Activities in the natural sciences and engineering

Investment, Science and Technology Division

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Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the process of collecting scientific expenditures data. Definitions and explanatory notes relating to natural sciences and engineering, scientific and technological activities, and other terms used are given in subsequent sections.

Since 1973, Statistics Canada has been collecting detailed expenditure and full-time equivalent data on scientific activities of provincial research organizations. These data, coupled with data from other surveys, have been used by policy analysts in federal and provincial governments, research managers and the media to elaborate on the provincial scientific activities.

Intramural research and development expenditures are a direct input into the Canadian gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD) indicators.

Expenditures on research and development (R&D) and related scientific activities (RSA) are subdivided into “current expenditures” and “capital expenditures”. Current expenditures indicate the “where” and “by whom” the activities are performed. (e.g., internally by the organization or by external performers).

Personnel are allocated to research and development or related scientific activities, and distributed into the following categories: scientific and professional personnel, supporting personnel, and other.

1. Total scientific and technological expenditures by activity in the natural sciences and engineering.

Definitions and explanations of terms

Natural sciences and engineering includes disciplines concerned with understanding, exploring, developing or utilizing the natural world. Included are such disciplines as the engineering, mathematical, life and physical sciences.

The questionnaire covers two consecutive fiscal years and the headings for both years are identical. One set of definitions/explanations therefore suffices.

Actual and preliminary expenditures on scientific and technological activities are to be classified according to the type of scientific activity and who performed or will perform the scientific activity (intramural or extramural).

Scientific and technological (S&T) activities are required for the generation, dissemination or initial application of the new S&T knowledge. The central activity is scientific research and experimental development (R&D). In addition there are a number of activities closely related to R&D, and are termed related scientific activities (RSA). The RSA identified as being appropriate for the provincial research organization in the natural sciences and engineering are: scientific data collection, information services, and special services and studies.

  1. Research and development (R&D)

Research and experimental development – creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

In this survey, the term research and development (R&D) is synonymous with research and experimental development.

The basic criterion for distinguishing R&D from related scientific activities is the presence in R&D of an appreciable element of novelty and the resolution of scientific and/or technological uncertainty. New knowledge, products or processes are sought. The work is normally performed by, or under the supervision of, persons with postgraduate degrees in the natural sciences and engineering.

An R&D project generally has three characteristics:

  • a substantial element of uncertainty, novelty and innovation;
  • a well-defined project design; and
  • a report on the procedures and results of the project.

Examples:

  • Special investigation of a particular mortality in order to establish the side effects of certain medical treatments.
  • The investigation of new methods of measuring temperature is research as is the study and development of new systems and techniques for interpreting the data.
  • The development of new methods of identifying tree species and determining if they are diseased.
  • The creation of a new transportation system as a prototype and the technical evaluation of its operations.

R&D is generally carried out by specialized R&D units. However, an R&D project may also involve the use of non R&D facilities (e.g., testing grounds), the purchase or construction of specialized equipment and materials, and the assistance of other units. Costs of such items, attributable to the project, are to be considered R&D costs.

R&D units may also be engaged in non R&D activities such as technical advisory services, testing, or construction of special equipment for other units. So far as is practical, the effort devoted to such operations should be excluded from R&D.

Intramural (internal) R&D

Intramural (internal) R&D is defined as all expenditures for R&D performed within your organization by your personnel during a specific period, whatever the source of funds.

Current expenditures - includes costs (expenditures) incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel including salaries and contributions to employee benefit plans (e.g. pension); materials and supplies; contract payments to contractors working on site within your organization’s premises; as well as costs for personnel engaged in the administration of extramural (external) R&D contracts, grants and contributions.

Capital expenditures – expenditures on construction, acquisition or preparation of land, buildings, machinery and equipment are capital expenditures. All other expenditures are current expenditures.

Extramural (external) R&D

Extramural (external) payments are made by the provincial research organizations for R&D activities performed by extramural sectors and these sectors are defined as follows:

Business enterprise – business and government enterprises including public utilities and government-owned firms. Incorporated consultants providing scientific and engineering services are also included. Industrial research institutes located at Canadian universities are considered to be in the higher education sector.

Higher education – composed of all universities, colleges of technology and other institutes of post-secondary education, whatever their source of finance or legal status. It also includes all research institutes, experimental stations and clinics operating under the direct control of, or administered by, or associated with, the higher education establishments.

Hospitals and health organizations – Canadian hospitals and health organizations which are not part of university medical schools.

Federal, provincial and municipal governments – departments and agencies of these governments. Government enterprises, such as provincial utilities are included in the business enterprise sector.

Other Canadian performers – include Canadian non-profit institutions that are not serving the health field or business enterprise sector; individuals or organizations in Canada not belonging to any of the above sectors, and all foreign government agencies, foreign companies (including foreign subsidiaries of Canadian firms), international organizations, non-resident foreign nationals and Canadians studying or teaching abroad.

Extramural expenditures include:

Contract payments to an outside institution or individual performing R&D.

R&D grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of R&D and intended to benefit the recipients.

  1. Related scientific activities (RSA)

Related scientific activities involve the generation, dissemination and application of scientific and technological knowledge. The kinds of related scientific activities for the natural sciences and engineering are described below.

