Why are we conducting this survey?

This survey collects information on the awareness and use of Intellectual Property (IP) by Canadian enterprises. High levels of intellectual property familiarity along with the strong strategic use of IP are critical to the innovativeness and economic growth of Canadian enterprises. The information gathered in this survey will help the Canadian government establish a baseline on intellectual property familiarity and use among Canadian enterprises, therefore supporting the measurement of the impact of government programs to educate and raise awareness on the benefits and value of intellectual property. This will enable the development of intellectual property policies that contribute to a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace that promotes innovation and competition and instills business, investors and consumer confidence.

This survey is part of the national Intellectual Property Strategy, which was designed to improve access to the intellectual property system by all Canadians, including traditionally underrepresented groups, such as women and Indigenous people.

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

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record linkages

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

Data-sharing agreements

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

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

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

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

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

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

You may also contact us by email at statcan.istdinformation-distinformation.statcan@statcan.gc.ca or by fax at 613-951-8578.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

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.

Important features

To navigate the questionnaire

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Use the Previous and Next buttons located at the bottom right of each page.

Do not use the navigation buttons at the top of your browser or the corresponding shortcut keys.

Based on your answers to certain questions, the questionnaire will automatically skip any questions or sub-questions that do not apply to your situation.

Session timeout

After 2 hours of inactivity, your session will time out. You will not be able to access any unsaved information.

To save your information

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If you cannot complete the questionnaire in one session, you can save the information you have entered by pressing the Save and finish later button at the bottom left of any page on which you are asked to enter information. You can then resume your session at another time.

Please be advised that information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used for statistical and research purposes.

Definitions and explanations

Image of the help button

A help button is available for certain questions. Press this button for additional information or clarification.

Answering this questionnaire

Reporting instructions

• Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.
• Report dollar amounts rounded to the nearest dollar.
• Report all personnel numbers in full-time equivalent (FTE).
• Report all FTE numbers rounded to the nearest whole number.
• Percentages should be rounded to whole numbers.
• When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.
• Enter '0' if there is no value to report.

Who should complete this questionnaire?

This questionnaire should be completed by the business owners or authorised representatives of the enterprises such as senior managers with a thorough knowledge of its intellectual property awareness and use.

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.

Note: Press the help button (?) for additional information.

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
Mailing address (number and street)
City
Province, territory or state
Postal code or ZIP code (Format: Letter digit letter space digit letter digit or 5 digits dash 4 digits)
Example: A9A 9A9 or 12345-1234
Country
Email address
Example: user@example.gov.ca
Telephone number (including area code)(Enter all ten numbers without spaces or special characters)
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable)
The maximum number of characters is 10.
Fax number (including area code)(Enter all ten numbers without spaces or special characters)
Example: 123-123-1234

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

Operational

Not currently operational e.g., temporarily or permanently closed, change of ownership

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).

Note: Press the help button (?) for additional information, including a detailed description of this activity complete with example activities and any applicable exclusions.

NAICS description text

Description and examples

This is the current main activity

This is not the current main activity

Business structure and executive demographics

Question 1. In what year was this business first established?

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

First established refers to the date when this business was first registered.

Year

Question 2. Which of the following business structures best describes this business?

Sole proprietorship - A sole proprietorship is a business with a single owner (who owns 100% of the business) who alone is responsible for all liabilities-legal debts a company owes to third-party creditors.

Partnership - A partnership is a business established by two or more owners.

Corporation that is incorporated under a federal or provincial charter - A corporation is a legally established business that can own assets and incur debt. The business is a legal entity separate from its shareholders.

Co-operative - A co-operative is a business that is owned, organized and controlled by an association of members.
Include Co-operatives of incorporated businesses.

Other

Question 3. Does this business have a board of directors?

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 4. Are there any women on this business's board of directors?

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 5. Are there any First Nations people, Métis or Inuk (Inuit) on this business's board of directors?

First Nations people include both status and non-status Indians.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 6. What is the gender of the primary decision maker for this business?

Gender refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

The primary decision maker is the person primarily responsible for making decisions about this business.

This could be the majority owner, chairman of the board of directors, or general manager of this business.

In the case of equal partnership, select one partner and report for that individual.

• Male
• Female
• Another gender
• Don't know

Question 7. Does the primary decision maker of this business identify as a First Nations person, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

First Nations person include both status and non-status Indians.

The primary decision maker is the person responsible for making decisions about this business. This could be the majority owner, chairman of the board of directors, or general manager of this business.

In the case of equal partnership, report for the same partner as reported in question 6.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 8. Was the primary decision maker for this business born in Canada?

The primary decision maker is the person primarily responsible for making decisions about this business. This could be the majority owner, chairman of the board of directors, or general manager of this business.

In the case of equal partnership, report for the same partner as reported in question 6.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 9. How many years has the primary decision maker for this business resided in Canada?

The primary decision maker is the person primarily responsible for making decisions about this business.

This could be the majority owner, chairman of the board of directors, or general manager of this business.

Round to the nearest year, if less than one year please round to one.

Number of years
OR
Does not reside in Canada
OR
Don't know

Question 10. Is this a publicly owned business?

A publicly owned business is when ownership is dispersed among the general public in shares of stock which are freely traded on a stock exchange or in over-the-counter markets.

• Yes
• No

Question 11. What is the gender composition of the ownership of this business?

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

Enter '0' if there is no value to report.

Percentage
a. Male %
b. Female %
c. Another gender %
Total %

Question 12. What percentage of this business's ownership is comprised of First Nations people, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

First Nations people include both status and non-status Indians.

Enter '0' if there is no value to report.

Percentage %

OR

Don't know

Intellectual property awareness

Question 13. Which of the following types of intellectual property are you familiar with?

Please answer based on your familiarity regardless of whether or not this business owns these types of intellectual property.

Select all that apply.

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Industrial designs
• Copyrights
• Trade secrets
• OR
• None of the above

The next question intends to measure the general familiarity with intellectual property. The purpose of collecting this information is to help evaluate impacts of Canadian Government's programs to educate and raise awareness on the value of intellectual property. Answer to the best of your abilities even if you are unsure about the answer.

Question 14. To the best of your knowledge, which intellectual property method would be best suited to protecting the following ideas, information, designs or creative works?

The following questions uses a rating scale for each answer. Navigate through each question heading and select an answer. The answers available include:

Blank table

	Patents	Trademarks	Industrial designs	Copyrights	Don't know
a. A brand name or logo
b. An invention e.g., a bag-less vacuum cleaner
c. Creative works e.g., photos, songs or print material
d. The visual appearance of a manufactured product e.g., a cell phone case or a tea cup

Question 15. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business seek information, guidance or advice on patents, trademarks or other types of intellectual property?

Intellectual property is a distinct form of creative endeavor such as an invention, literary and artistic work, image or design that may be protected by formal legislation or the common law (e.g., a patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design, integrated circuit topography, plant breeders' rights, geographical indications) or that has provided commercial value (e.g., know-how, trade secrets).

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 16. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", what sources were sought by this business to obtain information, guidance or advice on patents, trademarks or other types of intellectual property?

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Canadian Intellectual Property Office
• Other Canadian government offices e.g., federal, provincial, municipal
• Foreign Intellectual Property Offices e.g., United States Patent and Trademark Office, World Intellectual Property Organization
• Trade commissioner services
• Business incubators or accelerators or IP clinics
• In-house legal counsel or legal departments Exclude external law firms or lawyers.
• External law firms or lawyers Exclude in-house legal counsel or legal departments.
• Intellectual property strategists
• Patent or trademark agents
• Industry associations, chambers of commerce or business partner networks
• Other sources e.g., friends, peers, mentors, words of mouth, other online sources

Question 17. Was the information, guidance or advice sufficient for this business to make an informed decision related to its patents, trademarks or other types of intellectual property?

Sufficient means that this business received the intellectual property-related information, guidance or advice it needed from the sources it solicited (i.e., sources that were selected in question 15).

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 18. On what intellectual property matters did this business seek information, guidance or advice?

Select all that apply.

• Identification of this business's intellectual property
• Identify in which countries to protect intellectual property
• Identify funding sources for the protection of intellectual property
• Options for funding the protection of intellectual property
• How to manage protecting intellectual property without the help of a professional e.g., intellectual property agent or lawyer
• Navigate the formal process of protecting intellectual property
• How to develop a strategy related to intellectual property for this business
• Detect infringement of intellectual property rights
• Enforce intellectual property rights in case of infringement by other
• Other matters related to intellectual propert

Question 19. Over the next three years, 2020 to 2022, from which of the following sources does this business plan to seek information, guidance or advice on intellectual property?

Over the next three years 2020 to 2022 refers to the calendar years January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

• Canadian Intellectual Property Office
• Other Canadian government offices e.g., federal, provincial, municipal
• Foreign Intellectual Property Offices e.g., United States Patent and Trademark Office, World Intellectual Property Organization
• Trade commissioner services
• Business incubators or accelerators or IP clinics
• In-house legal counsel or legal departments Exclude external law firms or lawyers.
• External law firms or lawyers Exclude in-house legal counsel or legal departments.
• Intellectual property strategists
• Patent or trademark agents
• Industry associations, chambers of commerce or business partner networks
• Other sources e.g., friends, peers, mentors, words of mouth, other online sources
• OR
• No plans to seek sources to obtain information, guidance or advice on intellectual property
• Don't know

Intellectual property use

Question 20. Which of the following types of intellectual property does this business own in Canada?

Intellectual property is a distinct form of creative endeavor such as an invention, literary and artistic work, image or design that may be protected by formal legislation or the common law (e.g., a patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design, integrated circuit topography, plant breeders' rights, geographical indications) or that has provided commercial value (e.g., know-how, trade secrets).

Select all that apply.

• Patents - A set of rights granted by a national government to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for a public disclosure of that invention.
• Industrial designs - A combination of the visual features of shape, configuration pattern or ornament applied to a finished article made by hand, tool or machine.
• Copyrights - A set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work.
• Trademarks - Refer to words, designs, numbers, or shapes that are used to distinguish goods or services of one person or organization from those of others
• Integrated circuit topographies - Three-dimensional configurations of electronic circuits embodied in integrated circuit products of layout designs.
• Plant breeders' rights - Right that allows plant breeders to protect new varieties of plants.
• Geographical indications - A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• OR
• None of the above

Question 21. Which of the following types of intellectual property does this business own outside of Canada?

Intellectual property is a distinct form of creative endeavor such as an invention, literary and artistic work, image or design that may be protected by formal legislation or the common law (e.g., a patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design, integrated circuit topography, plant breeders' rights, geographical indications) or that has provided commercial value (e.g., know-how, trade secrets).

Select all that apply.

• Patents - A set of rights granted by a national government to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for a public disclosure of that invention.
• Industrial designs - A combination of the visual features of shape, configuration pattern or ornament applied to a finished article made by hand, tool or machine.
• Copyrights - A set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work.
• Trademarks - Refer to words, designs, numbers, or shapes that are used to distinguish goods or services of one person or organization from those of others
• Integrated circuit topographies - Three-dimensional configurations of electronic circuits embodied in integrated circuit products of layout designs.
• Plant breeders' rights - Right that allows plant breeders to protect new varieties of plants.
• Geographical indications - A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• OR
• None of the above

Question 22. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business file for or register any type of intellectual property protection?

Include patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, integrated circuit topographies, plant breeders' rights and geographical indications.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 23. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", which of the following types of intellectual property protection did this business file for or register?

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Industrial designs
• Copyrights
• Integrated circuit topographies
• Plant breeders' rights
• Geographical indications
• Other types of intellectual property protection

Question 24. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business experience any difficulties when filing for or registering intellectual property protection?

Include difficulties experienced when filing for or registering intellectual property protection either in or outside of Canada.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 25. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", what were the difficulties experienced when filing for or registering intellectual property protection in Canada?

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Limited knowledge of the intellectual property application procedures
• Lack of guidance
• Length of intellectual property right filling or registration process
• Financial costs associated with the procedure
• Complexity of the procedure
• Initial application did not meet requirements
• Other difficulties
• OR
• No difficulties encountered in Canada

Question 26. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", what were the difficulties experienced when filing for or registering intellectual property protection outside of Canada?

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Limited knowledge of the intellectual property application procedures
• Lack of guidance
• Length of intellectual property right filling or registration process
• Financial costs associated with the procedure
• Complexity of the procedure
• Initial application did not meet requirements
• Other difficulties
• OR
• No difficulties encountered outside of Canada

Question 27. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", which of the following strategic activities regarding intellectual property did this business conduct?

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Including any references to intellectual property in employment agreements
• Discussing intellectual property with employees
• Assigning monetary value to any intellectual property
• Training staff on intellectual property
• Verifying that this business is not infringing on other's intellectual property
• Other activities
• OR
• No strategic activities conducted
• OK
• Don't know

Question 28. In 2019, did this business have a formal strategy to protect its patents, trademarks or other types of intellectual property (either separate from or as part of the overall business plan)?

''In 2019'' refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 29. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business have intellectual property that it decided not to formally protect?

Include intellectual property that this business decided not to formally protect either in or outside of Canada.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 30. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", for which of the following reasons did this business decide not to formally protect its intellectual property?

Include intellectual property that this business decided not to formally protect either in or outside of Canada.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Limited knowledge of the intellectual property application procedures
• Financial costs associated with obtaining intellectual property rights
• Length of the process to obtain intellectual property rights
• Complexity of rules and laws related to intellectual property
• Difficulties enforcing intellectual property rights
• Risk of litigation
• Prefer to keep the intellectual property as a trade secret
• No benefits seen in protecting this business's intellectual property
• Other reasons

Question 31. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", in which of the following activities related to intellectual property ownership did this business engage?

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Buying intellectual property
• Selling intellectual property
• Making use of an online intellectual property marketplace
• Making use of open source or other freely available intellectual property
• Participating in a patent pool or patent collective
• Participating in a partnership, joint venture, strategic alliance or other form of intellectual property-related collaboration
• Buying or selling rights through a copyright collective society
• Other intellectual property ownership-related activities
• OR
• No engagement in intellectual property ownership-related activities
• OR
• Don't know

Question 32. In this business's fiscal year ending in 2019, which of the following activities related to intellectual property did this business have expenditures on?

This business's fiscal year end date should fall between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Obtaining information, guidance, or advice on intellectual property
• Conducting an intellectual property search
• Filing for or registering intellectual property with an intellectual property office
• Maintaining or renewing intellectual property right with an intellectual property office
• Drafting intellectual property agreements
• Enforcing intellectual property rights
• Responding to demand letters
• Other intellectual property-related activities
• OR
• No expenditures
• OR
• Don't know

Question 33. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business have any intellectual property licensing agreements in place?

Licenses defines the terms under which patents, trademarks, and copyrights are licensed by one party to another for exchange of one-time payment or a continuous fee-structure.

Include the licensing of intellectual property from others and the licensing of intellectual property to others.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 34. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", which types of intellectual property rights did this business license

Include the licensing of intellectual property from others and the licensing of intellectual property to others.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Copyrights
• Other rights

Question 35. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", which of the following licensing agreements were important to this business

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Licensing intellectual property from other Canadian organizations
• Licensing intellectual property to other Canadian organizations
• Licensing intellectual property from other foreign organizations
• Licensing intellectual property to other foreign organizations
• OR
• None of the above

Importance of intellectual property

Question 36. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", how important was this business's intellectual property (IP) to the following activities

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

The following questions uses a rating scale for each answer. Navigate through each question heading and select an answer. The answers available include:

Blank table

	IP was very important	IP was important	IP was somewhat important	IP was not at all important	Don't know	Not applicable
a. Research and development (R&D)
b. Innovation
c. Product (goods or services) development
d. Secure funds from external investment sources
e. Export of goods or services
f. Import of goods or services
g. Marketing and promotion h. Brand protection
i. Maintaining competitiveness
j. Entering new markets

Question 37. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", how did this business's intellectual property contribute to its performance

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Increased employment
• Increased revenues
• Increased business value
• Expanded markets
• Facilitated access to financing
• Provided new opportunities for collaboration with other businesses
• Strengthened long-term business prospects
• Positioned the business for acquisition
• Other contributions
• OR
• No contributions to this business's performance
• OR
• Don't know or cannot determine contributions

Question 38. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", how did this business's intellectual property hinder its performance

''During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Did not prevent infringement of intellectual property
• Increased financial costs of maintenance and monitoring of this business's intellectual property portfolio
• Caused legal disputes that were either expensive or time consuming
• Delayed market entry of new products (loss of revenues)
• Diverted resources away from more productive or value creating activities
• Other hindrances
• OR
• No hindrances to this business's performance
• OR
• Don't know or cannot determine hindrances

Business structure and activities

Question 39. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", what was the average yearly change of this business's total revenues

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Decrease in revenue
• No change in revenue
• Between 1% and 10% increase
• Between 11% and 20% increase
• 21% or more increase in revenue
• Don't know
• Not applicable e.g., business is less than three years old

Question 40. In 2019, did this business sell goods or services to customers located in the following geographic markets

Customer location is the location where the goods or services will ultimately be used.

If ultimate customer location is not known, the following are acceptable substitutes:

• shipping destination
• client's billing address
• location of this business's retail customers
• location of this business's warehouses/distribution centres.

Select all that apply.

• Province or territory in which this business is registered
• Other Canadian provinces or territories (rest of Canada)
• United States of America
• Europe
• Japan
• China
• Other countries
• OR
• No sales

Question 41. In 2019, did this business sell goods or services

''In 2019'' refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2019.

• Goods
  • Yes
  • No
• Services
  • Yes
  • No

Question 42. In 2019, did this business sell any of the following goods or services

''In 2019'' refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2019.

• Software
  • Yes
  • No
• Creative works
  • Yes
  • No

Question 43. Over the next three years, 2020 to 2022, does this business intend to expand to new geographic markets within the following locations

''Over the next three years 2020 to 2022'' refers to the calendar years January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.

Select all that apply.

• Province or territory in which this business is registered
• Other Canadian provinces or territories (rest of Canada)
• United States of America
• Europe
• Japan
• China
• Other countries
• OR
• No intention to expand to new markets
• OR
• Don't know

Question 44. In 2019, did this business make payments to suppliers for the purchase of goods or services located in the following geographic markets

''In 2019'' refers to the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2019.

Select all that apply.

• Province or territory in which this business, or its headquarters, is located
• Other Canadian provinces or territories (rest of Canada)
• United States of America
• Europe
• Japan
• China
• Other countries
• OR
• No purchases of goods or services

Innovation and funding

Question 45. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", were new or improved goods, services or business processes introduced onto the market or brought into use by this business

Include new or improved goods, services or business processes that:

• differed significantly from this business's previous goods, services or business process
• were new to this business and not necessarily new to its business industry or markets
• were developed by this business or other organizations.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

New or improved goods

Tangible objects and some knowledge-capturing products over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership can be transferred through market transactions. Significant changes to the design of a good.

Exclude the simple resale of new goods purchased from other businesses and changes of a solely aesthetic nature.

• Yes
• No

New or improved services

Services are intangible activities that are produced and consumed simultaneously and that change the conditions (e.g., physical, psychological) of users. The engagement of users through their time, availability, attention, transmission of information, or effort is often a necessary condition that leads to the co-production of services by users and the enterprise. The attributes or experience of a service can therefore depend on the input of users. Services can also include some knowledge-capturing products.

• Yes
• No

New or improved business processes

Implementation of new or improved production processes for goods or services, distribution or logistics processes, marketing or sales methods, information and communication systems, strategic and general management practices, and product or business process development.

• Yes
• No

Question 46. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business have expenditures on research and experimental development (R&D)

Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No

Question 47. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business receive private sector funding from either Canadian or foreign sources to support the commercialization of new or improved goods or services?

Please include funding from banks, caisses populaires or credit unions, other financial institutions, venture capital providers and individuals or groups unrelated to the business, such as angel investors.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Question 48. "During the three years 2017 to 2019", did this business receive any government funding?

Include government grants, contributions, subsidies, tax credits, tax incentives, export incentives, loans or any other type of government funds received by this business.

Include all levels of government (i.e., federal, provincial, municipal).

"During the three years 2017 to 2019" refers to the calendar years January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Comments and feedback

Question 49. How many people were consulted for the completion of this questionnaire?

Number of people

Notification of intent to extract web data

Question 50. Does this business have a website?

• Yes
• No

Contact person

Question 51. Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.

Is (respondent name) the best person to contact?

• Yes
• No

Feedback

Question 52. How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

Hours
Minutes

Question 53. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

Enter your comments

200 character limit. The number of available characters remaining is located below the text edit field.

Before submitting the questionnaire

To review your information

Before submitting the questionnaire, select the 'Start of questionnaire' link located at the top left to go back to the 'Getting started' page. From there, you can press the Next button located at the bottom of the page to navigate the questionnaire.

To submit your questionnaire

If you do not need to review your information, press the Next button to continue.

