Custom Research

Established economic experts.
The best and brightest researchers.
Highest-quality content.

Solutions to the toughest problems.

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Why do custom research with us?

We provide unbiased, highly focused research and analysis to take on your most pressing challenges and opportunities.

The brightest minds

The Conference Board of Canada is the foremost applied research organization in Canada. Our research, data, and economic insights are developed by interdisciplinary teams composed of eminent academics, leading economists and seasoned business professionals. Our staff boasts 31 economists, 19 PhDs, and 71 graduate degrees.

Impactful analysis

Our research teams allow us to study complex issues from multiple perspectives, apply proprietary models and cutting-edge methodologies—supported by a deep understanding of the market, political, and social context in which they occur. These integrated insights help create meaningful impact within Canadian organizations and industries.

Proven expertise

With over 65 years of proven experience, The Conference Board of Canada’s research has impacted the lives of all Canadians. We help you make informed decisions so you can lead with confidence. Our custom research looks to provide concrete, independent solutions to help you solve your toughest problems.

“We have found The Conference Board of Canada to be courteous, helpful, and professional with strong analytical capabilities to support our work.”

Amanda Young, Load Forecast Specialist, Energy Planning and Analytics, BC Hydro

Discuss your biggest challenges with us

Leaders turn to us for help solving complex challenges in areas that include:

  • Economic and industry performance
  • Innovation and technology
  • Sustainability
  • Human Resources
  • Inclusion
  • Education and skills
  • Health and wellness
  • Immigration
  • Indigenous and Northern communities

Our data and insights are unfettered by external influences and can be relied upon for objective decision-making.

We deliver unbiased, evidence-based analysis you can trust.

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Client spotlight

Human Resources, Canadian Economics

Trucking HR Canada

The Road Ahead: Addressing Canada’s Trucking and Logistics Industry Labour Shortage

OLIP: Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership
  1. Why did you reach out to the CBoC?
    Trucking HR Canada conducted a competitive process to develop comprehensive labour market information for the trucking and logistics industry. We were looking for an organization capable of providing profiles of key occupations, labour market forecasting along with an employer survey. Through our analysis The Conference Board of Canada were clearly the best organization to excel at all components of our project.

    Their expertise at both analysing Statistics Canada data along with their ability to develop and analyse employer-based surveys were key factors in our decision to work with The Conference Board of Canada. Their reputation for providing timely and insightful economic and labour market forecasts made CBoC the clear winner.
  2. What problem or challenge did we help you solve?
    Our initial environmental scan concluded that the labour market information (LMI) for the trucking and logistics industry was either inconclusive, disparate, or out of date. The goal of our project is to provide comprehensive national level labour market information for the industry. This was to be completed through a final comprehensive report and an LMI dashboard that will allow THRC to continue to produce LMI at the occupational and provincial level.

    Due to COVID-19 we had to switch gears slightly and extended our contract with CBoC to include an analysis of the effects on COVID-19 on the trucking and logistics labour market.
  3. What is the anticipated impact of this work?
    So far, the impact of the research has been immense. We have heard from C-Suite level executives within the industry who have said that the research that we have conducted with CBoC is informing decisions at the executive level. Our LMI has helped inform decision makers at the employer, industry association and governmental level. We have also had national media outlets run stories based on our industry report, The Road Ahead. Our Workforce Knowledge Exchange, which coincided with the release of The Road Ahead report, had over 80 industry representatives register. Our first COVID-19 LMI briefing where we detailed the results of our updated employer survey had over 100 attendees.

“We have been very impressed with the CBoC team led by Kristelle [Audet], Robert [Meyer-Robinson] and Greg [Hermus]. Their expertise and incredible analytical skills are second to none. Their ability to quickly learn a new industry and understand its unique characteristics has led to the success of this project. They have regularly delivered above our expectations and have always been an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Craig Faucette, Director, Policy and Programs, Trucking HR Canada

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The Economic Impact of Family-owned Enterprises in Canada

Focus Area—Canadian Economics

English–French Bilingualism Outside Quebec: An Economic Portrait of Bilinguals in Canada

Focus Area—Canadian Economics

The Fiscal Health of Canadian Governments

Focus Area—Canadian Economics

Fit for Duty: Alcohol and Drug Testing in Canadian Workplaces

Focus Area—Health

The Cost of a Cleaner Future: Examining the Economic Impacts of Reducing GHG Emissions

Focus Areas—Sustainability, Canadian Economics

Client spotlight

BC Hydro: Power smart

Canadian Economics

BC Hydro

BC Regional Economic Outlook

  1. Why did you reach out to the CBoC?
    The Conference Board of Canada is a reputable source for economic forecast and modelling and demonstrated through a rigorous RFP (Request for Proposal) process the ability to provide the data we needed.
  2. What problem or challenge did we help you solve?
    BC Hydro’s Electric Load Forecast is based on several comprehensive end-use and econometric models that use billed sales, combined with a wide variety of economic forecasts and inputs from internal, government and third-party sources. These models require a forecast of major economic drivers for the entire province of BC and for specific sub areas. The Conference Board of Canada provides BC Hydro with historical data and forecasts of economic drivers used by BC Hydro to develop the load forecast.
  3. What is the anticipated impact of this work?
    The economic forecast provided by the Conference Board of Canada informs BC Hydro’s Electric Load Forecast, which in turn provides decision-making support on the questions of “where, when and how much” electricity is expected to be required on the BC Hydro system.

“The Conference Board of Canada has provided the economic inputs required for our Electric Load Forecast on a timely basis. We have found them to be courteous, helpful, and professional with strong analytical capabilities to support our work.”

Amanda Young, Load Forecast Specialist, Energy Planning and Analytics, BC Hydro

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Client spotlight

Immigration, Canadian Economics

Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership

The Economic Impact of Immigration in Ottawa–Gatineau

OLIP: Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership
  1. Why did you reach out to the CBoC?
    We chose the Conference Board of Canada to do a custom research because we trust the Board’s experience and ability to do high quality and relevant research.
  2. What problem or challenge did we help you solve?
    We wanted to strengthen a shared understanding among OLIP partners and stakeholders that immigration is beneficial to Ottawa’s economic and social development. Specifically, we wanted to stimulate reflection and discussion on the pathways through which immigrants impact the local economy, with a view to promoting greater support for immigrants’ economic integration.
  3. What is the anticipated impact of this work?
    We anticipate that the report will stimulate informed planning and motivate leadership and action on ways to improve immigrants’ labour market outcomes. In other words, we hope the report will shed light on the importance of supporting an improved labour market outcome for immigrants.

“We found the Conference Board of Canada researchers to be competent and attentive to our objectives. It was easy and pleasant to work with Pedro, Alan, and Henry. Ultimately the objectives of our custom research were met.”

Hindia Mohamoud, Director, Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership

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