New name, same organization
Now operating as Signal49 Research, our name has changed but our role in the country has not.
We remain unique in the Canadian landscape.
We approach our work with a dedication to independence and neutrality. Our choice of research is driven by the needs of Canada’s leaders, not by personal or political interests or ideology. Our relationships with leaders are anchored on their trust in the validity and objectivity of our analyses and insights.
How we make an impact
To ensure that our work matters, we:
Focus on relevant issues by researching the Wicked Problems Canada faces and convening around these most pressing and complex problems challenging our leaders.
Ground our work in the realities of politics, business practices, and systems change—so that our recommendations are applicable, and create momentum for change.
Involve key thought leaders and practitioners in the design and delivery of our content to ensure it’s focused on relevant questions and provides meaningful solutions.
Provide meaningful and actionable recommendations for leaders, based on the evidence we generate.
Research outputs
439
Research outputs
312 Economic forecasts
127 Research reports
Research reports (n = 127)
30
Education & Skills
20
Economic Research
19
Human Capital
11
Health
9
Indigenous & Northern Communities
4
Immigration
3
Innovation & Technology
3
Sustainablity
Signal49 makes an impact when Canada’s leaders are aware of our work, value our research and expertise, and act on our insights.
Our country has long benefited from extraordinary strengths:
Abundant natural resources, trusted institutions, strong alliances, deep trading relationships, and a diverse, talented population. Today, those foundations are under strain. We cannot address the challenges we face in isolation.
Signal49 Research is at the centre of many of the biggest challenges facing our country. We work with our partners to shed light on the path forward. Failing to act is not an option. A better future for all Canadians is at stake.
Engagement, connections, and participation
1.3M
Page views on our website
150K+
Listens to our podcast episodes
41.3K
Downloads of research outputs
15.9K
Broadcast and media articles
299
Digital subscribers
16
Executive councils
445
Executive council members
160
Event presentations, reaching 9K+ Canadians
FY25 was a banner year for presentations of our research to forums and workshops.
Highlights include:
- May 24, 2024—presentation to Northern Dialogues Conference on our Learning From One Another research series.
- June 18, 2024—presentation to Canadian Public Sector Pension Benefits Conference on neurodiversity in the workplace.
- July 30, 2024—presentation to Saskatchewan Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal on final results of Oil and Gas and Methane 75 policies’ impacts on Saskatchewan’s economy.
- August 7, 2024—presentation to Regional Development Agencies (Directors) about AIresearch and related insights for regional development agencies.
- September 16, 2024—presentation to Ontario Ministry of Finance on AIresearch.
- September 19, 2024—presentation to Senate standing committee for Social Affairs, Science and Technology’s investigations into Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare, to discuss the findings from our project on health insurance coverage in Canada.
- October 26, 2024—presentation to National AIDialogue in AgriFood on the role of AIand technology-driven shifts in labour markets in agriculture and food.
- November 12, 2024—presentation to Centre for Innovation Studies on immigration and its effect on the economy and productivity.
- January 28, 2025—presentation at the 24th annual Canadian Business Continuity and Emergency Management Conference on disaster recovery frameworks.
- February 19, 2025—presentation to the Assembly of First Nations National Housing and Infrastructure Conference on the economic impact of closing the infrastructure gap.
- March 20, 2025—presentation to ESDC Directors General on the extent of our FSC work, with a particular emphasis on the economics work.
- April 3, 2025—presentation to WESC on the future of the immigration system.
- April 4, 2025—presentation to Digital Innovation in Education 2025 Conference on AIand post-secondary institutions research.
- May 21, 2025—presentation to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster on the economic impact of Canada’s ocean economy in 2035.
Top 10 digital subscription outputs
1
2
Top 10 free outputs
How we measure the degree to which our work is valued
We have influence when leaders who are aware of our work seek us out or agree to collaborate with us.
The degree to which our work and expertise are valued is reflected in the invitations we receive to share our insights, the frequency with which our work is referenced, and the calibre of the organizations and individuals who are willing to partner with us and lend us their voice.
How we measure the degree to which our work has resulted in positive change
Making an impact is a journey composed of many small steps to build understanding that the Wicked Problems facing our country have solutions. Through our work, we seek to bring about positive change.
The journey of impact culminates when leaders place such a high value on our insights that they are persuaded to take action. These actions result in new or adjusted policies and practices that provide social, environmental, and economic benefits to Canadians.
Impact in action
Through our impact key performance indicators, we track our organization’s steps on the journey to change. Our awareness and value indicators demonstrate how our research and expertise are being received outside of our organization.
Our impact in action narratives show how leaders are implementing changes based on our insights.
A tip list for neurodivergent students finds its audience
Signal49 has produced a growing body of research on the experiences of neurodivergent individuals, and this year one resource in particular stood out: Navigating Higher Education: A Neurodivergent Student’s Guide.
This guide offers six practical tips to help neurodivergent learners prepare for and succeed in higher education, drawing on insights from several of our recent studies, including:
The guide resonated widely—directly reaching students, parents and career development advisors after being shared by the Ontario School Counsellors Association (OSCA)—and illustrates how research-to-practice tools can meaningfully support neurodivergent learners.
In addition to this resource, Signal49 continues to advance work that supports neurodivergent individuals transitioning into the workforce. These studies include:
Indigenous equity participation in major projects
As national attention began to focus on major project development in Canada, we were there to help shape the conversations. Our work on Indigenous participation in major projects is helping to inform Canada’s efforts to advance reconciliation while attracting investment through large-scale projects.
In FY25, we presented our Indigenous Equity Participation in Major Projects research to more than 600 people. We also delivered tailored briefings to leadership teams at seven organizations.
We’re now seeing our recommendations adopted across key sectors. For example, the federal government has moved toward a national loan guarantee program. And more mining companies are recognizing that equity ownership can deliver stronger longer-term outcomes than traditional impact and benefit agreements.
Read more:
Everything artificial intelligence
We’re tracking how artificial intelligence is reshaping workplaces and post-secondary education—and what that means for skills, teaching, and economic prosperity.
In FY25, we published:
- Who Is Using Generative AI in Higher Education? (July 2024)
- Artificial Intelligence Talent in Canada: Emerging AI Skills and Future Workforce (October 2024)
- How Are Educators Navigating the AI Revolution? (October 2024)
- AI-PowerED: Will AI Change Post-Secondary Teaching and Learning? (December 2024)
- Canada’s AI Economy (May 2025)
Our research is shaping how leaders understand where and how artificial intelligence is affecting different industries. Early on, we recommended that organizational leaders and C‑suite executives lead informed discussions on AI capabilities, limitations, and risks. Throughout the year, we advanced that recommendation by presenting to senior decision‑making forums across agrifood, AI safety, and labour market policy.
In May 2025, we also were invited to participate in an OECD working group focused on small and medium‑sized enterprise adoption of AI.
Canada’s AI Economy was released at the B7 meeting in Canada in May 2025, in front of business leaders from G7 countries and with senior government representation, including Mélanie Joly. We highlighted that Canada leads the G7 in artificial intelligence (AI) talent growth and research output per capita, supported by strong public investment and a globally competitive start-up ecosystem. However, gaps in infrastructure readiness and challenges in retaining top AI talent continue to limit Canada’s ability to translate research strength into economic impact at scale.
This work has positioned us as a go-to source for practical AI insight—especially on the future of work and AI-driven economic prosperity.
Thinking differently about labour market information
Signal49 is recognized for turning labour market information into clear, actionable insights. In FY25, we expanded that capacity through the acquisition of Vicinity Jobs.
Vicinity Jobs’ technology and data capabilities strengthen our ability to produce innovative, tailored research and more targeted insight into Canada’s labour market. The acquisition also deepens our commitment to quip Canada’s leaders with rigorous research and practical intelligence they can use in decision making.
Vicinity Jobs has been collecting online job postings across Canada for over a decade. We now have access to more than 20 million high quality, unique English and French job posting records. This gives Signal49 a stronger foundation for applied labour market analysis. It also allows us to examine employer demand by occupation, job title, skills, geography, education, experience, and other key variables.
The impact of that capability is reflected in the breadth of organizations using the data. Today, over 20 post secondary institutions and more than 50 organizations use Vicinity Jobs data in their work. The majority of Canadian provinces, through their labour market divisions, also leverage the data to support workforce planning, policy development, and education investment decisions. In post secondary education, the data helps validate existing degree and continuing education programs, identify emerging skill needs, and shape new offerings that reflect changing employer demand. It also informs workforce and immigration planning by pinpointing where labour demand is strongest and where shortages persist.
Together, these expanded capabilities strengthen Signal49’s ability to serve partners across the country with timely, applied insight. That work supports workforce planning, program design, policy development, and a better understanding of changing labour market needs.
Learn more on our website.
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