2025 Survey of Service Industries: Travel Arrangement Services

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 infostats or by fax at 1-514-496-4879.

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:

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

7. You have indicated that the current main activity of this business or organization is:

Main activity

Are there any other activities that contribute significantly (at least 10%) to this business or organization's revenue?

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

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

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

 
  Percentage of revenue
Main activity  
Secondary activity  
All other activities  
Total percentage  

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.

 
  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  

E-commerce

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

Include:

  • sales of goods and services
  • rental, leasing and property management
  • commissions
  • subsidies, grants, donations, fundraising and sponsorships
  • royalties
  • rights
  • licensing and franchise fees
  • dividends, interest and other revenue.

Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Total revenue in CAN$ '000:

2. For the reporting period of YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD, did this business have any e-commerce revenue?

E-commerce revenue: Sales of goods and services conducted over the Internet with or without online payment.

Include all revenue for which an order is received and commitment to purchase is made via the Internet, although payment can be made by other means, such as orders made on web pages, an extranet, mobile devices or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Exclude orders made by telephone, facsimile or e-mail.

  • Yes
  • No

3. Of the [amount] amount reported in total revenue, what was the total e-commerce revenue?

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

Total e-commerce revenue in CAN$ '000:

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.

 
  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?

Report all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars.

a. Travel Arrangement Services

a1. Packaged tours

Packaged tours including arranging, assembling, and marketing tour packages for travel agents, tour wholesalers, and/or individuals.

a2. Customized tours

Assembling, organizing, and reserving custom tour packages for travel agents and/or individuals.

a3. Group tours

Assembling, organizing, and reserving packages for groups of people with a common interest ( e.g., sports, culture, adventure, religion, education, conferences and conventions).

Total packaged product sales
Sum of questions a1. to a3.

a4. Cruises

Reservation services including commissions and fees from the sale of cruise vacations.

a5. Airline seats

Reservation services including commissions and fees from the sale of passenger airline transportation

a6. Transportation

Reservation services including commissions and fees from the sale of transportation ( e.g., bus, airport shuttles, rail, vehicle rental and ferry)

Please exclude airline seats which are included in a5.

a7. Lodging

Reservation services including commissions and fees from the sale of lodging services.

Total individual product sales
Sum of questions a4. to a7.

b. Service charges for trip planning (including assembling travel information, advice and plans)

Travellers pay directly for travel assistance such as assembling travel information, advice and travel plans.

Include:

  • ticket issuing fees
  • other fees paid directly to travel agents by travellers.

c. Travel insurance products ( e.g., health, baggage and cancellation insurance)

Businesses are paid for their services by commissions, fees or a combination thereof. This includes such products as health, baggage and cancellation insurance.

d. Other sales of goods and services

Amounts not included in questions a. to c.

( e.g., travellers cheques, travel related merchandise, foreign exchange services, wire transfers, sightseeing tour services, automobile club memberships and condominium time-share services)

Total sales of goods and services

Sum of questions a. to d.

 
  CAN$ '000
a. Travel Arrangement Services
Report sales of travel arrangement goods and services including arranging, assembling, and marketing of tours or other goods.
To be reported in gross amounts including the entire transaction value.
 
a1. Packaged tours  
a2. Customized tours  
a3. Group tours  
Total packaged product sales  
a4. Cruises  
a5. Airline seats  
a6. Transportation
e.g., bus, airport shuttles, rail, vehicle rental and ferry
 
a7. Lodging  
Total individual product sales  
b. Service charges for trip planning
Include assembling travel information, advice and plans.
 
c. Travel insurance products
e.g., health, baggage and cancellation insurance
 
d. Other sales of goods and services
e.g., travellers cheques, travel related merchandise, foreign exchange services and wire transfers
Specify all other sales of goods and services:
 
Total sales of goods and services
Sum of questions a. to d.
 

2. Please provide a percentage breakdown of your total operating revenue from travel to:

Sales by destination

Please provide a breakdown of your total operating revenue by destination. This includes a breakdown of revenues received for destinations within Canada, United States and all other destinations.

 
  Percentage
Canadian destinations:  
a. Tour and cruise packages  
b. Other  
USA destinations:  
c. Tour and cruise packages  
d. Other  
Other destinations:  
e. Tour and cruise packages  
f. Other  
Total  

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.

 
  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  

Notification of intent to extract web data

2. Does this business have a website?

  • Yes
    • Specify the business website address 1
    • Specify the business website address 2
    • Specify the business website address 3
  • No

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 or organization 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 or organizations, 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. All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly protected.

More information regarding Statistics Canada's web scraping initiative.

Learn more about Statistics Canada's transparency and accountability.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (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: Information for survey participants (ISP).

Changes or events

3. 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

4. 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

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

Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.

Hours:

Minutes:

6. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?

2025 Survey of Service Industries: Film, Television and Video Post-production

Why are we conducting 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 infostats or by fax at 1-514-496-4879.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description and examples

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

Main activity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following activities?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage of revenue
Main activity  
Secondary activity  
All other activities  
Total percentage  

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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  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 and heating.

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

Exclude royalties and license fees.

Report in thousands of Canadian dollars.

What were this business's sales for each of the following goods and services?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  CAN$ '000
a. Motion picture film laboratory services  
b. Editing services for audiovisual works  
c. Transfer services  
d. Colour correction and digital restoration services  
e. Virtual Reality and augmented reality services  
f. 3D visual effects and animation services for audiovisual works  
g. Visual effects and animation services for audiovisual works  
h. Subtitling, titling and captioning services  
i. DVD and Blu-ray authoring services  
j. Format conversion services, digital encoding and conversion  
k. Duplication and copying services, except large run, for audiovisual works, digital and video  
l. Sound editing and design services for sound elements of audiovisual works  
Total post-production sales  
m. Contract production of audiovisual works  
n. All other sales  
Total sales of goods and services  

Industry characteristics

2. Of the total sales of goods and services reported in question 1, provide a breakdown for the domestic and foreign total sales.

