Glossary

Annual Retail Trade Survey
The Annual Retail Trade Survey measures, on an annual basis, the operating and financial characteristics of Canadian retailers. Canadian Industry Statistics combines data from the Annual Retail Chain Survey and the Annual Retail Non-store Survey.Data from these surveys provide information on revenue, expenses and inventory. The data is used by all levels of government, government agencies, the retail industry and individuals in assessing trends within the industry, measuring performance, benchmarking and to study the evolving structure of the retail industry. The information is also a critical input into the measure of gross margins in the Canadian System of National Accounts (CSNA).
Annual Survey of Manufactures and Logging
The data analyzed in Canadian Industry Statistics corresponds with Canadian Socio-Economic Information Management System, CANSIM Table 301-0008. This particular table consists of data on the activities of all manufacturers in Canada.The survey is based on establishments rather than companies or enterprises. See statistical units used in business surveys on Statistics Canada's site for more details on how these are defined in this context.The Annual Survey of Manufactures and Logging collects financial and production data. The main financial data are the value of manufacturing revenues, employment data (salaries and wages), the cost of raw materials and energy consumption. Commodity data (materials and components, as well as goods shipped) are also collected for establishments that are sent a long form questionnaire.
  • Specific data elements gathered from this survey include:
    • total salaries and wages
    • cost of materials and supplies
    • cost of energy, water and vehicle fuel
    • total revenue
    • revenue from goods manufactured
    • manufacturing value added
NAICS codes are assigned according to the establishment's primary activity. In most cases, when an establishment is engaged in more than one activity, the activities are treated as independent. The activity with the largest value-added is identified as the establishment’s primary activity, and the establishment is classified to the industry corresponding to that activity. In practice, it is often necessary to use other variables, such as total revenues, manufacturing revenues, or employment, as proxies for value added.
Annual Wholesale Trade Survey
The objective of the Annual wholesale trade survey is to present timely information on the operating revenues, expenditures and inventory of wholesalers in Canada by trade group and at national and provincial or territorial levels for the previous calendar year. The data is used by all levels of government, government agencies, the wholesale industry and individuals in assessing trends, within the industry, measuring performance, benchmarking and to study the evolving structure of the wholesale industry. The information is also a critical input into the measure of gross margins in the Canadian System of National Accounts (CSNA).
Chained dollars
A methodology implemented by Statistics Canada which takes into account fluctuations in relative prices and the composition of output over time. In "Canadian Industry Statistics", Gross Domestic Product at basic prices by industry is presented in chained dollars.
Cost of energy, water and vehicle fuel
Cost of purchased energy and water utility expenses and electricity consumed for energy purposes only, both in manufacturing and non-manufacturing operations. This covers amounts used in all vehicles, plant and office operations, and any support units which is part of the establishment.Any fuel purchased as an input into the manufacturing process as a feedstock or processing material (e.g. crude oil processed into gasoline) or for other non-energy purposes is excluded.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold represents the cost value of goods sold and recognized in revenue, during the reporting period. It is determined by calculating: Opening inventory + Purchases – Closing Inventory.
Cost of materials and supplies
The total cost of all manufacturing inputs purchased, owned and used in manufacturing operations. Only commodity items or physical goods are reported and not costs of services or overhead charges.
  • The cost of materials and supplies includes:
    • purchases of raw materials and components (including any fuel used for non-energy purposes);
    • containers and shipping materials;
    • stumpage fees (for logging operations);
    • cost of supplies used to operate, maintain and repair buildings and equipment; and,
    • amount paid to other business units for work done on materials owned.
    • Excluded are:
    • costs of services or overhead charges such as advertising, insurance, depreciation, interest, contract Services
    • GST; and,
    • fuel used for energy purposes.
Current dollars
Measurements are valued at the current price within the given period of time.
Employer (type of establishment)
Defined as an establishment where total employment equals one or more regular worker(s).
  • Regular workers exclude:
    • contract workers (not part of an establishment's payroll);
    • company pensioners;
    • working owners, owners and partners of unincorporated businesses;
    • persons working on a full commission basis for whom the establishment makes no pension fund or unemployment insurance contributions;
    • outside directors of incorporated companies.
The “Employers” category includes all companies both incorporated and unincorporated businesses. We recommend you exercise caution when using the establishment counts for both employment types in combination. The data is collected from different sources. Added together the two employment types do not necessarily make up the universe of companies.
Employment size category
Employment size categories from Statistics Canada have been re-grouped into Canadian Industry Statistics. Here are the categories under the following employment size ranges:
Micro 1-4 employees
Small 5-99 employees
Medium 100-499 employees
Large 500 + employees
Establishment
The standardized model developed at Statistics Canada for business surveys consists of a four level hierarchy. The four statistical entity subtypes are - the enterprise, the company, the establishment and the location. Each subtype is associated with a particular class or level of economic data. The establishment (third in the hierarchy) is the level at which the accounting data required to measure production is available (principal inputs, revenues, salaries and wages).The establishment, as a statistical unit, is defined as the most homogeneous unit of production for which the business maintains accounting records from which it is possible to assemble all the data elements required to compile the full structure of the gross value of production (total sales or shipments, and inventories), the cost of materials and services, and labour and capital used in production. Generally, the establishment corresponds to a plant, mill or factory. However, the establishment may comprise more than one plant if accounting records do not permit separate reports for each one. An establishment may also include ancillary or support units, such as sales offices or warehouses.
Financial Performance Data
Financial Performance Data generates reports using data created by Statistics Canada using a sample of Revenue Canada tax returns for both incorporated and unincorporated businesses operating in Canada. The reports provide selected revenue, expense, profit and balance sheet items as well as financial ratios on small business in Canada.The target population consists of small businesses which are defined as those having annual revenue between $30,000 and $5,000,000 and $5M to $20M. The information is presented by industry using the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) to the 6 digit level. For the unincorporated businesses, the data from the business income statement schedules, attached to the T1 e-file tax return, are used. For the incorporated businesses operating in Canada, the balance sheet and income statements of the General Index of Financial Information (GIFI) schedules, attached to the tax return (T2), are used.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by industry measures the value of output of an industry less the value of intermediate inputs required in the production process. In this sense, it is an output-based measure of economic activity and is commonly referred to as the "value-added" of an industry. GDP is gross in the sense that it does not deduct the depreciation of capital, and domestic as it measures production occurring within the political boundaries of Canada. GDP by industry is expressed in basic prices, that is, it includes taxes paid and subsidies received on the factors of production (labour or capital).This Statistics Canada activity provides Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at basic prices as a measure of the economic production which takes place within the geographical boundaries of Canada.
Industry
Corresponds to the 5-digit level designation in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Labour productivity index
Labour productivity is defined in simple terms as output, measured as real Gross Domestic Product (in chained dollars), per hour worked in the business sector. Labour productivity derived from real GDP is presented as an index in order to avoid methodological problems associated with level comparisons.
Manufacturing intensity
Manufacturing intensity is defined as the ratio of manufacturing value-added to manufacturing shipments.
Manufacturing shipments
Manufacturing shipments report the production of goods produced by Canadian establishments in the manufacturing sector (NAICS 31-33). It measures the monetary value, not the quantity of manufactured goods produced.
Manufacturing value added
Manufacturing value-added, a measure of net output, consists of manufacturing shipments plus net change in inventory of goods in process and finished goods, less cost of purchased inputs (which are the cost of materials and supplies used and the cost of fuel and electricity) for manufacturing activities. Manufacturing value added is calculated as follows: Revenue from goods manufactured plus (Closing inventories, goods or work in process + Closing inventories, finished goods manufactured) minus (Opening inventories, goods or work in process + Opening inventories, finished goods manufactured) minus (Opening inventories of raw materials and components + Cost of materials and supplies + Total cost of energy, water utility and vehicle fuel) minus closing inventories of raw materials and components.
Non-employer or indeterminate
An employment size category defined as establishments with no or an indeterminate quantity of employees. The establishments in the "indeterminate" category do not maintain an employee payroll, but may have a workforce which consists of contracted workers, family members or business owners. They also include employers who did not have employees in the last 12 months. Please note that the employment is mostly based on data derived from payroll remittances. The “non-employers / indeterminate” category includes all incorporated businesses but only includes the unincorporated businesses with annual revenues over $30,000 (non-taxable and taxable). You should also note that companies that only have contract workers with no employee payroll are included in the “non-employers / indeterminate” category. We recommend you exercise caution when using the establishment counts for both employment types in combination. The data is collected from different sources. Added together the two employment types do not necessarily make up the universe of companies.
Non-manufacturing activity (revenues from) also called "Other revenues"
Manufacturing establishments may also engage in non-manufacturing activities and receive revenue from these additional activities.
  • These include:
    • sales of goods purchased for resale (in same condition as purchased);
    • revenues from the rental or lease of manufactured products, machinery and equipment, and real property;
    • revenues from operations performed by their own labour force:
    • service revenues;
    • commissions on sales;
    • revenues from contracted shipping;
    • operation of cafeterias;
    • outside installation or construction not related to own products;
    • sale of used materials;
    • research and development;
    • royalties and franchise fees;
    • interest revenues and dividends;
    • subsidies (includes grants, donations and fundraising).
North American Classification System (NAICS)
The industries on this site are classified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This Industry classification is maintained by Statistics Canada.
Operating expense - manufacturing
Total operating expenses includes all expenses such as labour, rental and leasing, advertising, amortization and depreciation, management fees, etc. This excludes interest expenses.
Operating revenue - manufacturing
Total operating revenue is the sum of sales of goods purchased for resale, commission revenue, sales of goods produced, repair and maintenance revenue, from rental and leasing and other operating revenue.
Salaries
Salaries paid to employees are gross amounts before deductions for income tax and employee contributions to various benefit plans. Vacation and overtime pay are included, but not expenses associated with contract workers, employment agencies or casual labour. Employer contributions to employee benefit plans are also excluded.
Sector
Corresponds to the 2-digit level designation in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Sub-sector
Corresponds to the 3-digit level designation in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Small and medium size establishment
An establishment which employs, on average, less than 500 employees in a given year. For specific information on small and medium size categories for establishments refer to employment size categories.
Standard of living
The most frequently used formula to calculate the standard of living for a country is Gross Domestic Product per capita (per person). However many indices have been created to incorporate other factors which contribute to a country's standard of living, such as infant mortality rate, life expectancy, fertility rate, literacy and education, to name a few.
Total revenue - manufacturing
Total revenue includes revenue from the sale of goods and services, commissions, rentals and leasing and other sources of revenue. It excludes capital gains or losses, equity in net income of related parties, interest and dividends.
Trade Data Online
Trade Data Online provides custom-based statistics on international trade in goods to help you:
  • Find new import or export markets;
  • Determine competition for your products;
  • Identify domestic opportunities for import replacement;
  • Discover a country's trade balance.