Related scientific activities include:

Scientific data collection – the gathering, processing, collating and analyzing of data on natural phenomena. These data are normally the results of surveys, routine laboratory analyses or compilations of operating records.

Data collected as part of an existing or proposed research project are charged to R&D. Similarly, the costs of analyzing existing data as part of a research project are R&D costs, even when the data were originally collected for some other purpose. The development of new techniques for data collection is also to be considered an R&D activity.

Examples of scientific data collection are: routine geological, hydrographic, oceanographic and topographic surveys; routine astronomical observations; maintenance of meteorological records; and wildlife and fisheries surveys.

Information services – all work directed to recording, classifying, translating and disseminating scientific and technological information as well as museum services. Included are the operations of scientific and technical libraries, S&T consulting and advisory services, the Patent Office, the publication of scientific journals and monographs, and the organizing of scientific conferences. Grants for the publication of scholarly works are also included.

General purpose information services or information services directed primarily towards the general public are excluded, as are general departmental and public libraries. When individual budgets exist, the costs of libraries which belong to institutions otherwise entirely classified to another activity, such as R&D, should be assigned to information services. The costs of printing and distributing reports from another activity, such as R&D, are normally attributable to that activity.

Special services and studies – work directed towards the establishment of national and provincial standards for materials, devices, products and processes; the calibration of secondary standards; non-routine quality testing; feasibility studies and demonstration projects.

Sub categories under Special services and studies include:

Testing and standardization – work directed towards the establishment of national and international standards for materials, devices, products and processes, the calibration of secondary standards and non-routine quality testing. The development of new measures for standards, or of new methods of measuring or testing, is R&D and should be reported as such. Exclude routine testing such as monitoring radioactivity levels or soil tests before construction.

Feasibility studies – technical investigations of proposed engineering projects to provide additional information required to reach decisions on implementation. Besides feasibility studies per se, the related activity of demonstration projects are to be included. Demonstration projects involve the operation of scaled-up versions of a facility or process, or data on factors such as costs, operational characteristics, market demand and public acceptance. Projects called “demonstration projects” but which conform to the definition of R&D should be considered R&D. Once a facility or process is operated primarily to provide a service or to gain revenue, rather than as a demonstration, it should no longer be included with feasibility studies. In all demonstration projects, only the net costs should be considered.

Administration of extramural RSA programs – the costs, including salaries, of personnel engaged in the administration of contracts and grants and contributions for related scientific activities that are to be performed outside the provincial research organizations.

NOTE: If any of these activities are performed in direct support of an R&D project or program, include the expenditures in the R&D section above.

Intramural (internal) RSA expenditures

Current expenditures – includes costs (expenditures) incurred for related scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel including salaries and contributions to employee benefit plans (e.g. pension); materials and supplies; contract payments to contractors working on site within your organization’s premises; as well as costs for personnel engaged in the administration of extramural (external) R&D contracts, grants and contributions.

Capital expenditures – expenditures on construction, acquisition or preparation of land, buildings, machinery and equipment are capital expenditures. All other expenditures are current expenditures.

Extramural RSA expenditures include:

Contract payments to an outside institution or individual performing RSA.

RSA grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of RSA and intended to benefit the recipients.

2. Source of funds for intramural (internal) research and development (R&D) in the natural sciences and engineering

This question identifies the sources of funds for expenditures on research and development performed by your organization. It will help to ensure that work funded from outside the provincial research organization is not overlooked.

R&D budget of the provincial research organization (operating capital, and grants and contributions) – that portion of the total provincial research organizational budget which was spent on natural science and engineering R&D activities.

Federal government – all R&D funds from the departments and agencies of the federal government used for natural science and engineering activities.

Provincial/Territorial government – all R&D funds from the provincial/territorial government used for natural science and engineering activities.

Canadian business enterprises – all R&D funds from business enterprises used for natural science and engineering activities.

Other Canadian sources – all R&D funds for natural science and engineering activities from sources not specified above for example, higher education, hospitals and private non-profit organizations.

Foreign sources – all R&D funds from sources located outside the jurisdictional boundary of Canada.

3. Personnel in full-time equivalent (FTE) engaged in scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering

Full-time equivalent (FTE) – a measure of the time actually devoted to the conduct of scientific activities. Example calculation: an employee who is engaged in scientific activities for half a year has a full-time equivalence of 0.5. If, out of five scientists engaged in R&D work, one works solely on R&D projects and the remaining four devote only one quarter of their working time to R&D , then: FTE = 1 + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ = 2.0.

Scientific and professional personnel - FTE in jobs that require at least one academic degree or nationally recognized professional qualification (e.g. professional engineers) as well as those with equivalent experience.

Supporting personnel (technicians and technologists) – personnel in jobs that require specialized vocational or technical training beyond the secondary education level (e.g., community colleges and technical institutes) as well as those with experience equivalent to this training.

Other – clerical, secretarial, administrative, operational and other support personnel.

