Member organisations
Learn more about the Members of the Vital Statistics Council for Canada (VSCC).
Reports and publications
Check out reports from Statistics Canada - Vital Statistics.
Structure and administration
Explore Statistics Canada - Vital Statistics to learn more about our accountability, committee structure, communications, and rules and regulations.
How to access Vital Statistics data
Find links to access Vital Statistics data.
History of Vital Statistics
Discover the history of Vital Statistics dating back to 1605 when the first records were kept.
Frequently asked questions on Vital Statistics
Learn more about Vital Statistics by viewing our frequently asked questions.
VSCC members only
This section is reserved for our members. If you are a member and are having issues accessing this page please email: statcan.cphdvitalstatisticssectionchief.statcan@statcan.gc.ca
About the Vital Statistics Council for Canada
Vital statistics in Canada are obtained from the official records of live births, stillbirths, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The official recording of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages is the responsibility of the individual provinces and territories.
The Vital Statistics Council for Canada is an inter-jurisdictional advisory group composed of the heads of the vital statistics divisions/agencies from all of the provincial and territorial governments and the Health Statistics Division of Statistics Canada. The Council provides a forum for developing common approaches for collecting vital statistics, sharing information with external parties (e.g., social services departments, law enforcement agencies, individuals) and for facilitating problem solving by sharing experiences, research findings, and expertise among the jurisdictions. The Council conducts business throughout the year via regular teleconferences in addition to an annual meeting
The Key Business Functions of the Vital Statistics Council of Canada are to:
- Exist as a forum to discuss issues around registration and certification of births, deaths, stillbirths, and changes of name
- Facilitate sharing, exchange and retention of information, data, and research between jurisdictions
- Facilitate discussion with a view to creating a uniform approach with regard to governing legislation, data collection, and certification of vital events.
- Facilitating the transfer and receipt of national and provincial/territorial data to Statistics Canada
- Liaise with service providers groups (e.g., physicians, coroners, funeral directors, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, notaries, etc.) to get an accurate picture of the lifespans of Canadians
- Liaise with federal and provincial government departments
- Liaise with US counterparts:
- National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS)
- National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS)
Contacts for the Vital Statistics Council for Canada
Co-chairs of Vital Statistics Council for Canada
- Steve Trites, Statistics Canada - Steve.Trites@statcan.gc.ca
- Jennifer Lindenbach, eHealth Saskatchewan - Jennifer.Lindenbach@eHealthsask.ca