Exclude royalties and license fees.

Report in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Of the total sales of goods and services reported in question 1, provide a breakdown for the domestic and foreign total sales.
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  CAN$ '000
Total sales domestic  
Total sales foreign  
Total sales domestic and foreign  

3. Of the total post-production sales reported in question 1, provide a breakdown of the total post-production sales by type of client (first point of sale).

Exclude royalties and license fees

Report in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Of the total post-production sales reported in question 1, provide a breakdown of the total post-production sales by type of client (first point of sale).
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  CAN$ '000
a. Advertising agencies and public relations firms  
b. Production companies  
c. Broadcasters  
d. Distributors and wholesalers  
e. All other post-production sales  
Total post-production sales  

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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  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 warehouse/distribution centres.
What was the percentage breakdown of this business's sales by consumer location?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage
Newfoundland and Labrador  
Prince Edward Island  
Nova Scotia  
New Brunswick  
Quebec  
Ontario  
Manitoba  
Saskatchewan  
Alberta  
British Columbia  
Yukon  
Northwest Territories  
Nunavut  
United States  
All other countries  
Total percentage  

Sales by consumer location

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 licensing 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 licensing 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 licensing 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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage
Goods  
Services  
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 licensing 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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage
United States  
Mexico  
Provide the percentage of revenue received from any other countries - top 4 clients only  
Other country 1  
Other country 2  
Other country 3  
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 licensing 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 licensing 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 licensing 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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage
Goods  
Services  
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 licensing 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?
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
  Percentage
United States  
Mexico  
Provide the percentage of payments made to any other countries - top 4 suppliers only  
Other 1 - specify  
Other 2 - specify  
Other 3 - specify  
Other 4 - specify  
Total percentage  

Notification of intent to extract web data

9. Does this business have a website?

  • Yes
    Specify the business website address 1
    Specify the business website address 2
    Specify the business website address 3
  • No

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 or organization 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 or organizations, 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. All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly protected.

More information regarding Statistics Canada's web scraping initiative.

Learn more about Statistics Canada's transparency and accountability.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (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: Information for survey participants (ISP).

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 the provided given names and the provided family name the best person to contact?

  • Yes
  • No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

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

Feedback

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?

What We Heard Report, North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada 2027 Consultation

Introduction

This document describes the results from a consultation initiated in August, 2023 concerning updates to the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada. The purpose of the consultation was to solicit input from users of NAPCS Canada on revisions for the classifications. The revised classification will be NAPCS Canada 2027 Version 1.0. Statistics Canada invited data producers and data users, representatives of business associations, government bodies at the federal, provincial and local levels, academics and researchers and all other interested parties to submit proposals for the revision to NAPCS Canada.

NAPCS Canada is Statistics Canada's primary classification for products and is widely used throughout business programs at Statistics Canada. It can also be used in other governmental organizations, in academia, and in business.

Statistics Canada updates NAPCS Canada on a 5-year revision cycle. The next version of this classification is scheduled to be released in February, 2027.

The consultation was conducted electronically through public announcements that described the upcoming NAPCS Canada revisions, listed the types of inputs sought, provided a timeline for the consultation and gave contact information for users to make submissions and contact Statistics Canada with questions and comments. The announcements were disseminated through the Statistics Canada's website (Consulting Canadians and DDSM), and Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit, as well as GCXchange.

In addition to soliciting proposals from external users and stakeholders outside of Statistics Canada, one of the key parts of the consultation on the revision of NAPCS Canada is the on-going interactions within the Agency. The statistical standards development unit consulted numerous statistical programs and the System of National Accounts during the consultation and revision process.

This report summarizes the feedback received from the consultation. The consultation process and period are described below.

Background

NAPCS Canada is a 7-digit classification, grouped in a 4-level structure: groups formed by 3-digits, classes formed by 5-digits, subclasses by 6-digits and 7-digit details.

The first version of NAPCS Canada, known as provisional version 0.1, was published in 2007. The development of the classification started a few years earlier as a joint project of the national statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States (U.S.). The NAPCS project followed the adoption by the three countries of a common industry classification, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) in 1997. The development of NAPCS was meant to serve the same purpose for product statistics.

Since the creation of this product classification, NAPCS Canada, has been revised on a 5-year cycle, in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

Following the decision of Statistics Canada's Economic Standards Steering Committee (ESSC) on April 28, 2023 to institute a permanent consultation process for NAPCS Canada, proposals for changes to NAPCS Canada may be submitted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Only a cut-off date for considering proposed changes to be included in a new version of NAPCS Canada will be instituted moving forward. For example, for NAPCS Canada 2027, the deadline for changes to be included was set to the end of June 2025. For revisions beyond 2027, such a cut-off date will be maintained at about one and a half years prior to the release date of the new classification version based on the 5-year revision cycle.

What we asked

Statistics Canada invited data producers and data users, representatives of business associations, government bodies at the federal, provincial and local levels, academics and researchers and all other interested parties to submit proposals for the revision to the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada (See Invitation to participate in the revision of the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada).

Changes could be proposed for any level, however changes to the 3, 4 and 5-digit levels have the most impact on the existing statistical programs using NAPCS Canada (national accounts, price indexes for businesses, international trade statistics, retail trade statistics, agriculture statistics, manufacturing statistics, etc.), and also on the correspondence to be maintained with Trilateral NAPCS. Changes might include changes to the structure of the classification (i.e. addition of classes or deletion of classes), changes to the wording of definitions, and changes to examples, inclusions and exclusions.

The North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada 2022 Version 1.0 is the latest version of the classification for the participants of this consultation to base their input on. In the context of a permanent consultation process, persons or organizations proposing a change must always make sure they refer to the latest available version of NAPCS Canada.

What we heard

Staff from the Centre for Statistical Standards and Geomatics (formerly Centre for Statistical and Data Standards) at Statistics Canada manage the responses to the public consultation announcement. These responses were all received by e-mail.

The proposal received included a proposal from concerning animal agriculture and the terminology used to refer to farm animals, a proposal concerning potatoes and the creation of new detailed classes, a proposal concerning agrifood and seafood and the creation of new classes, and a proposal concerning lighting products and the creation of new examples for new lighting products.

We also received requests for changes to NAPCS that were generated internally or in consultation with our American and Mexican partners. These included changes to the treatment of parts for electric vehicles, including batteries, mined lithium products, energy storage, space ports and products related to the bioeconomy.

What we did so far

Following receipt of proposals for changes we investigated the changes with respect to the criteria set out for evaluating changes, which included the rationale for the proposed changes, the empirical significance of any new classes, consistency with classification principles (e.g. mutual exclusivity, exhaustiveness, and homogeneity within categories) and relevant to present analytical interest and data. We consulted with our subject matter experts and the system of national accounts on the changes. As well, we followed and explored updates to the United Nations’ Central Product Classification (CPC), to learn how those changes might help inform the changes ghat we are making. Revision for the CPC affected, among other areas, intermediation services activities, financial services, forestry, fishery, fertilizer, and pesticide products, and energy products.

Next steps

The task team is currently reviewing all proposals in accordance with the statistical classification principles, the underlying concepts, and the classification criteria for NAPCS, as outlined in the Appendix of this report. Following this review, Statistics Canada will issue a public notice in spring 2026 outlining the final approved proposals for inclusion in NAPCS 2027 V1.0, with the public release of NAPCS 2027 V1.0 scheduled for February 2027.

Appendix : Governing principles and underlying concepts and criteria

Statistical Classification Principles

Principle 1: Follow internationally accepted practices and principles on how to classify products (also see Introduction to the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) Canada 2022 Version 1.0). Because the purpose of NAPCS Canada is primarily to provide a framework to support consistent statistical information on Canadian products, it is important to specify the scope of each category in the classification. Principle 1 supports the production and dissemination of consistent and sound statistics. The NAPCS Canada team and the Trilateral steering committee on NAPCS use this information to evaluate whether proposed changes are properly placed in the classification structure.

Principle 2: Respect of the internationally recognized principles of well-described statistical classifications, being:

  • well defined universe: categories at each level of the classification structure must reflect a well-defined universe or scope;
  • classification is exhaustive: it covers all possible elements in the universe even if all examples of such universe are not provided in the publication;
  • categories are mutually exclusive: no overlapping in the scope of each classification item or category (to avoid double counting);
  • classification structure is hierarchical: lower categories are dependent of their higher categories;
  • classification structure is rectangular: the classification has a code represented at every level across its whole structure, regardless of the scope of each category;
  • classification is comparable to other classifications (of the same domain);
  • classification categories are empirically significant;
  • classification is organized around one or few concepts (e.g., industry, economic activity);
  • classification contains groupings meaningful to users;
  • classification is widely adopted.

Principle 3: The classification is related to data that is collectible and publishable (collectability and reportability): whether data can be collected and reported on the product class. For a detailed product to be included in NAPCS Canada and expecting statistics to come out of it, Statistics Canada must be able to collect and report data, otherwise, categories will not provide opportunities to produce relevant statistics. Statistics Canada is responsible for producing data across a broad range of products and product-related classes.

Principle 4: The classification supports the maintenance of time series continuity to the extent possible; that is, the ability to maintain data series over time without interruption due to classification changes. To the extent possible, new product classes proposed for the current version of NAPCS Canada and beyond should be easily linked by appropriate correspondence to previous version the NAPCS Canada (e.g., NAPCS Canada 2022 to NAPCS Canada 2017).

Guidelines developed by Statistics Canada provided for the launch of the permanent consultation process for NAPCS Canada will assist users and the NAPCS Canada team and working groups in consistently making changes to NAPCS Canada.

Principle 5: The classification continues to be relevant, that is, it must be of analytical interest, result in data useful to users, and be based on appropriate statistical research, subject-matter expertise and administrative relevance aligned with statistical classification principles and needs.

Principle 6: The prevalence of classification principles and statistical needs: NAPCS Canada is designed primarily for statistical purposes. Although there can be various uses of NAPCS Canada for non-statistical purposes (e.g., for administrative, regulatory, or policy functions), the requirements of government agencies or private users that choose to use NAPCS Canada for non-statistical purposes are responsible for such use of the classification. As a result, the NAPCS Canada team reviews comments and develops its recommendations based on established statistical classification principles and guidelines. Making changes for strictly administrative rather than classification purposes is not supported. Similarly, the volume of comments does not determine what the recommendations will be, and just submitting a request for a change does not automatically result into a change in NAPCS Canada.

Underlying Concepts and Classification Criteria of the NAPCS Canada

Unit of observation, scope of classification and grouping criteria

Statistical classifications are built around three basic concepts: the object classified or statistical unit, the scope or universe of the classification, and the criteria used to group statistical units in standard categories. In the case of NAPCS Canada, two of these concepts – the statistical unit and the scope of the classification - are modelled on concepts of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA).

From the 2008 SNA the following elements emerge as fundamental to identify products as statistical units:

  • they are goods and services that result from production processes;
  • they are in demand to satisfy the needs of households or the community, or used to produce other goods or services;
  • they are produced by one unit and supplied to another; and
  • they are transacted (bought, sold, transferred or placed in inventory).

The SNA concepts underlying the production accounts were also used to determine the scope of NAPCS Canada. It is modelled on one of the five elements that define the production boundaries of the SNA. From the 2008 SNA manual:

"The production of all goods or services that are supplied to units other than their producers, or intended to be so supplied, including the production of goods or services used up in the process of producing such goods or services". (paragraph 6.27a)

This concept embodies both market and non-market goods and services.

The classification criteria refer to the attribute(s) of the statistical unit used to create the most detailed categories of the classification and to group them into analytical aggregates.

Some classifications are built by the systematic application of one or more criterion. Other classifications use mixed criteria to create detailed categories and groupings. NAPCS Canada falls into this category, in part, as a result of the nature of the classification, and in part as a result of characteristics inherited from classification systems embedded into it.

The criteria most commonly used to identify products in NAPCS Canada, separately or in combination, are:

  • Physical characteristic of the product
  • Stage of processing
  • Technology or process
  • Purpose or intended use
  • Function

The organization of detailed categories into higher level groupings is not based on a unique criterion either, but there is a dominant principle of organization nested in NAPCS Canada, the industry of origin. The presentation and organization of NAPCS Canada is similar to what is found in industry classifications.

Statistical purposes

NAPCS Canada is a classification of products (goods and services) designed primarily for use in statistical programs to support the integration of product statistics. It is Statistics Canada’s official standard for the collection, processing and dissemination of product statistics in its economic, business and trade programs. This includes, for example, statistics on the value of export and imports by type of product, the value of industry production and consumption by type of product, and industrial product prices indices.

The structure of NAPCS Canada is hierarchical. This type of classification system enables the collection, analysis and publication of data at different levels of detail, in a standardized way.

Monthly Survey of Food Services and Drinking Places: CVs for Total Sales by Geography - December 2025

CVs for Total sales by geography
Geography Month
202412 202501 202502 202503 202504 202505 202506 202507 202508 202509 202510 202511 202512
percentage
Canada 0.14 0.17 0.22 0.16 0.15 0.16 0.09 0.10 0.07 0.06 0.08 0.11 0.19
Newfoundland and Labrador 0.71 0.69 1.01 0.63 0.78 0.45 0.50 0.46 0.32 0.31 0.37 0.43 0.72
Prince Edward Island 4.39 4.99 1.26 1.09 0.87 0.72 0.81 0.79 0.52 0.55 0.75 3.33 4.85
Nova Scotia 0.42 0.48 1.57 0.60 0.58 0.42 0.35 0.33 0.26 0.25 0.29 0.46 0.59
New Brunswick 0.62 0.59 0.82 0.57 0.51 0.42 0.49 0.38 0.30 0.34 0.39 0.42 0.62
Quebec 0.24 0.29 0.54 0.36 0.53 0.26 0.16 0.20 0.18 0.14 0.28 0.27 0.30
Ontario 0.29 0.34 0.35 0.31 0.23 0.36 0.17 0.16 0.11 0.10 0.13 0.20 0.39
Manitoba 0.55 0.70 0.74 0.75 0.56 0.50 0.39 0.47 0.37 0.31 0.34 0.66 0.86
Saskatchewan 0.99 0.65 0.69 0.52 0.54 0.47 0.53 0.51 0.37 0.41 0.39 0.75 1.04
Alberta 0.28 0.38 0.59 0.41 0.32 0.34 0.25 0.29 0.20 0.18 0.18 0.25 0.39
British Columbia 0.22 0.29 0.49 0.29 0.20 0.24 0.16 0.23 0.16 0.13 0.14 0.20 0.28
Yukon Territory 2.25 3.18 26.12 3.86 2.69 2.04 2.49 2.63 1.70 1.56 1.69 2.67 2.33
Northwest Territories 3.57 3.42 34.07 18.21 2.90 17.86 3.30 2.66 2.20 1.79 1.78 2.47 2.37
Nunavut 6.85 4.28 129.91 6.89 59.24 66.28 9.14 9.60 44.04 3.40 3.09 69.22 2.61

What We Heard Report, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2027 Consultation

Introduction

This document describes the results from a consultation initiated in August 2023 concerning proposals for changes to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada. The revised classification will be NAICS Canada 2027 Version 1.0. Statistics Canada invited data producers and data users, representatives of business associations, government bodies at the federal, provincial and local levels, academics and researchers and all other interested parties to submit proposals for the revision to NAICS Canada.

The revisions for which proposals were sought may include any element of the classifications including the structure of the classification, wording of definitions, and examples and exclusions attached to classes. The input of business, government, academia and private citizens in updating NAICS Canada is valued so that updates meet the needs of users, while still respecting statistical classification principles and guidelines.

NAICS Canada is Statistics Canada's primary classification for industries and is widely used throughout business programs at Statistics Canada, in academia and business. Effective December 15, 2023, NAICS Canada became the data reference standard on industry classification for the government of Canada. Statistics Canada updates NAICS Canada on a 5-year revision cycle. The next revision to this classification is scheduled to be released in January 2027.