Enquiries should be directed to:

Public Sector Investments
Investment, Science and Technology Division
Statistics Canada
150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Room 1306 E
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6
Fax: 613-951-9920
E-mail: istd-dist.information@statcan.gc.ca

 

Description for Chart 1: Comparison of gross budgetary authorities and expenditures as of September 30, 2014, and September 30, 2015, in thousands of dollars

This bar graph shows Statistics Canada's budgetary authorities and expenditures, in thousands of dollars, as of September 30, 2014 and 2015:

  • As at September 30, 2014
    • Net budgetary authorities: $402,448
    • Vote netting authority: $120,000
    • Total authority: $522,448
    • Net expenditures for the period ending September 30: $245,461
    • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending September 30: $18,661
    • Total expenditures: $264,122
  • As at September 30, 2015
    • Net budgetary authorities: $531,451
    • Vote netting authority: $120,000
    • Total authority: $651,451
    • Net expenditures for the period ending September 30: $256,407
    • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending September 30: $19,697
    • Total expenditures: $276,104

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program

A) Introduction

Statistics Canada's mandate

Statistics Canada is a member of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio.

Statistics Canada's role is to ensure that Canadians have access to a trusted source of statistics on Canada that meets their highest priority needs.

The Agency's mandate derives primarily from the Statistics Act. The Act requires that the Agency collects, compiles, analyzes and publishes statistical information on the economic, social, and general conditions of the country and its people. It also requires that Statistics Canada conduct the census of population and the census of agriculture every fifth year, and protects the confidentiality of the information with which it is entrusted.

Statistics Canada also has a mandate to co-ordinate and lead the national statistical system. The Agency is considered a leader, among statistical agencies around the world, in co‑ordinating statistical activities to reduce duplication and reporting burden.

More information on Statistics Canada's mandate, roles, responsibilities and programs can be found in the 2015–2016 Main Estimates and in the Statistics Canada 2015–2016 Report on Plans and Priorities.

The quarterly financial report

Statistics Canada has the authority to collect and spend revenue from other government departments and agencies, as well as from external clients, for statistical services and products.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Agency's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Agency consistent with the Main Estimates for the 2015–2016 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

The Agency uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

B) Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results

This section highlights the significant items that contributed to the net increase in resources available for the year, as well as actual expenditures for the quarter ended September 30.

Description for Chart 1

Comparison of gross budgetary authorities and expenditures as of September 30, 2014, and September 30, 2015, in thousands of dollars

Chart 1 outlines the gross budgetary authorities, which represent the resources available for use for the year as of September 30.

Significant changes to authorities

During the second quarter, Statistics Canada authorities increased by $6.4 million compared with the first quarter of 2015-2016. The increase is related to funding received for the carry-forward of funds from fiscal year 2014-2015 to 2015-2016.

Total authorities available for 2015–2016 have increased by $129 million, or 25%, from the previous year, from $522.5 million to $651.5 million (Chart 1). This net increase was mostly the result of the following:

  • increase for the 2016 Census of Population Program ($141.9 million), as well as for the 2016 Census of Agriculture ($7.2 million)
  • decrease for the 2011 Census of Population Program ($2.8 million), as the program is complete
  • decrease in the value of the carry-forward ($16.5 million).

In addition to the appropriations allocated to the Agency through the Main Estimates, Statistics Canada also has vote net authority within Vote 105, which entitles the Agency to spend revenues collected from other government departments, agencies, and external clients to provide statistical services. Vote netting authority is stable at $120 million in each of the fiscal years 2014–2015 and 2015–2016.

Significant changes to expenditures

Year-to-date net expenditures recorded to the end of the second quarter increased by $10.9 million, or 4.5% from the previous year, from $245.5 million to $256.4 million. (See Table A: Variation in Departmental Expenditures by Standard Object.)

Statistics Canada spent approximately 48% of its authorities by the end of the second quarter, compared with 61% in the same quarter of 2014–2015.

Table A: Variation in Departmental Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
This table displays the variance of departmental expenditures by standard object between fiscal 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. The variance is calculated for year to date expenditures as at the end of the second quarter. The row headers provide information by standard object. The column headers provide information in thousands of dollars and percentage variance for the year to date variation.
Departmental Expenditures Variation by Standard Object Q2 year-to-date variation between fiscal year 2014-2015 and 2015-2016
$'000 %
(01) Personnel 17,604 7.7
(02) Transportation and communications 1,200 23.7
(03) Information 1,806 444.8
(04) Professional and special services (1,353) (16.4)
(05) Rentals 4,478 69.6
(06) Repair and maintenance (187) (28.2)
(07) Utilities, materials and supplies (129) (15.3)
(08) Acquisition of land, buildings and works 0 0
(09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment 2,017 431.0
(10) Transfer payments 0 0
(12) Other subsidies and payments (13,454) (99.0)
Total gross budgetary expenditures 11,982 4.5
Less revenues netted against expenditures
Revenues 1,036 5.6
Total net budgetary expenditures 10,946 4.5

01) Personnel: The increase was mainly the result of the arbitration award including the severance liquidation payment for interviewers and increased salary expenditures due to the cyclical nature of the Census.

02) Transportation and Communications: The increase was the result of timing differences between years for the postage purchase and travel for cost recovery projects.

03) Information: The increase was the result of the coding review of the standard object definitions and inclusions (e.g., data purchases).

04) Professional and special services: The decrease was the result of the coding review of the standard object definitions and inclusions (e.g., data purchases) and a reduction in spending on informatics services.

05) Rentals: The increase was the result of the cyclical nature of the Census (e.g., rental of building space) and additional software licenses fees related to new infrastructure and due to changes in contract payment schedules.

09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment: The increase was the result of timing differences between years for the acquisition of computer equipment.

12) Other subsidies and payments: The decrease is a result of the one-time transition payment for implementing salary payment in arrears made in the first quarter of 2014–2015 by the Government of Canada.

Revenues: The increase is primarily the result of timing differences in the receipt of funds for scheduled key deliverables.

C) Risks and uncertainties

In 2015–2016, Statistics Canada plans to continue to monitor financial pressures due to the continuation of the federal operating budget freeze, with the following actions and mitigation strategies:

  • additional analysis, monitoring and validation of financial and human resources information through a monthly financial review by budget holders;
  • review of monthly project dashboards in place across the Agency to monitor project issues, risks and alignment with approved budgets;
  • continued realignment and reprioritization of work.

In addition, Statistics Canada uses risk management and a risk-based decision-making process to prioritize and conduct its business.  In order to effectively do so the Agency identifies its key risks and develops corresponding mitigation strategies in its Corporate Risk Profile.

D) Significant changes to operations, personnel and programs

There have been no significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs over the last quarter. For the coming quarters, there will be notable changes in the operations due to increased activities related to the 2016 Census of Population Program.

Approval by senior officials

The original version was signed by
Wayne R. Smith, Chief Statistician
Stéphane Dufour, Chief Financial Officer
Date signed November 23, 2015

Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited) - Fiscal year 2015-2016
This table displays the departmental expenditures by standard object for the fiscal year 2015-2016. The row headers provide information by standard object for expenditures and revenues. The column headers provide information in thousands of dollars for planned expenditures for the year ending March 31; expended during the quarter ended September 30; and year to date used at quarter-end 2015-2016.
  Fiscal year 2015-2016
Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2016 Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
in thousands of dollars
Expenditures
(01) Personnel 480,260 123,874 246,019
(02) Transportation and communications 38,602 3,938 6,253
(03) Information 17,340 1,097 2,212
(04) Professional and special services 56,557 4,132 6,890
(05) Rentals 25,410 7,563 10,913
(06) Repair and maintenance 7,559 389 477
(07) Utilities, materials and supplies 11,102 390 715
(08) Acquisition of land, buildings and works 0 0 0
(09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment 14,437 1,098 2,485
(10) Transfer payments 100 0 0
(12) Other subsidies and payments 84 82 140
Total gross budgetary expenditures 651,451 142,563 276,104
Less revenues netted against expenditures
Revenues 120,000 13,742 19,697
Total revenues netted against expenditures 120,000 13,742 19,697
Total net budgetary expenditures 531,451 128,821 256,407
Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited) - Fiscal year 2014-2015
This table displays the departmental expenditures by standard object for the fiscal year 2014-2015. The row headers provide information by standard object for expenditures and revenues. The column headers provide information in thousands of dollars for planned expenditures for the year ending March 31; expended during the quarter ended September 30; and year to date used at quarter-end 2014-2015.
  Fiscal year 2014-2015
Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2015 Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
in thousands of dollars
Expenditures
(01) Personnel 401,121 116,514 228,415
(02) Transportation and communications 31,812 2,978 5,053
(03) Information 3,092 284 406
(04) Professional and special services 43,981 5,242 8,243
(05) Rentals 16,214 3,009 6,435
(06) Repair and maintenance 8,683 586 664
(07) Utilities, materials and supplies 16,340 474 844
(08) Acquisition of land, buildings and works 0 0 0
(09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment 1,017 280 468
(10) Transfer payments 0 0 0
(12) Other subsidies and payments 188 191 13,594
Total gross budgetary expenditures 522,448 129,558 264,122
Less revenues netted against expenditures
Revenues 120,000 5,710 18,661
Total revenues netted against expenditures 120,000 5,710 18,661
Total net budgetary expenditures 402,448 123,848 245,461
Statement of Authorities (unaudited) - Fiscal year 2015-2016
This table displays the departmental authorities for the fiscal year 2015-2016. The row headers provide information by type of authority, Vote 105 – Net operating expenditures, Statutory authority and Total Budgetary authorities. The column headers provide information in thousands of dollars for Total available for use for the year ending March 31; used during the quarter ended September 30; and year to date used at quarter-end for 2015-2016.
  Fiscal year 2015-2016
Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2016* Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 Year to date used at quarter-end
in thousands of dollars
Vote 105 — Net operating expenditures 462,373 111,552 221,868
Statutory authority — Contribution to employee benefit plans 69,078 17,269 34,539
Total budgetary authorities 531,451 128,821 256,407
Statement of Authorities (unaudited) - Fiscal year 2014-2015
This table displays the departmental authorities for the fiscal year 2014-2015. The row headers provide information by type of authority, Vote 105 – Net operating expenditures, Statutory authority and Total Budgetary authorities. The column headers provide information in thousands of dollars for Total available for use for the year ending March 31; Used during the quarter ended September 30; and year to date used at quarter-end for 2014-2015.
  Fiscal year 2014-2015
Total available for use for the year ended March 31, 2015* Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 Year to date used at quarter-end
in thousands of dollars
Vote 105 — Net operating expenditures 345,637 109,645 217,055
Statutory authority — Contribution to employee benefit plans 56,811 14,203 28,406
Total budgetary authorities 402,448 123,848 245,461

Variance and bias

Variance and Bias Infographic
Description for graphic: Bias and Variance

To understand variance and bias, consider a statistical survey as a throw aimed at the centre of a target.

  1. The concept that the survey is trying to measure is represented by the centre bull's eye. For example, the number of unemployed people or voter intentions. The bull's eye is the true value that can only be determined if every person or business answers a questionnaire. A survey based on a random sample cannot determine this value with certainty.
    {Visual}: A bull's eye is shown with a mark on the second innermost ring
  2. In fact, if the survey chooses a different random sample, the throws (or estimates) land in different places. The reliability and validity of the survey depends on where the throws land.
    {Visual}: A bull's eye with 15 marks scattered across it is shown.
  3. The variance and bias determine the effectiveness of the survey.
  4. The challenge is to avoid bias and reduce the variance as much as possible. For example, a large sample will lower the variance but will not reduce bias.
  5. Variance measures whether the throws are at roughly the same location on the target.
    {Visual}: 'Low Variance' is represented by a bull's eye with seven marks bunched together in the top right hand corner. 'High Variance' is represented with a bull's eye with seven marks scattered evenly across it.
  6. Bias measures whether this location is centred around the bull's eye.
    {Visual}: 'High Bias' is represented by a bull's eye with seven marks bunched together in the top right hand corner. 'Low Bias' is represented by a bull's eye with seven marks located in the center.
  7. When the bias is negligible, the survey statistician can establish, using laws of probability, that 95% of the throws would be within a margin of error corresponding to the three outermost rings. This calculation leads to the statements commonly used in media "the survey result is within a certain margin of error 19 times out of 20, "where 19 divided by 20 is 95%. A well-designed and executed survey will produce the smallest variance or margin of error possible.
    {Visual}: A bull's eye is shown to have 19 marks scattered across the innermost rings and one mark outside and to the left of the bull's eye.

Statistics Canada produces data on numerous topics of interest to Canadians. For example, the census of population collects data on every individual to produce very accurate counts every five years. To produce accurate economic and social data on a more frequent and timely basis, Statistics Canada typically conducts surveys that collect data on a random sample of individuals or businesses.

For example, the Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM) publishes the values (in Canadian dollars) of sales of goods manufactured, inventories and orders six weeks after the end of every month. On October 16, 2014, the MSM estimated that $52,100 million of goods manufactured were sold in Canada in August 2014. Statistics Canada produced this estimate on the basis of data collected from a random sample of 10,500 business establishments across Canada.

Like any other survey, the aim of the MSM is to produce the most accurate results possible. How can we determine whether the MSM estimate of $52,100 million in sales of goods manufactured is, in reality, close to the actual level of sales in August 2014 in Canada? To do this, we use two measures of precision—bias and variance.

Variance is relatively easy to measure in a survey, whereas bias is more difficult. That's why, in an effective survey, we do everything possible to eliminate bias, so that the accuracy of the survey results depends on variance only. The MSM is no exception to this: by using a well-tested questionnaire, a proven methodology, specialized interviewers and strict quality control, and by following up with businesses that do not initially respond to the survey, we are able to minimize bias in the MSM.

Once we have minimized bias, we can adequately represent the accuracy of the survey results by variance only. We can express variance in various ways. For example, the August 2014 result of $52,100 million in sales of goods manufactured had a standard error of $260 million. The standard error represented 0.5% of the goods sold—this percentage is called the coefficient of variation, and is commonly used by Statistics Canada to express variance. Another method commonly used by the media to express variance is margin of error, which is also based on the standard error. With this method, the result of the August 2014 MSM could be expressed in the following familiar format: "Based on the Monthly Survey of Manufacturing, Statistics Canada estimates that $52,100 million of goods manufactured were sold in August 2014, with a margin of error of $520 million, 19 times out of 20." In this statement, the margin of error is twice the standard error.

In conclusion, bias and variance are key measures of the accuracy of survey results. When we conduct a survey using sound quality assurance principles, we avoid bias. When we design a survey on a sound scientific basis, we can calculate and control variance. Regardless of how we report variance—as a measure of the precision of survey results—the interpretation is always the same: the smaller the variance and the associated standard error, coefficient of variation and margin of error, the more reliable the corresponding survey results are considered to be.

Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

Reporting Guide

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2013 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act.

Statistics Canada will use information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Table of contents

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Business activity
Reporting period information
Revenue
Expenses
Industry characteristics
Sales by type of client
International transactions
General information
Data-sharing agreements
Record linkages

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Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business’s main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business’s main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800 972 9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:

  • May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013
  • June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013
  • July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
  • August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013
  • September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013
  • October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013
  • November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013
  • December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013
  • January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
  • February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014
  • March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014
  • April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014

Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:

  • September 18, 2012 to September 15, 2013 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 (e.g., a newly opened business)

  1. Sales of goods and services (e.g., fees, commissions, services revenue)

Report net of returns and allowances.
Sales of goods and services are defined as amounts derived from the sale of goods and services (cash or credit), falling within a business’s ordinary activities. Sales should be reported net of trade discount, value added tax and other taxes based on sales.

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm. Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

  1. Rental and leasing revenue

Include: Rental or leasing of apartments, commercial buildings, land, office space, residential housing, investments in co-tenancies and co-ownerships, hotel or motel rooms, long and short term vehicle leasing, machinery or equipment, storage lockers, etc.

  1. Commissions

Include: Commissions earned on the sale of products or services by businesses such as advertising agencies, brokers, insurance agents, lottery ticket sales, sales representatives, and travel agencies – (compensation could also be reported under this item (for example, compensation for collecting sales tax).

  1. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

  1. Royalties rights, licensing and franchise fees

A royalty is defined as a payment received by the holder of a copyright, trademark or patent.

Include revenue received from the sale or use of all intellectual property rights of copyrighted materials such as musical, literary, artistic or dramatic works, sound recordings or the broadcasting of communication signals.

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends. Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources. Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. Other revenue (please specify)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7). intracompany transfers

  1. Total revenue

(sum of questions 1 to 8)

Expenses

  1. Cost of goods sold

Many business units distinguish their costs of materials from their other business expenses (selling, general and administrative). This item is included to allow you to easily record your costs/expenses according to your normal accounting practices.

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  1. purchases

Include: raw material, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
Exclude: change in inventories

  1. closing inventories
  1. cost of goods sold

(opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

  1. Employment costs and expenses

(for all employees who were issued a T4):

  1. Salaries, wages and commissions

Please report all salaries and wages (including taxable allowances and employment commissions as defined on the T4 – Statement of Remuneration Paid) before deductions for this reporting period.

Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Sub-contracts).

  1. Employee benefits

Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers’ compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment  benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

  1. Sub-contracts

Sub-contract expense refers to the purchasing of services from outside of the company rather than providing them in-house.

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

  1. Research and development

Expenses from activities conducted with the intention of making a discovery that could either lead to the development of new products or procedures, or to the improvement of existing products or procedures.

  1. Professional and business fees 

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Utilities 

Utility expenses related to operating your business unit such as water, electricity, gas, heating and hydro.

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage. 
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

  1. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Diskettes and computer upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses. (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

  1. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

  1. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

  1. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

  1. Crown charges

Federal or Provincial royalty, tax, lease or rental payments made in relation to the acquisition, development or ownership of Canadian resource properties.  

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

  1. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

  1. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

  1. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

  1. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

  1. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

  1. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

  1. Financial services 

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

  1. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company’s debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

  1. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

  1. All other costs and expenses (including intracompany expenses)

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

  1. Total expenses

(sum of lines 1 to 21)

Industry characteristics

Please provide a breakdown of your sales and services revenue, where applicable.
Amounts should be reported net of trade discount, value added tax and other taxes based on sales.

Include:
• Sales from Canadian locations.

Exclude:
• Grants and subsidies;
• Donations and fundraising;
• Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees;
• Investment income.

  1. Admissions to live performances and events presented by your business

Include:
• Admissions through sale of general public tickets and seasonal subscriptions;
• Bundled admission packages that include food and beverage service, backstage passes, etc.;
• Personal seat licenses and box leases;
• Admissions to live performances in which the admission takes the form of a cover charge;
• Membership fees paid primarily for the right of admission to performances.

Exclude:
• Payments received for events and performances owned/produced/presented by other establishments using your facilities; please report these amounts in this section, at question 2;
• Contract production; please report this amount in this section, at question 4.

  1. Facility rental revenue

Please report your share of box office receipts for events or performances that were owned/produced/ presented by others using or renting your facilities.

  1. Rental revenue from traveller accommodations?
  1. Contract production

Fees earned by individuals, companies or teams for the production of live performances, sports or racing events under contract to promoters, venue owners or others. The contracts will specify the type of payment received by the performers, artists, companies, athletes or teams, for example a flat rate and/or a percentage of admission revenues. Contracts may also specify the disposition of any intellectual property rights arising from the performance.

Exclude:
• Contract production of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, sound recordings and communication signals; please report these amounts in this section, at question 15;
• Licensing of copyrights relating to a live performance; please report these amounts in this section, at question 15;
• Technical (non-performance) services; please report this amount in this section, at question 7.

  1. Professional fees and commission for career management and presentation services for artists, athletes, entertainers and others   

Acting on behalf of artists, athletes, entertainers and other public figures in a wide range of activities that enhance the client's career.           

Include:
• Negotiating contracts and bookings performances and public appearances.

  1. Event management services

Planning, organizing, marketing and managing a live sports or performing arts event on behalf of others including venue owners, performers, etc.

  1. Technical artistic services

Providing artistic technical support services, such as backstage services and post-production services.

Include:
• Lighting, key grip and set placement and removal;
• Editing, visual effects, copying, captioning, adding music and foreign language dubbing.

  1. Receipts from gambling

(e.g., wagering, gambling machines, lottery tickets, pari-mutuel, Internet gambling and bookmaking)

  1. Advertising revenue

Revenue obtained by providing services that attract attention to a product, business, cause, etc.

Include:
• The provision of display space on various surfaces such as billboards;
• Agent services involved in buying and selling space or time for advertising messages;
• The sale of venue naming rights, sponsorship rights, endorsement services and exclusivity rights.

  1. Sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages

Include:
• Prepared meals;
• Packaged food;
• Vending machine sales.

  1. Sales of alcoholic beverages
  1. Sales of merchandise

Revenue obtained from parts and materials charged in repair work as well as from the sales of all items other than food or beverages.

Include:
• Recreational and sports equipment and accessories;
• Oil and gasoline;
• Clothing;
• Arts and crafts;
• Magazines.

  1. Other revenue from sales and services – please specify:
  1. Total sales of goods and services

(sum of questions 1 to 13)

Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

  1. Licensing of rights to use copyrighted works and trademarks

Licensing the rights to use copyrighted intellectual property and trademarks, such as logos.
Licenses authorize the licensee to exploit the copyrighted work, for example: to reproduce or perform a literary or musical piece of work by making a sound or video recording of the piece, to rent a computer program to make a recording of a particular performance. A license may authorize some or all of these rights.
Include licenses to use:
• Literary works such as book manuscripts and computer programs;
• Dramatic works such as films, videos, plays, screenplays and scripts;
• Musical works;
• Artistic works such as paintings and photographs;
• Actor’s or singer’s performances;
• Broadcast communication signals;
• Sound recordings.

  1. Broadcast and other media rights

Granting the right of access (on a fee, royalty, or other basis) to a sporting event, facility or activity for the purpose of commercially exploiting sounds, images and other information of the event, facility or activity. The contracts define the type of exploitation permitted and may specify the ownership of intellectual property rights relating to the sounds, images and other information.

  1. Other royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees – please specify:
  1. Total royalties, rights, licenses and franchise fees

(sum of questions 15 to 17)

Attendance

Live sports and racing events and Live performing, arts performances, festivals and fairs

  1. Presented by your business

Please report attendance numbers for presentations that are produced/owned by your establishment.

  1. Presented by others using your facilities (such as rentals)

Please report attendance numbers for presentations that are produced/owned by another establishment.

Live performing arts performances, festivals and fairs

  1. Presented by your business
  1. Presented by others using your facilities

(such as rentals)

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

  1. Clients in Canada

(a) Individuals and households
Please report the percentage of sales to individuals and households who do not represent the business or government sector.

(b) Businesses
Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to Crown corporations.

(c) Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
• Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

  1. Clients outside Canada

Please report the percentage of total sales to customers or clients located outside Canada including foreign businesses, foreign individuals, foreign institutions and/or governments.
Include:
• Sales to foreign subsidiaries and affiliates.

International transactions

  1. This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

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 and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

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

Record linkages

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

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/index-eng.htm or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

Thank you!

 

North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada 2012 Version 1.2

Introduction

NAPCS Canada 2012 Version 1.2 updates NAPCS Canada 2012 Version 1.1. Some categories were split, and others were merged. New categories were incorporated, and some were deleted, for a net decrease of 79 product categories at different levels, providing better relevancy to statistical programs and users. Most of the changes, however, were editorial. They relate to editing of category titles adding precision to their formulations. The detailed list of changes can be obtained from Standards Division at standards-normes@statcan.gc.ca.

Standard classification structure

The standard classification structure of NAPCS Canada 2012 comprises four levels: group, class, subclass, and detail. The table below outlines the nomenclature and provides the number of categories within each level of NAPCS Canada 2012 versions 1.2 and 1.1.

Standard classification structure of NAPCS Canada 2012
Level Coding Number of categories NAPCS 2012 Version 1.2 Number of categories NAPCS 2012 Version 1.1
Group 3-digit codes 156 158
Class 5-digit codes 506 511
Subclass 6-digit codes 1,389 1,402
Detail 7-digit codes 2,635 2,694
Total   4,686 4,765
Table source: Statistics Canada, NAPCS.
Date modified:

What is Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

Catalogue number: Catalogue number: 11-629-x

Issue number: 2015034

September 2015

What is Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? - Transcript

Description of visuals

Gross Domestic Product – GDP for short – can be thought of as an overall grade on the economic report card of a country or region.

(A school report card is shown.)

It's one way to measure of the size and growth of the economy. For example, if the year-to-year GDP is up 3%, this means that the economy has grown by 3% over the last year.

(Under the "remarks" section of the report card, the text "Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is increasing" is shown. The word "increasing" is underlined, and the line is drawn across the page to form a line chart. The line chart indicates a 3% increase.)

In order to determine the GDP, economists at Statistics Canada compile a massive amount of data including information from hundreds of surveys that are completed by Canadian businesses, the government and Canadian households.

(The line from the line chart becomes an "X" that is drawn into a check box on a survey. The top of the survey reads "Hundreds of Statistics Canada Surveys filled out by Canadian Businesses, Government, and Canadian Households.")

Several methods are used to determine the GDP. One of the most direct methods is called the "value-added approach." To explain it, let's start with our standard definition of GDP, which is "the value of output less intermediate consumption plus any taxes less subsidies on products not already included in the value of output."

