Description: This survey, sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada, gathered information on paths leading to self-employment, on the characteristics, insurance coverage and opinions of self-employed persons, for reference year 1999.

Who/what is surveyed: Conducted as a supplement to the Labour Force Survey, this special survey gathered information from individuals aged 15 to 69 whose main job is classified as self-employment. Excluded are those working on average fewer than 11 hours per week and full-time students.

How the data is collected: Computer-assisted telephone interviews, non-proxy

Geographic detail: Canada, provinces (master file), region (public use file), census metropolitan areas

Demographic detail: as on the Labour Force Survey public use file, age at immigration (if applicable)

Information collected:

1. paths leading to self-employment (main activity before start of the current self-employment, work arrangements, main reason for self-employment)
2. Incidence of formal and informal training
3. Health, dental and disability insurance coverage
4. Financial security (experience of financial difficulties, revenue from self-employment, financial preparations for retirement)
5. Membership in associations relevant for self-employed, and
6. Opinions about positive and negative aspects of self-employment

Frequency: One time only

Sample size: 7,141 individuals (Five LFS rotation groups)

Reference period: 1999

Release dates: Public use microdata file planned for summer 2001

Response rates: Not yet available

What makes the data valuable: Little is known about paths leading to self-employment, about insurance coverage of self-employed, as well as about their perceptions of positive and negative aspects of this type of career.

Related surveys or data: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID)

Products and services: Public use microdata file planned for summer 2001 and, possibly, a joint analytical publication with the survey sponsor (HRDC)

Responsible division: Special Surveys