What is the LFS?

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a monthly survey involving around 54,000 Canadian households. The goal of the survey is to provide a detailed, current picture of the labour market across the country.

What does it measure?

The LFS is the only Statistics Canada source of current, monthly estimates of total employment (including self-employment) and unemployment. Many people know it as the source of the unemployment rate but LFS data are also used to produce other standard labour market indicators such as the employment rate and the participation rate. Along with these popular measures, the LFS also provides employment estimates by industry, occupation, hours worked and much more, all cross-classifiable by a variety of personal characteristics. For employees, wage, union status, job permanency and workplace size are also produced.

About this catalogue

This catalogue briefly describes all LFS products offered on a monthly, annual and occasional basis. It includes products, uses, general release dates, formats available and prices.

Essential tools of the trade

These products are aimed at labour market economists, analysts, consultants, planners, forecasters and academics in both the private and public sector. They provide current and historical labour market snapshots in a variety of formats. Whether you want to analyze the data yourself, to read analysis on a certain topic, to know more about the survey or to learn how a certain variable is measured, these products are designed to help you.