What is Stats Link Canada?Where did the database originate? Can't I just use Google to find this same information? How can I gain access to the database? How can I access the actual data referenced? What if I come across a deadlink? Where do these sources come from? How is the Stats Link Canada database organized? How should I use this database? Can I try it before purchasing a subscription? What is your contact information?
IntroductionFind the Canadian data you are looking for right now!
Stats Link
Canada's Source Lists It does not include actual data but rather information on the exact Internet address, newspaper article or CANSIM table where you can find the data you are looking for. It is a tool for locating relevant, current and Canadian statistics. The advantage of Stats Link Canada Source Lists is that they save you time and money. Use our search engine our subject index or browse by subsector to find the statistics that best meet your Canadian research needs. Spend less time searching for data and more time analyzing it!
Can't I just use Google to find this same information?Google is a very power and effective search engine. It does not however access all information online nor does it always rank the specific data you need within the first couple pages of your search. The Stats Link Canada Source Lists are a human curated collection of polls, surveys and reports. They are not machine generated. Many of the references are located in the "deep web" and so often do not rank well in Google. Others are located behind free registration gateways so that Google is unable to reached them. Others are only available offline. Because each reference is hand-picked we can add additional tags and descriptors so that they will appear in relevant subject headings in the Stats Link Subject Index. We do the data sifting and sorting for you. Access hard to find Canadian content RIGHT NOW!
Where did the database originate?The Stats Link Canada database grew out of the popular source lists found in the back of the GDSourcing research guide Researching a Small Business in Canada. Since 1998, this research guide has been used in business development centres and libraries across Canada to help entrepreneurs find relevant industry and market data. The information included in this publication has now been divided between our two web sites. The research guides are now available in the Research Consultant section of our GDSourcing website. The sources lists are now updated daily and accessible through the Stats Link Canada site.
How can I gain access to the database?The Stats Link Canada database is only available to subscribers. A 24 hour subscription is only $6 CDN. For more information on subscriptions and pricing click here. You can test drive the database free of charge to see if the data you require is covered.
How can I access the actual data referenced?All sources listed are available at no cost or low cost (less than $50). They can be easily found in a full depository library, in local libraries, on the Internet, or from government departments directly. The vast majority are linked directly online. Please note you can access newspaper and magazine articles referenced through electronic periodical databases. Many public libraries now allow you to access these database from home via the Internet. All you need is a valid public library card.
To find your local library online see:
What if I come across a deadlink?Unfortunately deadlinks are a part of the Internet landscape. While we make every effort to keep our links current, at any given time some will inevitably be dead. Please see our help file on resurrecting deadlinks for advice on how you can solve some deadlink issues yourself. If you come across a deadlink that cannot be easily resolved click on the Need Help? link at the top of every results page and select Dead Link / Request an archived copy. We will let you know the new address for the data or direct you to a new link at no additional charge.
Where do these sources come from?The sources are identified by consulting a number of public media outlets. These include Canada Newswire, Statistics Canada, DSP Weekly Check List, Globe & Mail, National Post, Strategy Magazine, Marketing Magazine as well as many other industry specific periodicals and web sites. Generally any poll, survey, study or report which contains Canadian data that we come across is included. For professional researchers the sources included may appear to be an odd collection. Some notable databases are not listed while other obscure articles are. The principal criteria for selecting sources was that they presented Canadian data and were accessible at a low cost ($50 or less) or preferably no cost. We have not listed any databases or reports with prohibitive access charges. Where available we have provided links to highlight news releases and free executive summaries of full reports. If you require more detailed information than is provided or wish to purchase the full report you will have the source contact information to find out more information on data details and costs. We do not include data related to individual stock performance or on individual companies unless it provides insight into market share or overall market performance. Results of scientific trials and political polls have also been excluded from the database.
French ResourcesCurrently Stats Link Canada only contains English releases and studies. Many of the sources identified however are able to provide their data in French. Please contact any relevant sources directly to see if you can access their information in the language of your choice.
How old are the references?The Stats Link Canada Source Lists are updated daily. Currently the Stats Link Canada database contains references from 2000 to 2004 and 2006 to present. For more information see the Details on Source List Updates page.
How is the Stats Link Canada database organized?The lists are organized into nineteen sector groupings. Each sector is then divided into a number of subsectors. In most cases the subsectors are loosely based on the North American Industry Classification System You will want to consult all sectors and subsectors that are relevant to your business and market. A list of all sectors and subsectors and a description of each category is available in the Sector Glossary. All the references have been assigned to one or more subsectors based on the data included. We have included some references in subsectors even if only a small portion pertains to the subsector in question. Keep in mind that sometimes the data covered within a particular reference is quite different from the subject of the report or article. References are also linked through our ever growing Subject Index. References have been included based only on their statistical data and have therefore been only categorized according to this specific content. If you are unsure why a particular reference has been included, read its description carefully to identify the relevance.
How should I use this database?Use this database to locate statistics related to your market and industry. The references identify where you can access specific data both online and offline. You will also want to follow up with relevant sources directly. They may have released more current information or may be able to direct you to further reports or data. Do not reinvent the wheel. Start with the Subject Index. We are always adding new subject headings. Another option is to browse through the references covering your major sector and all relevant subsectors. Scan the references listed and follow up on any that appear useful or interesting. Also think about related sectors and subsectors and scan their listings. For example if you are retailing a certain product consult the related manufacturing subsectors for that same product. For a list of sector and subsectors covered please see the Sector Glossary. If you are selling to consumers, consider the characteristics of your target market (age, gender, ethnicity) and browse the relevant subsectors located under the sector heading "Market". You should also keyword search the individual sectors/subsectors or the entire database. For more help on searching see Search Help.
Can I try it before purchasing a subscription?YES! In fact we encourage everyone to use our FREE TRIAL before purchasing a subscription.
What is your contact information?Please see our contact page for full contact information.
How do I buy a subscription?Subscriptions are sold by three time groupings - 24 hours ($6), One month ($36) and one year ($360) We use PayPal for our order processing. If you do not have a PayPal account you can use your credit card and in some cares your debit card directly. Please visit our subscription page to ORDER NOW.
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