Operating context
A developed, democratic country such as Canada requires vast amounts of information to function effectively. Statistics provide Canadians with vital information to help monitor inflation, promote economic growth, plan cities and roads, adjust pensions, and develop employment and social programs. They help governments, businesses and individuals make informed decisions.
The value placed on data by every segment of society is growing at an exponential pace. At the same time, new tools and new computing power are emerging and multiplying the volume and types of information available.
As the demand for information increases along with its importance and availability, privacy concerns, call-screening technology and the busy lives of Canadians are making it harder to reach and obtain information from households. As a result, the agency is continually seeking out new and innovative approaches to meet emerging data needs.
As it innovates and modernizes, the agency will be well positioned to play a more active role in guiding and shaping this information age.
Key risks
Statistics Canada has a solid track record of identifying and mitigating risks, which are events that, given their likelihood and impact, have the potential to prevent the agency from achieving its goals. Risks are driven by factors both internal and external to the agency.
Statistics Canada must remain relevant and respond to the demands of both data users and respondents. Loss of relevance and responsiveness is considered one of the agency's key risks. Namely, the expectations of data users are rapidly evolving. Users require more sophisticated and timely data and analyses, while respondents face increased demands on their time. To remain relevant to users and to encourage survey participation among respondents, the agency must remain connected, adopt innovative methodological approaches, be fully mindful of respondent burden while protecting the privacy of Canadians, and communicate the importance of the data it is collecting and releasing.
Statistics Canada is exposed to new challenges and business conditions that, while opening up considerable opportunities for the agency, may also expose the agency to risk. Changing technology is altering how the agency interacts with information users and providers. These new technologies are affecting the agency's collection strategy, data processing capacity and dissemination methods. Statistics Canada must balance modernization and transformation with the delivery of existing statistical programs.
Moreover, the potential for statistical errors and breaches in the confidentiality of information are considered areas where continuous monitoring and mitigation are necessary. Statistics Canada is committed to protecting the confidentiality of the information with which it is entrusted. The production of reliable statistics depends on the willing participation of respondents, and Canadians are more willing to provide their information to Statistics Canada because they are confident that the agency will keep it safe.
To address these risks, the agency continues to adapt and evolve its governing instruments and oversight frameworks and relies on the expertise of its employees. The agency must also continue to invest in robust infrastructure—both technological and methodological—to ensure the reliability, timeliness, scalability and security of its statistics.
Risk management allows the agency to meet the current and emerging information needs of Canadians efficiently and effectively. If users are assured that the agency's statistics are timely, credible and of high quality, they will be less inclined to seek alternative, less reliable data sources for their information. The risks described above are articulated in detail in the agency's Corporate Risk Profile, which was developed as part of the Integrated Risk Management Framework. This is a proactive, systematic and agency-wide process to identify, understand, manage, monitor and communicate risk to support objectives.
| Risks | Risk response strategy and effectiveness | Link to department's Core Responsibilities | Link to mandate letter commitments and any government-wide or departmental priorities (as applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Relevance: Because of growing external demands stemming from continually evolving factors, there is a risk that Statistics Canada's programs will not fully meet the needs of users, resulting in a loss of relevance for the agency. |
Statistics Canada made progress with its modernization initiative, which focuses on user-centric service delivery. Under this initiative, the following activities occurred:
|
|
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Mandate Letter:
Government-wide priorities:
|
|
Credibility and reputation: Because of the scope and complexity of the significant transformations happening under the modernization initiative, there is a risk that the objectives of the initiative and the heightened expectations of users will not be fully met, resulting in a loss of credibility and reputation. |
The agency has created the Modernization Management Committee and the Modernization Secretariat to oversee and support the initiative. These bodies provide oversight for the various activities taking place. The following areas of focus are related to this risk: Administrative data:
IT infrastructure:
Human resources:
Communications and capacity building:
Risk response strategy and effectiveness |
|
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Mandate Letter:
Government-wide priorities:
|
|
Trust and reputation: With growing pressures to produce information more quickly, coupled with an increasingly complex production environment and increasing demands, there is a risk that a major error will occur in a key statistical report or program, resulting in a loss of trust and reputation. |
Statistics Canada has well-established structures and governance instruments in place to mitigate this risk. The agency has continued to adapt and improve them by
|
|
Not applicable |
|
Trust and reputation: With the risk of failure of the controls in place and the increase in cybersecurity threats, there is a risk that a material breach of confidential or sensitive information will occur, resulting in a loss of trust and reputation. |
In addition to a strong culture and value system, the agency has oversight, governance instruments and processes to mitigate this risk. The organization has continued to be proactively vigilant by
|
|
Not applicable |