Notes on the monthly release of Canadian international merchandise trade

For the monthly release of the Canadian international merchandise trade in the Daily, a variant of the NAPCS 2022 version 1.0 for merchandise import and export accounts is used to categorize traded products. For more information, please see Variant of NAPCS 2022 – Merchandise import and export accounts.

Merchandise trade is one component of Canada's international balance of payments (BOP), which also includes trade in services, investment income, current transfers, and capital and financial flows.

International trade data by commodity are available on a BOP and a customs basis. International trade data by country are available on a customs basis for all countries and on a BOP basis for Canada's 27 principal trading partners (PTPs). The list of PTPs is based on their annual share of total merchandise trade—imports and exports—with Canada in 2012. BOP data are derived from customs data by adjusting for factors such as valuation, coverage, timing and residency. These adjustments are made to conform to the concepts and definitions of the Canadian System of National Accounts.

For a conceptual analysis of BOP-based data versus customs-based data, see Balance of Payments trade in goods at Statistics Canada: Expanding geographic detail to 27 principal trading partners.

For more information on these and other macroeconomic concepts, see the Methodological Guide: Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts (Catalogue number13-607-X) and the User Guide: Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts (Catalogue number13-606-G).

The data in this release are on a BOP basis and are seasonally adjusted. Unless otherwise stated, values are expressed in nominal terms, or current dollars. References to prices are based on aggregate Paasche (current-weighted) price indexes (2017=100). Movements within aggregate Paasche prices can be influenced by changes in the share of values traded for specific goods, with sudden shifts in trading patterns—as observed with the COVID-19 pandemic—sometimes resulting in large movements in Paasche price indexes. Volumes, or constant dollars, are calculated using the Laspeyres formula (2017=100), unless otherwise stated.

For information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.

Revisions

In general, merchandise trade data are revised on an ongoing basis for each month of the current year. Current-year revisions are reflected in the customs-based and the BOP-based data.

The previous year's customs-based data are revised with the release of data for the January and February reference months, and thereafter on a quarterly basis. The previous two years of customs-based data are revised annually, and revisions are released in February with the December reference month.

The previous year's BOP-based data are revised with the release of data for the January, February, March and April reference months. To remain consistent with the Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts, revisions to BOP-based data for previous years are released annually in December with the October reference month.

Factors influencing revisions include the late receipt of import and export documentation, incorrect information on customs forms, the replacement of estimates produced for the energy section with actual figures, changes in merchandise classification based on more current information, and changes to seasonal adjustment factors. The seasonal adjustment parameters are reviewed and updated annually and applied with the October reference month release.

Estimates for import data that will be received after collection deadlines are calculated for the current month and are typically removed or adjusted in subsequent releases in accordance with the actual data received. Estimates are based on historical patterns and trends reflected in other sources obtained by Statistics Canada. On a customs-basis, placeholder estimates are intended to address high-level aggregates and are not fully reflected across disaggregated product categories within the classifications used to publish merchandise import statistics. On a balance of payments-basis, placeholder estimates are intended to address aggregates across NAPCS groups and principal trading partners used to publish merchandise import statistics. Following the implementation of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) digital initiative in October 2024 and regulatory changes affecting certain submission deadlines, these monthly late arrival estimates generally reflect larger data volumes being received after collection deadlines.

For information on data revisions for exports of energy products, see Methodology for Exports of Energy Products within the International Merchandise Trade Program.

Revised data are available in the appropriate tables.

The Canadian International Merchandise Trade Program (customs basis): Technical Notes

Introduction

The objective of this text is to provide a general overview of the customs-basis data produced by the Canadian International Merchandise Trade (CIMT) Program, with special reference to concepts and definitions.

Conceptual framework

1. Objectives and coverage: The objective of customs-basis CIMT statistics is to measure the change in the stock of material resources of Canada resulting from the movement of merchandise into or out of the country. Information on imports and exports are inputs into the Macroeconomic Accounts, and are used in the formulation of trade and economic policies. Governments, importers, exporters, manufacturers and shipping companies use international merchandise trade statistics to:

  • monitor import penetration and export performance;
  • monitor commodity price and volume changes; and
  • examine transport implications.

2. Trade statistics (customs-basis/balance of payments-basis): Merchandise trade statistics are presented on two different bases: customs and balance of payments.

Statistics for Canada’s imports as well as exports to non-US destinations are compiled from Customs declarations filed with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Data for Canada’s exports to the United States are derived from the administrative import records of the United States Customs and Border Protection and exchanged under the terms of a memorandum of understanding between Canada and the United States. Statistics developed from these Customs administrative records are commonly referred to as customs-basis trade statistics.

Customs-basis data are adjusted to conform to the National Accounts concepts and definitions. The adjustments to derive balance of payments-basis trade data include adjustments related to trade definition, valuation and timing. The principal difference between the two trade concepts is that customs-basis merchandise trade statistics cover the physical movement of goods as they are reflected in Customs documents while balance of payments-basis data are intended to cover the economic transactions that involve merchandise trade between residents and non-residents.

It is possible for the accuracy of customs-basis statistics to be affected by undercoverage and/or country misallocation. Undercoverage occurs when trade is not captured in customs documents. Examples of undercoverage include transactions where the value is below the threshold required for reporting to customs authorities, and the informal or illegal movement of goods across borders. Estimates for undercoverage are included in balance of payments-basis statistics. Country misallocation occurs when the last known destination reported on the customs export documentation does not reflect the ultimate destination for the goods. This occurs most frequently when goods are routed through an intermediary country before continuing to their final destination with the intermediary country being reported as the final destination of the goods.

