February 2021 and ongoing

From whom will the information be requested?

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada requires this information to analyze and publish statistics on borrowing by different sectors of the economy. This will also ensure that borrowing activity and resulting debt is correctly measured in the Income and Expenditure Accounts and Financial and Wealth Accounts. Canadians will benefit from more accurate measures of key economic indicators, as many policy decisions impacting all Canadians are based on measures of gross corporate debt and debt-to-gross domestic product ratios. This will also assist policymakers, researchers, and businesses to better understand the impact of this loan program within the broader context of COVID-19 business support programs.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

BDC administrates HASCAP and consequently is the sole organization that collects and maintains up-to-date data on this program.

When will this information be requested?

September 2023 and onward (monthly).

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

This information will also be included in Statistics Canada's Canadian COVID-19 Business Support Measures database.

When was this request published?

September 8, 2023

Information on financial derivatives of chartered banks

What information is being requested?

Statistics Canada is requesting information on financial derivatives. Derivatives can be broadly defined as secondary assets, the value of which fluctuates with price movements of a related or underlying primary asset.

The Bank of Canada currently surveys a subset of chartered banks on their activities involving these financial instruments. This includes information such as the volume of derivative activity and the stock of derivative assets by type of derivative. This information is collected via two surveys administered by the Bank of Canada, the Canadian Foreign Exchange Committee Semi-Annual Foreign Exchange Volume Survey and the Bank of International Settlements Over-the-counter Derivatives Bi-Annual Survey. Statistics Canada will be requesting the results of these surveys.

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information.

What years of data will be requested?

All available historical data held at time of request and ongoing, semi-annually, and bi-annually.

From whom will the information be requested?

This information is being requested from the Bank of Canada.

Why is this information being requested?

This information on financial derivatives will be a key input to the Financial and Wealth Accounts program at Statistics Canada. It will support efforts to align to international reporting standards, as outlined by the System of National Accounts 2008 manual, by enabling the creation and publication of financial derivatives estimates within the National Balance Sheet. This information is necessary to ensure accurate and comprehensive information on the potential risks to the financial system related to these financial instruments. Incorporating this information into the existing statistical and national accounting framework will enable policymakers, Canadians, and other stakeholders to better assess these risks and understand the interlinkages between sectors.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

The Bank of Canada is responsible for collecting information on financial derivatives via two surveys, the Canadian Foreign Exchange Committee Semi-Annual Foreign Exchange Volume Survey, and the Bank of International Settlements Over-the-counter Derivatives Bi-Annual Survey. These data support their role in setting monetary policy and in monitoring systemic risk.

When will this information be requested?

June 2023 and onward (various frequencies)

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

When was this request published?

May 17, 2023

Information on investment industry financial statistics and sectoral trades in financial instruments

What information is being requested?

Statistics Canada’s is requesting summarized Canadian investment industry financial reports prepared by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and information covering trades in financial instruments. The industry reports provide aggregated data by peer group on the sources of revenue, expenses, and balance sheet composition of regulated members. As a private sector self-regulatory body, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) collects data for numerous financial instruments including corporate bond securities issued by Canadian corporations, corporate bond securities issued by Canadian Banks, bond securities that are actively traded, and Government issued debt securities, such as treasury bills.

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information

What years of data will be requested?

Daily data, provided on a monthly basis, as of September 2020.

From whom will the information be requested?

Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada requires this information to create and publish statistics on the current production by the Canadian financial industries that fall under the quarterly GDP program. In addition, the data will help build more accurate quarterly estimates of national balance sheet levels, flows, and other changes in the values of these instruments. These statistics will help improve the accuracy of current measures of economic activity and the holdings and activity related to financial instruments across numerous sectors of the economy. This information will be used by policy makers, researchers to more accurately assess risk associated with financial instrument concentrations across sectors of the economy. The results for Canadians are more accurate financial statistics that allow them to understand how the financial system is interlinked and how shocks can impact their wealth.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

CIRO is the self regulatory body for the Canadian investment industry and the Debt Information Processor. In their capacity as a regulatory body, they are in the unique position to collect key information regarding investment industry activity as well as transactions in financial instruments. They are the authoritative source for this information.

When will this information be requested?

July 2024

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

When was this request published?

July 30, 2024

Regulatory data on derivative transactions, crypto assets and funds

What information is being requested?

Aggregated information on financial derivative transactions (i.e. date transacted, economic sector, type of derivative, and market value), crypto assets (i.e. crypto assets holdings via regulated exchanges, number of trades, and holder type such as individual or business) at the sector and industry levels and investment funds (i.e. fund type, net assets, fees, expenses & taxes, gross sales, ownership type, etc.)

What personal information is included in this request?

This request does not contain any personal information.

What years of data will be requested?

All current data holdings, historical (as available), and on an ongoing basis.

From whom will the information be requested?

Ontario Securities Commission

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada requires this information to create and publish statistics on financial derivatives, crypto assets and investment funds. These statistics will provide insight on the overall significance of these respective financial markets in Canada and on the sectors of the economy that are most involved in these markets. This information can be used by policy makers, researchers, industry stakeholders to stay informed regarding the relative size of these financial instruments and sectors over time and to assess the potential risks that these instruments and sectors have on the broader economy.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) regulates the trading of financial securities in the province of Ontario. They collect extensive regulatory data from financial entities of statistical significance. Collecting OSC data avoids the surveying of entities that already submit regulatory information, reducing response burden.

