North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2012

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54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing architectural, engineering and related services, such as structure design, drafting, building inspection, landscape design, surveying and mapping, laboratory and on-site testing, and interior, industrial, graphic and other specialized design services.

54131 - Architectural services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in planning and designing the construction of residential, institutional, leisure, commercial and industrial buildings and other structures by applying knowledge of design, construction procedures, zoning regulations, building codes and building materials.

54132 - Landscape architectural services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in planning, designing and administering the development of land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational areas, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial and residential areas by applying knowledge of land characteristics, location of buildings and structures, use of land areas, and design of landscape projects.

54133 - Engineering services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in applying principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes and systems. The assignments undertaken by these establishments may involve any of the following activities: the provision of advice, the preparation of feasibility studies, the preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, the provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, the inspection and evaluation of engineering projects, and related services.

54134 - Drafting services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in drawing detailed layouts, plans and illustrations of buildings, structures, systems or components from engineering and architectural specifications.

54135 - Building inspection services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing building inspection services. These establishments typically evaluate all aspects of the building structure and component systems and prepare a report on the physical condition of the property, generally for buyers or others involved in real estate transactions.

54136 - Geophysical surveying and mapping services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in gathering, interpreting and mapping geophysical data. These establishments often specialize in locating and measuring the extent of subsurface resources, such as oil, gas and minerals, but they may also conduct surveys for engineering purposes. A variety of surveying techniques are used, including seismic, magnetic, gravity, electrical and electromagnetic, radioactive and remote sensing, depending on the purpose of the survey.

54137 - Surveying and mapping (except geophysical) services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing surveying and mapping services of the surface of the earth, including the sea floor. These services may include surveying and mapping of areas above or below the surface of the earth, such as the creation of view easements or segregating rights in parcels of land by creating underground utility easements.

54138 - Testing laboratories

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing physical, chemical and other analytical testing services. The testing activities may occur in a laboratory or on-site.

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