Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - April 2023

Wholesale Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - April 2023
Geography Month
202204 202205 202206 202207 202208 202209 202210 202211 202212 202301 202302 202303 202304
percentage
Canada 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.4
Newfoundland and Labrador 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.3
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 2.7 3.5 1.6 4.7 2.5 1.9 2.9 1.8 4.9 4.4 2.0 3.4 2.2
New Brunswick 2.9 1.3 1.2 2.1 3.0 1.7 1.3 2.6 2.4 1.8 1.9 1.5 1.4
Quebec 2.5 1.9 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.5 2.1 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3
Ontario 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.0
Manitoba 0.8 1.8 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.5 2.1 1.4 1.8 0.8 0.7 0.5 1.2
Saskatchewan 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.1 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.6
Alberta 1.8 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 0.8 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.4 0.9 0.4 0.3
British Columbia 1.4 1.6 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.8 2.6 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.4
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

Business or organization information

1. Which of the following categories best describes this business or organization?

  • Government agency
  • Private sector business
  • Non-profit organization
    • Who does this organization primarily serve?
      • Households or individuals
        e.g., child and youth services, community food services, food bank, women's shelter, community housing services, emergency relief services, religious organization, grant and giving services, social advocacy group, arts and recreation group
      • Businesses
        e.g., business association, chamber of commerce, condominium association, environmental support or protection services, group benefit carriers (pensions, health, medical)
  • Don't know

Business or organization information

2. In what year was this business or organization first established?

Please provide the year this business or organization first began operations.

Year business or organization was first established:

OR

Don't know

3. Over the last 12 months, which of the following international activities did this business or organization conduct?

Select all that apply.

  • Export or sell goods outside of Canada
    Include both intermediate and final goods.
  • Export or sell services outside of Canada
    Include services delivered virtually and in person.
    e.g., software, cloud services, legal services, environmental services, architectural services, digital advertising
  • Make investments outside of Canada
  • Sell goods to businesses or organizations in Canada who then resold them outside of Canada
  • Import or buy goods from outside of Canada
    Include both intermediate and final goods.
  • Import or buy services from outside of Canada
    Include services received virtually and in person.
    e.g., software, cloud services, legal services, environmental services, architectural services, digital advertising
  • Relocate any business or organizational activities or employees from another country into Canada
    Exclude temporary foreign workers.
  • Relocate business or organizational activities or employees from Canada to another country
  • Engage in other international business or organizational activities
    OR
  • None of the above

4. Over the next three months, how are each of the following expected to change for this business or organization?

Exclude seasonal factors or conditions.

  • Number of employees
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Vacant positions
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Sales of goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Selling price of goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Demand for goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Imports of goods or services
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Exports of goods or services
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Operating income
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Operating expenses
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Profitability
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Cash reserves
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Capital expenditures
    e.g., machinery, equipment
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Training expenditures
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Marketing and advertising budget
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know
  • Expenditures in research and development
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
    • Don't know

Business or organization obstacles

5. Over the next three months, which of the following are expected to be obstacles for this business or organization?

Select all that apply.

  • Shortage of labour force
  • Recruiting skilled employees
  • Recruiting employees who can work in both English and French
  • Retaining skilled employees
  • Shortage of space or equipment
  • Rising cost of inputs
    An input is an economic resource used in a firm's production process.
    e.g., labour, capital, energy and raw materials
  • Rising costs in real estate, leasing or property taxes
  • Rising inflation
  • Rising interest rates and debt costs
    e.g., borrowing fees, interest payments
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
  • Maintaining inventory levels
  • Insufficient demand for goods or services offered
  • Fluctuations in consumer demand
  • Attracting new or returning customers
  • Cost of insurance
  • Transportation costs
  • Obtaining financing
  • Increasing competition
  • Challenges related to exporting or selling goods and services outside of Canada
  • Maintaining sufficient cash flow or managing debt
  • Other obstacle
    • Specify other obstacle:
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If at least 2 obstacles are selected in Q5, go to Q6. Otherwise, go to Q7.

Display condition: Display in Q6 the obstacles selected in Q5.

6. Of the obstacles selected in the previous question, please indicate this business's or organization's most challenging obstacle expected over the next three months.

  • Shortage of labour force
  • Recruiting skilled employees
  • Recruiting employees who can work in both English and French
  • Retaining skilled employees
  • Shortage of space or equipment
  • Rising cost of inputs
    An input is an economic resource used in a firm's production process
    e.g., labour, capital, energy and raw materials
  • Rising costs in real estate, leasing or property taxes
  • Rising inflation
  • Rising interest rates and debt costs
    e.g., borrowing fees, interest payments
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
  • Maintaining inventory levels
  • Insufficient demand for goods or services offered
  • Fluctuations in consumer demand
  • Attracting new or returning customers
  • Cost of insurance
  • Transportation costs
  • Obtaining financing
  • Increasing competition
  • Challenges related to exporting or selling goods and services outside of Canada
  • Maintaining sufficient cash flow or managing debt
  • Other obstacle

Flow condition: If "Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada", "Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad", or "Maintaining inventory levels" is selected in Q5, go to Q7. Otherwise, go to Q10.

Display condition: Display in Q7 the obstacles selected in Q5.

Supply chain challenges

7. How long does this business or organization expect the following to continue to be an obstacle?

  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
    • Less than 3 months
    • 3 months to less than 6 months
    • 6 months to less than 12 months
    • 12 months or more
    • Don't know
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
    • Less than 3 months
    • 3 months to less than 6 months
    • 6 months to less than 12 months
    • 12 months or more
    • Don't know
  • Maintaining inventory levels
    • Less than 3 months
    • 3 months to less than 6 months
    • 6 months to less than 12 months
    • 12 months or more
    • Don't know

8. Over the last three months, how have supply chain challenges experienced by this business or organization changed?

Supply chain challenges include difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada or abroad and difficulty maintaining inventory levels.

Exclude seasonal factors or conditions.

  • Supply chain challenges have worsened
    • Which of the following factors have contributed to these challenges?
      Select all that apply.
      • Increased prices of inputs, products or supplies
      • Increased delays in deliveries of inputs, products or supplies
      • Supply shortages resulted in fewer inputs, products or supplies being available
      • Supply shortages resulted in no inputs, products or supplies available
      • Other factor
        • Specify other factor:
        OR
      • Don't know
  • Supply chain challenges have remained about the same
  • Supply chain challenges have improved

9. Over the next three months, how does this business or organization expect supply chain challenges to change?

Supply chain challenges include difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada or abroad and difficulty maintaining inventory levels.
Exclude seasonal factors or conditions.

  • Supply chain challenges are expected to worsen
  • Supply chain challenges are expected to remain about the same
  • Supply chain challenges are expected to improve

Flow condition: If "Government agency" is selected in Q1, go to Q11. Otherwise, go to Q10.
Display condition: If "Non-profit organization" is selected in Q1, do not display "Transfer the business" and "Sell the business."

Expectations for the next year

10. Over the next 12 months, does this business or organization plan to do any of the following?;

Select all that apply.

  • Expand current location of this business or organization
  • Expand operations of this business or organization internationally
  • Expand operations of this business or organization into a new province or territory within Canada
  • Move operations of this business or organization to another province or territory within Canada entirely
  • Expand this business or organization to other locations within the same province or territory
  • Expand this business or organization without increasing physical space
    i.e., hiring more staff who will work remotely, or expanding online sales capacity
  • Restructure this business or organization
    Restructuring involves changing the financial, operational, legal or other structures of the business or organization to make it more efficient or more profitable.
  • Acquire other businesses, organizations or franchises
  • Invest in other businesses or organizations
  • Merge with other businesses or organizations
  • Reduce the physical space of this business or organization
  • Scale down operations of this business or organization to within a single province or territory within Canada
  • Transfer the business
  • Sell the business
    OR
  • Close the business or organization
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

Interprovincial activities

11. Over the last 12 months, did this business or organization conduct any of the following activities within Canada?

Include transactions executed between a consumer or business or organization in a given province or territory and a consumer or business or organization outside that province or territory.

Select all that apply.

  • Sold goods or services to customers in another province or territory
  • Purchased goods or services from suppliers in another province or territory
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If "Sold goods or services to customers in another province or territory" OR "Purchased goods or services from suppliers in another province or territory" is selected in Q11, go to Q12. If Q11 is blank OR "Don't know" is selected in Q11, go to Q16. If "None of above" is selected in Q11, go to Q14.

12. Over the last 12 months, which of the following obstacles did this business or organization experience when purchasing and selling goods or services across provincial and territorial borders?

Select all that apply.

  • Distance between point of origin and destination
  • Transportation cost and availability
  • Transportation regulations were difficult to abide by
  • Permitted quantity of a given product was limited
  • Too much paperwork to fill out
  • Permits and licenses were difficult to obtain
  • Provincial or territorial tax laws
  • Provincial or territorial language laws
  • Lack of knowledge or information on the market
  • Other obstacle
    • Specify other obstacle :
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If only "Distance between point of origin and destination" in Q12 is selected OR if "don't know" OR "none of the above" is selected OR if Q12 is blank, go to Q16. Otherwise, go to Q13.