When will this information be requested?

Financial derivatives and crypto assess data were requested in September 2022 and onward (monthly), investment fund data will be requested at the same frequency beginning in March 2024 and onward.

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

When was this request published?

April 15, 2024

Summary of Changes

March 2024 - Inclusion of funds data to the request for information.

Data on the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Data on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA)

What information is being requested?

Information on loan applicants (i.e., legal names, province/territory, and business number), other characteristics such as the loan application date and status, and the value and terms of the loans provided is being requested.

What personal information is included in this request?

This request covers business information; however, some information pertaining to businesses may be considered personal depending on the nature of the business.

What years of data will be requested?

Monthly data beginning in 2020 (ongoing).

From whom will the information be requested?

This information is being requested from Export Development Canada (EDC).

This information is being requested from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Why is this information being requested?

Statistics Canada is requesting this information to ensure the impact of these programs on businesses are being correctly captured in the macroeconomic accounts (i.e., gross domestic product and business debt) including the treatment and classification of these concessional and other loans. Moreover, this data will provide sophisticated tools and analytical products that will help inform policymakers for targeted interventions in the pandemic recovery phase.

Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.

Why were these organizations selected as data providers?

EDC is responsible for administrating the CEBA program and collects and maintains up-to-date data on applicants to this lending program.

CMHC is responsible for administrating the CECRA program and collects and maintains up-to-date data on applicants to this lending program.

When will this information be requested?

January 2021 and onward (monthly).

What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?

When was this request published?

November 5, 2020

Summary of the Evaluation of the Census of Agriculture and Innovation in the Agriculture Statistics Program

The Agriculture Statistics Program (ASP) is comprised of an integrated set of components including crop and livestock surveys, farm economic statistics, agri-environmental statistics, tax and other administrative data, research and analysis, remote sensing and the Census of Agriculture (CEAG). The statistical information produced by the CEAG is unique in its ability to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the industry and its people, as well as small area data, both of which are instrumental not only to the agricultural industry, but also for meeting the data requirements of environmental programs, health programs, trade and crisis management. ASP statistical information is used by a wide range of organizations, including different levels of government, not-for-profit and private organizations, academic institutions, and individual Canadians.

This evaluation was conducted by Statistics Canada in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat's Policy on Results (2016) and Statistics Canada's Risk-Based Audit and Evaluation Plan (2019/2020 to 2023/2024). The main objective of the evaluation was to provide a neutral, evidence-based assessment of the 2016 CEAG dissemination strategy, and of the design and delivery of the CEAG migration to the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). The evaluation also assessed projects in the broader ASP, with a focus on projects supporting Statistics Canada's modernization initiative.

The evaluation found that a majority of interviewees were satisfied with the dissemination of the 2016 CEAG and noted it was an improvement over 2011. Data tables were identified as the most used product. In terms of timeliness, interviewees were satisfied with the release of the first set of tables (farm operator data - one year after Census Day); however, the timeframe for releasing the remaining two sets of data tables affected their usefulness (2.5 years after Census Day for the last data table release with socioeconomic data). Gaps were also identified in cross-analysis with non-agricultural sectors and in emerging sectors, and in guidance for web tools.

The CEAG migration to the IBSP was proceeding as planned at the time of the evaluation. Efforts to resolve issues, such as those related to compatibilities between the Collection Management Portal (CMP) and the IBSP, and the availability of tools and capacity to support data quality assessments, were continuing. The start of the production phase will bring additional risks as new resources become involved and time pressures increase.

All ASP projects reviewed were aligned with the modernization pillars and expected results. Most of the projects focussed on increasing the use of data from alternative sources and integrating data. The evaluation found that while governance structures existed and regular monitoring was taking place, project management practices could be strengthened.

The evaluation proposed six recommendations:

Recommendation 1

For the 2021 CEAG, the Agriculture Division explore ways to improve the timeliness of the last two sets of data tables (historical data, and socio-economic data) and increase cross-analysis with non-agricultural sectors.

Recommendation 2

Web tools include guidance on how to use them and how to interpret data from them. A proactive approach to launching new tools should be taken. Webinars were identified as an effective channel and the use of other channels would allow for even a wider coverage.

Recommendation 3

Unresolved issues for the migration to the IBSP, including incompatibilities between the IBSP and the CMP as well as the IBSP processing capacity, are addressed prior to the production phase.

Recommendation 4

Significant risks during the production phase, particularly with regard to data quality assessments and the exercising of roles and responsibilities, are monitored and mitigated.

Recommendation 5

Planning processes for future projects falling outside the scope of the Departmental Project Management Framework include an initial assessment that takes into account elements such as risk, materiality, public visibility and interdependencies. The assessment should then be used to determine the appropriate level of oversight and project management.

Recommendation 6

Processes and tools for documenting and sharing of best practices are implemented and lessons learned from other organizations (internal and external) are leveraged.

Subscribe to
Date modified: