Commercial services, the activities operating within the private sector, are attracted to markets according to the population of the area they serve and the level of market income. The growth rates in commercial services between 1986 and 1996 indicate that growth was widely dispersed across Canada. Generally, commercial service activities were disproportionately attracted to the larger centres (Toronto, Montréal); however, growth was less in these larger cities. High growth rates occurred throughout Alberta and British Columbia, and around Toronto and Montréal where the urban markets have grown most rapidly.