Display condition: Display in Q13 the obstacles selected in Q12, from "Transportation cost and availability" to "other obstacle."

13. Over the last 12 months, what impact did each of the obstacles experienced have on this business's or organization's ability to purchase and sell goods or services across provincial and territorial borders?

  • Transportation cost and availability
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impac
    • No impact at all
  • Transportation regulations were difficult to abide by
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Permitted quantity of given product was limited
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Too much paperwork to fill out
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Permits and licenses were difficult to obtain
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Provincial or territorial tax laws
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact;
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Provincial or territorial language laws
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Lack of knowledge or information on the market
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all
  • Other obstacle
    • Major impact
    • Moderate impact
    • Minor impact
    • No impact at all

Flow condition: If "none of the above" is selected, go to Q14. Otherwise, go to Q16.

14. Over the last 12 months, why did this business or organization not purchase or sell goods or services across provincial and territorial borders?

Select all that apply.

  • Distance between point of origin and destination
  • Transportation cost and availability
  • Transportation regulations were difficult to abide by
  • Permitted quantity of given product was limited
  • Too much paperwork to fill out
  • Permits and licenses were difficult to obtain
  • Provincial or territorial tax laws
  • Provincial or territorial language laws
  • Lack of knowledge or information on the market
  • Other obstacle
    • Specify other obstacle:
    OR
  • Local nature of this business or organization
    OR
  • No interest in purchasing or selling across provincial and territorial borders
    OR
  • Don't know

Flow condition: If only "Distance between point of origin and destination" in Q14 is selected OR if "Local nature of this business or organization" OR "No interest in purchasing or selling across provincial and territorial borders" OR "don't know" is selected in Q14 OR if Q14 is blank, go to Q16. Otherwise, go to Q15.

Display condition: Display in Q15 the reasons selected in Q14, from "Transportation cost and availability" to "other obstacle."

15. To what extent would a reduction or elimination of each of the following obstacles affect this business's or organization's willingness to purchase or sell goods or services across provincial and territorial borders?

  • Transportation cost and availability
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Transportation regulations were difficult to abide by
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Permitted quantity of given product was limited
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Too much paperwork to fill out
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Permits and licenses were difficult to obtain
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Provincial or territorial tax laws
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Provincial or territorial language laws
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Lack of knowledge or information on the market
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all
  • Other obstacle
    • Great extent
    • Moderate extent
    • Slight extent
    • No extent at all

Environmental activities

16. Which of the following environmental practices does this business or organization have currently in place?

Select all that apply.

  • Reducing waste
  • Reducing energy or water consumption
    e.g., sensor lights, LED lights, automated faucets
  • Encouraging employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices
    e.g., teleworking, using public transit, recycling
  • Using recycled or waste materials as inputs
  • Implement green processes
    e.g., reduce transportation impacts and building impacts
  • Using one or more clean energy sources
    e.g., hydroelectricity, solar, wind
  • Choosing suppliers based on their environmentally responsible practices or products
  • Designing products or services to have a minimal impact on the environment
    e.g., eco-design that considers the product's lifecycle
  • Performing carbon sequestration activities
    e.g., planting trees, purchasing carbon credits
  • Measuring the business's or organization's environmental footprint
  • Obtaining or maintaining one or more eco-responsible certifications
  • Being zero waste
  • Having a written environmental policy
  • Hiring an external auditor to evaluate the business's or organization's environmental practices
  • Other environmental practices
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If all of "Reducing waste" to "Other environmental practices" in Q16 is selected, go to Q18. Otherwise, go to Q17.

Display condition: Display in Q17, what is not selected in Q16, from "Reducing waste" to "Other environmental practices."

17. Which of the following environmental practices does this business or organization plan to implement over the next 12 months?

Select all that apply.

  • Reducing waste
  • Reducing energy or water consumption
    e.g., sensor lights, LED lights, automated faucets
  • Encouraging employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices
    e.g., teleworking, using public transit, recycling
  • Using recycled or waste materials as inputs
  • Implement green processes
    e.g., reduce transportation impacts and building impacts
  • Using one or more clean energy sources
    e.g., hydroelectricity, solar, wind
  • Choosing suppliers based on their environmentally responsible practices or products
  • Designing products or services to have a minimal impact on the environment
    e.g., eco-design that considers the product's lifecycle
  • Performing carbon sequestration activities
    e.g., planting trees, purchasing carbon credits
  • Measuring the business's or organization's environmental footprint
  • Obtaining or maintaining one or more eco-responsible certifications
  • Being zero waste
  • Having a written environmental policy
  • Hiring an external auditor to evaluate the business's or organization's environmental practices
  • Other environmental practices
    OR
  • None of the above

18. Over the next 12 months, which of the following could be barriers for this business or organization when adopting more green practices?

Select all that apply.

  • Lack of financial resources
  • Clients are not willing to pay a higher price
  • Time constraints or labour limitations
  • The business or organization has industry limitations when adopting green practices
  • Locational or on-site limitations
    Include geographic location limitations and leasing limitations.
  • Limited by corporate directives
  • Metrics to measure sustainability or going green are too confusing
  • Lack of knowledge or expertise
  • COVID-19
  • Other barrier
    • Specify other barrier:
    OR
  • None of the above
    i.e., the business or organization has no barriers or no plans to adopt green practices

Payment methods

19. Is this business or organization currently accepting any of the following payment methods?

Include in-store and online purchases.

Select all that apply.

  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
  • Wire transfer
  • PayPal
  • Digital wallet or electronic wallet (eWallet) methods
    e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay
    Exclude PayPal.
  • Interac e-transfer
  • Buy now, pay later payment service
    e.g., Afterpay, Sezzle, Klarna, QuadPay
  • Cryptocurrency or crypto wallets
    e.g., Coinbase, BitPay, ZenGo, CoinSmart, Bitbuy, Ledger Nano S, Ellipal
  • Other payment method
    • Specify other payment method:
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

Display condition: Display in Q20, what is not selected in Q19, from "Cash" to "Cryptocurrency or crypto wallets"

20. Over the next 12 months, will this business organization start to accept any of the following payment methods?

Include in-store and online purchases.

Select all that apply.

  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
  • Wire transfer
  • PayPal
  • Digital wallet or electronic wallet (eWallet) methods
    e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay
    Exclude PayPal.
  • Interac e-transfer
  • Buy now, pay later payment service
    e.g., Afterpay, Sezzle, Klarna, QuadPay
  • Cryptocurrency or crypto wallets
    e.g., Coinbase, BitPay, ZenGo, CoinSmart, Bitbuy, Ledger Nano S, Ellipal
  • Other payment method
    • Specify other payment method:
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If all of "Cash" to "Cryptocurrency or crypto wallets" in Q19 is selected, go to Q22. Otherwise, go to Q21.

21. What are the reasons this business or organization does not accept certain payment methods?

Select all that apply.

  • Lack knowledge of available payment methods
  • Service fees
  • Security or privacy concerns
  • Incompatibility with existing equipment or software
  • Legal issues, barriers or concerns
  • Current payment methods meet the needs of this business or organization and its clients or customers
  • Other reason
    • Specify other reason:
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • Not applicable

Languages of services

22. Over the last 12 months, in which languages did this business or organization provide the following services or perform the following activities?

Website
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Marketing and advertising
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Outdoor signage
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Indoor signage
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Customer service
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Sales
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

External communications
Include media releases.
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Internal communications
Select all that apply.

  • English
  • French
  • Other language
    OR
  • Not applicable
    OR
  • Don't know

Languages of work

23. What percentage of employees in this business or organization is required to be bilingual in English and French?

If the business or organization does not require bilingual employees, please enter '0'.

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage of employees required to be bilingual in English and French:

Cybersecurity

24. Over the next 12 months, does this business or organization plan to take any new or additional cybersecurity actions?

Cybersecurity actions include:

Managing, monitoring, evaluating or improving the security of business networks, web presence, e-mail systems or devices;

Patching or updating the software or operating systems used by the business or organization for security reasons;

Completing tasks related to recovery from previous cyber security incidents.

  • Yes
  • No
    • What is the primary reason this business or organization does not plan to take any new or additional cybersecurity actions?
      • This business or organization does not need cybersecurity measures
      • COVID-19 has delayed the business's or organization's cybersecurity plans
      • This business or organization does not have the necessary financial resources
      • This business or organization has already implemented any necessary cybersecurity actions
      • Other reason
        • Specify other reason:
  • Don't know

Ransomware

25. Over the last 12 months, was this business or organization impacted by ransomware incidents?

Ransomware is a type of malware that restricts access to your computer or your files and displays a message that demands payment in order for the restriction to be removed.

  • Yes
    • Did this business or organization pay the ransom?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
  • No
  • Don't know

Misinformation and disinformation

26. Over the last 12 months, has this business or organization been a victim of any of the following forms of misinformation or disinformation?

Misinformation is news or information that is verifiably false or inaccurate. The sharer of misinformation may or may not be aware that it is misinformation. When they are aware, it is often referred to as disinformation.

Select all that apply.

  • Phishing incidents that defrauded an employee or the business or organization
    Phishing is a specific kind of spam targeting one or more specific people while pretending to be a legitimate message, with the intent of defrauding the recipients.
  • Impersonation
    Exclude phishing.
  • Fake news stories or social media posts
  • Fake reviews or review bombing
  • Other form of misinformation or disinformation
    • Specify other form of misinformation or disinformation:
    OR
  • Don't know
    OR
  • None of the above

27. Has this business or organization taken any actions to reduce the impact of misinformation or disinformation on its operations?​​

  • Yes
    • What actions were taken?
      Select all that apply.
      • Increased online presence
      • Marketing campaigns
      • Customer outreach
      • Employee training
      • New or increased cybersecurity measures
      • Legal action
      • Political advocacy
      • Reported the misinformation or disinformation to police services
      • Reported the misinformation or disinformation to other external parties
      • Other action
        • Specify other action:
        OR
      • Don't know
  • No
  • Don't know

Liquidity

28. Does this business or organization have the cash or liquid assets required to operate for the next three months?

  • Yes
  • No
    • Will this business or organization be able to acquire the cash or liquid assets required?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
  • Don't know

Debt

29. Over the next three months, does this business or organization plan to apply for a new line of credit, a new term loan, a new non-residential mortgage, or refinancing of an existing non-residential mortgage?
Include commercial mortgages.
Exclude residential mortgages.

  • Yes
  • No
    • Does this business or organization have the ability to take on more debt?
      Answer based on this business's or organization's ability, even if there are no plans to take on more debt.
      • Yes
      • No
        • For which of the following reasons is this business or organization unable to take on more debt?
          Select all that apply.
          • Cash flow
          • Lack of confidence or uncertainty in future sales
          • Request would be turned down
          • Too difficult or time consuming to apply
          • Interest rates are unfavourable
          • Payment terms are unfavourable
          • Credit rating
          • Other reason
            • Specify other reason:
            OR
          • Not applicable
            OR
          • Don't know
      • Don't know
  • Don't know

Working arrangements

30. Over the next three months, what percentage of the employees of this business or organization is anticipated to do each of the following?

Exclude contractors.
Exclude employees that are primarily engaged in providing driving or delivery services or employees that primarily work at client premises.
Working on-site refers to working from an office or job site.
Working remotely refers to an employee working from home or another location of the employee's choosing, other than their regular on-site location.
Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.
If the percentages are unknown, leave the question blank.

  1. Work on-site exclusively
    Percentage of employees:
  2. Work on-site most hours
    Percentage of employees:
  3. Work approximately the same number of hours on-site and remotely
    Percentage of employees:
  4. Work remotely most hours
    Percentage of employees:
  5. Work remotely exclusively
    Percentage of employees:

31. How is this business or organization anticipating the levels of remote work to change over the next 12 months?

  • Increase
  • Stay about the same
  • Decrease
  • Not applicable – no employees will work remotely

Future outlook

32. Over the next 12 months, what is the future outlook for this business or organization?

  • Very optimistic
  • Somewhat optimistic
  • Somewhat pessimistic
  • Very pessimistic
  • Don't know

Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business, go to Q28. Otherwise, go to "Contact person".

Ownership

(i) The groups identified within the following questions are included in order to gain a better understanding of businesses owned by members of various communities across Canada.

33. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by each of the following groups?

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

If the business or organization is not owned by anyone that falls under that group, please enter '0'.

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by women?
Percentage of business or organization owned by women:
OR
Don't know

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples?
Percentage of business or organization owned by First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples:
OR
Don't know

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by immigrants to Canada?
Percentage of business or organization owned by immigrants to Canada:
OR
Don't know

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by persons with a disability?
Percentage of business or organization owned by persons with a disability:
OR
Don't know

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirited (LGBTQ2) people?
Percentage of business or organization owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirited (LGBTQ2):
OR
Don't know

What percentage of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities?

A member of a visible minority in Canada may be defined as someone (other than an Indigenous person) who is non-white in colour or race, regardless of place of birth.
Percentage of business or organization owned by visible minorities:
OR
Don't know

Flow condition: If more than 50% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities, go to Q33. Otherwise, go to "Contact person".

34. It was indicated that at least 51% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities. Please select the categories that describe the owner or owners.

Select all that apply.

  • South Asian
    e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan
  • Chinese
  • Black
  • Filipino
  • Latin American
  • Arab
  • Southeast Asian
    e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai
  • West Asian
    e.g., Afghan, Iranian
  • Korean
  • Japanese
  • Other group
    • Specify other group:
    OR
  • Prefer not to say

Monthly Survey of Food Services and Drinking Places: CVs for Total Sales by Geography – April 2023

Monthly Survey of Food Services and Drinking Places: CVs for Total Sales by Geography - April 2023
Table summary
This table displays the results of CVs for Total sales by Geography. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers). Month and percentage (appearing as column headers).
Geography Month
202204 202205 202206 202207 202208 202209 202210 202211 202212 202301 202302 202303 202304
percentage
Canada 0.45 0.51 0.66 0.49 0.14 0.13 0.17 0.24 0.88 0.32 0.33 0.30 0.17
Newfoundland and Labrador 1.52 1.66 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.49 0.73 0.49 0.93 2.43 0.89 1.19 1.20
Prince Edward Island 15.01 6.85 15.97 9.23 5.27 3.04 8.45 8.22 3.45 10.49 14.17 8.21 8.85
Nova Scotia 0.98 1.16 1.79 3.37 0.43 0.40 0.37 0.43 16.87 0.83 0.91 1.02 0.57
New Brunswick 1.41 1.26 0.67 0.53 0.52 0.50 0.56 0.73 12.18 1.21 1.77 1.29 0.72
Quebec 0.53 1.73 1.55 0.97 0.18 0.28 0.26 0.19 1.73 0.67 0.95 0.78 0.33
Ontario 0.80 0.74 1.30 0.95 0.25 0.25 0.21 0.53 0.73 0.67 0.64 0.56 0.33
Manitoba 0.80 0.97 0.68 3.49 0.48 0.40 0.37 0.58 9.72 0.78 0.75 1.27 0.75
Saskatchewan 1.84 5.77 6.45 4.85 1.30 0.73 1.31 1.44 7.51 0.62 0.89 0.88 0.62
Alberta 0.68 0.57 1.45 0.91 0.39 0.30 0.33 0.38 1.56 0.40 0.44 0.58 0.41
British Columbia 1.55 0.97 0.64 0.91 0.28 0.21 0.66 0.33 2.77 0.44 0.44 0.54 0.28
Yukon Territory 2.07 23.00 3.32 2.54 2.09 2.07 2.34 2.20 2.50 41.12 2.7 31.25 2.12
Northwest Territories 3.19 29.08 3.20 2.74 2.38 2.05 2.00 2.09 2.56 6.03 2.47 37.58 3.36
Nunavut 0.69 73.56 1.55 1.52 1.30 2.35 2.85 101.77 43.21 2.83 2.61 108.06 2.68

Statistics Canada's data products consultative engagement

Phase 1

Opened: June 2023
Closed: July 2023

Phase 2

Opened: September 2023
Closed: May 2024

Consultative engagement objectives

Statistics Canada is exploring the use of new tools to publish data stories in different formats at different times throughout the workday.

As Canada's national statistical agency, it is important that we continue to modernize the way we connect with Canadians and communicate data in an innovative and flexible manner.

How to get involved

This consultative engagement activity is now closed.

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

Key findings derived from the results of this consultative engagement initiative

  1. Data users who access information for work purposes are most active during the morning and throughout business hours.
  2. Data users who access information for personal interest and student research are most active in the evening and overnight hours.  
  3. Data tables are the most familiar Statistics Canada product among all user groups.  
  4. Familiarity with the Eh Sayers podcast can be increased across all user groups.  
  5. More than 50% of all user groups would prefer to have some sort of notification once new Statistics Canada products are released. However, most prefer email notifications over mobile app notifications.  
  6. As students and the general public prefer visual information accessed throughout the day and are more likely to use the StatsCAN app, the app could be tailored to present visual data such as videos, infographics and data visualizations.
  7. Text-based analyses, data availability announcements and in-depth analytical products, specifically those related to key economic indicators, should continue to be released at 8:30 a.m. on the Statistics Canada website. Data users should also receive an email notification once these types of products are available.

Statistics Canada thanks participants for their contributions to this consultative engagement initiative. Their insights will help guide the agency’s modernization efforts in publishing high-quality data and statistical information for all Canadians.

Labour Force Survey questionnaire 2023

The LFS application consists of several questionnaire components (Household, Demographics, Labour Force Information, Occupancy, Rent, and Exit), each of which is summarized below, followed by the lists of codesets. Each of the questionnaire components is comprised of a number of question blocks and each question is identified by their block ID and electronic questionnaire question number. In some instances, question numbers are repeated within components (e.g. there are three separate questions in the household, demographics and the LFI component labelled as EQ 1).

Question wording within the collection application is controlled dynamically based on responses provided throughout the survey. For simplicity, as a result of the complexity of the logic within the application, not all variations of these questions are presented.

Selected dwellings in the provinces are in the survey for six consecutive months. Selected dwellings in the Northern territories are in the survey every three months over a two-year period. A birth interview corresponds to the first interview for a new household, and is usually conducted in person.

