Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2021

Business or organization information

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

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

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

Year business or organization was first established:

OR

Don't know

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

Select all that apply.

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

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

Exclude seasonal factors or conditions.

  • Number of employees
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Vacant positions
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Sales of goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Selling price of goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Demand for goods and services offered by this business or organization
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Imports
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Exports
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Operating income
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Operating expenses
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Profitability
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Capital expenditures
    e.g., machinery, equipment
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable
  • Training expenditures
    • Increase
    • Stay about the same
    • Decrease
    • Not applicable

Business or organization obstacles

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

Select all that apply.

  • Shortage of labour force
  • Recruiting skilled employees
  • Retaining skilled employees
  • Shortage of space or equipment
  • Rising cost of inputs
    An input is an economic resource used in a firm's production process.
    e.g., labour, capital, energy and raw materials
  • Cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), additional cleaning or implementing distancing requirements
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from within Canada
  • Difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies from abroad
  • Maintaining inventory levels
  • Insufficient demand for goods or services offered
  • Fluctuations in consumer demand
  • Attracting new or returning customers
  • Cost of insurance
  • Transportation costs
  • Obtaining financing
  • Government regulations
  • Travel restrictions and travel bans
  • Increasing competition
  • Challenges related to exporting goods and services
  • Maintaining sufficient cash flow or managing debt
  • Speed of internet connection
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Other
    • Specify other:
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business, go to Q6. Otherwise, go to Q8.

Expectations for the next year

6. In the next 12 months, are there any plans to expand or restructure this business, or acquire or invest in other businesses?

Restructuring involves changing the financial, operational, legal or other structures of a business to make it more efficient or more profitable.

  • Yes
    • Does this business plan to:
      Select all that apply.
      • Expand current location of this business
      • Expand this business to other locations
      • Restructure this business
      • Acquire other businesses or franchises
      • Invest in other businesses
  • No
  • Don't know

7. In the next 12 months, are there any plans to transfer, sell or close this business?

  • Yes
    • Does this business plan to:
      • Transfer to family members without money changing hands
      • Sell to family members
      • Sell to employees
      • Sell to external parties
      • Close the business
      • Don't know
  • No
  • Don't know

Flow condition: If "Export goods outside of Canada" or "Export services outside of Canada" is selected in Q3, go to Q8. Otherwise, go to Q14.

Digital ordering

Extranet:
A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI):
The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organisations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.

8. It was reported in a previous question that in the last 12 months, this business or organization exported goods or services outside of Canada. What percentage of these export sales were digitally ordered?

Include all sales of this business's or organization's goods or services where the order was received, and the commitment to purchase was made, over the Internet, including through web pages, applications, platforms, extranet or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Exclude orders made by telephone, facsimile and email.

  • 100%
  • 50% to less than 100%
  • 1% to less than 50%
  • None

Flow condition: If "Export goods outside of Canada" is selected in Q3 and "100%", "50% to less than 100%" or "1% to less than 50%" is selected in Q8, go to Q9. Otherwise, go to the next flow.

Digital ordering of goods

9. In the last 12 months, which digital methods were used to order goods by customers or clients in other countries?

Select all that apply.

  • Electronic data interchange (EDI)
    The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organizations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.
  • E-commerce, through this business's or organization's own website, application or platform
  • E-commerce, through a third-party website, application or platform
  • Extranet
    A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.
    OR
  • Goods were not digitally ordered by customers or clients in other countries from this business or organization

Flow condition: If "Export services outside of Canada" is selected in Q3 and "100%", "50% to less than 100%" or "Less than 50%" is selected in Q8, go to Q9. Otherwise, go to the next flow.

Digital ordering of services

10. In the last 12 months, which digital methods were used to order services by customers or clients in other countries?

Select all that apply.

  • Electronic data interchange (EDI)
    The electronic transmission of data suitable for automated processing between businesses or organizations. Generally, EDI allows for the sending or receiving of messages (e.g., payment transactions, tax declarations, orders) in an agreed or standard format suitable for automated processing, and does not require an individual to type a message manually.
  • E-commerce, through this business's or organization's own website, application or platform
  • E-commerce, through a third-party website, application or platform
  • Extranet
    A closed network that uses internet protocols to securely share enterprise's information with suppliers, vendors, customers or other businesses partners. It can take the form of a secure extension of an Intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the enterprise's Intranet. It can also be a private part of the enterprise's website, where business partners can navigate after being authenticated in a login page.
    OR
  • Services were not digitally ordered by customers or clients in other countries from this business or organization

Flow condition: If any digital method to order services was selected in Q10, go to Q11. Otherwise, go to Q14.

