FAQ – Quarterly Survey

Why are the CRTC and Statistics Canada conducting a joint survey?

In order to avoid duplication, minimize response burden on the industry, make more efficient use of resources and promote coherence of the Canadian statistical system, the Commission and Statistics Canada have agreed to integrate the requirements of both organizations for industry and market statistics.

What is the authority to conduct this survey?

This survey is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada 1985, Chapter S19, the Broadcasting Act, and the Telecommunications Act. Each form indicates the authority or authorities that apply.

Why is this survey being undertaken?

The survey serves statistical as well as monitoring purposes and is necessary for the CRTC and Statistics Canada to fulfill their mandate.

Statistics Canada will use selected data from the survey to produce national and regional estimates of activity in telecommunications services industries. These estimates are an integral part of our national and provincial economic accounts.

The information gathered by the survey enables the Commission to determine in a more timely and effective manner (a) the state of competition in telecommunication markets, (b) the effect of competition on services to consumers and business customers, and (c) service providers' compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

In addition, estimates from the survey are used to report to international organizations such as the OECD and the ITU and are an authoritative source of information on the Canadian telecommunications industry for use by all stakeholders, including interested government departments, the private sector, academics, analysts and the general public.

Will this information be published or made available to the public?

No, as this information is being filed in confidence, the Commission will not publish any entity’s details from the survey. Aggregate data may be published. National aggregate data may be provided to international organization such as the OECD for benchmarking purposes.

For data collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from publishing or releasing any statistics which would divulge information obtained from this survey relating to any identifiable business without the previous written consent of that business. The data from this survey will be treated in confidence, used for statistical purposes and published in aggregate form only. The confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act are not affected by the Access to Information Act or any other legislation.

How does this survey affect other surveys I used to respond to?

As a result of the joint survey, Statistics Canada will no longer conduct separate Quarterly Survey of Telecommunications.

Date modified:

2015-04-15