Subsequent interviews are conducted in the following months, and are usually done by telephone. Starting in 2015, LFS respondents who met certain criteria were also offered the option of completing the survey on-line for subsequent interviews.

Household and demographics component

Household block

LAC_Q01A/ EQ 1 – Is this your correct address?

[Listing address]

LAC_R01A / EQ 2 – Please correct your address.

LAC_Q01 / EQ 3 – Is this your correct address?

[Listing address]

LAC_Q02A / EQ 4 – Is this also your mailing address?

[Mailing address]

LAC_R03 / EQ 5 – Please (provide/confirm) your mailing address.

[Listing address]

HHI_R02  / EQ 6 – What are the names and ages of all persons living at this address?

HHI_Q05 / EQ 7 – What was [household member]'s sex at birth?

HHI_Q06 / EQ 8 – What is [household member]'s gender?

AP_Q01 / EQ 9 – Is anyone else staying at [Listing address] temporarily?

AP_Q02 / EQ 10 – Are there any other persons who usually live at [Listing address] but are now away at school, in hospital, or somewhere else?

AP_Q03 / EQ 11 – Does anyone else now live or stay at [Listing address]?

SS_R01 / EQ 12 – People usually living or staying at [Listing address].

PPI_Q01 / EQ 13 – Who is providing the information for this portion of the survey?

Demographics block

The following demographic information is collected for each household member.

DEMD_R01 / EQ 14 – The following section asks demographic questions for each member.

DEM_Q01 / EQ 1 – Who is providing the information for this portion of the survey?

DEM_R02 / EQ 2 – What is your date of birth?

DEM_Q03 / EQ 3 – What is your marital status?

DEM_Q04 / EQ 4 – What is your relationship to [name of reference person]?

DEM_Q05A / EQ 5 – In what country were you born?

DEM_Q05B / EQ 6 – You indicated that you were born in another country. Please specify the country.

DEM_Q06 / EQ 7 – Are you now, or have you ever been, a landed immigrant in Canada?

DEM_R07 / EQ 8 – When did you first become a landed immigrant?

DEM_Q08 / EQ 9 – Are you First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

DEM_Q09 / EQ 10 – The following question collects information in accordance to the Employment Equity Act and its Regulations and Guidelines to support programs that promote equal opportunity for everyone to share in the social, cultural, and economic life of Canada.

DEM_Q10 / EQ 11 – What is the highest grade of elementary or high school you ever completed?

DEM_Q11 / EQ 12 – Did you graduate from high school (secondary school)?

DEM_Q12 / EQ 13 – Have you received any other education that could be counted towards a certificate, diploma or degree from an educational institution?

DEM_Q13 / EQ 14 – What is the highest certificate, diploma or degree you have obtained?

DEM_Q14A / EQ 15 – In what country did you complete your highest certificate, diploma or degree?

DEM_Q14B / EQ 16 – You indicated that you completed your highest certificate, diploma or degree in another country. Please specify the country.

DEM_Q15 / EQ 17 – Are you a full-time member of the regular Canadian Armed Forces?

RUR_R01D – Identify family identifier for unrelated persons

RUR_R01E – Identify relationship for unrelated persons

LCL_R01B / EQ 15 – The following section asks the required labour force questions for each person.

Labour force information component

The Labour Force Information (LFI) questions are Statistics Canada's main means of collecting data about the working or job-seeking activities of the Canadian population 15 years of age and over. The Labour Force Information questions are not generated for full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces. In subsequent interviews the Labour Force Questions will not be asked of persons 70 years of age and over.

In this component, a path is assigned according to the answers provided. This path is used to control the flow through the component. For paths 1, 2, 6, the path determines the labour force status, but for paths 3, 4 and 5 other conditions (for example, availability for work) must be considered to distinguish between those who are unemployed and those who are not in the labour force.

PATHS
1 Employed, at work
2 Employed, absent from work
3 Temporary layoff
4 Job seeker
5 Future start
6 Not in labour force

Note: Text for dates of certain reference periods within the questionnaire are driven dynamically, and change depending on the monthly collection period.

Job attachment block

ATT_Q000 / EQ 1 – Who is providing the information for this portion of the survey?

ATT_Q100 / EQ 2 – Last week, did you work at a job or business?

ATT_Q101 / EQ 3 – Last week, did you have a job or business from which you were absent?

ATT_Q102 / EQ 4 – Did you have more than one job or business last week?

ATT_Q103 / EQ 5 – Was this because you changed employers?

ATT_Q104 / EQ 6 – How many jobs or businesses did you have last week?

Past job attachment block

PAT_Q104 / EQ 7 – Have you ever worked at a job or business?

PAT_R105 / EQ 8 – When did you last work?

Job description block

DES_Q110 / EQ 9 – Were you an employee or self-employed?

DES_Q111 / EQ 10 – Did you have an incorporated business?

DES_Q112 / EQ 11 – Did you have any employees?

DES_Q113 / EQ 12 – What was the full name of your business?

DES_Q114 / EQ 13 – For whom did you work?

DES_Q115 / EQ 14 – What kind of business, industry or service was this?

DES_Q116 / EQ 15 – What kind of work were you doing?

DES_Q117 / EQ 16 – What were your most important activities or duties?

DES_R118 / EQ 17 – When did you start working at [name of employer/name of business]?

Absence – separation block

ASP_Q130 / EQ 18 – What was the main reason you were absent from work last week?

ASP_Q131A / EQ 19 – Why did you stop working at that job?

ASP_Q131B / EQ 20 – What was the main reason you left that job?

ASP_Q132 / EQ 21 – What is the main reason you no longer have that job?

ASP_Q133 / EQ 22 – Do you expect to return to that job?

ASP_Q134 / EQ 23 – Has your employer given you a date to return?

ASP_Q135 / EQ 24 – Have you been given any indication that you will be recalled within the next 6 months?

ASP_Q136 / EQ 25 – How many weeks had you been on layoff, up to and including [refer to collection period]?

ASP_Q137 / EQ 26 – How many hours did you usually work per week?

Work hours (main job) block

WHM_Q150 / EQ 27 – Does the number of hours you work vary from week to week?

WHM_Q151 / EQ 28 – How many hours do you work per week?

WHM_Q152 / EQ 29 – On average, how many hours do you usually work per week?

WHM_Q153 / EQ 30 – Last week, how many hours were you absent from this job because of vacation, illness, or any other reason?

WHM_Q154 / EQ 31 – What was the main reason for that absence?

WHM_Q155 / EQ 32 – Last week, how many hours of paid overtime did you work at this job?

WHM_Q156 / EQ 33 – Last week, how many extra hours without pay did you work at this job?

WHM_Q157A / EQ 34 – Last week, did you work [calculated total number of hours worked during the reference week] hours, in total, at your job?

WHM_Q157B / EQ 35 – Last week, how many hours, in total did you work at your job?

WHM_Q158 / EQ 36 – Did you want to work 30 or more hours per week?

WHM_Q159 / EQ 37 – What is the main reason you did not want to work 30 or more hours per week?

WHM_Q160 / EQ 38 – What is the main reason you usually work less than 30 hours per week?

WHM_Q161 / EQ 39 – Did you look for full-time work at any time during the 4 weeks from [refer to collection period]?

Absence from work block

ABS_Q162 / EQ 40 – How many weeks had you been continuously absent from work, up to and including [refer to collection period]?

ABS_Q163 / EQ 41 – Are you getting paid by your employer for any time off last week?

Job search - future start block

FUS_Q170 / EQ 42 – Did you do anything to find work during the 4 weeks from [refer to collection period]?

FUS_Q171 / EQ 43 – What did you do to find work during those 4 weeks?

FUS_Q172 / EQ 44 – How many weeks had you been looking for work, up to and including [refer to collection period]?

FUS_Q173 / EQ 45 – What was your main activity before you started looking for work?

FUS_Q174 / EQ 46 – Last week, did you have a job to start at a definite date in the future?

FUS_Q175 / EQ 47 – Will you start that job before or after Sunday, [refer to collection period]?

FUS_Q176 / EQ 48 – Did you want to work at a job last week?

FUS_Q177 / EQ 49 – How many hours did you want to work per week?

FUS_Q178 / EQ 50 – What was the main reason you did not look for work last week?

Availability to work block

AVA_Q190 / EQ 51 – Last week, could you have worked if suitable job had been offered?

AVA_Q191 / EQ 52 – What was the main reason you were not available to work last week?

Earnings block

EAR_Q200 / EQ 53 – Are you paid by the hour?

EAR_Q201 / EQ 54 – Do you usually receive tips or commissions?

EAR_Q202 / EQ 55 – What is your hourly rate of pay?

EAR_Q204 / EQ 56 – What is the easiest way to report your wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q205 / EQ 57 – What is your weekly wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q206 / EQ 58 – What is your bi-weekly wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q207 / EQ 59 – What is your semi-monthly wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q208 / EQ 60 – What is your monthly wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q209 / EQ 61 – What is your yearly wage or salary, before taxes and other deductions?

EAR_Q210 / EQ 62 – What is the easiest way to report your total earnings after deducting all business expenses, but before deductions such as income taxes and social assistance contributions?

EAR _Q211 / EQ 63 – What were your total earnings last week from your business after deducting all business expenses, but before deductions such as income taxes and social assistance contributions?

EAR_Q212 / EQ 64 – What were your total earnings last month from your business after deducting all business expenses, but before deductions such as income taxes and social assistance contributions?

EAR_Q213 / EQ 65 – What were your total earnings last year from your business after deducting all business expenses, but before deductions such as income taxes and social assistance contributions?

Unionization block

UNI_Q220 / EQ 66 – Are you a union member at your job?

UNI_Q221 / EQ 67 – Are you covered by a union contract or collective agreement?

Employment benefits block

EBEN_Q230 / EQ 68 – Which of the following employment benefits do you have access to as part of your job?

Job permanency block

JPR_Q240 / EQ 69 – Is your job permanent?

JPR_Q241 / EQ 70 – In what way is your job not permanent?

Establishment size block

FSZ_Q260 / EQ 71 – About how many persons are employed at the location where you work for [name of employer]?

FSZ_Q261 / EQ 72 – Does [name of employer] operate at more than one location?

FSZ_Q262 / EQ 73 – In total, about how many persons are employed at all locations?

Class of worker – hours at other job block

CWO_Q300 / EQ 74 – Were you an employee or self-employed?

CWO_Q301 / EQ 75 – Did you have an incorporated business?

CWO_Q302 / EQ 76 – Did you have any employees?

CWO_Q320 / EQ 77 – How many hours do you usually work per week at this job?

CWO_Q321 / EQ 78 – Last week, how many hours, in total, did you work at this job?

Temporary layoff – job search block

TLS_Q400 / EQ 79 – Did you look for a job with a different employer during the 4 weeks from [refer to collection period]?

School attendance block

SCA_Q500 / EQ 80 – Last week, were you attending a school, college or university?

SCA_Q501 / EQ 81 – Were you enrolled as a full-time or part-time student?

SCA_Q502 / EQ 82 – In which type of educational institution were you enrolled?

Returning students block

RST_Q520 / EQ 83 – Were you a full-time student in March of this year?

RST_Q521 / EQ 84 – Do you expect to be a full-time student this fall?

Main activity block

MACT_Q600 / EQ 85 – Last week, what was your main activity?

Reason for working (older workers) block

OCW_Q700 / EQ 86 – Some people retire, while others continue working, either by choice or by necessity. What was your main reason for working last week?

Occupancy component

DWL_Q01 / EQ 16 – What type of dwelling do you live in?

TN_Q01 / EQ 17 – Is this dwelling owned by a member of this household?

TN_Q02 / EQ 18 – Is there a mortgage on this dwelling?

Rent component

The Rent Component is generated only for cases where the answer to DWL_Q01 ("What type of dwelling do you live in?") in the Occupancy Component is not "Institution", "Hotel; rooming or lodging house; camp" or "Mobile home", where the answer to TN_Q01 ("Is this dwelling owned by a member of this household?") is "No", and province/territory is not Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.

RM_R01 – The following questions are about your rent. The information collected is used to calculate the rent portion of the Consumer Price Index.

RM_Q01 / EQ 19 – On which floor do you live?

RM_Q02 / EQ 20 – To the best of your knowledge, how old is your building?

RM_Q03 / EQ 21 – How many bedrooms are there in your dwelling (rental unit)?

RM_Q04 / EQ 22 – This month, is the rent for your dwelling subsidized by government, an employer, or a relative?

RM_Q04A / EQ 23 – In what manner is the rent for your dwelling subsidized?

RM_Q05 / EQ 24 – This month, is anyone operating a business from your dwelling?

RM_Q05A / EQ 25 – Does the business have an impact on the amount of rent paid?

RM_Q06 / EQ 26 – How much is the total monthly rent for your dwelling?

RM_Q07 / EQ 27 – Please specify the reason why the rent is $0.

RM_Q08 / EQ 28 – Since last month, have there been any changes in the amount of rent paid?

RM_Q08A / EQ 29 – What is the reason for the change in rent since last month?

RM_Q09 / EQ 30 – Does this month's rent include parking facilities?

RM_Q09S / EQ 31 – Since last month, have there been any changes in your parking facilities?

RM_Q10 / EQ 32 – What types of parking facilities are included in your rent?

RM_Q11 / EQ 33 – How many closed garage, indoor or carport parking spaces are included in your rent?

RM_Q12 / EQ 34 – How many outside parking spaces with plug-in are included in your rent?

RM_Q13 / EQ 35 – How many outside parking spaces without plug-in are included in your rent?

RM_Q14 / EQ 36 – Since last month, have there been any changes in the utilities, services, household appliances, or furnishings included in the rent?

RM_Q15 / EQ 37 – Which of the following utilities or services are included as part of the monthly rent?

RM_Q16 / EQ 38 – Which of the following household appliances or furnishings in your dwelling are included as part of the monthly rent?

Exit component

The following information is collected at the end of the LFS interview each month to gather information for future contacts and to thank respondents for their participation. In many cases, this information will be pre-filled for confirmation in subsequent interviews.

EXT_R01 – Next month, the Labour Force Survey will be conducted during the week of [date of first day of next month survey week]. Your household will be part of the survey for [calculated number of remaining interviews].

EXT_Q01 / EQ 39 – Is [household contact] still the best person to contact?

EXT_Q02 / EQ 40 – Who would be the best person to contact?

EXT_R03 – [Next month], Statistics Canada may send you an email on Sunday [date of first day of next month survey week] with instructions for accessing the questionnaire on the Internet. You will have five days to complete the questionnaire. Otherwise, an interviewer will contact you.

Parts of the Internet questionnaire will be pre-filled with some information that you have provided during this interview such as the ages of members of your household and descriptions of their jobs.

EXT_Q04 / EQ 41 – Please provide [household contact]'s email address.

EXT_Q05 / EQ 42 – Please provide [household contact]'s phone number.

EXT_D06 – Thank you for completing the Labour Force Survey this month.

If you are ready to submit your questionnaire, select the Submit button.

List of codesets

Codes for Household level

LAC_Q01A / EQ 1
1 Yes
2 No

LAC_Q01 / EQ 3
1 Yes
2 No

LAC_Q02A / EQ 4
1 Yes
2 No

HHI_Q05 / EQ 7
1 Male
2 Female

HHI_Q06 / EQ 8
1 Male
2 Female
3 Or please specify

AP_Q01 / EQ 9
1 Yes
2 No

AP_Q02 / EQ 10
1 Yes
2 No

AP_Q03 / EQ 11
1 Yes
2 No

PPI_Q01 / EQ 13
1 [Household member]
41 Non-household member

Codes for Individual demographics

DEM_Q01 / EQ 1
1 [Household member] is providing the information for herself/himself
2 Someone is providing the information for [household member]

DEM_Q03 / EQ 3
1 Married
2 Living common-law
3 Widowed
4 Separated
5 Divorced
6 Never legally married

DEM_Q04 / EQ 4
02 Spouse of [name of reference person]
03 Son, daughter, child of [name of reference person]
04 Grandson, granddaughter, grandchild of [name of reference person]
05 Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, child-in-law of [name of reference person]
06 Foster child of [name of reference person]
07 Father, mother, parent of [name of reference person]
08 Father-in-law, mother-in-law, Parent-in-law of [name of reference person]
09 Brother, sister, sibling of [name of reference person]
10 Other relative of [name of reference person]
11 Unrelated to [name of reference person]

DEM_Q05A / EQ 5
1 Canada
2 United States (USA)
3 Other country

DEM_Q06 / EQ 7
1 Yes
2 No

DEM_Q08 / EQ 9
1 No, not First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)
2 Yes, First Nations (North American Indian)
3 Yes, Métis
4 Yes, Inuk (Inuit)

DEM_Q09 / EQ 10
1 White
2 South Asian
3 Chinese
4 Black
5 Filipino
6 Arab
7 Latin American
8 Southeast Asian
9 West Asian
10 Korean
11 Japanese
12 Other

DEM_Q10 / EQ 11
1 Grade 8 or lower
2 Grade 9 or 10
3 Grade 11, 12 or 13

DEM_Q11 / EQ 12
1 Yes
2 No

DEM_Q12 / EQ 13
1 Yes
2 No

DEM_Q13 / EQ 14
1 Has not obtained a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree
2 Trade certificate or diploma from a vocational school or apprenticeship training
3 Certificate or diploma from a community college, CEGEP, school of nursing, etc.
4 University certificate below a bachelor's degree
5 Bachelor's degree
6 University certificate, diploma or degree above a bachelor's degree

DEM_Q14A / EQ 15
1 Canada
2 United States (USA)
3 Other country

DEM_Q15 / EQ 17
1 Yes
2 No

RUR_R01E
1 Reference person
2 Spouse
3 Son, daughter, child
4 Grandson, granddaughter, grandchild
5 Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, child-in-law
6 Foster child
7 Father, mother, parent
8 Father-in-law, mother-in-law, parent-in-law
9 Brother, sister, sibling
10 Other relative

Codes for Labour Force Information

ATT_ Q000 / EQ 1
1 [Household member] is providing the information for herself/himself
2 Somebody else is providing the information for [household member]