11. In the last 12 months, for services digitally ordered by customers or clients in other countries, how were the services delivered to them by this business or organization?

Select all that apply.

  • Services were delivered digitally
    e.g., service provider and client remain in their respective countries with services delivered outside of Canada via electronic data interchange (EDI), video conferencing with clients, file sharing, websites, applications or platforms, or extranet
  • Services were delivered in person
    Include services delivered through a subsidiary or sub-contractor in country of client, or travel of service provider or client to have service delivered in-person.
    e.g., services related to the installation of goods, on-site environmental assessments

Flow condition: If "Services were delivered digitally" is selected in Q11, go to Q12. Otherwise, go to Q14.

12. In the last 12 months, how have sales of digitally delivered services to customers or clients in other countries changed?

e.g., Service provider and client remain in their respective countries with services delivered outside of Canada via electronic data interchange (EDI), video conferencing with clients, file sharing, websites, applications or platforms, or extranet

  • Increased
  • Remained stable
  • Decreased
  • Don't know

13. Which of the following is this business's or organization's preferred means for digitally delivering services to customers or clients in other countries?

  • Electronic data interchange (EDI)
  • Over the internet, through online websites, file sharing, video conferencing, applications or platforms
  • Extranet
  • Other
    • Specify other:

Environmental activities

14. Which of the following environmental practices does this business or organization have currently in place or plan to implement in the next 12 months?

Select all that apply.

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

15. In the next 12 months, what is this business's or organization's main barrier for adopting more green practices?

  • COVID-19 has delayed the business's or organization's plans for green projects
  • The business or organization doesn't have the financial resources
  • The business's or organization's clients aren't willing to pay a higher price
  • Other
    • Specify other:
    OR
  • None of the above
    i.e., The business or organization has no barriers or no plans to adopt green practices

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

16. Where does this business or organization get or plan to get its personal protective equipment or supplies from?

e.g., masks, eye protection, face shields, gloves, gowns, cleaning products, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, plexiglass or sneeze guards, thermometers

Select all that apply.

  • Domestic producer
  • International producer
  • Domestic wholesaler
  • International wholesaler
  • Domestic retailer
  • International retailer
  • Other
    OR
  • None of the above

17. Since March 2020, which of the following products has this business or organization manufactured?

Select all that apply.

  • Respirators
  • Surgical masks
  • Medical gowns
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Face shields
  • Nitrile gloves
    OR
  • None of the above

18. 12 months from now, which of the following products does this business or organization plan to manufacture?

Select all that apply.

  • Respirators
  • Surgical masks
  • Medical gowns
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Face shields
  • Nitrile gloves
    OR
  • None of the above

COVID-19 Rapid Testing

COVID-19 Rapid Test kits are self-testing kits that are used to assess and monitor the infection status of individuals with or without symptoms. Typically such kits provide a result within 15 minutes and can be used by employers to screen for COVID-19 among employees in settings where in-person work is required. Positive test results typically require confirmation by more accurate laboratory-based tests administered by public health authorities.

19. Over the last month, has this business or organization used COVID-19 Rapid Test kits to test on-site employees for COVID-19 infection?

e.g., periodic testing of employees with or without symptoms

  • Yes
    • Over the last month, what percentage of this business's or organization's on-site employees was tested using a COVID-19 Rapid Test kit at least once?
      • Percentage:
      • Don't know
    • Over the last month, on average, how frequently were employees at this business or organization tested using COVID-19 Rapid Test kits?
      • Less than once a week
      • Once a week
      • Twice a week
      • More than twice a week
  • No
    • In the next three months, does this business or organization plan to use COVID-19 Rapid Test kits to test on-site employees for COVID-19 infection?
      • Yes
      • No
      • Don't know
  • Not applicable to this business or organization
    e.g., all employees work remotely

Flow condition: If "No" is selected in Q19 and then "No", or "Don't know" is selected, go to Q20. Otherwise, go to Q21.

20. For which of the following reasons does this business or organization not have plans to use COVID-19 Rapid Test kits in the next three months?

Select all that apply.

  • Lack of awareness
  • Difficulty procuring
  • Cost of tests
  • Cost of administering tests
  • Not needed
  • Other
    • Specify other:

Funding or credit

21. Due to COVID-19, was funding or credit for this business or organization approved or received from any of the following sources?

Select all that apply.