(The survey crumples up into a paper airplane and flies into a classroom. Inside the classroom, a chalkboard is shown with the definition of GDP written on it.)

You might find that definition a little hard to follow. So let's break it down with an example. For this example, let's also assume that the "taxes less subsidies on products not already included in the value of output" is equal to zero.

(A line is drawn through this section of the definition.)

Alright - let's say you have an automobile assembly plant. Every year, the plant produces all sorts of cars. The total worth of all the cars produced annually in the factory is $1,000,000.

(A conveyor belt is shown, with a car being assembled by robotic arms. The conveyor belt has the text "$1,000,000 worth of cars.")

That $1,000,000 in the production of cars is considered to be the output.

(The chalkboard shows the text "output = $1,000,000 worth of cars" )

Let's return to the definition. GDP is the value of output, in this case the value of the cars, less intermediate consumption.

(The definition is again shown on the chalkboard.)

So, what is intermediate consumption?

(The car that was just assembled drives down the road and then drops into a machine labeled "$700,000 worth of car parts." The machine then produces boxes labeled "car parts.")

Well, let's say the automobile assembly plant needs to purchase $700,000 worth of car parts from the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry before it can fabricate the $1,000,000 worth of cars. The $700,000 worth of car parts is considered to be intermediate consumption. To return to the definition again, GDP in this case is the output of $1,000,000 worth of cars, less the intermediate consumption, which is $700,000 for the car parts.

So, in our example, $300,000 is considered to be the GDP of the car assembly plant.

(The chalkboard shows the equation of output ($1,000,000 worth of cars) minus intermediate consumption ($700,000 worth of car parts) equals output ($300,000).)

But the story doesn't end there. Let's look at the motor vehicle parts manufacturer that produced the parts for the assembly plant. In order to produce the parts, it first had to purchase steel from the steel mill. Before that, the steel mill had to purchase the iron ore from a mine, and so on.

(Images of a welding in a steel mill and an iron ore mine are drawn on the chalkboard.)

Each of these industries involved in the process, harvesting the ore, making the steel, making the car parts etc. has its own output and intermediate consumption, which also means that each industry has its own GDP.

(Images to represent each industry appear on the chalkboard. Numbers appear in front of them to reflect their respective GDP amounts. The steel mill and the iron ore mine each have a GDP of $200,000, while the car parts manufacturer and the car assembly plant each have a GDP of $300,000.)

The GDP values of each of these industries must all be added together to reflect the total GDP of the economy. So, although the GDP of the automobile assembly plant is only $300,000, the GDP attributed to the entire economy would be much higher. In fact, it could actually be closer to, well, $1,000,000.

(A plus sign is drawn between each number on the chalkboard, they are then combined to make $1,000,000.)

To summarize, in the example that was just illustrated, we identified 4 industries that were included in our little economy. Those industries were the automobile assembly industry, the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry, the steel manufacturing industry, and the iron ore mining industry. The sum of the value added of each industry gave us the total GDP for the economy.

(Each of the four aforementioned industries are shown again, with their respective GDP measures. They are added again to make $1,000,000.)

Gross Domestic Product is the metre stick of the economy. Broadly, when it's increasing, the economy is said to be growing. If GDP is slowing down or negative, it can be an early sign of recession. That's why we take great care to provide Canadians with access to accurate, up-to-date GDP data. You can learn more about GDP at www.statcan.gc.ca.

(As the camera retracts from its close-up on the chalkboard, the website URL is shown. The website address fades to black, and the Canada wordmark fades in.)

Date modified:

Getting started with the Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE)

Record linkage proposals involve a significant amount of initial analysis and discussion to develop a formal project contract. Information is provided to Statistics Canada so that project feasibility can be assessed before the formal record linkage application for approval can begin. To facilitate the experience through all project steps, applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements for approval, understand their data sources and what is needed for record linkage, as well as giving thought early on about desired outputs and data access protocols.

Here are some questions to consider before starting a record linkage project at Statistics Canada:

For approval

  1. Do you have a clear research question?
  2. Do you have a research protocol? Do you have an ethics approval?
  3. Does your study meet the expected results from Statistics Canada's Directive on Microdata Linkage? Can you clearly demonstrate how the public interest is served by your project and why a record linkage is the best means to achieve this public benefit? Are you sure that the data you expect from linkage are not otherwise available?

Feasibility of linkage

  1. Have you examined the available source data file documentation to ensure that the variables of interest will serve your needs and that the sample (if applicable) is adequate for your study?
  2. If applicable, does your microdata file have personal identifiers that would enable record linkage?
  3. If your project requires an external microdata file, have you received permission from the data owner to provide it to Statistics Canada?

Final deliverables and access

  1. Have you thought about the structure of your final linked analysis file? Are derived variables needed? Will you need to person-orient records? How will different reference periods be treated? Will you be using longitudinal data?
  2. What are your plans to identify and address the data quality issues associated with record linkage and with the specific sources that you have in mind?
  3. How do you intend to access the linked microdata? Have you considered access through the Research Data Centres (RDC) Program?

See Record Linkage Application Process if you would like to prepare a record linkage project proposal.