The consultation was conducted electronically through public announcements that described the upcoming NAICS Canada revisions, listed the types of inputs sought, provided a timeline for the consultation and gave contact information for users to make submissions and contact Statistics Canada with questions and comments. The announcements were disseminated through the Statistics Canada's website (Consulting Canadians and Standards, Data Sources and Methods pages), and Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit, as well as GCXchange.

In addition to soliciting proposals from external users and stakeholders outside of Statistics Canada, one of the key parts of the consultation on the revision of NAICS Canada is the on-going interactions within the Agency. The Centre for Statistical Standards and Geomatics consulted numerous statistical programs, the Business Register and the System of National Accounts during the consultation and revision process.

This report summarizes the feedback received from the consultation. The consultation process and period are described below.

Background

NAICS was released for the first time in 1997, with NAICS 1997. This classification was developed through the cooperation of Statistics Canada, Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia (INEGI) and the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC) of the United States. Each country maintains its own version of NAICS (NAICS Canada, NAICS U.S., and NAICS Mexico). The three country versions are generally the same with some differences found primarily in wholesale trade, retail trade and government, and at the 6-digit national industry level.

NAICS replaced the existing industry classification system used in Canada, which was the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Since then, NAICS Canada, U.S. and Mexico have been revised on a 5-year cycle in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022. The three NAICS partner agencies meet regularly to discuss possible changes to the common NAICS structure.

Statistics Canada has adopted a permanent consultation process with regards to NAICS Canada, which means proposals for changes to the classification may be submitted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. A cut-off date for considering proposed changes to be included into a new version of NAICS Canada has been instituted. This is why, for example, for NAICS Canada 2027, the deadline to submit proposal for changes to be included was set to the end of June 2025.

NAICS Classification Structure

NAICS has a 6-digit, 5-level classification structure, consisting of 2-digit sectors, 3-digit sub-sectors, 4-digit industry groups, 5-digit industries and 6-digit national industries. Changes were invited for any level, but changes to the 2-digit to 5-digit levels will be subject to trilateral negotiation and approval. Changes to the 6-digit national industry level are at the discretion of each trilateral partner (i.e., Statistics Canada makes the final decision about changes to 6-digit industries in NAICS Canada).

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2022 Version 1.0 is the latest version of the classification for the participants of this consultation were to base their input on.

What We Asked

The purpose of the consultation was to solicit comments from data producers and users, representatives of business associations, government bodies at the federal, provincial and local levels, academics and researchers and all other interested parties to submit proposals for the revision to NAICS Canada. The revised version will be called NAICS Canada 2027 Version 1.0. User input is highly valued by Statistics Canada in updating NAICS Canada so that it continues to meet user needs. See: Invitation to participate in the revision of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada

We sought proposals for changes for two main reasons:

  • collect input from data producers and users as an integral part of the NAICS revision process, and
  • ensure users' needs continue to be met, therefore the classification remains relevant.

The type of feedback requested included any proposed changes to NAICS Canada and how they classify industries. These might be changes to the structure of the classification (i.e. addition of classes or deletion of classes), changes to the wording of definitions, and changes to examples, inclusion and exclusions.

Interested parties were invited to submit written proposals to Statistics Canada. The official public consultation period started in October 2023 and closed at the end of June 2025.

Statistics Canada received responses by e-mail. These responses consisted of written descriptions of the desired changed to NAICS Canada for 2022, including structures, definitions, examples, inclusions, and exclusions.

What We Heard

Staff from the Centre for Statistical Standards and Geomatics (formerly Centre for Statistical and Data Standards) at Statistics Canada managed the responses to the public consultation announcement. These responses were all received by e-mail.

For NAICS Canada 2027, in response to this invitation, we received proposals related to the following:

  • We received a large proposal to review all industries in the Finance and insurance sector (NAICS 52). The proposal recommended updates to NAICS to align with the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA). This proposal sought to improve international comparability with regards to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) Rev. 5 and the System of National Accounts 2025 manual. The suggested changes were related to the introduction of new industry groups and refining and restructuring the existing ones.
    In summary, the proposal included the creation of new categories for Other Financial Intermediaries, Financial Auxiliaries, Captive Financial Institutions, and detailed classifications for investment funds, including open-ended, closed-ended, and hedge funds. Existing groups such as Depository and Non-Depository Credit Intermediation were proposed to be adjusted to reflect changes in these types of activities, including the addition of financial leasing and payday lenders. Money Market Funds were proposed to be divided into constant and variable net asset value funds, while Pension Funds would separate defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
  • Another large proposal was received regarding many diverse industries and activities in the classification. Part of the proposal related to adding industries that were felt to be missing as this would help with policy and reporting requirements. Other inclusions in the proposal were related to adding examples to clarify where certain activities belong. These included drones, data centres and Montessori schools, among others. The industries that were listed as missing within the classification included energy related activities (including renewable energy activities), social media influencers and different types of investment funds, among others. This proposal also suggested the discontinuation of the asbestos mining as an industry in NAICS as it is no longer a productive activity in Canada.
  • Another proposal that was received related to the restructuring of NAICS Sector 54 - Professional, scientific and technical services. This document suggested that having all the diverse activities included in this sector in one single 3-digit sub-sector was inefficient for data creation, reporting and analysis. According to the proposal, since this is a large, diverse and rapidly growing sector, distinguishing between the different scientific fields and technical services at this higher level would help to disaggregate the data for the many surveys and products that use this sector breakdown.
  • Another proposal suggested changes to the terminology used when describing activities related to animals and the manufacture of products derived from animals. This proposal asked that we use more sensitive language in titles and descriptions related to these activities.
  • The final proposal to be mentioned in this report suggested changes to three broad areas of the classification, these included nurseries and landscaping services, transportation and biomethane and hydrogen production. The recommendations made in the proposal were based on reporting requirements for provincial policies and regulations related to these industries.

Overall, we have received approximately 100 requests for changes to NAICS generated internally or in consultation with our American and Mexican partners. These included structural changes to NAICS governing electric vehicle and electric vehicle battery production, lithium mining, as well as numerous non-structural changes affecting definitions, examples, inclusions, and exclusions in a large number of NAICS classes. Examples of these non-structural proposals for NAICS changes include the addition of a large number of new examples to more clearly document the classification of emerging activities related to the bioeconomy, the addition of new examples to clarify the treatment of cryptocurrency related activities, numerous updates to the translation of existing terms, and the creation or revision of examples to cover a broad array of other topics, such as child care and cloud seeding. Many of these changes, even if quite minor in effect, require extensive research and analysis to confirm the proper language to be used and the proper placement of activities in the classification.

What We Did

Following receipt of proposals for changes we investigated the changes with respect to the criteria set out for evaluating changes, which included the rationale for the proposed changes, the empirical significance (i.e. revenue, expenses, value-added, employment) of any new industries, consistency with classification principles (e.g. mutual exclusivity, exhaustiveness, and homogeneity within categories), and relevance to present analytical interest and data. We consulted with our subject matter experts and the system of national accounts on the changes. During the revision process we had regular meetings with our American and Mexican counterparts on changes that affect the trilateral (i.e. shared by the three countries) classes of NAICS. We shared information on the changes we were investigating and negotiated changes that would respect the trilateral nature of NAICS. In addition, we followed and explored updates to other industrial classifications, the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) Rev. 5 in particular, to learn how those changes might help inform the changes that we are making. Revision for ISIC Rev. 5 affected, among other areas, intermediation service activities, cryptocurrency related activities, electricity generation and storage and telecommunications.

Next steps

The task team is currently reviewing all proposals in accordance with the statistical classification principles, the underlying concepts, and the classification criteria for NAICS, as outlined in the Appendix of this report. Following this review, Statistics Canada will issue a public notice in spring 2026 outlining the final approved proposals for inclusion in NAICS 2027 V1.0, with the public release of NAICS 2027 V1.0 scheduled for January 2027.

Appendix : Governing principles and underlying concepts and criteria

Statistical classification principles

Principle 1: Follow internationally accepted practices and principles on how to classify industries and their statistical units (e.g., establishment, enterprise) (also see Introduction to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2022 Version 1.0). Because the purpose of NAICS is primarily to provide a framework to support consistent statistical information on Canadian economic activities, it is important to specify the scope of each category in the classification. Principle 1 supports the production and dissemination of consistent and sound statistics. The NAICS team and the Trilateral steering committee on NAICS use this information to evaluate whether proposed changes are properly placed in the classification structure.

Principle 2: Respect of the internationally recognized principles of well-described statistical classifications, being:

  • well defined universe: categories at each level of the classification structure must reflect a well-defined universe or scope;
  • classification is exhaustive: it covers all possible elements in the universe even if all examples of such universe are not provided in the publication;
  • categories are mutually exclusive: no overlapping in the scope of each classification item or category (to avoid double counting);
  • classification structure is hierarchical: lower categories are dependent of their higher categories;
  • classification structure is rectangular: the classification has a code represented at every level across its whole structure, regardless of the scope of each category;
  • classification is comparable to other classifications (of the same domain);
  • classification categories are empirically significant;
  • classification is organized around one or few concepts (e.g., industry, economic activity);
  • classification contains groupings meaningful to users;
  • classification is widely adopted.

Principle 3: The classification is related to data that is collectible and publishable (collectability and reportability): whether data can be collected and reported on the industry class . For a detailed industry to be included in NAICS and expecting statistics to come out of it, Statistics Canada must be able to collect and report data, otherwise, categories will not provide opportunities to produce relevant statistics. Statistics Canada is responsible for producing data across a broad range of industries in Canada and conducts comprehensive surveys that collect industry and labour market data.

Principle 4: The classification supports the maintenance of time series continuity to the extent possible; that is, the ability to maintain data series over time without interruption due to classification changes. To the extent possible, new industry classes proposed for the current version of NAICS and beyond should be easily linked by appropriate correspondence to previous version the NAICS (e.g., NAICS 2022 to NAICS 2017 and NAICS 2017 to NAICS 2012).

Guidelines developed by Statistics Canada provided for the launch of the permanent consultation process for NAICS will assist users and the NAICS team and working groups in consistently making changes to NAICS.

Principle 5: The classification continues to be relevant, that is, it must be of analytical interest, result in data useful to users, and be based on appropriate statistical research, subject-matter expertise and administrative relevance aligned with statistical classification principles and needs.

Principle 6: The prevalence of classification principles and statistical needs: NAICS is designed primarily for statistical purposes. Although there can be various uses of NAICS for non-statistical purposes (e.g., for administrative, regulatory, or policy functions), the requirements of government agencies or private users that choose to use NAICS for non-statistical purposes are responsible for such use of the classification. As a result, the NAICS team reviews comments and develops its recommendations based on established statistical classification principles and guidelines. Making changes for strictly administrative rather than classification purposes is not supported. Similarly, the volume of comments does not determine what the recommendations will be, and just submitting a request for a change does not automatically result into a change in NAICS.

Underlying Concepts and Classification Criteria of the NAICS

Establishment-based classification

NAICS is designed for the compilation of production statistics and, therefore, for the classification of data relating to establishments. It takes into account the specialization of activities generally found at the level of the producing units of businesses. The criteria used to group establishments into industries in NAICS are similarity of input structures, labour skills and production processes.