  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
    e.g., loan of up to $60,000 for eligible small businesses and non-profits
  • Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
  • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
  • Export Development Canada (EDC) Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program
  • Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
  • Innovation Assistance Program
  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
  • Provincial, Territorial or Municipal government programs
  • Funding from philanthropic or mutual-aid sources
  • Financial institution
    e.g., term loan or line of credit
  • Loan from family or friends
  • Other
    • Specify other approved source of funding or credit:
    OR
  • None of the above

Flow condition: If "None of the above" is selected in Q21, go to Q22. Otherwise, go to Q23.

22. For which of the following reasons has this business or organization not accessed any funding or credit due to COVID-19?

Select all that apply.

  • Funding or credit not needed
  • Waiting for approval or in process of applying
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Application requirements or complexity
  • Lack of awareness
  • Terms and conditions
    e.g., interest rate, payment period
  • Public perception
  • Other
    • Specify other:

Liquidity and debt

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

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

24. Does this business or organization have the ability to take on debt?

  • Yes
  • No
    • For which of the following reasons is this business or organization unable to take on debt?
      Select all that apply.
      • Cash flow
      • Lack of confidence or uncertainty in future sales
      • Request would be turned down
      • Too difficult or time consuming to apply
      • Terms and conditions are unfavourable
        e.g., interest rate, payment period
      • Credit rating
      • Other
        • Specify other:
  • Don't know

Outsourcing

25. In the last 12 months, has this business or organization outsourced any tasks, projects or short contracts to freelancers, "gig" workers or other businesses or organizations?

Examples of tasks, projects or short contracts might include delivery driving, cleaning, translation, and web or graphic design.

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Flow condition: If "Yes" is selected in Q25, go to Q26. Otherwise, go to Q27.

26. In the last 12 months, has this business or organization used third-party digital platforms, applications or websites to outsource tasks, projects, or short contracts?

e.g., UberEats, Fiverr, TaskRabbit, Upwork, Amazon Turk
Exclude online job boards.

  • Yes
    • In the last 12 months, what kind of business or organizational activities did this business or organization subcontract through third-party digital platforms, applications or websites?
      Select all that apply.
      • Data entry, tagging photos or videos, and other clerical tasks
      • Copywriting, editing, translation, transcription
      • Graphic design, audio-visual production
      • Website or software development, computer programming
      • Sales and marketing support
      • Delivery driving, errands
      • General labour, repairs, cleaning services
      • Accounting, law or other professional services
      • Other
        • Specify other:
  • No

27. In the last 12 months, has this business or organization bid on tasks, projects, or short contracts using third-party digital platforms, applications or websites?

e.g., Fiverr, TaskRabbit, Upwork, Amazon Turk

  • Yes
  • No

Teleworking

28. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, what percentage of the workforce is anticipated to continue to primarily telework?

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

Flow condition: If 1% or more of this business's or organization's workforce is anticipated to continue to primarily telework in Q28, go to Q29. Otherwise, go to Q30.

29. Does this business or organization foresee shrinking office locations because more of the workforce is teleworking?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know

Future outlook

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

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

31. How long can this business or organization continue to operate at its current level of revenue and expenditures before having to consider the following options?

Select "12 months or more" if this business or organization can operate indefinitely.

  • Laying off staff:
    • Less than 1 month
    • 1 month to less than 3 months
    • 3 months to less than 6 months
    • 6 months to less than 12 months
    • 12 months or more
    • Don't know
  • Closure or bankruptcy:
    • Less than 1 month
    • 1 month to less than 3 months
    • 3 months to less than 6 months
    • 6 months to less than 12 months
    • 12 months or more
    • Don't know

Flow condition: If the business or organization is a private sector business, go to Q32. Otherwise, go to "Contact person".

Ownership

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

32. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by women?

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

33. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples?

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

34. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by immigrants to Canada?

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

35. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by persons with a disability?

Include visible and non-visible disabilities.

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

36. What percentage of this business or organization is owned by LGBTQ2 individuals?

The term LGBTQ2 refers to persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or two-spirited.

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

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

A member of a visible minority in Canada may be defined as someone (other than an Indigenous person) who is non-white in colour or race, regardless of place of birth.

Provide your best estimate rounded to the nearest percentage.

Percentage:

OR

Don't know

Flow condition: If more than 50% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities, go to Q38. Otherwise, go to "Contact person".

38. It was indicated that over 50% of this business or organization is owned by members of visible minorities. Please select the categories that describe the owner or owners.

Select all that apply.

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