Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey (METSS)

Detailed information for January 2026

The purpose of this survey is to obtain information on the transportation and storage of energy in Canada. This information serves as an important indicator of Canadian economic performance and is used by all levels of government in establishing informed policies in the energy area. The private sector likewise uses this information in the corporate decision-making process.

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

Description

This monthly survey collects data on the activities of the Canadian energy transportation and storage sector. This data is required for integration into the input-output sector of the Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts. Data is made available under the authority of the Statistics Act to other federal departments and provincial authorities through data sharing agreements subject to embodied principles of data confidentiality. Data is intended for use by survey respondents, industry associations, industry analysts, the press and the general public to assess trends in the Canadian energy sector.

Reference period: Month

Collection period: The month following the reference period

Subjects

• Energy
• Energy consumption and disposition
• Petroleum products
• Pipelines

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The survey is comprised of pipelines, rail and marine transportation establishments in Canada.

Instrument design

The Questionnaire Design Resource Centre (QDRC) was consulted and the questionnaire was tested with pipeline and marine respondents to ensure the questions, concepts and terminology were appropriate.

Sampling

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

The sampling unit is the establishment as defined on the Statistics Canada Business Register.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files. Electronic questionnaires are sent to pipeline and marine respondents. Marine data is an addition to the survey coverage, which provides further insight into the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products and renewable fuels being shipped by marine vessel.

The data will be integrated and processed through the Integrated Business Statistics program (IBSP).

METSS data is combined with other data sources to produce a more granular, and complete picture of the movements of crude oil, petroleum products and renewable fuels in Canada. To reduce response burden, METSS uses the administrative data source, Petrinex, to collect approximately 70% of pipeline data. Petrinex is a joint strategic organization supporting Canada's upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum industry and is represented by different governments and industry associations. Petrinex operates under a unique and proven Crown-Industry governance, management and funding structure.

Detailed rail data is extracted from the Statistics Canada Monthly Railway Car Loadings survey (survey number 2732) to further reduce response burden on the industry.

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