NAICS can also be used for classifying companies and enterprises. However, when NAICS is used in this way, the following caveat applies: NAICS has not been specially designed to take account of the wide range of vertically- or horizontally-integrated activities of large and complex, multi-establishment companies and enterprises. Hence, there will be a few large and complex companies and enterprises whose activities may be spread over the different sectors of NAICS, in such a way that classifying them to one sector will misrepresent the range of their activities. However, in general, a larger proportion of the activities of each complex company and enterprise is more likely to fall within the sector, subsector and industry group levels of the classification than within the industry levels. Hence, the higher levels of the classification are more suitable for the classification of companies and enterprises than are the lower levels. It should also be kept in mind that when businesses are composed of establishments belonging to different NAICS industries, their company- and enterprise-level data will show a different industrial distribution, when classified to NAICS, than will their establishment-level data, and the data will not be directly comparable.

While NAICS is designed for the classification of units engaged in market and non-market production, as defined by the System of National Accounts, it can also be used to classify own-account production, such as the unpaid work of households.

Unit of observation

The unit of observation of the industrial classification is the producing unit or establishment, and the industrial classification groups producing units, not products. Groupings of producing units permit the collection of data on inputs and outputs on a comparable basis. Because establishments each produce a number of products in different combinations and using different technologies, it is hardly possible to group all the establishments producing a particular product. It is more useful to use a production-oriented approach to bring together, into industries, establishments with common input structures, and to compile data on their outputs. This permits the compilation of comprehensive data on the total output of each product by industry and across all industries.

Statistical purposes

NAICS has been designed for statistical purposes. Government departments and agencies and other users that use it for administrative, legislative and other non-statistical purposes take responsibility for applying the classification in this manner.

NAICS is based on a production-oriented, or supply-based conceptual framework in that establishments are grouped into industries according to similarity in the production processes used to produce goods and services. The production process refers to the combination of inputs used in producing a certain quantity of outputs. A production-oriented industry classification system ensures that statistical agencies in the three countries can produce information on inputs and outputs, industrial performance, productivity, unit labour costs, employment, and other statistics that reflect structural changes occurring in the three economies.

Producing units are grouped into industries according to similarities in their production processes as defined earlier. The boundaries between industries demarcate, in principle, differences in input structures and production technologies. This means that, in the language of economics, producing units within an industry have similar production functions that differ from those of producing units in other industries.

Share your feedback on the General Social Survey

Current status: open

Consultation period: February 25, 2026 to April 25, 2026

Respondents are invited to provide feedback on GSS data needs, preferred indicator frequency and availability, and potential data gaps for future cycles.

2026 Census Teacher's Kit
Census of Population quiz questions (answer key)

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Teacher's 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 Teacher's Kit—Census of Population quiz questions (answer key) (PDF, 111.88 KB)

1. What is the main purpose of the Census of Population?

  1. To track people's spending habits
  2. To count the number of tourists in Canada
  3. To collect information about Canada's population
  4. To record historical events

Correct Answer: C

2. How often is the Census of Population conducted?

  1. Every year
  2. Every 5 years
  3. Every 10 years
  4. Every 2 years

Correct Answer: B

3. Who is included in the Census of Population?

  1. Only Canadian citizens
  2. Only people over the age of 30
  3. Everyone living in Canada
  4. Only property owners

Correct Answer: C

4. Which government agency is responsible for conducting the census in Canada?

  1. Canada Revenue Agency
  2. Statistics Canada
  3. Service Canada
  4. Canadian Heritage

Correct Answer: B

5. What type of information does the Census of Population collect?

  1. Medical records
  2. Internet usage
  3. Population and housing data
  4. Personal bank details

Correct Answer: C

6. Is completing the census mandatory in Canada?

  1. No, it's voluntary
  2. Yes, by law
  3. Only during election years
  4. Only if you were born in Canada

Correct Answer: B

7. How do governments use census data?

  1. To plan public services like schools and hospitals
  2. To create advertisements
  3. To give out fines
  4. To track online activity

Correct Answer: A

8. Which of the following is not a typical census question?

  1. Age
  2. Gender
  3. Favorite color
  4. Employment status

Correct Answer: C

9. What is the long-form census questionnaire?

  1. A version sent to every person
  2. A test for government workers
  3. A quiz for students
  4. A more detailed questionnaire sent to a sample of households

Correct Answer: D

10. What percentage of the population receives the long-form census versus the short-form census?

  1. Long-form (25%) and short-form (75%)
  2. Long-form (50%) and short-form (50%)
  3. Long-form (75%) and short-form (25%)
  4. Long-form (90%) and short-form (10%)

Correct Answer: A

11. Can your personal information and individual census answers be shared with other government departments?

  1. No, it's confidential by law
  2. Only with your doctor
  3. Yes, automatically
  4. Only if you agree

Correct Answer: A

12. What can happen if someone refuses to complete the census?

  1. They may be fined or required to complete it
  2. They may lose access to certain services
  3. Nothing
  4. They may be reminded the next year

Correct Answer: A

13. Who uses census data?

  1. Only teachers
  2. Only politicians
  3. Government only
  4. Governments, businesses, researchers, and communities

Correct Answer: D

14. How do most people complete the census today?

  1. Through social media
  2. In-person
  3. By phone
  4. Online or on paper

Correct Answer: D

15. What does the census help the government understand about a community?

  1. Its history
  2. Its current needs and how to plan for future services
  3. Its social media trends
  4. Its weather

Correct Answer: B

16. Who is especially important to include in the census?

  1. Every individual, especially underrepresented communities
  2. Celebrities
  3. Tourists
  4. Businesses

Correct Answer: A

17. How does the census help schools?

  1. It helps determine funding and where schools are needed
  2. It gives homework topics
  3. It evaluates teachers
  4. It rates students

Correct Answer: A

18. Why could census data be important for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities?

  1. To monitor environmental changes
  2. To reduce taxes
  3. To support programs and services tailored to their needs
  4. To compare to other countries

Correct Answer: C

19. What happens to census records after 92 years?

  1. They're mailed back to participants
  2. They're sent to international organizations
  3. They're published through Library and Archives Canada for public and historical research
  4. They're destroyed

Correct Answer: C

20. What is a benefit of students understanding the census?

  1. They become informed citizens who understand how decisions are made
  2. They get paid
  3. They can influence video game design
  4. They can skip class

Correct Answer: A

2026 Census Teacher's Kit
Census of Population quiz questions (student version)

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Teacher's 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 Teacher's Kit—Census of Population quiz questions (student version) (PDF, 114.34 KB)

1. What is the main purpose of the Census of Population?

  1. To track people's spending habits
  2. To count the number of tourists in Canada
  3. To collect information about Canada's population
  4. To record historical events

2. How often is the Census of Population conducted?

  1. Every year
  2. Every 5 years
  3. Every 10 years
  4. Every 2 years

3. Who is included in the Census of Population?

  1. Only Canadian citizens
  2. Only people over the age of 30
  3. Everyone living in Canada
  4. Only property owners

4. Which government agency is responsible for conducting the census in Canada?

  1. Canada Revenue Agency
  2. Statistics Canada
  3. Service Canada
  4. Canadian Heritage

5. What type of information does the Census of Population collect?

  1. Medical records
  2. Internet usage
  3. Population and housing data
  4. Personal bank details

6. Is completing the census mandatory in Canada?

  1. No, it's voluntary
  2. Yes, by law
  3. Only during election years
  4. Only if you were born in Canada

7. How do governments use census data?

  1. To plan public services like schools and hospitals
  2. To create advertisements
  3. To give out fines
  4. To track online activity

8. Which of the following is not a typical census question?

  1. Age
  2. Gender
  3. Favorite color
  4. Employment status

9. What is the long-form census questionnaire?

  1. A version sent to every person
  2. A test for government workers
  3. A quiz for students
  4. A more detailed questionnaire sent to a sample of households

10. What percentage of the population receives the long-form census versus the short-form census?

  1. Long-form (25%) and short-form (75%)
  2. Long-form (50%) and short-form (50%)
  3. Long-form (75%) and short-form (25%)
  4. Long-form (90%) and short-form (10%)

11. Can your personal information and individual census answers be shared with other government departments?

  1. No, it's confidential by law
  2. Only with your doctor
  3. Yes, automatically
  4. Only if you agree

12. What can happen if someone refuses to complete the census?

  1. They may be fined or required to complete it
  2. They may lose access to certain services
  3. Nothing
  4. They may be reminded the next year

13. Who uses census data?

  1. Only teachers
  2. Only politicians
  3. Government only
  4. Governments, businesses, researchers, and communities

14. How do most people complete the census today?

  1. Through social media
  2. In-person
  3. By phone
  4. Online or on paper

15. What does the census help the government understand about a community?

  1. Its history
  2. Its current needs and how to plan for future services
  3. Its social media trends
  4. Its weather

16. Who is especially important to include in the census?

  1. Every individual, especially underrepresented communities
  2. Celebrities
  3. Tourists
  4. Businesses

17. How does the census help schools?

  1. It helps determine funding and where schools are needed
  2. It gives homework topics
  3. It evaluates teachers
  4. It rates students

18. Why could census data be important for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities?

  1. To monitor environmental changes
  2. To reduce taxes
  3. To support programs and services tailored to their needs
  4. To compare to other countries

19. What happens to census records after 92 years?

  1. They're mailed back to participants
  2. They're sent to international organizations
  3. They're published through Library and Archives Canada for public and historical research
  4. They're destroyed

20. What is a benefit of students understanding the census?

  1. They become informed citizens who understand how decisions are made
  2. They get paid
  3. They can influence video game design
  4. They can skip class

2026 Census Teacher's Kit
Activity 4—Comic Strip 3: The Urban Apartment

While you can use the current Web version to navigate the Teacher's 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 Teacher's Kit—Activity 4—Comic Strip 3: The Urban Apartment (PDF, 2.41 MB)

Setting: A young adult living alone in a high-rise apartment in a busy city.

Comic Strip 3: The Urban Apartment
Text description - Comic Strip 3: The Urban Apartment

Frame 1:

Scene: A young adult checks their mailbox, and pulls out an envelope marked "2026 Census"

Thought bubble: "Oh… I forgot about the census."

Frame 2:

Scene: Inside the apartment, the young adult holds the census envelope, looking unsure.

Speech bubble (to self): "Does filling it out really matter? I'm just one person."

Frame 3:

Scene: The young adult sits on a couch and looking at the census website on their phone.

Caption box: "Census data help plan things like transit, housing, and job programs in your area."

Thought bubble: "Actually… that affects me a lot."

Frame 4:

Scene: The young adult smiles slightly while completing the census online on their smartphone. The background shows the city skyline through the window.

Caption box: "Completing your census is confidential, quick and easy. Help shape the future."

Reflection questions

  • How can census data help cities make decisions about things like public transit, housing, and jobs?
  • Why might some young people feel like the census doesn't relate to them?
  • What are some ways we can help more people understand why the census matters and encourage them to take part?