Annual Greenhouse, Sod and Nursery Survey

Summary of changes

Activity on this program started: 1955

Reference period of change - 2016

The collection mode has changed to EQ - IBSP. Several new variables have been added to the questionnaire. (Please contact us if you require a detailed listing of those variables).

In previous occasions, farms were classified into the following five mutually exclusive categories: greenhouse-only, nursery-only, sod-only, greenhouse and nursery but no sod, and mixed. The "mixed" type included all farms with sod and at least one of greenhouse or nursery. The farms within each type were classified into size groups, based on area and annual sales. The sampling stratum was the (type x size) group within the province. Changes were made due to requirements of IBSP.

Previously, a more manual imputation process was in place. Additionally, total non-response was addressed through a re-weighting process whereas now it is handled in imputation.

In previous occasions, weight adjustments were performed to compensate for non-response, but this is now handled through imputation. Previous variance estimates were based only on sampling variance and did not include variance due to imputation.

Reference period of change - 2009

The collection period was moved from February to January effective in 2010 for the 2009 reference year to better serve the needs and timeliness of greenhouse operators.

Reference period of change - 2008

In order to a) lower respondent burden, b) solve some of the data quality issues, c) address industry concerns with the detail of data we collect and d) lower collection, processing and analysis costs, a consultation of key data users was conducted. That led to the introduction of a standard questionnaire and a short questionnaire. They were put in place for data collection in February 2009 for reference year 2008. This resulted in a new weighting strategy. Estimates from 2008 may not be comparable to previous year's estimates. For more information, refer to the Methodology Section located at the end of the publication (Catalogue number 22-202-XWE).

A greenhouse can be defined as an operation where plants are grown under glass, plastic or similar type of protection. In 2008, Statistics Canada started to ask respondents to report area under poly-film or polyethylene.

Also, respondents were asked to report the number of seasonal workers (less than 8 months contract) and permanent workers (more than 8 months contract).

The tables for cut flowers, potted plants, cuttings and propagating material have been updated to reflect changes in the industry.

Heating expenses used by greenhouses were expanded to include natural gas, heating oil, biomass and electricity.

Effective with the July 2009 release, tables were added for specialized greenhouse vegetable and greenhouse flower and plant operations.

In 2008, nurseries and sod operating expenses were separated.

Reference period of change - 2004

Further to recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Agriculture, Statistics Canada henceforth published channels of distribution for gross sales of greenhouse fruits and vegetables.

In addition and also effective with the April 2005 release, the tables for Cut Flowers, Potted Plants, Cuttings and Propagating Material have been updated to reflect changes in the industry. Carnations have been removed and replaced with Lisianthus in the Cut Flowers section. The totals for carnations have been moved into the category "Other". African violets, begonias, gerberas, impatiens, miniature roses and petunias were added to the Potted Plants section while impatiens and pansies were added to the Cuttings and Other Propagation Material section.

Reference period of change - 2003

With the release of the April 2004 Greenhouse, Sod and Nursery (GSN), the concept for full-time employment was revised for 2003 data in accordance with the definition used at Statistics Canada and endorsed by the International Labour Organization. Full-time employment consists of persons who usually work 30 hours or more per week at their main or only job. Prior to 2003, full-time employment was defined as persons working 8 months or longer and part-time employment consisted of persons working less than 8 months of the year.

Reference period of change - 2001

To improve data qualification, the symbols E and F have been introduced into the publication. An E means that the data are widely dispersed and that the estimate should be used with caution. An F replaces the estimate where the data are too unreliable for publication.

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