By Dr. Jim Simmons

With this publication, the CSCA continues to monitor the performance of the commercial sector within the Canadian economy.  We hope that the volume will be used by our members as a handy reference; and that it will bring to the industry, educators, journalists and governments an appreciation of the size, complexity and volatility of the service economy.

Professionals in the industry know that the data in the handbook also reveals the many gaps in our collective information about these sectors.  We hope that we can continue to work together to improve these databases with the help of government agencies and the cooperation of individual firms, so that the next version of this publication - in 2004 - will provide more detail about the operation of major service activities.