The Conference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada (now Signal49 Research) is an Ottawa-based not-for-profit economic research organization founded in 1954, serving Canadian government agencies, businesses, and industry associations with economic forecasting, policy analysis, and sector-specific research, and recently expanded into employment services via the Vicinity Jobs Inc. acquisition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Conference Board of Canada does
The Conference Board of Canada, now operating as Signal49 Research (Canada) following a January 26, 2026 rebranding, is an independent Canadian not-for-profit applied research and convening organization headquartered in Ottawa. Founded in 1954, the organization produces economic research, forecasts, and policy analysis for federal, provincial, and municipal government agencies, Canadian businesses, and industry associations. Its core product portfolio includes economic outlook reports, GDP growth projections, trade and tariff impact assessments, housing market analysis, labour market studies, and sector-specific commissioned research (e.g., National Shipbuilding Strategy economic impact assessments, beverage industry consumer research). Deliverables are distributed through direct client engagement, published reports, and media partnerships.
The organization's value proposition centers on independence and methodological rigor, with research produced by an in-house team of economists and policy experts. Customer segments include the Government and Public Sector (primary), Business and Corporate Sector (primary), and Industry Associations and Research Partners (secondary). Distribution occurs primarily through direct enterprise engagement, commissioned reports for government and industry clients, and public dissemination via news releases and media partnerships. The organization does not publicly disclose pricing or a transactional product model, consistent with its not-for-profit, member- and contract-supported revenue structure.
On November 19, 2025, the organization announced the acquisition of Vicinity Jobs Inc., a Canadian employment and job-search platform, broadening its product surface beyond pure research into workforce services. The name change to Signal49 Research, effective January 26, 2026, ended the licensing arrangement with The Conference Board, Inc. and explicitly positions the entity as an independent Canadian organization operating under its own governance and management.
The Conference Board of Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Conference Board of Canada
- Legal name
- Signal49 Research
- Website
- https://conferenceboard.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Conference Board of Canada (now Signal49 Research) is an Ottawa-based not-for-profit economic research organization founded in 1954, serving Canadian government agencies, businesses, and industry associations with economic forecasting, policy analysis, and sector-specific research, and recently expanded into employment services via the Vicinity Jobs Inc. acquisition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Conference Board of Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Economic and Policy Research Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (813920), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing (EDAGAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK)
Keywords
Where The Conference Board of Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The Conference Board of Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
The Conference Board of Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Conference Board of Canada is an independent not-for-profit applied research organization that produces economic forecasts, policy and trade impact analyses, labour market studies, and sector-specific industry research for Canadian governments, corporations, and industry associations. Its outputs include published outlook reports, commissioned economic impact assessments (e.g., for the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the beverage sector), and data-driven policy guidance used by decision-makers across Canada.
Product overview
The Conference Board of Canada operates as Canada's leading independent research organization, providing economic forecasting services and sector-specific research reports. The organization offers a portfolio of research products including economic outlook reports, trade and policy analysis, and specialized sector studies. Following the January 2026 rebranding to Signal49 Research, the portfolio will include the acquired Vicinity Jobs Inc. platform alongside the core research and forecasting services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Economic Research and Forecasting Services Core applied research and forecasting services covering Canadian economic outlook, GDP growth projections, trade and policy analysis, housing market assessments, and labour market analysis, delivered as reports and forecasts to governments, corporations, and industry associations.
- Vicinity Jobs Inc. Employment and job search platform acquired by The Conference Board of Canada in November 2025 as part of expansion initiatives, serving as a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on the Canadian employment market.
Quantifiable outcome
- National Shipbuilding Strategy projected to contribute $17 billion to Canada's GDP (2013-2027)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Conference Board of Canada
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Conference Board of Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Conference Board of Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Vicinity Jobs Inc.coreThe Conference Board of Canada announced the acquisition of Vicinity Jobs Inc. as part of growth initiatives to expand its impact and better serve the Canadian market. This acquisition supports the organization's expansion of its research and convening capabilities within Canada.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Conference Board of Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brookings Institution: One of the largest U.S.-based non-profit public policy research organizations. Comparable in non-partisan applied research and convening model, but at much greater scale, with a broader U.S./global audience.
- RAND Corporation: Global non-profit research institution producing independent research and analysis. Comparable in mission of independent, rigorous policy and economic research, but at substantially larger scale and global footprint.
- Oxford Economics: A global economic research and forecasting firm serving governments, corporates, and financial institutions. Comparable in macro-economic forecasting and sector impact-analysis offerings, but at significantly larger scale and with global rather than Canadian-only footprint.
Direct peers
- Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP): An independent Canadian non-profit focused on public policy research, with similar member-supported economics and policy work and a comparable Ottawa-headquartered operating model.
- C.D. Howe Institute: Canada's leading independent, non-partisan economic and social policy research organization. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and Canadian policy-research focus, with overlapping audiences in federal/provincial governments and corporate Canada.
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA): Independent Canadian research organization producing policy research on economic, social, and labour-market issues. Comparable in non-profit model, research publications, and Canadian policy-debate engagement.
- Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI): Canadian think tank producing research on global economic governance, trade, and policy. Comparable in independent Canadian research model and policy-convening activities.
- The Conference Board, Inc. The global non-profit think tank and business membership organization from which The Conference Board of Canada previously licensed its name. Offers closely overlapping economic forecasting, policy research, and executive convening, now serving the Canadian market independently of Signal49 Research.
- Mowat Centre: A Canadian public-policy research organization focused on economic competitiveness, governance, and innovation. Comparable in applied-policy research output and Canadian-government audience overlap.
Emerging players
- Deloitte Canada - Economics Team: The economics and policy team at a Big Four consultancy produces Canadian economic forecasts and sector analyses comparable to those of the Conference Board, but as part of a broader commercial advisory practice. Overlapping client base in Canadian government and corporate sectors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Conference Board of Canada social profiles
Digital presenceThe Conference Board of Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Conference Board of Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Conference Board of Canada subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Conference Board of Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Conference Board of Canada M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Conference Board of Canada
What does The Conference Board of Canada do?
The Conference Board of Canada is an independent not-for-profit applied research organization that produces economic forecasts, policy and trade impact analyses, labour market studies, and sector-specific industry research for Canadian governments, corporations, and industry associations. Its outputs include published outlook reports, commissioned economic impact assessments (e.g., for the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the beverage sector), and data-driven policy guidance used by decision-makers across Canada.
Is The Conference Board of Canada a public or private company?
The Conference Board of Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Conference Board of Canada founded?
The Conference Board of Canada was founded in 1954. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Conference Board of Canada based?
The Conference Board of Canada is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
Who are The Conference Board of Canada's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation and Oxford Economics. Direct peers are Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), C.D. Howe Institute, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), The Conference Board, Inc. and Mowat Centre. Deloitte Canada - Economics Team is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Conference Board of Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Conference Board of Canada.
What industry is The Conference Board of Canada in?
The Conference Board of Canada's product category is Economic and Policy Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAFAL, Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJABAK, Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing. Its NAICS code is 813920.