This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Management — Environmental aspects.
• Green products.
• Green marketing.
• Green movement — Economic aspects.
• Business enterprises — Environmental aspects.
• New business enterprises — Management.
• Small business — Management.
• Business planning.

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

illume

A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

Business Plans

LivePlan.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Energy Conservation Business
• Green Office Supplies Retail Business
• Organic Food Store Business

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing

This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Greenland, P. (2021). Environmental consultant. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook 49, 43-52. Retrieved from Gale eBooks database.
• Lucke, K. (2010). Organic cleaning supplies.  In L. Pearce (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook 16, 119-123. Retrieved from Gale eBooks database.
• Rekve, G. (2008). Environmentally–minded residential construction company. In L. Pearce (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook 13, 45-57. Retrieved from Gale eBooks database.
• Zuzu Enterprises. (2019). Composting business. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook 43, 51-56.  Retrieved from Gale eBooks database.

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

 

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process.

There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business:

• Government Funding: This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.
• Personal Savings: This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.
• Personal Loans: This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.
• Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending: Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.
• Private Financing/Equity Financing: This types of financing come in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Need More?

Funding & Financing Page

Check out this page in the Learn Business Basics section of our site to review a growing list of different ways to raise capital for Canadian businesses. It has many funding resources to explore that fall into the categories above, and well as sections with opportunities specifically for Indigenous, women, and youth entrepreneurs, as well as regional funding opportunities.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Green Business Funding Opportunities

AgriInnovate Program | A Government of Canada funding program aimed at accelerating innovative and sustainable technologies in the agriculture sector. 

BC Hydro Energy Studies & Audits: Energy Efficiency Feasibility Study | Provides businesses with a report on how they might upgrade their energy efficiency. Funding available.

BC Hydro Project Incentives: Distribution | Provides funding to businesses engaged in energy efficiency upgrade projects. 

Clean Foundation | This program offers funding to facilitate the hiring of student interns for clean technology initiatives. 

Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) | A Government of Canada funding project focused on the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Offers multiple streams: SME Projects, MUSH retrofits, and rebates for energy usage.

Export Development Canada (EDC): Clean Tech | Finances Canadian clean technology projects, including those led by small and medium businesses.

Indigenous Forestry Initiative | Funds Indigenous-led economic development in the forestry sector, with a sustainable focus.

MaRS Catalyst Fund | Provides funding and support to Canadian companies pursuing social and environmental outcomes with business models that scale.

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF): Net Zero Accelerator | A Government of Canada funding initiative which aims to “rapidly expedite decarbonization projects with large emitters, scale-up clean technology and accelerate Canada's industrial transformation across all sectors.”

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) | Clean Tech Fund | Provides funding for qualifying SME’s working with clean technologies.

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

Business Resources at Academic Libraries 

Colleges and Universities with business programs will have useful business collections you may be able to get access to through their academic library. Often these academic libraries can provide the general public with access to their collections, which include electronic resources like databases and e-books. For example, they could have alumni or community cards, and can provide temporary "guest" passes in certain situations. Contact your local college or university library to see what they can provide. Please note: you probably will not get access to their electronic resources with remote access.

Databases For Industry Research

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Agwu, U. J., & Bessan, J. (2021). Sustainable business models: A systematic review of approaches and challenges in manufacturing. Revista De Administração Contemporânea, 25(3), 1-18. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• First Research Industry Profiles. (2021). Remediation & environmental cleanup services - quarterly update 3/1/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Nguyen, N., & Johnson, L. W. (2020). Consumer behaviour and environmental sustainability. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 19(6), 539-541. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Rasool, S., Cerchione, R., & Salo, J. (2020). Assessing ethical consumer behavior for sustainable development: The mediating role of brand attachment. Sustainable Development, 28(6), 1620-1631. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Santos, M. A. D., Svensson, G., & Padin, C. (2014). Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable business practices: Framework and empirical illustration. Corporate Governance, 14(4), 515-530. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Testa, F., Iovino, R., & Iraldo, F. (2020). The circular economy and consumer behaviour: The mediating role of information seeking in buying circular packaging. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(8), 3435-3448. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Business Development Bank of Canada. (2021). Over 80% of entrepreneurs say it's their responsibility to take action to protect the environment: BDC study. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• BCC Research Staff. (2020). Climate resilient cities: Resilient building design and planning [Report Code ENV050A]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2019). Electric vehicle supply equipment market [Report Code AVM176A]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2021). Global markets for environmental remediation technologies [Report Code ENV006D]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2019). Green solvents: Technologies, emerging opportunities and markets [Report Code CHM087A].  BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2018). Rainwater Harvesting Technologies: Global Markets to 2022 [Report Code ENV038A]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2019). Soy-based adhesives: Trends and global markets [Report Code CHM119A].  BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2021). U.S. indoor air quality market [Report Code ENV003H]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Research Staff. (2015). The U.S. market for green building materials [Report Code ENV007C] . BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• Flexible Green Packaging: Global Markets Through 2022 https://academic.bccresearch.com/market-research/engineering/flexible-g…
  
   

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Caldera, H. T. S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2019). Evaluating the enablers and barriers for successful implementation of sustainable business practice in “lean” SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production 218, 575–590. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Chen, J., & Wu, S. (2015). A comparison of green business relationship models between Industry types. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence 26(7), 778–92. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Zhang, L., Gregson, G., Ren, B., & Shan, M. (2017). Transforming business models for sustainable green innovations. Proceedings of ISPIM Conferences, 1–14. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

• Greenest City Projects: Dataset and Map

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• First Research Industry Profiles. (2021). Automobile parts manufacturing - quarterly update 2/22/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• First Research Industry Profiles. (2021). Remediation & environmental cleanup services - quarterly update 3/1/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• First Research Industry Profiles. (2021). Retail sector - quarterly update 3/1/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• First Research Industry Profiles. (2021). Specialty eateries - quarterly update 2/1/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Gonzales, E. (2020). Commercial building construction in Canada: Industry report 23622ACA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Gonzales, E. (2019). Environmental consulting in Canada: Industry report 54162CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, S. (2020). Renewable Power in Canada: Industry report  22111BCA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2020). Global biotechnology: Industry report L6724-GL. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2020). Beef Cattle Production in Canada: Industry report 11211CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Patel, K. (2021). Sustainable building material manufacturing in the US: Industry report NN005. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020). Foodservice single-use products: Canada. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020). Siding: Canada. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2016). Garden and grove: culinary trend tracking series. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2015). Green household cleaning and laundry products in the U.S., 3rd edition. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020). Meat, poultry & seafood alternatives: outlook for plant-based & cultured cell-based consumer products. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020). Vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian consumers. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.

Mergent Market Access

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• Mergent. (n.d.). America Greener Technologies Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Code Green Apparel Corp [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Mojo Organics Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Statista. (2021). Clean technology investments globally. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista (2019). Consumers willing to pay a premium for sustainable non-food items in Canada in 2019, by claim. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista (2019). Edible insects. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista (2019). Green buildings in the United States. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista. (2020). How consumers purchase items in a sustainable way in Canada in 2019. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista. (2020). Natural and organic cosmetics market worldwide. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista. (2020). Organic food market in Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista (2021). Sustainable consumption in the U.S. 2021. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista. (2020). Sustainable food industry - Statistics & facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Elden, J. (2020). Recycling content for a greener advertising future. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Euromonitor. (2015). Eco Worriers: Global Green Behaviour and Market Impact - Executive Briefing. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Payne, I., Clayton, G., & Baverstock, A. (2020). Clean, green and affordable: Striking a balance between sustainability, hygiene and value in packaging. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC Staff. (2020). Lenzing patches sustainability knowledge gap in fashion with Tencel™ brand “Feel So Right” movement. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC Staff. (2020). Weleda: Inner Nature. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

Associations 

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

• British Columbia Environmental Industry Association (BCEIA | The BCEIA offers a diverse range of expert knowledge on the business of minimizing, mitigating and defending shared human and natural environments from human activity.
• Globe Foundation | The GLOBE Foundation is a Vancouver-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding practical business-oriented solutions to the world's environmental problems.
• BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) | BCSEA partners with government, community, business and academic groups to promote the research, development and implementation of low-carbon technologies in British Columbia.
• Climate Action Network Canada (CAN) | CAN is composed of member organizations committed to: preventing dangerous levels of human interference with the global climate system, protecting environmental sustainability and public health, and upholding principles of just transition, equity and social justice.
• Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) | The NBS is a network of academic and business leaders organized by the Ivey Business School in London, Ontario. They produce resources on incorporating sustainability into office culture and business practices.
• Vancouver Island Green Business Collective | Members of this group receive certification after taking concrete action to make their business more earth-friendly.
• Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) | A professional association for Canadian businesses whose members share values of social responsibility and sustainability.

TIP: Use ASAE Gateway to Associations Directory to search for an association by name, interest area, or international geographic location (including Canada and BC). You can also search using a combination of various fields.

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade journals (often called magazines or trade publications) can be very useful in helping you find current articles relating to business research. Contact your local research library to determine which trade journal subscriptions they have. There are also free trade publications that you can access online. 

• GreenMoney Journal | A publication that encourages and promotes the awareness of socially & environmentally responsible business, investing and consumption.
• GreenBiz | "GreenBiz advances the opportunities at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability. Through its websites, events, peer-to-peer network and research, GreenBiz promotes the potential to drive transformation and accelerate progress — within companies, industries and in the very nature of business."
• Ecology and Society | Canadian academic journal that publishes articles on the relationship between environmental issues and society. Focused on articles that are accessible to a wide audience and feature both theoretical and practical work.
• Environmental Building News | A monthly newsletter featuring comprehensive, practical information related to sustainable building. Topics covered range from energy efficiency and recycled-content materials to land-use planning and indoor air quality.
• Sustainable Business Magazine | An industry publication with both print and online options, focused on sustainable business practices.

TIP: Try searching Ulrichs Periodical Directory to develop a list of important trade publications in your industry.

Consultant & Other Websites

• BusinessGreen | An online news outlet focused on green business.

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

• The retail landscape of the future: Appeal to the eco-conscious consumer
• The reality and rewards of sustainability
• Shifting consumer demands in grocery
• Environmental sustainability becoming a business imperative

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their economic statistics section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

• Nature & Environment

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Adoption of advanced green technologies, by industry and enterprise size
• Innovation and business strategy, advanced technology use by industry and enterprise size
• Regular use of business practices by industry and enterprise size
• Clean technology use by industry and enterprise size

Greening Your Business | A collection of resources made available by the Government of Canada in order to assist businesses in increasing their environmental efficiency.

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Sustainability Roadmap
• Clean technology

The Daily - Statistics Canada

The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy, 2017 to 2019
• Environmental protection expenditures by businesses, 2018
• Environmental and clean technology products sector grew at twice the pace as the total economy in 2019
• Annual Survey of Environmental Goods and Services, 2018
• Environmental management practices by Canadian businesses, 2016

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• Green Economy

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data

This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search

Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

General Business Resources

BizPaL

This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

Canada Revenue Agency - Business

This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

Small Business BC (SBBC)

SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

• 7 Tips To Start A Green Business In Canada

The Province of British Columbia

Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

 

Company Research Tips

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory

CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

Federal Corporations Data Online 

Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

Frasers

A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

• Hoover’s Company Records. (2021). Affordable Green Homes International. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• Hoover’s Company Records. (2021). Burt's Bees, Inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• Hoover’s Company Records. (2021). Eden Foods, Inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• Hoover’s Company Records. (2021). Green earth technologies, inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• Hoover’s Company Records. (2021). Patagonia, Inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists

Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

Mergent Market Atlas
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

• Mergent. (n.d.). America Greener Technologies Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Code Green Apparel Corp [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Mojo Organics Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.

Reference Canada

Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

The Blue Book of Canadian Business

Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Mapping Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

Canadian Environmental Conference and Tradeshow (CANECT)

The largest conference in Canada on environmental products and services. Offers opportunities to connect with similar businesses, attend training seminars and meet environmental product suppliers.

Canadian Green Building Council (CBBC) Conference

This conference is hosted by the Canadian Green Building Council and covers green building trends throughout Canada. It features presentations on latest trends, offers opportunities to connect with similar businesses and meet suppliers.

Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) West

A trade show focused on health foods, natural health products, organics, and specialty food retail in Western Canada. 

GreenTech - Green Marine

A North American conference focused on green marine technologies, with a goal of advancing maritime sustainability

Retrofit Canada Conference

This conference has a focus on retrofitting buildings and infrastructure in Canada in order to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.

 

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

Free Tools For Finding Financial Info

EDGAR

Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

SEDAR

A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business

Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide

This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Mergent Market Atlas
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

• Mergent. (n.d.). America Greener Technologies Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Code Green Apparel Corp [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Mojo Organics Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• The top reasons consumers hesitate when purchasing eco-friendly products

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Gonzales, E. (2020). Commercial building construction in Canada: Industry report 23622ACA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Gonzales, E. (2019). Environmental consulting in Canada: Industry report 54162CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, S. (2020). Renewable Power in Canada: Industry report  22111BCA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2020). Global biotechnology: Industry report L6724-GL. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2020). Beef Cattle Production in Canada: Industry report 11211CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.
• Patel, K. (2021). Sustainable building material manufacturing in the US: Industry report NN005. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020). Foodservice single-use products: Canada. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020). Siding: Canada. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2016). Garden and grove: culinary trend tracking series. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2015). Green household cleaning and laundry products in the U.S., 3rd edition. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020). Meat, poultry & seafood alternatives: outlook for plant-based & cultured cell-based consumer products.  Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020). Vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian consumers. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.

Mergent Market Access

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• Mergent. (n.d.). America Greener Technologies Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Code Green Apparel Corp [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.
• Mergent. (n.d.). Mojo Organics Inc [Company Profile]. Retrieved April 12, 2021 from Mergent Online database.

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada

Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats

The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

PCensus

Provides access to detailed Canadian demographic information including population, income, and spending levels by province, city, or postal code. PCensus can also generate custom reports using Census data. Contact Vancouver Public Library or your local research library to obtain access.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

UBC Psychology Research Guide

Sometimes it can be useful when researching consumer behaviour and other marketing topics with psychological dimensions to consult article databases in that research area. This is an online guide to print and online resources about psychology in the UBC Library collection. UBC affiliates will have access to all the resources listed. 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Packaged Facts. (2020). Vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian consumers. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2016). Garden and grove: culinary trend tracking series. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2015). Green household cleaning and laundry products in the U.S., 3rd edition. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020). Meat, poultry & seafood alternatives: outlook for plant-based & cultured cell-based consumer products. Market Research Academic. Retrieved from marketresearch.com academic database.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• The top reasons consumers hesitate when purchasing eco-friendly products

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff or faculty member you can access this resource. Please note this is not available for walk-in library users.

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. 

• Beckwith, G., & Villena, K. (2021, February). From sustainability to purpose in beauty. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Bremner, C. (2020, December). From sustainability to purpose: Roadmap to recovery for travel and tourism. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Downey, R., & Neubronner, J. (2021, February). From sustainability to purpose: A reshaping of priorities in drinks and tobacco. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Euromonitor International. (2021, April). Global sustainability trends. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Koerten, J. (2021, January). From sustainability to purpose: Mapping the opportunity in pet care. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Misiunaite, D. (2020, April). Sustainability: Canada. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Elden, J. (2020). Recycling content for a greener advertising future. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Euromonitor. (2015). Eco Worriers: Global Green Behaviour and Market Impact - Executive Briefing. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Payne, I., Clayton, G., & Baverstock, A. (2020). Clean, green and affordable: Striking a balance between sustainability, hygiene and value in packaging. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC Staff. (2020). Lenzing patches sustainability knowledge gap in fashion with Tencel™ brand “Feel So Right” movement. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC Staff. (2020). Weleda: Inner Nature. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos

Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

• Clean, green and affordable: Striking a balance between sustainability, hygiene and value in packaging
• How COVID-19 Can Drive Consumers to Accelerate Sustainable Practices
• Ipsos Perils of Perception: climate change
• Most in the U.S. and globally are yet to be convinced their government has a clear plan to tackle climate change

Roper Center for Public Opinion

Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

• British Columbia Real Estate Association. (2005). British Columbia Real Estate Association Poll: January 2005, Question 2 [In your view, what is the most important issue related to growth and development in your community?] [CNIPSOSR.CIR01172005A.R04]. Ipsos-Reid. Retrieved from Roper Centre for Public Opinion database.
• Democracy Corps. (2009). Democracy Corps Poll: November 2009, Question 56 [Now I am going to read you several specific economic proposals that could be considered by the Congress. For each proposal please tell me whether this is something that you favor or oppose....Develop a 'green bank' to open new credit markets and provide stable financing for businesses to invest in new alternative and efficient energy technologies to create jobs…] [USGREEN.09DCNOV.R65]. Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. Retrieved from Roper Centre for Public Opinion database.
• Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. (2021). Quinnipiac University Poll, Question 53 [Do you think that climate change in the United States is a crisis, a problem but not a crisis, or not a problem at all?] [31118358.00052]. Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. Retrieved from Roper Centre for Public Opinion database.

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

The Daily - Statistics Canada

The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.