Please note that you will not be able to change any information you reported once you have submitted the questionnaire.

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

Submit

If you are ready to submit the questionnaire, press the Submit button in the bottom right corner

Steps of the data journey

The data journey represents the key stages of the data process. The journey is not necessarily linear; it is intended to represent the different steps and activities that could be undertaken to produce meaningful information from data.

Step 1: Define, find, gather

The first step is to get data, whether this is using a pre-established database or establishing what variables are needed and creating and implementing a collection method. Security measures should be established and implemented to protect the integrity of the data once it's been collected.

The following competencies apply to this step: data discovery, data gathering, and data management and organization.

Step 2: Explore, clean, describe

Data should be explored to understand the format and variables and also checked for for errors and missing values. It may be necessary to clean the data before using it for analysis which includes doing such things like correcting formatting, removing or correcting erroneous data, or something as simple as taking out extra space. It important to document what you found and what you did to clean the data.

The following competencies apply to this step: data cleaning, and data exploration.

Step 3: Analyze, model

The purpose of doing analysis and modeling is to use statistical techniques to turn the data into information to provide meaningful insights. Analysis and modelling is used to describe a phenomenon, draw conclusions about a population or make predictions about future events.

The following competencies apply to this step: data analysis, data modelling, and/or evaluating decisions based on data.

Step 4: Tell the story

The statistical information that comes from analysis and modeling is easier to digest if it is presented in some sort of story. It could be a research paper, an infographic, an article for the media, or some combination of these and other data presentation methods.

The following competencies apply to this step: data interpretation, data visualization and/or storytelling.

Foundation: stewardship, metadata, standards and quality

In order to successfully follow the steps of the data journey, it is essential to build your work on a solid foundation of stewardship, metadata, standards and quality.

• Stewardship encompasses all activities to govern, safeguard and protect data.
• Metadata should describe all the processing and manipulation that the data has undergone.
• Standard methods, practices and classifications should be applied throughout.
• Quality should be proactively managed throughout the process and relevant quality indicators should accompany all deliverables.

Why are we conducting this survey?

This survey collects data from plants in Western Canada that use grain mainly to produce ethanol or biodiesel. The data will be used by Statistics Canada to calculate grain deliveries and to produce supply and disposition statistics. Information from agricultural surveys is used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other federal and provincial departments for economic research, and to develop and administer agricultural policies.

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

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record linkages

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

Data-sharing agreements

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

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

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

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.

Note: Press the help button (?) for additional information.

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 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).

Note: Press the help button (?) for additional information, including a detailed description of this activity complete with example activities and any applicable exclusions.

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

Main activity

5. You indicated that is not the current main activity.

Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as: ?

• Yes
• 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.

How to search:

• if desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting this business or organization's activity sector
• enter keywords or a brief description that best describes this business or organization main activity
• press the Search button to search the database for an activity that best matches the keywords or description you provided
• then select an activity from the list.

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

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

Enter keywords or a brief description, then press the Search button

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
  Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's secondary activity
  • e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
• No, that is the only significant activity

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

Grains purchased for industrial purposes

1. Which of the following grains did this company purchase for industrial purposes from the beginning of the crop year to the reference date?

Include:

• purchases from farmers
• quantities purchased from companies
• imported grains.

Select all that apply

• Wheat
  • Excluding durum.
• Durum wheat
• Canola
• Corn
• Barley
• Oats
• Flaxseed
• Rye
• Other grain purchased for industrial purposes
  • Specify the other grain purchased for industrial purposes

Quantity of grain purchased for industrial purposes

2. From the beginning of the crop year to the reference date, how much grain was purchased for industrial use from farmers and companies?

Include:

• purchases from farmers
• quantities purchased from companies
• imported grains.

If your unit of measure is kilograms, please convert it to metric tonnes and round to one decimal place.

From the beginning of the crop year to the reference date, how much grain was purchased for industrial use from farmers and companies?

	Quantity purchased from farmers (metric tonnes)	Quantity purchased from companies (metric tonnes)
Grain
Wheat (excluding durum)
Durum wheat
Canola
Corn
Barley
Oats
Flaxseed
Rye

Grain stocks

3. On the reference date, what were the stocks in metric tonnes of the following grains held in your company's elevators?

Include imported grains.

If your unit of measure is kilograms, please convert it to metric tonnes and round to one decimal place.

On the reference date, what were the stocks in metric tonnes of the following grains held in your company's elevators?

	Total stocks (metric tonnes)
Grain
Wheat (excluding durum)
Durum wheat
Canola
Corn
Barley
Oats
Flaxseed
Rye

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?

Are you interested in working for the federal government? Are you looking to build a career with an agency that is dedicated to supporting nearly every aspect of Canadian life? If yes, visit our job openings at GC Jobs.

Job openings at Statistics Canada

Talent Retention Bank

If you are interested in being considered for future opportunities at Statistics Canada, you may create your profile in the Talent Retention Bank. By completing this profile, you are not applying for a specific position, but rather may be referred for suitable job openings across StatCan on an ongoing basis.

Depending on the business needs and the candidates’ interests, candidates who are part of the Talent Retention Bank could be hired for any of the following job opportunities: part-time employment, casual contracts, indeterminate (permanent) or term (specified period) appointments.

Recruitment and development programs

The rotation component of our recruitment and development programs allows recruits to take on a variety of assignments. Through these workplace rotations, recruits rapidly gain knowledge about how StatCan works. They also find the rotation process useful for making informed decisions about their individual career paths at StatCan.

We currently offer recruitment and development programs in the following subject-matter areas:

• 

  Social statistics and economics
  Economists, analysts, sociologists, social scientists

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  Mathematical statisticians, methodologists, researchers

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  Application developers, database administrators, analysts, security experts

• 

  Other recruitment and development programs
  Financial Officer, Human Resources advisor, Internal Auditor

Jobs in data collection

Statistics Canada is responsible for the collection of a wide variety of data from Canadian businesses and households.The role of our Data Collection team is to carry out the collection of survey data and hires Data Collection Clerks from time to time on a part-time basis to conduct a variety of surveys, some of which are on going (monthly, quarterly), while others may be annual or one-time only.

We are looking to recruit candidates from across Canada!

For more information, visit Jobs in data collection.

Jobs at Statistics Canada's research data centres

Are you interested in career program that enables you to help strengthen Canada's research capacity? Statistics Canada in partnership with over 20 universities has established Research Data Centers (RDCs) across our great nation. The RDC program offers entry to mid level positions, with a variety of career opportunities that would open you to training, permanent positions, and the opportunity to build networks within the federal government.

For more information about this great job opportunity, visit Jobs at StatCan's Research Data Centres.

Jobs for students

Gain valuable work experience in your field of study at Statistics Canada. Check out these three popular programs. One of them might be perfect for you:

Co-op / Internship

Interested in short-term employment in a federal organization? Gain relevant and practical work experience over a four-month co-op or internship. Here’s what you need to do:

• Consult the notice boards at your campus career centre or co-op/internship placement office. If any of the posted opportunities seem like a good fit with your study/career ambitions, then register in a co-op/internship program with your academic institution.
• You won’t find a listing of co-op/internship opportunities on the Public Service Commission’s website. Federal organizations that wish to hire students for co-op/internship placements will contact the educational institutions directly to place their request.

For more information, visit the Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program.

Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)

FSWEP is managed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada and is a great way to gain work experience in your field of study. If you are a full-time student in a secondary school, CEGEP, college, technical institute or university and are interested in working at Statistics Canada, here’s how to apply:

• Complete the FSWEP online application form.
• Your submitted form is then sent to a database.
• When Statistics Canada wants to hire a student from FSWEP, the PSC searches the database for students who match the job requirements of the hiring manager.
• The system identifies all the students that meet the search criteria and randomly selects at least five candidates to refer for each position.
• The manager who is looking for a student will then assess the referred candidates and decide on the successful candidate.

There is no cut-off date for FSWEP applications. Full-time students may complete and submit an application at any time throughout the year.

For more information, visit the Federal Student Work Experience Program.

Research Affiliate Program (RAP)

• If you are a post-secondary student and would like to gain experience in research, this could be the program for you. The research project must be related to your current degree or program of study and must help you to develop specific knowledge and research skills.

For more information, visit the Research Affiliate Program.

Embracing diversity and inclusion

Statistics Canada promotes the advantages of diversity in the federal government and offers interesting career opportunities and rewarding challenges for everyone. Learn more about how Statistics Canada embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace.