Monthly Survey of Smelters and Metal Refineries (MSMR)

Detailed information for January 2025

The purpose of this monthly survey is to obtain information on the quantities of metals produced by Smelters and Metal Refineries in Canada, including Canadian production originating from external sources.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

Information from this survey is used for market analysis, industrial and regional development and managing natural resources.

Reference period: Month

Collection period: During the month following the reference period.

Subjects

• Environment
• Manufacturing
• Natural resources
• Non-metallic mineral and metal

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population is represented by all Smelters and Metal Refineries having activities in Canada.

Instrument design

The electronic questionnaire used for this survey has been designed to minimize different interpretations.

Following its development in 2016, the survey was field tested with respondents to ensure that the questions, concepts and terminology are appropriate. Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design and Resource Centre (QDRC) performed qualitative testing of the questionnaire by conducting cognitive interviews with multiple companies in Ontario and Quebec.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all Smelters and Metal Refineries having activities in Canada.

This is a single-phase and single-stage census survey. The sampling unit is at the Establishment level on Statistics Canada's Business Register.

There are presently over twenty sampling units, including aluminum producing companies, listed on the Business Register.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Data is collected using an electronic questionnaire, while providing the option to reply by telephone interview. Follow-up for non-response and for data validation may be conducted by telephone or by email.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .