Annual Capital Expenditures Survey: Actual, Preliminary Estimate and Intentions (CAPEX)

Detailed information for 2026

This survey collects data on capital and repair expenditures in Canada. The information is used by Federal and Provincial government departments and agencies, trade associations, universities and international organizations for policy development and as a measure of regional economic activity. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

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

Description

This annual survey collects data on the intentions for capital expenditures and the expenditures for the previous two years; on occasion, where economic changes justify the need, data on the revised intentions are also collected for the current year. Information on capital spending provides a useful indication of market conditions both in the economy at large and in particular industries. Since such expenditures account for a large and relatively variable proportion of gross domestic expenditures, the size and content of the investment program provides significant information about demands that have been placed upon the productive capabilities of the economy during the period covered by the survey. In addition, information on the relative size of the capital expenditures program planned, both in total and for individual industries, gives an indication of the views management hold on the future market demands in relation to present productive capacity. Inputs are used by the Canadian System of National Accounts, particularly in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Canada's Balance of International Payments. The information is used by Federal and Provincial governments and agencies, trade associations, universities and international organizations for policy development and as a measure of regional activity.

Statistical activity

The survey is administered as part of the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). The IBSP has been designed to integrate approximately 200 separate business surveys into a single master survey program. The IBSP aims at collecting industry and product detail at the provincial level while minimizing overlap between different survey questionnaires. The redesigned business survey questionnaires have a consistent look, structure, and content.

The integrated approach makes reporting easier for firms operating in different industries because they can provide similar information for each branch operation. This way they avoid having to respond to questionnaires that differ for each industry in terms of format, wording and even concepts. The combined results produce more coherent and accurate statistics on the economy.

• Additional documentation

Reference period: The 12 month fiscal period ending between April 1st of the reference year and March 31st of the following year.

Subjects

• Business, consumer and property services
• Construction
• Machinery and equipment
• Non-residential building construction
• Non-residential engineering construction
• Repair and maintenance

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population comprises all business and government entities operating in Canada according to the North American Industry Classification System Canada 2022 during the reference year. Outlays for used Canadian assets are excluded since they constitute a transfer of assets within Canada and have no effect on the aggregates of our domestic inventory. Assets imported from outside Canada are included as they increase our domestic inventory.

• Additional documentation

Instrument design

In January 2011, questionnaire design specialists tested the questionnaires with a variety of respondents.

Sampling

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

This is a stratified random sample survey of business establishments classified both geographically and to the North American Industry Classification System Canada 2022, with a cross-sectional design.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents, extracted from administrative files and derived from other Statistics Canada surveys and/or other sources.

Data are collected primarily through electronic questionnaire, while providing respondents with the option of receiving a paper questionnaire, replying by telephone interview or using other electronic filing methods. Follow-up for non-response and for data validation is conducted by email, telephone or fax.

Administrative data were obtained from Canada Revenue Agency, the Institut de la statistique du Québec and Natural Resources Canada.

The data are obtained under the authority of the Statistics Act and are incorporated directly into the production of capital expenditures estimates.

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