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
Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.
- Retail trade sales by industry (x 1,000)
- Retail trade sales by province and territory (x 1,000)
- Retail sales, price, and volume, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000,000)
- Canadian Business Counts, with employees, December 2019
- Annual retail trade survey, sales by method (x 1,000)
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.
- Start here: Retail Guide, December 2019
- Start here: User Guide for the Survey of Household Spending, 2017
- Start here: How to measure changes in Canada's grocery bill
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.
WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.
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.
US Census Bureau: Industry Statistics Portal
Provides access to high level US Industry overviews and statistics. Searchable by 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code or keyword.