ATT_Q100 / EQ 2
1 Yes
2 No

ATT_Q101 / EQ 3
1 Yes
2 No

ATT_Q102 / EQ 4
1 Yes
2 No

ATT_Q103 / EQ 5
1 Yes
2 No

ATT_Q104 / EQ 6
1 2
2 3
3 4
4 5 or more

PAT_Q104 / EQ 7
1 Yes
2 No

DES_Q110 / EQ 9
1 Employee
2 Self-employed
3 Working in a family business without pay

DES _Q111 / EQ 10
1 Yes
2 No

DES_Q112 / EQ 11
1 Yes
2 No

ASP_Q130 / EQ 18
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Maternity or parental leave
05 Other personal or family responsibilities
06 Vacation
07 Labour dispute (strike or lockout)
08 Temporary layoff due to business conditions
09 Seasonal layoff
10 Casual job, no work available (only works as needed)
11 Work schedule
12 No work available
13 Business off-season
14 Other

ASP_Q131A / EQ 19
1 Left job
2 Lost job, laid-off or job ended

ASP_Q131B / EQ20
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Pregnancy
05 Other personal or family responsibilities
06 Going to school
08 Business sold or closed down
09 Changed residence (moved)
10 Dissatisfied with job
11 Retired
12 Other

ASP_Q132 / EQ 21
01 End of seasonal job
02 End of temporary, term or contract job (non-seasonal)
03 Casual job
04 Company moved
05 Company went out of business
06 Business conditions
07 Dismissal by employer (fired)
08 Other

ASP_Q133 / EQ 22
1 Yes
2 No
3 Not sure

ASP_Q134 / EQ 23
1 Yes
2 No

ASP_Q135 / EQ 24
1 Yes
2 No

ASP_Q137 / EQ 26
1 30 or more
2 Less than 30

WHM_Q150 / EQ 27
1 Yes
2 No

WHM_Q154 / EQ 31
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Maternity or parental leave
05 Other personal or family responsibilities
06 Vacation
07 Labour dispute (strike or lockout)
08 Temporary layoff due to business conditions
09 Holiday (legal or religious)
10 Weather conditions
11 Job started or ended during the week
12 Working short-time
13 Other

WHM_Q157A / EQ 34
1 Yes
2 No

WHM_Q158 / EQ 36
1 Yes
2 No

WHM_Q159 / EQ 37
1 Own illness or disability
2 Caring for own children
3 Caring for an elder relative
4 Other personal or family responsibilities
5 Currently going to school
6 Personal preference
7 Other

WHM_Q160 / EQ 38
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Other personal or family responsibilities
05 Currently going to school
06 Business conditions
07 Could not find work with 30 or more hours per week
08 Other

WHM_Q161 / EQ 39
1 Yes
2 No

ABS_Q163 / EQ 41
1 Yes
2 No

FUS_Q170 / EQ 42
1 Yes
2 No

FUS_Q171 / EQ 43
01 Contacted a government employment agency
02 Contacted a private employment agency
03 Contacted a union
04 Contacted employers directly
05 Contacted friends or relatives
06 Placed or answered job ads
07 Looked at job ads
08 Other

FUS_Q173 / EQ 45
1 Working
2 Personal or family responsibilities
3 Going to school
4 Other

FUS_Q174 / EQ 46
1 Yes
2 No

FUS_Q175 / EQ 47
1 Before Sunday, [refer to collection period]
2 On or after Sunday, [refer to collection period]

FUS_Q176 / EQ 48
1 Yes
2 No

FUS_Q177 / EQ 49
1 30 or more
2 Less than 30

FUS_Q178 / EQ 50
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Other personal or family responsibilities
05 Going to school
06 Waiting for recall to former job
07 Waiting for replies from employers
08 Believed no work was available (in area, or suited to skills)
10 Other

AVA_Q190 / EQ 51
1 Yes
2 No

AVA_Q191 / EQ 52
01 Own illness or disability
02 Caring for own children
03 Caring for an elder relative
04 Other personal or family responsibilities
05 Going to school
06 Vacation
07 Already had a job
08 Other

EAR_Q200 / EQ 53
1 Yes
2 No

EAR_Q201 / EQ 54
1 Yes
2 No

EAR_Q204 / EQ 56
1 Yearly
2 Monthly
3 Twice a month
4 Every two weeks
5 Weekly
6 Other

EAR_Q210 / EQ 61
1 Yearly
2 Monthly
3 Weekly
4 Other

UNI_Q220 / EQ 66
1 Yes
2 No

UNI_Q221 / EQ 67
1 Yes
2 No

EBEN_Q230 / EQ 68
01 Workplace pension plan
02 Paid sick leave
03 Paid vacation leave
04 Disability insurance
05 Supplemental medical or dental care
06 Worker's compensation
07 Maternity or parental benefits
08 Other
09 None of the above

JPR_Q240 / EQ 69
1 Permanent
2 Not permanent

JPR_Q241 / EQ 70
1 Seasonal job
2 Temporary, term or contract job (non-seasonal)
3 Casual job
5 Other

FSZ_Q260 / EQ 71
1 Less than 20
2 20 to 99
3 100 to 500
4 More than 500

FSZ_Q261 / EQ 72
1 Yes
2 No

FSZ_Q262 / EQ 73
1 Less than 20
2 20 to 99
3 100 to 500
4 More than 500

CWO_Q300 / EQ 74
1 Employee
2 Self-employed
3 Working in a family business without pay

CWO_Q301 / EQ 75
1 Yes
2 No

CWO_Q302 / EQ 76
1 Yes
2 No

TLS_Q400 / EQ 79
1 Yes
2 No

SCA_Q500 / EQ 80
1 Yes
2 No

SCA_Q501 / EQ 81
1 Full-time
2 Part-time

SCA_Q502 / EQ 82
1 Elementary school, junior high school, high school or equivalent
2 Community college, CÉGEP or equivalent
3 University
4 Other

RST_Q520 / EQ 83
1 Yes
2 No

RST_Q521 / EQ 84
1 Yes
2 No
3 Undecided

MACT_Q600 / EQ 85
01 Caring for children
02 Household work
03 Going to school
04 Travelling
05 Volunteering
06 Unpaid internship
07 Care-giving other than for children
08 Illness or disability
09 Retired
10 Other

OCW_Q700 / EQ 86
1 By choice
2 By necessity

Codes for Occupancy component

DWL_Q01 / EQ 16
01 Single detached
02 Double
03 Row or terrace
04 Duplex
05 Low-rise apartment of fewer than 5 stories or a flat
06 High-rise apartment of 5 stories or more
07 Institution
08 Hotel; rooming or lodging housel; camp
09 Mobile home
10 Other

TN_Q01 / EQ 17
1 Yes
2 No

TN_Q02 / EQ 18
1 Yes
2 No

Codes for Rent component

RM_Q02 / EQ 20
1 No more than 5 years old
2 More than 5 but no more than 10 years old
3 More than 10 but no more than 20 years old
4 More than 20 but no more than 40 years old
5 More than 40 years old

RM_Q04 / EQ 22
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q04A / EQ 23
1 Government agencies/Income-related
2 Employer
3 Relative or friend
4 Other

RM_Q05 / EQ 24
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q05A / EQ 25
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q08 / EQ28
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q08A / EQ 29
1 Change in utilities, services, appliances, or furnishings
2 Change in parking facilities
3 New lease (rent increase or decrease)
4 Other

RM_Q09 / EQ 30
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q09S / EQ 31
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q10 / EQ 32
1 Closed garage, indoor parking or carport
2 Outside parking with plug-in
3 Outside parking without plug-in

RM_Q14 / EQ 36
1 Yes
2 No

RM_Q15 / EQ 37
01 Heating – Electric
02 Heating – Natural Gas
03 Other
04 Electricity
05 Cablevision
12 None of the above

RM_Q16 / EQ 38
06 Refrigerator
07 Stove (Range)
08 Washer
09 Dryer
10 Other
11 Furniture
12 None of the above

Codes for Exit component

EXT_Q01 / EQ 39
1 Yes
2 No

EXT_Q02 / EQ 40
1 [Household member]
41 Non-household member

Retail Trade Survey (Monthly): CVs for total sales by geography - April 2023

CVs for total sales by geography-April 2023
Geography Month
202304
%
Canada 0.6
Newfoundland and Labrador 2.1
Prince Edward Island 2.1
Nova Scotia 1.5
New Brunswick 1.3
Quebec 1.3
Ontario 1.3
Manitoba 1.2
Saskatchewan 2.2
Alberta 1.2
British Columbia 1.5
Yukon Territory 2.4
Northwest Territories 1.8
Nunavut 1.5

Backgrounder: Canada's population reaches 40 million

June 15, 2023 | Ottawa, Ontario

Statistics Canada's Population Data

  • Canada's population clock uses a real-time model based on Statistics Canada's quarterly demographic estimates. The numbers for Canada and for each province and territory are updated in real time based on the most recent birth, death and migration data.
  • The clock also shows the time it takes for a demographic event (birth, death or migration component) to occur in Canada. However, the clock does not reflect when the events themselves actually occur. Rather, it shows the average pace of Canada's population renewal in real time.
  • The census of population is conducted every five years. It provides a snapshot of Canada at a specific point in time and also provides counts for small regions and characteristics of the population according to various variables. Statistics Canada complements this data with ongoing population estimates that track demographic shifts between censuses.
  • Statistics Canada publishes quarterly demographic estimates for Canada as well as the provinces and territories. Estimates are used to measure the evolution of the population between censuses and provide explanations behind the population growth, such as births, deaths and migration components. These quarterly demographic estimates and census counts are the measures usually used in the context of various government programs. Estimates are usually released three to five months after the reference date.
  • On June 28, 2023, Statistics Canada will release its quarterly population estimates for the first quarter of 2023. Since those estimates will be as of April 1, 2023, it is normal and expected that Canada's population count will still be below the 40 million mark.

