SOCC61: The Sociology of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Grey literature is any literature that has not been published through traditional (commercial, for-profit) means. It is commonly produced by governmental or inter-governmental agencies, research institutes, professional associations, think tanks, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses.

Grey literature documents are often produced to report on activities, for the organization's records or for wider distribution. Grey literature often has an "on the ground" perspective, and since it bypasses the delays of commercial or academic publishing, it can be more current than literature in scholarly sources. 

Examples of grey literature include:

• Government documents
• Reports
• Statistics and data
• Policy documents

Because grey literature is not controlled by commercial publishing, it is often excluded from large databases or other mainstream sources. To find it, you will need to explore a variety of non-traditional sources, like document collections, websites, or portals, to ensure a comprehensive search.

The following collections, platforms, and tools can help you find Canadian government documents and reports. For more in-depth tips and recommendations, see the library's guide to Canadian government information.

To get started with finding Canadian immigration statistics, try searching on the websites and portals listed below. For more information about how to find historical immigration statistics, see the page on immigration in the library's guide to statistical resources.