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.
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.
- 722- Food services and drinking places
- 722511- Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
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.
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: Food Services and Drinking Places Sales
WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.
- Accommodation and Food Services https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Industry-Information/Industry-Profiles/Accommodation-and-Food-Services
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/0631
- Chefs https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/6321
- Food and Beverage Servers https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/6513
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.