Current Population Growth

  • Canada's population is currently growing at a record-setting pace. In 2022, the number of Canadians rose by 1,050,110. This marks the first time in Canadian history that our population grew by over 1 million people in a single year, and the highest annual population growth rate (+2.7%) on record since 1957 (+3.3%).
  • While that previous record is mostly attributed to the high number of births during the post-war baby boom, international migration accounted for nearly all growth recorded in 2022 (96%).
  • This growth is reflected across Canada. In 2022, every single province and territory recorded a growing population, except for the Northwest Territories.
  • Canada is by far leading the G7 countries for population growth. This was certainly true in 2022 and has been the case for the last two decades.
  • If this rate of population growth was to stay constant in the years to come, the Canadian population could double in about 26 years.
  • In 2021, more than 8.3 million people, or almost one quarter (23%) of the population, were, or had ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada. This was the largest proportion since Confederation, topping the previous 1921 record of 22.3%, and the highest among the G7.
  • Canada's Indigenous population continues to grow much faster than the national average. It increased by 9.4% from 2016 to 2021, surpassing the growth of the non-Indigenous population over the same period (+5.3%).
  • The 2021 Census counted 1.8 million Indigenous people, accounting for 5% of Canada's total population, up from 4.9% in 2016.

Historical Context

  • Statistics Canada has been tracking the growth of Canada's population since the very first national census, conducted in 1871.
  • Canada has known several important waves of immigration. One of the biggest was at the very beginning of the 20th century, which saw many immigrants settling the Prairies. In 1913, Canada welcomed over 400 000 immigrants. A record that was only surpassed in 2021 (and again in 2022).
  • The period after the Second World War (1946-1965) also saw very high rates of population growth, mostly because of the baby boom. The average number of children per woman at that time peaked at 3.94 in 1959, compared to 1.4 in 2020.
  • The fertility rate started declining after the 1960s. By 1995, immigration overtook natural increase (births minus deaths) as the main source of population growth.
  • In 2015, there were more Canadians aged 65 and older than between 0 and 14 for the first time in Canada's history.
  • Canada's immigration targets have been increasing since 2016, in an effort to address labour shortages and an aging population.
  • In 2020-2021 population growth slowed due to border restrictions put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. But as recent numbers show, it quickly bounced back.

News Release: Canada's population reaches 40 million

June 15, 2023 | Ottawa, Ontario

Canada's population is currently growing at a record-setting pace and will reach 40 million people on June 16.

Statistics Canada's Population Clock, which models population growth in real time based on a number of factors (including recent trends for births, deaths and migration data), will reach 40 million just before 3 p.m. (EDT).

"This is an exciting milestone for Canada," says Chief Statistician Anil Arora. "It is a strong signal that Canada remains a dynamic and welcoming country, full of potential. As we head into Canada Day, this is certainly cause for celebration!"

While several countries are bracing for the impacts of population decline, Canada continues to lead the G7 when it comes to population growth. It currently stands at 2.7%, which is the highest level since 1957, when immigration and the baby boom helped Canada's population grow by 3.3%. In fact, between January 2021 and 2022, Canada added over one million people for the first time in its history.

The current trend is driven in very large part by permanent and temporary migration, which accounted for nearly all growth recorded in 2022 (96%). If it continues, current projections show that Canada's population could reach 50 million by 2043.

We may not know who the 40 millionth Canadian is, but they clearly inherit a country that is diverse and vibrant.

See the backgrounder for more details.

Contact

Statistics Canada
Media Relations
613-951-4636
statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada

Canada by the million

Video: Canada by the million

Join us in celebrating a milestone as Canada’s population surges to an incredible 40 million! Discover the factors contributing to this growth and gain insights into the social and economic implications for the country. From immigration trends to regional shifts, uncover the fascinating dynamics behind Canada’s evolving demographic landscape. 

Eh Sayers Episode 13 - Will The 40 Millionth Canadian Please Stand Up?

Release date: June 19, 2023

Catalogue number: 45200003
ISSN: 2816-2250

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Canada reached an important milestone June 16, 2023. For the first time, there were 40 million people living in Canada. That means that someone out there is the 40 millionth Canadian. But who is it?

Laurent Martel, director of the Centre for Demography at Statistics Canada, joins us to explore what demographic data can tell us about this person, as well as the implications of Canada’s changing demographics and its rapid population growth.

Host

Tegan Bridge

Guest

Laurent Martel

Listen to audio

Eh Sayers Episode 13 - Will The 40 Millionth Canadian Please Stand Up? - Transcript

Tegan: Welcome to season four of Eh Sayers, a podcast from Statistics Canada, where we meet the people behind the data and explore the stories behind the numbers. I’m your host, Tegan Bridge.

Something happened June 16, 2023. We woke up that morning to a changed world. You might not have noticed it, but let me assure you, it was a big deal. Huge.

Laurent: The population of Canada just reached 40 million inhabitants.

Tegan: And who is this?

Laurent: My name is Laurent Martel and I am the director of the Centre for Demography at Statistics Canada.

Tegan: Thank you, Laurent, that's exactly it. 40 million Canadians. (And just a note, we’re using the word Canadian to mean anyone living in Canada, rather than the legal definition of Canadian citizen. Big tent mentality, you know?

Anyway. Someone out there is the 40 millionth Canadian. Who is it?

(Baby coos.)

Tegan: Let’s start with the obvious. Maybe this 40 millionth Canadian is… a bébé.

If that’s the case, the 40 millionth Canadian is slightly more likely to be a boy than a girl. And he’s most likely born in Ontario, just because so many people live in Ontario. In 2021, over 141,000 babies were born in Ontario, versus the next highest, just over 83,000 in Quebec.

The bébé in question is likely to have at least one sibling, but only just. Of the families counted in the 2016 Census, 45% reported having a sibling rivalry-free zone in their household with only one child.

We know where our baby is likely to be born, we know he’s slightly more likely to be a boy and we know he’s likely to have at least one sibling. What else do we know? We can't predict with certainty what his future will hold, but, through the power of the census, demography and statistics we can make a few educated guesses.

For example, life expectancy has been trending up. A boy born in the early 80s could expect to live about 72 years, while life expectancy for boys born in the late 2010s early 2020s is just under 80 years.

Women are having children later than they used to. Our baby's mother is likely around 31 years old. That's based on data showing that the mean age of mothers at the time of delivery in 2021 was 31, 2 years older than it had been in 2001.

Our baby is also possibly a second generation Canadian, though the odds are stronger that both his parents were born in this country. According to 2021 Census data, almost 1.9 million children younger than 15 years had at least one parent born abroad, accounting for 32% or almost one-third of all children in Canada.

Ok now, the big reveal! If the 40 millionth Canadian is in fact a baby, we’ve learned a lot about who they’re likely to be, where they’re likely to be born and a couple things about their family. But how likely is the 40 millionth Canadian to be a baby?

Laurent: The likelihood of the 40 millionth Canadian being a baby is probably less than 5%.

Tegan: Do we know why Canadians are having fewer kids? Is it affordability, changing values or maybe something else?

Laurent: You have two answers right for sure. And there's also other reasons. It goes back to, uh, 40, 50 years ago. Contraception was more accessible to couples in the country. So that's the first reason why the Canadian couple had fewer children.

Now they have the capacity or capability to have the number of kids that they wish as well as the timing of when do they have their kids so they can have a better control on this. I would say the second big reason is, um, women, Canadian women have started to participate more onto the labour force.

So, it had an impact on the fertility of Canadian couples. There is probably as well some religious values. We know that, uh, more Canadians now are expressing themselves as being without any religion. And it’s certainly had an impact on the fertility of Canadian couples over the last 50, 60 years.

And finally, couples are always making some rational decisions, rational economic decision you know? When you want to have kids, the first question you'll likely ask yourself is can I afford to have a child?

Uh, is there something else that I would like to do with that money? So certainly this is also one of the reasons why the Canadian fertility has dropped over the last 40, 50 years.

Tegan: So, if not a baby, the 40 millionth Canadian is likely a newcomer—Welcome! By the way!

What effect does immigration have on our population growth?

Laurent: A very large effect. We have to know that 95% of Canada's population growth in 2022 was related to either permanent or temporary immigration. We have a strong population growth right now, one of the highest in the world actually because of immigration, both temporary and uh, permanent immigration.

Tegan: Immigration, not fertility, has been driving Canada's population growth since the 1990s.

