Government Websites
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 Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.
- TIP: Even when the exact industry you are looking for is not mentioned by name on BC Stats, you can look at their Small Business Profile to get a feel for the overall landscape of small business in the province. Here’s their Small Business Profile 2021.
Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations.
Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.
Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.
- 4531 or 45311: Florists
- 45399: All other miscellaneous store retailers
- 11142: Nursery and floriculture production
- 1114: Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production
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.
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.
- Expected changes in spending habits during the recovery period
- Production and sale of greenhouse flowers and plants
WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.
- Theatre, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers
- Retail Trade Industry Profile
- Artisans and craftspersons (NOC 5244)
- Nursery and greenhouse workers (NOC 8432)
- Managers in horticulture (NOC 0822)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Provides information and programs for those who raise animals or who grow plants for food, feed or industrial use. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's web resource features a comprehensive collection of agricultural information including economic forecasts and statistics, policies and acts, incentive programs and other services.
- Supporting Flower Growers to Strengthen Market Access and Spur Future Growth
- Statistical Overview of the Canadian Ornamental Industry 2020
Open Government Canada | Canada’s Open Government initiative makes government more accessible to everyone. 30,000 pieces of data and digital records are available to the public through the Open Government license, including contracts, business records, and datasets on myriad industries.
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.
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.
AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics
AgEcon Search collects, indexes, and electronically distributes full text copies of scholarly research in the broadly defined field of agricultural economics including sub disciplines such as agribusiness, food supply, natural resource economics, environmental economics, policy issues, agricultural trade, and economic development.