Our Research

Knowledge for Your Future

Signal49 Research is Canada’s foremost independent applied research organization, delivering rigorous, unbiased, evidence-based insights to help Canadians navigate complex challenges. Each year, we publish over 500 research outputs, offering trusted data, forecasts, and analysis to inform decision-making and drive progress.

Our Work

We are an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization guided by the public interest and committed to real-world impact. We create rigorous, evidence-based research that leaders can trust to inform confident decision-making. A proudly Canadian organization, we focus on understanding the country’s most pressing challenges and advancing prosperity and wellbeing for all who live here.

+ more!

Latest Research by Topic

Discover the latest data, analysis, and commentary from our economists and researchers on the most urgent issues facing communities, organizations, and the country.

Consumer Price Index Accelerated in May

In May, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.2 per cent year-over-year (y/y). This was higher than April’s 2.8 per cent increase. Gasoline prices rose by 5.6 per cent…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canadians’ Inflation Expectations for May 2026

Three-Year Inflation Expectations Partly Reverse April’s Increase Canadians’ inflation expectations eased somewhat in May, with the average one-year inflation expectation remaining firm at 3.4 per cent and the average three-year…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Consumer Price Index Accelerated in May

In May, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.2 per cent year-over-year (y/y). This was higher than April’s 2.8 per cent increase. Gasoline prices rose by 5.6 per cent…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canada’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism’s Domestic Strength Persists, Reinforced by Overseas Demand In this semi-annual report, we assess the outlook for Canada’s tourism industry, examining the flows and spending of leisure and business travellers…

Canada’s Competitiveness Challenges with Marc Desormeaux and Pedro Antunes

Leadership Perspectives: Economic Matters, Episode 24 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify All Leadership Perspective Episodes From lagging productivity growth and investment gaps, to regulatory hurdles, labour shortages, and…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canadians’ Inflation Expectations for May 2026

Three-Year Inflation Expectations Partly Reverse April’s Increase Canadians’ inflation expectations eased somewhat in May, with the average one-year inflation expectation remaining firm at 3.4 per cent and the average three-year…

Interest Rate Announcement: Bank of Canada Holds at 2.25 Per Cent

The Bank of Canada held the overnight rate at 2.25 per cent, the Bank Rate at 2.50 per cent, and the deposit rate at 2.20 per cent, the fifth consecutive…
Series:Trade

Exports Reach Record High on the Back of Strong Crude Oil Shipments

Canada’s merchandise exports rose 1.6 per cent in April. Meanwhile, imports were up 0.3 per cent. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade surplus widened from $1.8 billion in March to…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Nova Scotia’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism Growth Continues Amid Rising Challenges Increased domestic travel by Canadians, along with solid growth by overseas visitors, including from China, are helping to boost the travel outlook for Nova…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canada’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism’s Domestic Strength Persists, Reinforced by Overseas Demand In this semi-annual report, we assess the outlook for Canada’s tourism industry, examining the flows and spending of leisure and business travellers…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Yukon’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Anticipated U.S. Rebound to Drive Visit Growth Total visits to Yukon will steadily increase over the next five years as the territory catches the eye of a broader group of…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

New Brunswick’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism Anchors Economic Activity Tourism is increasingly being positioned as a strategic growth sector for New Brunswick, with activity in this sector anticipated to remain on a positive trajectory over…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Prince Edward Island’s Travel Markets Outlook—February 2026

Bounce-back in American Tourists to Support Growth in Visitors in 2026 The completion of the expansion of the Charlottetown Airport Terminal, along with a reduction in bridge and ferry tolls,…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Spotlight Series: Promotions Shape Women’s Careers—June 2026

Spotlight on The Broken Rung: How Early Promotion Shapes Women’s Careers We look at the barriers women face along the pathway to leadership roles in employment and how the gap…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Spotlight Series: Workplace Design to Retain Women—June 2026

Spotlight on Rethinking Retention: Workplace Design That Encourages Women to Stay Spotlight on Rethinking Retention: Workplace Design That Encourages Women to StayWomen’s retention is one of the most serious—and most…

Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning—May 2026

Pathways to Careers: Advancing Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning in Higher Education In this research, we will explore how work-integrated learning (WIL) can be designed to be more inclusive. WIL can provide…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Benefits Benchmarking: Designing Competitive Programs—April 2026

Benefits Benchmarking 2026: Insights for Designing Competitive Benefits Programs Benefits Benchmarking 2026: Insights for Designing Competitive Benefits Programs summarizes the results of our Benefits Benchmarking 2025 survey. The findings are…

Inclusive Workplaces Start With Understanding—March 2026

Inclusive Workplaces Start With Understanding Stigma can limit a person’s ability to succeed at work. It shows up when people hold false beliefs or make unfair judgments about others. How…

Les lieux de travail inclusifs commencent par la compréhension—mars 2026

Les lieux de travail inclusifs commencent par la compréhension La stigmatisation peut limiter la capacité d’une personne à réussir au travail. Elle se manifeste lorsque les gens ont des croyances…
Series:Trade

Exports Reach Record High on the Back of Strong Crude Oil Shipments

Canada’s merchandise exports rose 1.6 per cent in April. Meanwhile, imports were up 0.3 per cent. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade surplus widened from $1.8 billion in March to…
Series:Trade

Gold and Crude Oil Behind the Export Jump in March

Canada’s merchandise exports rose 8.5 per cent (month-over-month) in March. Meanwhile, imports were down 1.6 per cent. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade balance shifted from a deficit of $5.1…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

U.S.’s Five-Year Outlook—April 2026

Prices Up, Jobs Down, and Risks Abound Turmoil for the U.S. economy is showing no signs of slowing down, with last year’s headwinds now being compounded by the latest conflict…

Bank of Canada Holds Policy Rate Amid Middle East Uncertainty

The Bank of Canada held the target for the overnight rate at 2.25 per cent, with the Bank Rate at 2.50 per cent and the deposit rate at 2.20 per…
Series:Trade

Exports See Largest Decline since April 2025

Canada’s merchandise exports declined 4.7 per cent (month-over-month) in January. Meanwhile, imports were down 1.1 per cent. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade deficit widened from $1.3 billion in December…

Indigenous Community Health Workers in Canada—May 2026

Training to Retain: Strengthening the Role of Indigenous Community Health Workers in Canada Indigenous community health workers play a critical role in rural and remote Indigenous communities, where healthcare access…

The Value of Shingles Vaccination—May 2026

Healthy Aging and Building Economic Resilience: The Value of Shingles Vaccination In this research, we examine the direct and indirect value of a cohesive publicly funded adult vaccination program in…

Impact of Canada’s Chronic Pain Network—May 2026

Driving Change in Chronic Pain: Impact of the Chronic Pain Network In this research, we examine the impact of the Chronic Pain Network’s “big tent” role in supporting research into…

Canada Healthcare Workforce Retention & Migration—April 2026

Retaining Canada’s Healthcare Workforce In this research, we examine migration dynamics over the past several years for people working in seven healthcare roles in Canada: physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists,…

Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Hospitality Sector—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game Changers: Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Hospitality Sector Immigrants are more likely than Canadian-born workers to be overeducated for their jobs in hospitality. However, many employers…

Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Construction Sector—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game Changers: Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Construction Sector  Canada’s construction sector is facing acute labour shortages, yet immigrant talent remains underutilized. Involuntary part-time work and overeducation…

Canada Healthcare Workforce Retention & Migration—April 2026

Retaining Canada’s Healthcare Workforce In this research, we examine migration dynamics over the past several years for people working in seven healthcare roles in Canada: physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists,…

A Scorecard for Immigrant Skill Utilization—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game-Changers: A Scorecard for Immigrant Skill Utilization Canada selects highly skilled and educated immigrants for permanent residency, yet many find themselves either unemployed or working below their…

Indigenous Community Health Workers in Canada—May 2026

Training to Retain: Strengthening the Role of Indigenous Community Health Workers in Canada Indigenous community health workers play a critical role in rural and remote Indigenous communities, where healthcare access…

Indigenous-Led Education Infrastructure—May 2026

Mamawmatawa Holistic Education Centre: An Indigenous-Led Model for Education Infrastructure Development This spotlight examines Mamawmatawa Holistic Education Centre (MHEC) in Constance Lake First Nation, which comprises elementary and secondary schools…

Indigenous Economic Realities: $104-billion Opportunity—April 2026

Indigenous Economic Realities: A $104-Billion Opportunity for Indigenous Economic Involvement From coast to coast to coast, Indigenous peoples are showing how project development can be done differently. They are building…

Self-Employment and Indigenous Export Potential—March 2026

Mapping Indigenous Export Potential: The Intersection of Indigenous Self-Employment With Canada’s Export Economy This research analyzes 2001 and 2021 Census data to examine the representation and distribution of self-employed Indigenous…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Industry Lens: Non-Residential Construction—June 2026

Industry Maintains Steady Growth Despite uncertainties caused by the trade war, global conflicts, and surging energy costs, Canada’s non-residential construction industry is expected to grow moderately over the next five…

Canada’s Economy Off to Rocky Start in 2026

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 0.1 per cent in March, partially offsetting last month’s 0.2 per cent increase. For the first quarter, real GDP fell by 0.1 per…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Housing Market Update for May 2026

Housing Markets Eye Murky Prospects This month, we describe ongoing frailty in Canada’s resale market, but a surge in housing starts. What is causing the increase in housing starts? Which…

A Decade of the Balance Calories Initiative—May 2026

A Decade of Calorie Reduction: An Analysis of the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sector’s Balance Calories Initiative In this research, we explore the progress made toward the non-alcoholic beverage sector’s Balance Calories…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Industry Lens: Telecommunications—May 2026

Canada’s Telecom Firms Face Mixed Prospects Canada’s telecommunications market is maturing and is set for a period of modest growth featuring a menu of challenges and opportunities. The main tasks…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Employee Relations Trends—June 2026

Employee Relations Trends: Strikes, Wage Increases, and Trends in Bargaining 2026 In this annual publication, we track Canadian labour relations trends, examining wage increases, bargaining agreements, and work stoppages. Which…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Spotlight Series: Promotions Shape Women’s Careers—June 2026

Spotlight on The Broken Rung: How Early Promotion Shapes Women’s Careers We look at the barriers women face along the pathway to leadership roles in employment and how the gap…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Spotlight Series: Workplace Design to Retain Women—June 2026

Spotlight on Rethinking Retention: Workplace Design That Encourages Women to Stay Spotlight on Rethinking Retention: Workplace Design That Encourages Women to StayWomen’s retention is one of the most serious—and most…

Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning—May 2026

Pathways to Careers: Advancing Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning in Higher Education In this research, we will explore how work-integrated learning (WIL) can be designed to be more inclusive. WIL can provide…
Series:HR Insights

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Insights: The Capacity Crunch—May 2026

The Capacity Crunch: Benchmarking Delivery Models and Capacity Across HR, IT, and Finance Support functions, such as human resources (HR), information technology (IT), and finance, are operating near capacity. This…
Series:HR Metrics

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

HR Metrics Q1—May 2026

HR Metrics Quarterly: Q1 2026 In this research, we provide access to human resources benchmarking data compiled from a total of 140 organizations, representing 587,563 employees, for the first quarter…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Nova Scotia’s 20-Year Outlook—June 2026

Modest Growth Outlook Tempered by Long Term Headwinds Nova Scotia’s long-term GDP outlook is modest, dampened by population decline, a steady rise in the number of people retiring as the…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Nova Scotia’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism Growth Continues Amid Rising Challenges Increased domestic travel by Canadians, along with solid growth by overseas visitors, including from China, are helping to boost the travel outlook for Nova…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canada’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism’s Domestic Strength Persists, Reinforced by Overseas Demand In this semi-annual report, we assess the outlook for Canada’s tourism industry, examining the flows and spending of leisure and business travellers…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Yukon’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Anticipated U.S. Rebound to Drive Visit Growth Total visits to Yukon will steadily increase over the next five years as the territory catches the eye of a broader group of…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

New Brunswick’s Travel Markets Outlook—June 2026

Tourism Anchors Economic Activity Tourism is increasingly being positioned as a strategic growth sector for New Brunswick, with activity in this sector anticipated to remain on a positive trajectory over…

AI on the Horizon: June 22, 2026 Update

Canada’s AI for All Strategy Canada’s latest AI news on the economy, society, and policy. In this issue of AI on the Horizon, we take a close look at the…

A Dynamic Approach to Measuring Changing Skills—June 2026

How Are Skills and Jobs Evolving? Addressing the Need for a Dynamic Approach to Skills This research introduces a new way to forecast the skills required within and across occupations,…

A Workforce to Build Big

Française à suivre Future Skills Centre Podcast: Season 6, Episode 2 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify All Future Skills Episodes In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast,…

Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning—May 2026

Pathways to Careers: Advancing Neuroinclusive Work‑Integrated Learning in Higher Education In this research, we will explore how work-integrated learning (WIL) can be designed to be more inclusive. WIL can provide…

Education and Training Outside the Post-Secondary System—May 2026

Unlocking Canada’s Skills Potential: The Role of Education and Training Outside the Post-Secondary System In this introduction to the project, we outline our research goals and present a typology of…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Higher Education Trends Report: Student Outcomes—May 2026

Higher Education Trend Report: Student Outcomes This research examines the labour market outcomes of Canadian post-secondary graduates by field of study, credentials, and work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Are graduate supply…

A Socio-economic Lens on Jasper’s Disaster Recovery—June 2026

Recovering Jasper: Understanding Disaster Recovery Through a Socio-economic Lens This research draws on interviews conducted between September 2025 and January 2026 with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, local businesses, and community…

Climate-Resilient and Affordable Housing in Canada—May 2026

Under One Roof: (Re)building Climate Resilient and Affordable Housing in Canada In this research, we evaluate the exposure of Canada’s social and affordable housing units to floods and large wildfires….

A New Era in Energy in Canada with Mark Parsons and Pedro Antunes

Leadership Perspectives: Economic Matters, Episode 23 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify All Leadership Perspective Episodes In this episode we explore the changing relationship around energy and potential for…

Tracking Social Impacts of Canadian Wildfires—December 2025

Canada’s Wildfire Blind Spot: The Missing Data on Social Impacts Discussions around Canadian wildfires often focus on their physical impacts, but overlook their social impacts. This limits the effectiveness of…

Skill Shifts in Canada’s Primary Industries—October 2025

Tech-Driven Skill Shifts in Canada’s Mining and Oil and Gas Industries In this research, we examine how emerging technologies are reshaping work in the mining and oil and gas industries…

AI on the Horizon: June 22, 2026 Update

Canada’s AI for All Strategy Canada’s latest AI news on the economy, society, and policy. In this issue of AI on the Horizon, we take a close look at the…

AI and Entry-Level Labour Demand—June 2026

Is AI Taking Away Your First Job? AI and Entry-Level Labour Demand Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, but could it also be making the first rung of the…

L’IA et la demande de main-d’œuvre débutante – juin 2026

L’IA vous prive-t-elle de votre premier emploi? L’IA et la demande de main-d’œuvre débutante L’intelligence artificielle (IA) transforme notre façon de travailler, mais pourrait-elle aussi compliquer l’accès au premier échelon?…

The Next Phase of AI in Higher Education—May 2026

From Experimentation to Integration: The Next Phase of AI in Higher Education This online experience introduces upcoming research where we will examine how artificial intelligence use in post-secondary education has…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

C-Suite Challenge: The Executive View on AI—May 2026

C-Suite Challenge—The Executive View on AI: Risks, Priorities, and What Comes Next In this research, we examine the results of a survey of 1,732 C-suite executives from around the world,…

How PSE Can Prepare an AI-Ready Workforce—May 2026

Preparing an AI-Ready Workforce: Strategies for Canadian Post-secondary Leaders Post-secondary leaders report an uneven landscape in preparing AI-ready graduates. While some institutions have rolled out coordinated, campus-wide AI literacy initiatives,…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Housing Market Update for May 2026

Housing Markets Eye Murky Prospects This month, we describe ongoing frailty in Canada’s resale market, but a surge in housing starts. What is causing the increase in housing starts? Which…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Canada’s Five-Year Housing Outlook—May 2026

Plenty of Risks Lurk Residential markets are strained from a worrisome international economic outlook, consumer stress, unfavourable demographics, an oversupply of homes, and alarmed homebuilders. The U.S.–Iran war also poses…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Housing Market Update for April 2026

Housing Markets Struggle in a Difficult Economy This month, we describe ongoing frailty in Canada’s resale market, now joined by easing housing starts. What is causing the housing market softness?…

GDP Edges Up in February as Manufacturing Rebounds

Real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.2 per cent month-over-month in February, building on January’s 0.1 per cent gain. Goods-producing industries grew 0.4 per cent and services-producing industries edged up…

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Major City Insights: Moncton—April 2026

Charting growth through turbulence This quarter, we examine how Moncton’s economy is faring amid the headwinds of cooling population growth and broader economic uncertainty weighing on business and consumer activity….

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Major City Insights: St. Catharines–Niagara—April 2026

Growth slows, but bright spots ahead This quarter, we assess the headwinds facing the St. Catharines–Niagara economy, particularly tariffs, weak business and consumer spending, and slowing population growth. Despite these…

Impact paper
Understand the long-term implications of policy or program choices. Impact papers combine rigorous research and analysis to project potential outcomes, risks, and benefits, helping decision-makers assess strategic paths with confidence.

Issue briefing
Get focused analysis on a single issue or policy question affecting Canada. Issue briefings outline challenges, context and implications, helping policymakers and leaders evaluate problems and possible responses.

Data briefing
Access concise, data-driven summaries on key economic, social or sectoral trends. Data briefings deliver timely statistics and analysis to help leaders monitor shifts and make evidence-based decisions grounded in current data.

Data dashboards
Data dashboards present rich data in concise forms that allow users to manipulate and parse data for their own purposes. Ideal for people who want to dig into the data themselves.

Case study
Explore real-world examples that spotlight how organizations or communities implemented policies or practices. Case studies reveal lessons, outcomes and practical insights that help leaders replicate success or avoid pitfalls in similar contexts.

Online Experience
Engage with interactive or multimedia content that delivers focused research in accessible formats. Online experiences provide short, digestible insights that make complex findings easy to explore and share across audiences.

Primer
Get a clear, foundational overview of a topic or emerging issue. Primers introduce essential background, definitions and context, equipping readers with baseline knowledge before diving deeper into detailed research.

Spotlight
Highlight emerging trends, promising practices or important developments in a given area. Spotlights bring attention to what matters now, helping leaders stay aware of shifts and opportunities early.

Summary for executives
Receive a sharp, concise digest of key findings and recommendations, tailored for busy decision-makers. Summaries for executives distill full research into actionable takeaways for strategic planning or policy response.

Leaders’ roundtable insights
Gain high-level perspectives from convened senior leaders and stakeholders. Leaders’ roundtable insights distill key takeaways, consensus views, and strategic considerations emerging from expert dialogue, guiding policy and organizational direction.

Listening Tour insights
Get grounded perspectives from Canadians across regions and sectors. Listening Tour insights synthesize candid feedback from diverse participants to surface emerging priorities, public sentiment, and actionable ideas, giving decision-makers a clear pulse on what matters most.  

Quick take
Quick takes offer instant, concise analysis of emerging trends, helping leaders respond quickly to what’s shaping Canada’s economy and society.

Podcast
Our podcasts share thoughtful conversations that combine expert insight with real-world perspectives on Canada’s most pressing issues.

Webinar
Live or recorded webinars bring research to life, enabling leaders to explore findings, ask questions, and hear directly from researchers and practitioners.

Commentary
Commentaries highlight economic, social, and policy developments and trends and interpret data to help leaders anticipate change.

Op-ed
Op-eds that have appeared on media sites are archived on our website. They provide evidence-informed analysis, make the case for change, and help leaders think critically.

Listening tour (CCGP): Interactive, high-energy sessions where leaders from across sectors collaborate to challenge assumptions, share insights, and co-create bold, practical solutions for Canada’s future. Reports produced after these events help inform action and policy.

Summit: Large-scale flagship gatherings where senior leaders explore major economic, workforce, and policy challenges. Expert insights, peer exchange, and forward-looking discussions help attendees gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends and their implications.

Virtual: Live, online experiences that connect leaders across regions for timely, accessible conversations on Canada’s most pressing issues. Offering convenience without sacrificing depth or engagement, these sessions blend expert perspectives with interactive discussion to surface insights and practical takeaways.

Webinar: Led by subject-matter experts, these focused, insight-driven sessions explore specific topics and emerging trends shaping the economy, workforce, and policy landscape, delivering clear analysis, key data points, and actionable implications.

Council meetings: Member-only peer-to-peer forums where senior leaders share challenges, test ideas, and learn from one another in a confidential setting. Discussion, expert input, and real-world case insights support better decision-making, and participants leave with practical strategies, new connections, and a broader perspective.   

Knowledge Areas

Our knowledge areas are powered by world-class subject matter experts, researchers, and economists producing evidence-based research and forecasts that help Canada’s leaders make informed decisions, address challenges, and shape policies and strategies.

Research Series

Stay informed with recurring reports, forecasts, podcasts, and expert commentary covering the economy, human resources, education, innovation, and thought leadership.

Each publication provides timely data, insights, and analysis to help leaders navigate challenges and make confident, forward-looking decisions.





Questions?

Contact us. Our team is standing by, ready to help.

Or call us

1-888-801-8818