From 2016 to 2021, Canada's population living in private households grew by 5%, and new, or recent, immigrants accounted for 71% of that growth.

And if this 40 millionth Canadian is a newcomer, what's the likely reason they came to Canada?

Laurent: I would say likely the, he, he came to Canada likely to, uh, either pursue studies or work in the Canadian and labour force.

And it's probably a temporary immigrant with a permit. So a study permit or a work permit that came that came recently in the country.

Tegan: And you said he, is the 40 million Canadian probably a man?

Laurent: Probably yes, because most of immigrants are coming for work reasons or study permits. So, um, most of the time these are men and he probably came alone in the country.

Tegan: The vast majority (96%) of recent immigrants to Canada from 2016 to 2021 were under the age of 65, with most (64%) were in the core working age group of 25 to 54.

And what part of the world are they most likely from and how has this changed recently?

Laurent: Most of our immigrants these days are coming from Asia. And that's a big shift compared to 40, 50 years ago where most of, uh, Canadian immigration was coming from Europe. Now it's migrated to Asia. Countries like India, like China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Those are, um, big immigration countries these days for Canada.

Also interesting is the fact that recently we've seen an increase of immigrants coming from the African continent. It is still a small share of the total number of immigrants coming on an annual basis to Canada but it's an increasing share.

Tegan: I was reading that the number of immigrants coming from India is just massive. Is it remarkable that number?

Laurent: India recently became the number one source country of Canada. It's not a big surprise given the fact that India just became the country with the largest population in the world taking over China. For years and years the number one source country of immigration to Canada was China and now it's India. So this is, this is a shift. Yes.

Tegan: And where is this 40 millionth Canadian, when they get to Canada, where are they likely to move to?

Laurent: Most likely probably in Ontario and probably in the region of Toronto. Our immigrants to Canada are mostly settling in, in the six largest cities of the country. It's about two thirds of them going in the six largest cities of the country.

So Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa-Gatineau. Very few of them, about a third are going to other large cities of the country. And then a minority, a small minority goes into rural to rural regions.

Tegan: The vast majority of immigrants, over 90%, reported being able to have a conversation in English or French. So our 40 millionth Canadian, in all likelihood speaks one of our two official languages. Are they likely to speak a different language as a mother tongue?

Laurent: 50 years ago, most of our immigrants were coming from European countries where French and English are quite often spoken like in France or in United Kingdom and also other countries.

Now most of our immigrants are coming from Asian countries where French and English are little spoken. So, they're coming to Canada very often with a different mother tongue than French and English. But of course, getting into Canada, they will learn one or the other language or both actually.

Tegan: While we're talking about culture, let's talk about religion. What do we know about their religious beliefs?

Laurent: The ethnocultural composition of the Canadian population is changing quite fast and it has for a given number of years now. The share of Canadians with a Christian religion has been decreasing over many years now. And the share of Canadians with a non-Christian religion has been increasing. Religions such as the Muslim religion, Hindu, religion, uh, the Sikh religion, for example.

The number of Canadians with one of these non-Christian religions has been increasing. Of course, because a large share of our immigration is coming from Asia where you find those, uh, those religions. So, this is a big change. And if current trends are continuing related to immigration, we can also expect these changes to go on for at least many years and many maybe may many decades in front of us.

Tegan: Can you summarize what we've been saying into a single profile? Who is our, who's most likely our 40 millionth Canadian?

Laurent: So our 40th million Canadian is likely a temporary immigrant. A man, coming to Canada alone, establishing himself in the region of Toronto, and he's coming to Canada either with a work permit or a study permit. I would say these are the most chances.

Tegan: Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. It's a lovely country. Why is immigration so important to Canada?

Laurent: We have a long tradition of immigration in the country. This country was built on immigration. We had the large settlement waves at the beginning of the 20th century going to the western provinces.

Immigration has always been important for Canada and given the fact that Canadian women and Canadian couples have fewer children these days, actually fertility, uh, reached a record low of 1.4 children per woman in the last few years. Given the fact that this is not sufficient to renew the Canadian population, immigration is kind of one of the ways in which Canada can keep a positive demographic growth. Or in other words, a way that the Canadian population can still be increasing. So, immigration has always been important and given as well the labor shortages that we are facing on the labour market, immigration is one way to cope with these, uh, labor shortages. So certainly immigration can fill, um, many, uh, needs for Canada.

Tegan: It's not just for growth and the labour force. Diversity defines us. According to the 2020 General Social Survey, 92% of the population aged 15 and older agreed that ethnic or cultural diversity is a Canadian value.

Laurent: The ethnocultural composition of the Canadian population is changing very rapidly. The share of people being foreign born, the share of people belonging to racialized groups has been increasing for years now. And our projection shows that with the current immigration levels, this ethnocultural composition of the Canadian population will be still increasing fast in the coming years.

Tegan: What are projections saying about Canada's future population and what's immigration's role in that predicted to be?

Laurent: Projections from demographers such as StatCan uh, we are always making assumptions on the future and to develop assumptions, we're often looking at past trends. And given our strong tradition related to immigration, if current immigration trends are continuing in the future, our projections indicates that the Canadian population should continue to grow very fast.

The number of years before we we're reaching 50 million Canadians could be much lower than the time it took to go from 30 to 40 million Canadians.

Tegan: How does Canada's population growth compare to other similar countries like maybe other G7 countries?

Laurent: Canada has the fastest population growth of all G7 countries and that's not new, it's been going on for the last 20 years. It's something that people have to realize, we do have a strong population growth. Same thing with the immigration rates. The number of immigrants that we receive a given year divided by the total Canadian population.

Our immigration rate is if not the highest, one of the highest of the G7 countries for years. In 22, there was a small exception with, uh, Germany who had that year, uh, strong immigration rate related to a special situation. But usually Canada comes on top. So, we're unique in a sense to other G7 countries for population growth and for immigration rate. And we also have a slightly younger population than other G7 countries.

Tegan: And what is it about Canada that makes it attractive to so many immigrants? People looking to find a new home.

Laurent: Immigrants are choosing Canada to improve their quality of life. I think that Canada is an excellent reputation internationally for its quality of life, uh, stable, democratic institutions, peace as well. So, all immigrants are probably interested in those characteristics of the Canadian population and of Canada.

We also have a strong tradition of immigration. So many immigrants may find in Canada already a community from their country already living in the country. So that's, that's one reason why immigrants are also coming to Canada, it's to be reunited with their families that are already, have immigrated in past years, for example.

Tegan: What are some of the challenges as well as opportunities of such a high immigration rate?

Laurent: There are lots of opportunities, lots of challenges associated with immigration. Of course, immigrants can fill our labor market needs. It's also an opportunity for Canada because they're coming with, uh, human capital that they're bringing to this country. Different experience, different knowledge. So, we are better together with immigrants coming in in the country.

But a strong immigration rate also represents major challenges related to for example, housing. We need to build houses and apartments for these immigrants coming in. We also have to deliver to them health services, schools where their kids can, can go.

So we need to develop infrastructures, roads for example, other types of infrastructure. So, when you have a strong population growth, one of the key challenges is making sure that your infrastructure needs will be sufficient to sustain such a growth. So that's a few examples of the challenges related to not only a strong immigration rate, but a strong population growth.

Tegan: Where can people go if they would like to learn more about demography and Canada's population?

Laurent: There's one stop shop, it's on Statistics Canada’s website of course. And there's a subject matter portal called Population and Demography where they can find all the products related to the Canadian population released by StatCan.

So, if you're looking for statistics on the number of Canadians across the country in different regions, if you're looking to the latest number of children per woman, you want to have statistics on life expectancy, you want to have statistics on families on the households, uh, you want to have access to some of our projections product, it's all there. It's population demography on Statistics Canada website.

Tegan: And what do you hope listeners get out of this episode?

Laurent: One key message: Canada is unique in the world. We are unique when we compare to the G7. We are unique when we compare to the OECD countries and if we are also unique when we compare at large. We have a very strong immigration rate right now we do have a very strong population growth as well. So, this a situation different really than what we see in most of the other countries. And actually it's interesting because demographers are projecting that by 2070, 2080, the world population could start decreasing while Canada is on a different trajectory. Our growth rate has increased in recent years and maybe Canada will continue to have a strong population growth at a time when the world population will be starting to decrease. So, it's kind of interesting and we're really on a different trajectory right now.

Tegan: Well! If our predictions are correct, I'd like to say svaagat to our 40 millionth Canadian! That's welcome in Hindi, or at least my best attempt! But wherever you're from or what language you speak, we're glad to have you.

(Theme)

Tegan: You’ve been listening to Eh Sayers. Thank you to our guest, Laurent Martel, as well as Patrick Charbonneau for his help behind the scenes.

You can subscribe to this show wherever you get your podcasts. There you can also find the French version of our show, called Hé-coutez bien. If you liked this show, please rate, review, and subscribe. Thanks for listening!

Source:

Statistics Canada. “Population and Demography Statistics.” Statistics Canada. Government of Canada, June 3, 2019. Population and demography statistics.

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Eh Sayers Episode 13 - Will The 40 Millionth Canadian Please Stand Up? (MP3, 17.4 MB)

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