Appendix 1: Data Sources

Data sources used in the analysis are described below.

GDP data for 1990 to 2004 (excluding estimates for tourism and high-tech)

GDP estimates are prepared by the Industry Analysis Division of Statistics Canada, and published on CANSIM, the agency's electronic database. The shares and GDP estimates for some industry groups that are shown in the graphs and figures that are included in this document were calculated by BC Stats

Labour Market Characteristics:

• Employment,
• Self-employment
• Part-time & full-time workers
• Employment by sex
• Unemployment rates
• Average hourly wage rates
• Usual hours worked
• Employment by establishment size
• Employment by region
• Union coverage

All of these indicators come from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS is a monthly survey of individuals which asks them about their current work status, which industry they are working in (or worked in at their last job), and whether or not they are currently seeking employment. Some of the information is available on CANSIM, Statistics Canada's electronic database, but the more detailed information by industry was obtained from special tabulations produced by Statistics Canada for BC Stats.

Employment and GDP estimates for tourism and high-tech

These estimates are produced by BC Stats on an annual basis using information supplied by Statistics Canada. More information on the concepts, methodology and data sources for the estimates can be obtained from BC Stats web site at: www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca

GDP and Employment projections for 2006 to 2014

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) forecast (2005). This forecast is produced annually and indicates expected trends in occupations, employment, GDP and other labour force characteristics for the provinces and at the national level.

Occupations by industry (estimates for 2005)

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) forecast (2005). This forecast is produced annually and indicates expected trends in occupations, employment, GDP and other labour force characteristics for the provinces and at the national level.

Other indicators

Data sources for other indicators used in this resource are noted in the text. As well, Statistics Canada produces annual surveys for many industries (e.g., engineering services, or computer systems design). This information is published on CANSIM, the agency's electronic database.

Some of the information on developments in the retail industry comes from Industry Canada's Consumer Trends Report, available online at:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inoca-bc.nsf/vwapj/EN_CTR.pdf/$FILE/EN_CTR.pdf