3. System of trade: Canadian trade statistics are compiled according to the “general” system of trade, as defined by the United Nations Statistical Office. Conceptually, under the general system, the statistical frontier coincides with the geographical boundary. Under this system, imports include goods that have crossed Canada's territorial boundary for immediate consumption in Canada or for storage in Customs bonded warehouses. Domestic exports include goods grown, extracted or manufactured in Canada, including goods of foreign origin that have been materially transformed in Canada. Re-exports are exports of goods of foreign origin that have not been materially transformed in Canada, including foreign goods withdrawn for export from Customs bonded warehouses. Total exports are the sum of domestic exports and re-exports.

4. Valuation: For Customs purposes, imports are recorded at values established according to the provisions of the Customs Act, which reflects valuation methods based on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Valuation Code System. In general, the value for duty of imported goods must be equivalent to the transaction value or the price actually paid.

The transaction value of imported goods includes all transportation and associated costs incurred up to the point of direct shipment to Canada. Therefore, Canada's imports are valued Free on Board (FOB), place of direct shipment to Canada. It excludes freight and insurance costs in bringing the goods to Canada from the point of direct shipment.

Exports are recorded at the value declared on Customs documents, which reflect the transaction value (i.e., actual selling price or, in the case of a non-arm's length transaction, the transfer price used for company accounting purposes). Canada's exports are valued at FOB port of exit from Canada, including domestic freight charges to that point but net of discounts and allowances.

5. Statistical period: The closing of the statistical month for imports and exports is defined as the last calendar day of the month based on the date of clearance from Customs. Documents received too late for incorporation in the current month are assigned to the month the transaction took place and are published the following statistical month.

6. Trading partner attribution (country of origin/destination): On a custom basis, imports are attributed to the country of origin, that is the country in which the goods were grown, extracted or manufactured in accordance with the rules of origin administered by the CBSA. Customs-basis imports from the United States are attributed to the state of origin. On a balance of payments basis, imports are attributed to the country of export instead of the country of origin to reflect the change in ownership of the goods.

Both customs- and balance of payments-basis exports are attributed to the country that is the last known destination of the goods at the time of export. Exports to the United States are attributed to the state of destination in customs-basis exports.

7. Principal Trading Partners (PTPs): The list of PTPs is based on their annual share of total trade -merchandise imports plus exports - with Canada in 2012. The countries included in the list of PTPs are the following:

List of Canada's Principal Trading Partners

  • United States
  • European Union
    • Germany
    • Netherlands
    • France
    • Italy
    • Belgium
    • Spain
  • China
  • United Kingdom
  • Mexico
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Hong Kong
  • Brazil
  • Algeria
  • Norway
  • India
  • Switzerland
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • Taiwan
  • Peru
  • Australia
  • Iraq
  • Indonesia
  • Singapore
  • Russian Federation
  • Other OECD countries
  • All other countries

8. Free Trade Agreements: The list of free trade agreements is based on the list of Canada's Trade and Investment Agreements available on Global Affairs Canada's website. Please note that this list includes countries or groups of countries with which Canada is discussing or negotiating an agreement; in these cases, the agreements are not yet in force. Therefore, only a subset of the free trade agreements listed below are currently in force in Canada. More information about Canada's free trade agreements, including the member countries for each group and the status of the agreements, can be found at Global Affairs Canada's website.

The countries included in each free trade agreement are as follows:

Free Trade Agreements
Name Country
Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam
Canada-Caribbean Community Trade 
Agreement
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement Chile
Canada-China Free Trade Agreement China
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Colombia
Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement Costa Rica
Canada-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement Dominican Republic
Canada-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Canada-Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador Free Trade Agreement El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua
Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement Honduras
Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement India
Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) Israel
Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Japan
Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement Jordan
Canada-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) South Korea
Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
Canada-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Morocco
Canada-Pacific Alliance Free Trade Agreement     Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru
Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement Panama
Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement Peru
Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement Philippines
Canada-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Singapore
Canada-Thailand Free Trade Agreement Thailand
Canada-Turkey Free Trade Agreement Turkey
Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA) United States of America
Modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) Ukraine
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Mexico, United States of America
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United Kingdom, Viet Nam
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Mexico, United States of America
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States of America, Viet Nam
Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement United Kingdom
Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Indonesia
Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement Ecuador
Canada-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement United Arab Emirates

9. Legal framework: Import statistics as well as export statistics with countries other than the United States are derived from information contained in administrative records collected by the CBSA under the Customs Act. Copies of these documents (or information therefrom) are sent to Statistics Canada in accordance with Section 25 of the Statistics Act. It follows that the disclosure of trade statistics is governed by both the Customs Act and the Statistics Act and is subject to the provisions of Section 17(2)(a) of the latter. Disclosure of statistics for trade with the United States is governed by a memorandum of understanding that provides for the exchange of detailed import statistics between Canada and the United States.

Contact information

Telephone: 1-800-263-1136
Facsimile: 1-877-287-4369
Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 3—Census roleplay script

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 3—Census roleplay script (PDF, 89.77 KB)

Enumerator: Hello! My name is ______________. I'm an enumerator with Statistics Canada, which means I help people complete their census questionnaires if they haven't done so online. I'm here to assist you today.

Resident: Hello! Sure, that's fine.

Enumerator: Thank you. Before we begin, I want to let you know that all the information you provide is confidential and protected by law. It will only be used for statistical purposes.

Resident: I understand.

Enumerator: Great. Let's start: can I confirm the address for this dwelling?

Resident: The address is [insert pretend address].

Enumerator: Including yourself, how many people were living at this address on May 12, 2026?

Resident: There were [insert number] people living here on May 12, 2026.

Enumerator: Thank you. May I have your full name for the questionnaire? Let's start with your family name (last name).

Resident: My family name is [insert name].

Enumerator: And your given name (first name)?

Resident: My given name is [insert name].

Enumerator: Thank you. What is your date of birth?

Resident: [Insert pretend birth date].

Enumerator: And how old were you on May 12, 2026?

Resident: I was [insert age].

Enumerator: What was your sex at birth? The options are "male" or "female".

Resident: I am [insert answer].

Enumerator: Are you a Canadian citizen? The options are "Yes, a Canadian citizen by birth", "Yes, a Canadian citizen by naturalization" or "No, not a Canadian citizen". "Canadian citizenship by naturalization" refers to an immigrant who was granted Canadian citizenship under the Citizenship Act.

Resident: [insert answer].

Enumerator: Can you speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation? The options are "English only", "French only", "Both English and French", or "Neither English nor French".

Resident: I speak [insert answer].

Enumerator: And what is the language you first learned at home during childhood and still understand? The options are "English", "French", or specify another language.

Resident: [insert answer].

Enumerator: Wonderful—thank you for your participation!

Now, switch roles and repeat!

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 2—Census vocabulary worksheet

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 2—Census vocabulary worksheet (PDF, 91.91 KB)

  • Census of Population

    Forbidden words: numbers, people, government

  • Dwelling

    Forbidden words: building, stay, roof

  • Household

    Forbidden words: family, home, group

  • Non-permanent resident

    Forbidden words: live, country, from

  • Immigrant

    Forbidden words: arrive, move, passport

  • Occupation

    Forbidden words: job, work, office

  • Commuting duration

    Forbidden words: minutes, distance, time

  • Ethnic or cultural origin

    Forbidden words: tradition, roots, language

  • Marital status

    Forbidden words: couple, partner wedding

  • Sex at birth

    Forbidden words: baby, male, female

  • Population group

    Forbidden words: race, ethnicity, appearance

  • Indigenous group

    Forbidden words: First Nations, Métis, Inuit (Inuk)

  • Religion

    Forbidden words: denomination, faith, belief

  • Resident

    Forbidden words: home, address, place

  • Enumerator

    Forbidden words: ask, form, worker

  • Census Day

    Forbidden words: date, event, calendar

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 1—Census vocabulary definitions (teacher's copy)

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 1—Census vocabulary definitions (teacher's copy) (PDF, 104.14 KB)

Note: terms were drawn from The 2021 Census of Population Dictionary.

Census of Population
The Census of Population is a survey conducted to enumerate (or count) the entire Canadian population based on a "usual place of residence," that is, by the location where a person lives most of the time.
Census enumeration involves listing all usual residents of a dwelling on Census Day.
The Census of Population helps paint a statistical portrait of Canada's diverse population and the places where we live by collecting demographic, social and economic information from households across Canada.
Dwelling
A dwelling is defined as a set of living quarters. In other words, the building where you live (e.g., the apartment building or house you live in).
Household
Household refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad. For example, an apartment building it made up of many households, as each apartment is its own unique household. This includes family and/or friends living together. Typically, one census is completed per household.
Non-permanent resident
Non-permanent resident refers to a person from another country with a usual place of residence in Canada (i.e., someone who is currently living in Canada) and who has a work or study permit or who has claimed refugee status (asylum claimant).
Family members living with work or study permit holders are also included, unless these family members are already Canadian citizens or landed immigrants or permanent residents.
Immigrant
Immigrant refers to a person who is, or who has ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident (i.e., if you were born and lived in another country and then moved to Canada). So, someone who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities.
Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group.
Occupation
Occupation refers to the kind of work performed in a job a job being all the tasks carried out by a particular worker to complete his or her duties.  In other words, what type of job someone has, such as a teacher, plumber or civil engineer,
Commuting duration
Commuting duration refers to the length of time, in minutes, usually required by a person to travel to their place of work.
Ethnic or cultural origin
Ethnic or cultural origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of the person's ancestors. Ancestors may have Indigenous origins, or origins that refer to different countries, or other origins that may not refer to different countries. Ancestors refer to the people that a person has descended from (e.g., grandparents, great grandparents, etc.). For example, if your grandparents are from Greece, your ethnic or cultural origin would be Greek.
Marital status
Marital status refers to whether or not a person is living in a common‑law union as well as the legal marital status of those who are not living in a common‑law union. In other words, whether adults living together are married, common-law, separated, divorced, or widowed. 
Sex at birth
Sex at birth refers to sex assigned at birth. Sex at birth is typically assigned based on a person's reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
Sex at birth may also be understood as the sex recorded at a person's birth (for example, what was recorded on their birth certificate – male or female).
Population group
Population group refers to whether the person reports being White, South Asian, First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit), Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, Japanese and/or another population group. These specific groups are the mark‑in categories used in a question which collects data on the visible minority population for employment equity purposes.
Indigenous group
Indigenous group refers to whether the person is First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit). A person may be included in more than one of these three specific groups. Aboriginal peoples of Canada (referred to here as Indigenous peoples) are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples.
First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and non-Status Indians.
Religion
Religion refers to the person's self-identification as having a connection or affiliation with any religious denomination, group, body, or other religiously defined community or system of belief. Religion is not limited to formal membership in a religious organization or group. For example, Roman Catholic, Muslim, United Church, Anglican, Hindu, Sikh, Baptist, Pentecostal, Buddhist, Jewish, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox, etc.
For infants or children, religion refers to the specific religious group or denomination in which they are being raised, if any. Persons without a religious connection or affiliation can self-identify as atheist, agnostic or humanist, or can provide another applicable response.
Resident
Resident refers to a person who lives in a dwelling in Canada on Census Day. This includes people who live in the dwelling most of the time, whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, immigrants, or non-permanent residents. A resident may be part of a household and is counted in the census based on their usual place of residence (i.e., where they live most of the time).
Enumerator
Enumerator refers to a person hired by Statistics Canada to help carry out the Census of Population. Enumerators are responsible for visiting dwellings, delivering census materials, assisting residents with completing their census questionnaires, and ensuring that all households are accurately counted. Enumerators play an important role in helping collect information that reflects Canada's population and communities.
Census Day
Census Day refers to the reference day for the Census of Population. It is the reference point used to determine who is living in each dwelling and where they usually reside on that day. All census responses are based on the situation as it exists on Census Day, including who lives in the household, their age, and other demographic information. In Canada, Census Day typically falls in May and is set by Statistics Canada every five years. For the 2026 Census, Census Day is May 12, 2026.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 1—Census vocabulary worksheet

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 1—Census vocabulary worksheet (PDF, 88.91 KB)

Fill in the definitions for the following words:

  • Census of Population

     

  • Dwelling

     

  • Household

     

  • Non-permanent resident

     

  • Immigrant

     

  • Occupation

     

  • Commuting duration

     

  • Ethnic or cultural origin

     

  • Marital status

     

  • Sex at birth

     

  • Population group

     

  • Indigenous group

     

  • Religion

     

  • Resident

     

  • Enumerator

     

  • Census Day

     

2025 Survey of Service Industries: Database, Directory and Specialty Publishers

Why do we conduct this survey?

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

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

  • calculating each province and territory's fair share of federal-provincial transfer payments for health, education and social programs
  • establishing government programs to assist businesses
  • assisting the business community in negotiating contracts and collective agreements
  • supporting the government in making informed decisions about fiscal, monetary and foreign exchange policies
  • indexing social benefit programs and determining tax brackets
  • enabling academics and economists to analyze the economic performance of Canadian industries and to better understand rapidly evolving business environments.

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

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

Other important information

Authorization to collect this information

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

Confidentiality

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

Record linkages

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

Data-sharing agreements

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

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

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

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

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

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

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

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

Business or organization and contact information

1. Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct where needed.

Note: Legal name modifications should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

Legal Name

The legal name is one recognized by law, thus it is the name liable for pursuit or for debts incurred by the business or organization. In the case of a corporation, it is the legal name as fixed by its charter or the statute by which the corporation was created.

Modifications to the legal name should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.

To indicate a legal name of another legal entity you should instead indicate it in question 3 by selecting 'Not currently operational' and then choosing the applicable reason and providing the legal name of this other entity along with any other requested information.

Operating Name

The operating name is a name the business or organization is commonly known as if different from its legal name. The operating name is synonymous with trade name.

  • Legal name:
  • Operating name (if applicable):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description and examples

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

Main activity

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reporting period information

1. What are the start and end dates of this business's or organization's most recently completed fiscal year?

For this survey, the end date should fall between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.

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

  • May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025
  • June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025
  • July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
  • August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025
  • September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025
  • October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025
  • November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025
  • December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025
  • January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
  • February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026
  • March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026
  • April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

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

  • September 18, 2024 to September 15, 2025 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 (e.g., a newly opened business).
  • Fiscal Year Start date
  • Fiscal Year-End date

2. What is the reason the reporting period does not cover a full year?

Select all that apply.

  • Seasonal operations
  • New business
  • Change of ownership
  • Temporarily inactive
  • Change of fiscal year
  • Ceased operations
  • Other
    Specify reason the reporting period does not cover a full year:

Additional reporting instructions

1. Throughout this questionnaire, please report financial information in thousands of Canadian dollars.

For example, an amount of $763,880.25 should be reported as:

CAN$ '000: $764,000

I will report in the format above

Revenue

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what was this business's revenue from each of the following sources?

Notes:

  • a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
  • these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business.

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Revenue

a. 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.

b. Rental and leasing

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.

c. 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).

d. Subsidies (including grants, donations, fundraising and sponsorships)

Include:

  • non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government
  • revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

e. 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.

f. Dividends

Include:

  • dividend income
  • dividends from Canadian sources
  • dividends from foreign sources
  • patronage dividends.

Exclude equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

g. 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.

h. All other revenue (Include intracompany transfers)

Include amounts not included in questions a. to g.

Total revenue

The sum of sub-questions a. to h.

For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what was this business's revenue from each of the following sources?
  CAN$ '000
a. Sales of goods and services
Include sales, commissions, rental and leasing revenue if they are this business's primary revenue source.
 
b. Rental and leasing
Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If rental and leasing are your primary revenue source, report at question a.
 
c. Commissions
Report only if this is a secondary revenue source. If commissions are your primary revenue source, report at question a.
 
d. Subsidies
Include grants, donations, fundraising and sponsorships.
 
e. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees  
f. Dividends  
g. Interest  
h. Other
Include intracompany transfers.
Specify all other revenue:
 
Total revenue  

Expenses

1. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what were this business's expenses for the following items?

Notes:

  • a detailed breakdown may be requested in other sections
  • these questions are asked of many different industries. Some questions may not apply to this business.

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Expenses

a. 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 resale - net of discounts earned on purchases
  • freight in and duty.

Exclude all costs associated with salaries, wages, benefits, commissions and subcontracts (report at Employment costs and expenses, and Subcontracts).

b. Employment costs and expenses

b1. 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 at Subcontracts).

b2. 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.

c. Subcontracts

Subcontract 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
  • subcontract and outside labour
  • hired labour.

d. Research and development fees

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.

e. 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 All other costs and expenses).

f. 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 All other costs and expenses).

g. 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)
  • computer and peripherals upgrade expenses
  • data processing.

Exclude telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses (report at Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication).

h. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication

Include:

  • internet
  • telephone and telecommunications
  • cellular telephone
  • fax machine
  • pager.

i. 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.

j. 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

k. 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.

l. 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.

m. 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.

n. 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).

o. 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.

p. 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.

q. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include:

  • travel expenses
  • meeting and convention expenses, seminars
  • passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train)
  • accommodations
  • travel allowance and meals while travelling
  • other travel expenses.

r. 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 Interest expense).

s. 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.

t. 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.

u. 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 cost 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 and dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses)
  • amounts not included in sub-questions a. to t. above.

Total expenses

The sum of sub-questions a. to u.

For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, what were this business's expenses for the following items?
  CAN$ '000
a. Cost of goods sold  
a1. Opening inventories  
a2. Purchases
Include raw materials, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers.
Exclude change in inventories.
 
a3. Closing inventories  
a4. Cost of goods sold
Opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories.
 
b. Employment costs and expenses
Include all employees who were issued a T4.
Exclude commissions to be paid to non-employees, report at sub-question c.
 
b1. Salaries, wages and commissions  
b2. Employee benefits  
c. Subcontracts
Include commissions to non-employees.
Exclude research and development.
 
d. Research and development fees.
Exclude in-house research and development.
 
e. Professional and business fees
e.g., legal, accounting, consulting, scientific and property management fees
 
f. Utilities
e.g., electricity, water, gas
 
g. Office and computer related expenses
e.g., office supplies, postage, computer upgrades
 
h. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication  
i. Business taxes, licenses and permits
e.g., beverage tax, business tax, license fees, property taxes
 
j. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships
Exclude Crown royalties.
 
k. Crown charges
(for logging, mining and energy industries only)
 
l. Rental and leasing
Include land buildings, equipment, vehicles.
 
m. Repair and maintenance
Include buildings, equipment, vehicles.
 
n. Amortization and depreciation  
o. Insurance  
p. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment  
q. Travel, meetings and conventions  
r. Financial services
e.g., bank charges, transaction fees
 
s. Interest expense  
t. Other non-production-related costs and expenses
Include bad debts, loan losses, donations, political contributions and inventory write-down.
 
u. All other costs and expenses
Include intracompany expenses.
Specify all other costs and expenses:
 
Total expenses  

Industry characteristics

1. What were this business's sales for each of the following goods and services?

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Include printed and online publications.

a. Sales of published materials

a1. Databases

A set of logically organized data or a data bank that contains relevant and specific information on products or services to be used for practical purposes.

Examples:

  • database publishers
  • electronic database publishers

a2. Directories

A regularly updated list or directory containing information (e.g., name, address, contact information) on the members of an association, a company, a professional organization or subscribers of a service.

Include:

  • published directories
  • reverse directories (enable the following types of searches: by address, by telephone number, by postal code, by proximity, by regional code, by social media, by map or by itinerary)
  • published company directories
  • published telephone directories

a3. Mailing lists

A compilation of mailing addresses by type of company, association or other.

a4. Art prints, posters, greeting cards, postcards, calendars and other consumer publications

Include:

  • published art prints
  • published calendars
  • published greeting cards.

Exclude advertising posters and desktop calendars.

a5. Catalogues, diaries, time schedulers, brochures and other business, trade and professional publications

Include:

  • published coloring books
  • published city directories, such as high school, college, university
  • published diaries and time schedulers
  • published catalogues, such as e.g., mail order, store and merchandise

Exclude publishing of books, periodicals and newspapers.

a6. Other publications

Examples: published race track programs.

b. Sales of advertising space

b1. Databases

Include sales of advertising space in printed or electronic format or online.

b2. Directories (telephone and other)

Include sales of advertising space in printed or electronic format or online.

b3. Other advertising

Sales of advertising space sold in a type of published material other than databases or directories. Include sales of advertising space in printed or electronic format or online.

What were this business's sales for each of the following goods and services?
  CAN$ '000
a. Sales of published materials  
a1. Databases  
a2. Directories (telephone and other)  
a3. Mailing lists  
a4. Art prints, posters, greeting cards, postcards, calendars and other consumer publications
Exclude advertising posters and desktop calendars.
 
a5. Catalogues, diaries, time schedulers, brochures and other business, trade and professional publications
Exclude books, periodicals and newspapers.
 
a6. Other
Specify all other publications:
 
b. Sales of advertising space in  
b1. Databases  
b2. Directories (telephone and other)  
b3. Other advertising  
c. Other
Specify all other sales of goods and services:
 
Total sales of goods and services  

2. What was the percentage breakdown of this business's sales of published materials ( [amount] ) by printed and online materials?

(reported at question 1a.)

Printed

Of the total sales reported in question 1a., what percentage is directly from printed or electronic documents such as CD-ROMs, USB keys or others.

Online

Of the total sales reported in question 1a., what percentage is exclusively from online sales (do not include the Online sales of a printed document).

What was the percentage breakdown of this business's sales of published materials ( [amount] ) by printed and online materials?
  Percentage
Printed  
Online  

Details on Purchased Services

1. For the reporting period YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, this business reported expenses for the following items.

Please provide the requested details related to these expenses.

Please report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.

1. For the reporting period YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, this business reported expenses for the following items.
  CAN$ '000
Professional and business fees  
Legal services  
Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services  
Management, scientific and technical consulting services  
Office administrative services  
Freight transportation arrangements and customs brokering services  
Brokerage and other insurance related services  
Security brokerage and securities dealing services  
Other purchased professional services  
Total expenses for professional and business fees  
Office and computer related expenses  
Data processing, hosting, and related services  
Business support services  
Other office and computer related purchased services  
Total expenses for office and computer related expenses  
Royalties, franchise fees and memberships  
Rights to non-financial intangible assets  
Membership fees or services  
Other royalties, franchise fees and memberships  
Total expenses for royalties, franchise fees and memberships  
Rental and leasing  
Non-residential real estate rental  
Motor vehicle rental and leasing  
Computer equipment rental and leasing  
Office machinery and equipment rental and leasing services  
Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment renting and leasing services, without operator  
Other rental services  
Total expenses for rental and leasing  
Repair and maintenance  
Security services and investigation  
Waste management and remediation services  
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance services  
Other repair and maintenance services  
Total expenses for repair and maintenance  

Sales by type of client

1. What was this business's breakdown of sales by the following types of client?

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%.

a. to c. 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.

d. 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.

What was this business's breakdown of sales by the following types of client?
  Percentage
a. Clients in Canada - individuals and households  
b. Clients in Canada – businesses  
c. Clients in Canada - governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions
e.g., hospitals and schools
 
d. Clients outside Canada  
Total percentage  

Sales by consumer location

1. What was the percentage breakdown of this business's sales by consumer location?

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

If ultimate consumer 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.
What was the percentage breakdown of this business's sales by consumer location?
  Percentage
a. Newfoundland and Labrador  
b. Prince Edward Island  
c. Nova Scotia  
d. New Brunswick  
e. Quebec  
f. Ontario  
g. Manitoba  
h. Saskatchewan  
i. Alberta  
j. British Columbia  
k. Yukon  
l. Northwest Territories  
m. Nunavut  
n. United States  
o. All other countries  
Total percentage  

International transactions - revenue received from exports

1. During the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, did this business receive revenue from clients outside Canada for the sale of products, services, royalties, rights, licensing or franchise fees?

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.

  • Yes
  • No

2. What was the revenue received from clients outside Canada?

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.

Revenue received (CAN$ '000):

3. What was the percentage breakdown of revenue received from clients outside Canada by goods, services and royalties?

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.

What was the percentage breakdown of revenue received from clients outside Canada by goods, services and royalties?
  Percentage
a. Goods  
b. Services  
c. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees  
Total percentage  

4. What was the percentage breakdown of revenue received from clients outside Canada by country?

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.

What was the percentage breakdown of revenue received from clients outside Canada by country?
  Percentage
a. United States  
b. Mexico  
c. Provide the percentage of revenue received from any other countries - top 4 clients only  
c1. Other country 1
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 1:
 
c2. Other country 2
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 2:
 
c3. Other country 3
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 3:
 
c4. Other country 4
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 4:
 
Total percentage  

International transactions - purchases from outside Canada (imports)

5. During the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, did this business make payments to suppliers outside Canada for the purchase of products, services, royalties, rights, licensing or franchise fees?

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.

  • Yes
  • No

6. What were the payments made to suppliers outside Canada?

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.

Payments made (CAN$ '000):

7. What was the percentage breakdown of payments made to suppliers outside Canada by goods, services and royalties?

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.

What was the percentage breakdown of payments made to suppliers outside Canada by goods, services and royalties?
  Percentage
a. Goods  
b. Services  
c. Royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees  
Total percentage  

8. What was the percentage breakdown of payments made to suppliers outside Canada by country?

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.

What was the percentage breakdown of payments made to suppliers outside Canada by country?
  Percentage
a. United States  
b. Mexico  
c. Provide the percentage of payments made to any other countries - top 4 suppliers only  
c1. Other country 1
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 1:
 
c2. Other country 2
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 2:
 
c3. Other country 3
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 3:
 
c4. Other country 4
Begin entering the name of the other country by typing the first few letters to narrow down
the choices or enter your own answer
Specify other country 4:
 
Total percentage  

Notification of intent to extract web data

9. Does this business have a website?

Notification of intent to extract web data

Statistics Canada engages in web-data extraction, also known as web scraping, which is a process by which information is gathered and copied from the Web using automated scripts or robots, for retrieval and analysis. As a result, we may visit the website for this business to search for and compile additional information. The use of web scraping is part of a broader effort to reduce the response burden on businesses, as well as produce additional statistical indicators to ensure that our data remain accurate and relevant.

We will strive to ensure that the data collection does not interfere with the functionality of the website. Any data collected will be used by Statistics Canada for statistical and research purposes only, in accordance with the agency’s privacy and confidentiality mandate.

More information regarding Statistics Canada’s web scraping initiative - this link will open in a new window.

Learn more about Statistics Canada’s transparency and accountability - this link will open in a new window.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 [Teletypewriter or Telecommunication device for the deaf/teletype machine (TTY): 1-800-363-7629] or by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca - this link will open in a new window. Additional information about this survey can be found by selecting the following link: 2025 Annual Survey of Service Industries: Database, Directory and Specialty Publishers.

Changes or events

10. 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

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

Is [Provided Given Names], [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

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

  • Hours:
  • Minutes:

13. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 3: Putting vocabulary into context — Roleplay game

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 3: Putting vocabulary into context — Roleplay game (PDF, 242.48 KB)

Level:
Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) / French as a Second Language (FSL) – beginner to intermediate

Time required:
45 to 55 minutes

Theme:
Understanding the Canadian census

Language focus:
Vocabulary development, oral fluency, reading comprehension

Lesson overview

This lesson is intended as a follow-up to Activity 1: Understanding key Canadian census terminology. The aim is to help adult learners apply key vocabulary in a meaningful and realistic context by participating in a roleplay activity between a census enumerator and a resident. Through this roleplay, learners will practice speaking, listening, and functional communication skills required to complete a census questionnaire.

While this activity can be used on its own, for optimal results it is recommended to first complete Activity 1: Understanding key Canadian census terminology and Activity 2: Census guessing game.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

  • Use key census vocabulary accurately in conversation
  • Participate in a simulated census interview through roleplay
  • Share personal and household information using vocabulary introduced in class

Materials needed

Lesson procedure

1. Quick vocabulary review (5 minutes)

  • Review the key vocabulary used in the roleplay script, along with any additional terms the instructor finds relevant.
  • Invite learners to ask questions or clarify meanings before starting the activity.

2. Introduce the roleplay (5 minutes)

  • Explain the scenario: learners will take turns acting as both the census enumerator and the resident, using the script to complete a mock census interaction.
  • Emphasize the purpose: to practice vocabulary and build real-life speaking and listening skills in the context of the Canadian Census of Population.

3. Model the roleplay (5–10 minutes)

  • Distribute printed copies of the roleplay script (one per learner).
  • Model the full script aloud with clear pronunciation, pacing, and expression.
  • Pause to check understanding and review any difficult words or pronunciations before learners begin.

4. Guided practice in pairs (20–25 minutes)

  • Learners pair up and take on the roles of enumerator and resident.
  • Using the script, they fill in the blanks with made-up answers (e.g., a fictional name or household size) for privacy and creative engagement.
  • Circulate to provide support with pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency as needed.
  • After one round, have pairs switch roles and repeat the activity.

5. Group reflection and discussion (10 minutes)

  • Lead a brief discussion with the following prompts:
  • Did you struggle with any vocabulary words? Which words did you find particularly difficult?
  • Was it easy or hard to answer the questions? Why?
  • What did you learn about the census process?
  • Clarify any final questions about vocabulary or how the census works.

6. Wrap-up (5 minutes)

  • Summarize key takeaways from the lesson.
  • Congratulate learners on using their new vocabulary to successfully simulate a real-life civic task—completing the census!

Adaptations and differentiation

  • To simplify: Allow learners to work with a partner who shares their first language so they can check understanding before starting the roleplay.
  • To extend: Encourage more advanced learners to expand on their answers, add extra details, or create their own census-style questions to ask during the roleplay.
  • To support language development: Permit the use of translator apps or dictionaries to help learners understand vocabulary and question phrasing as needed.

Extension ideas

  • Review the actual 2026 Census of Population questionnaire as a class. (Reference: 2026 Census - Form 2A-L)
  • Identify any questions learners find confusing or unclear.
  • Practice filling out a sample short-form census questionnaire in English to build confidence with real-world language and formats.

Teacher tips

  • Emphasize that most people in Canada complete the census online, independently. Enumerators are only sent out when a household hasn't completed their questionnaire by the deadline, to help ensure everyone is included .

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 2: Census guessing game

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 2: Census guessing game (PDF, 249.01 KB)

Level:
Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) / French as a Second Language (FSL) – beginner to Intermediate

Time required:
25 to 35 minutes

Theme:
Understanding the Canadian census

Language focus:
Vocabulary development, oral fluency, listening comprehension

Lesson overview

This interactive vocabulary review activity is designed as a follow-up to Activity 1: Understanding key Canadian census terminology and provides a fun, engaging way to reinforce key terms. It helps learners whose first language is not English build familiarity and confidence with important census-related vocabulary. Through a team-based guessing game, students will describe and identify terms using simple English definitions and clues. The activity promotes oral language development, teamwork, and a stronger understanding of the vocabulary needed to complete the Canadian Census of Population.

Learning objectives

By the end of this activity, learners should be able to:

  • Recognize and use key vocabulary related to the Canadian Census of Population
  • Strengthen their oral communication and listening skills in English
  • Build confidence using English in a supportive, interactive setting

Key vocabulary and suggested forbidden words

(See Census vocabulary definitions (teacher's copy))

Key vocabulary and suggested forbidden words
Word Forbidden words
Census of Population Numbers, people, government
Dwelling Building, stay, roof
Household Family, home, group
Non-permanent resident Live, country, from
Immigrant Arrive, move, passport
Occupation Job, work, office
Commuting duration Minutes, distance, time
Ethnic or cultural origin Tradition, roots, language
Marital status Couple, partner, wedding
Sex at birth Baby, male, female
Population group Heritage,Identity, appearance
Indigenous group First Nations, Métis, Inuit (Inuk)
Religion Denomination, faith, belief
Resident Home, address, place
Enumerator Ask, form, worker
Census Day Date, event, calendar

(Educators may adapt the list to match methods of instruction and level of language proficiency)

Materials needed

  • A printed copy of the Census vocabulary worksheet (cut out ahead of time)
  • Whiteboard or paper to keep score
  • Optional: Timer or stopwatch

Lesson procedure

1. Vocabulary worksheet (individual or in pairs) (15 to 25 minutes)

  • Review the vocabulary words as a group.
  • Ask students if they remember what the words mean.
  • If helpful, ask students to say the meaning in their first language or give an example.

2. Explain the game (5 minutes)

  • One student from each team comes to the front and picks a word card.
  • That student describes the word using English only. They cannot say the word itself.
    • Optional challenge (for intermediate or advanced students): The student also avoids the "forbidden words" written on the card.
  • The team has 1 minute to guess the word.
  • Each correct answer = 1 point.
  • If the student says the word or a forbidden word, they skip that card (no point).
  • Teams take turns.

3. Play the game (10–20 minutes)

  • Keep playing with different students each round.
  • Write each team's score on the board.
  • Help students if needed and encourage them to try their best.
  • For extra challenge or a second round, use the forbidden words rule.

4. Wrap-up (5 minutes)

  • Ask students which words were easy or hard to describe.
  • Go over any tricky vocabulary together.
  • Optional: Give students a handout or flashcards to take home for practice.

Adaptations and differentiation

  • To simplify: Let students use gestures or basic sentence frames (e.g., "You can find this in a ___"). You can also remove or reduce the number of forbidden words.
  • To increase difficulty: Add more forbidden words to make the game more challenging. Encourage students to use full sentences when giving clues.
  • For language support: Allow students to work with a partner who speaks the same first language. They can check understanding together before playing.

Possible extensions

  • Have students create their own word cards using census-related vocabulary they think is useful, including "forbidden words."
  • Ask students to write simple sentences or a short paragraph using new vocabulary (e.g., about their household or community).
  • Play a roleplay game where one student acts as the enumerator and the other as the respondent to practice using census terms in context.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit
Activity 1: Understanding key Canadian census terminology

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Adult Education Kit, each individual activity and handout is available in a downloadable PDF format. We encourage you to access the following PDF version in order to print and complete the activities.

2026 Census Adult Education Kit—Activity 1: Understanding key Canadian census terminology (PDF, 324.05 KB)

Level:
Adult English as a Second Language (ESL)/French as a Second Language (FSL) - beginner to intermediate

Time required:
30 to 45 minutes

Theme:
Understanding the Canadian Census of Population

Language focus:
Vocabulary development and oral/written language fluency

Lesson overview

This lesson introduces important terminology used in the Canadian Census of Population to people whose first language is not English or French. Through a vocabulary worksheet activity and class discussion, learners will develop a foundational understanding of census-related terms to help them engage confidently with census materials and processes.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Define key census-related terms.
  • Differentiate between similar terms (e.g., household vs. dwelling).
  • Use their new vocabulary in context related to Canadian census information.

Materials needed

Lesson procedure

1. Vocabulary worksheet (individual or in pairs) – 15 to 25 minutes

  • Distribute the vocabulary worksheet containing a list of key census terms while briefly explaining the concept of the Canadian Census of Population to give students the necessary context for the vocabulary.
  • Instruct learners to write their own definitions for each term without immediately consulting external sources, encouraging critical thinking and application of prior knowledge.
  • As learners record their answers, allow use of phones or dictionaries as second language support if needed.
  • Learners may work individually or in pairs to promote collaboration and peer learning.

2. Class discussion and comparison – 15 to 20 minutes

  • Reconvene as a class and invite those who are willing to share their definitions.
  • Write down common and differing definitions on the whiteboard or chart paper.
  • Use the educator's terminology sheet to clarify official or widely accepted definitions, addressing any misconceptions.
  • Encourage questions and examples from learners to deepen understanding.

Extensions and follow-up activities

  • Use census forms or sample questions to apply terminology in a practical context.
  • Create flashcards or quizzes for reinforcement.
  • Encourage learners to discuss how census data might be used in their communities.

Adaptations and differentiation

  • To simplify: Provide a word bank or sentence starters (e.g., "A dwelling is a place where…") to support learners with limited vocabulary or literacy skills.
  • To increase difficulty: Ask advanced learners to use each term in a full sentence or apply the terms by analyzing a sample census form in small groups.
  • For language support: Encourage the use of bilingual dictionaries, translation apps, or peer collaboration to work through any language barriers.

Notes for educators

  • Adapt the complexity of definitions based on learners' English proficiency levels.
  • Be sensitive to cultural differences regarding terms like "sex" when explaining some of the demographic vocabulary.
  • Terms were drawn from The 2021 Census of Population Dictionary.