Though it is Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs, the BDC does more than just lend money to businesses. One of its important functions is issuing research reports and market forecasts. To do this, it utilizes market information, conducts surveys, looks at its own data, and examines the economy as a whole.

One such report, released in September 2018, focused on employment levels. Typically, such reports are concerned with unemployment, but this one had a different conclusion. Canada, it seemed, had a labour shortage. "Labour shortages are affecting growth for many Canadian businesses, and this has an impact on Canada’s competitiveness," according to Pierre Cleroux, Vice President of Research at BDC. Based on a study of 1200 entrepreneurs, the BDC’s researchers found that labour shortages led to slower sales growth. The research also showed that mid-sized businesses were the hardest hit, and some areas of the country, such as Atlantic Canada, suffered from this more than others did.

This research also helps the BDC help its clients. This includes advice; for example, Pierre Cleroux added in his report that "entrepreneurs should think about hiring from under-represented segments of the population, such as younger or less-qualified workers, retired workers, or newcomers to Canada. The help, however, goes beyond suggestions like these. In 2019, about a year after the report was issued, the BDC put out a press release announcing $300 million in loans specifically for Atlantic Canada businesses. Though not specifically tied to the labour shortage in that region, knowing more about the market helps the BDC target its efforts to better serve its clients and the country.

In what ways does the research done by the BDC help the bank, its clients, or both?