Attendance
CSAC Members Attendance
Dr. Howard Ramos (Chairperson), Anil Arora, David Chaundy, Benoit Dostie, Annette Hester, Jan Kestle, Céline Le Bourdais
Statistics Canada
Lynn Barr-Telford, Josée Bégin, Stéphane Dufour, André Loranger, Kathleen Mitchell, Eric Rancourt, Mélanie Scott
Meeting Agenda – Day 1
| Time | Agenda | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 – 9:45 | Members meet-and-greet | All members |
| 9:45 – 9:50 | Chairperson introductory remarks | Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
| 9:50 – 10:20 | Chief Statistician updates | Anil Arora Chief Statistician of Canada |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Discussion on open data | Guest speaker: Tom Emery Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Deputy Director of ODISSEI (Netherlands) |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | Discussion on data stewardship | Guest speaker: Pádraig Dalton Director General of the Central Statistics Office in Ireland and Chair of the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) |
| 12:15 – 13:00 | Lunch | |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | Discussion on social acceptability of data sharing |
Guest speakers: Sandy Kyriakatos |
| 13:45 – 14:00 | Photo opportunity with council members | All members |
| 14:10 – 15:00 | Discussion about the report In camera |
All members |
| 15:10 – 15:40 | Discussion about the report (continued) In camera |
All members |
| 15:40 – 15:50 | Chairperson closing remarks for the day | Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
Meeting Minutes
1. Chairperson Introductory Remarks
Dr. Ramos kicked off the meeting by welcoming participants and highlighting intended outcomes for the two-days CSAC in-person meeting.
2. Chief Statistician Updates
Mr. Arora gave an update on Statistics Canada's shifting operating context, noting its leadership role on various influential tables within the international statistical system and provided a summary on his international engagements during the Spring and early Summer of 2022. The Chief Statistician (CS) also provided a progress update on the Agency's hybrid workplace strategy and the way forward.
3. Discussion on Open Data
Guest Speaker:
- Tom Emery, Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Deputy Director of ODISSEI (Netherlands)
Mr. Emery shared information about ODISSEI, a federated data infrastructure for the social and economic sciences in the Netherlands, representing 45 member organizations. The unique data consortium enables access to infrastructure and data for researchers, linking survey data to administrative data. He shared details on the consortium, including on its organizational model, governance, data stewardship and funding. He then took questions from meeting participants.
4. Discussion on Data Stewardship
Guest Speaker:
- Pádraig Dalton, Director General of the Central Statistics Office in Ireland and Chair of the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES)
Mr. Dalton spoke to Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) journey to a data stewardship role, noting that it took them a long time to collectively increase the readiness of Ireland's data ecosystem. He spoke to key drivers, including quality data and insights, and data services. He also spoke to their efforts to engage key stakeholders over the years, including the custodians of administrative data, citizens and policy makers. The extent to which the CSO can be a data steward is dependent on trust. Mr. Dalton also touched on the importance of data linkages and integration and of innovation, partnerships and collaborations, as well as co-ordination on standards and classifications. He recognized Statistics Canada as a leading agency worldwide, including in the areas of modernization of official statistics, and of data stewardship. Guests and meeting participants concluded this segment with questions and answers.
5. Discussion on Social Acceptability of Data Sharing
Guest Speakers:
- Sue Hutchison, President of Equifax Canada
- Sandy Kyriakatos, Chief Data Officer, Equifax Canada
Ms. Hutchinson gave an overview of Equifax Canada and its business areas including fraud, consumer and commercial solutions. Ms. Hutchinson and Ms. Kyriakatos spoke to the need for partnerships for their organization to source, enrich, enhance and integrate data for better insights. They shared insights and lessons learned on gaining trust for data sharing, including the need to drive value and positive outcomes, for those who share their data and the importance of informed consent and data privacy and security. The presentation was followed by a discussion between guests and meeting participants focused on social acceptability of data sharing.
6. Discussion on the CSAC report
CSAC members held an in-camera discussion on their 2023 report.
7. Chairperson Closing Remarks
Dr. Ramos facilitated a roundtable discussion and offered closing remarks for the day.
Meeting Agenda – Day 2
| Time | Agenda | Lead Participant(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:10 | Chairperson introductory remarks | Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
| 9:10 – 10:10 | Discussion on Parliamentary committees and business Presentation by Statistics Canada |
Pierre Desrochers Director, Statistics Canada |
| 10:20 – 11:00 | Discussion on Net Zero Presentation by Statistics Canada |
Heidi Ertl Francois Soulard |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | Discussion on social acceptability of data sharing | Guest Speaker: Alika Lafontaine President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) |
| 11:45 – 12:45 | Lunch | |
| 12:45 – 14:00 | Discussion on report In camera |
All members |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Chairperson closing remarks | Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
1. Chairperson Introductory Remarks
Dr. Ramos welcomed participants back, provided an overview of accomplishments from the previous day and intended outcomes for the second day of the CSAC in-person meeting.
2. Discussion on Discussion on Parliamentary Committees and Business
Guest Speaker:
- Pierre Desrochers, Chief Privacy Officer, Statistics Canada
Mr. Desrochers shared with CSAC members an update on the stage of the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (Bill C-27), introduced by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Phillippe Champagne, in the legislative process and what next steps are. CSAC members discussed the implications of legislation related to data and digital infrastructure on an evolving privacy landscape, including for individual and economic interests in a 21st century digital world.
3. Discussion on Net Zero
Guest Speakers:
- Heidi Ertl, Director, Centre for Energy and Transportation Statistics
- Francois Soulard, Research Manager, Environment and Accounts Statistics Division
Speakers provided a progress update to CSAC members, on Canada's actions to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Statistics Canada's activities are coordinated with Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Canada Energy Regulator and aligned with the Net Zero Advisory Board advice on measuring and monitoring net zero. They shared information on the latest agency measurement activities, data and tools, including hubs and portals to increase access to net zero data and insights. The presentation was followed by a discussion between guests and meeting participants.
4. Discussion on Social Acceptability of Data Sharing
Guest Speaker:
- Alika Lafontaine, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
Mr. Lafontaine shared a historical overview of the health data system in Canada and barriers around data, data access and governance over the years. He then shared some industry best practices he has come across and what he foresees for health data, including the integration of patient data consent across systems. Federal, provincial, and territorial partnerships for standards will be crucial. So will social acceptability for data sharing and trust. Mr. Lafontaine then answered questions from CSAC members on opportunities and challenges CSAC members could consider around the data ecosystem.
5. Discussion on the CSAC report – continued
CSAC members held another in-camera discussion on their 2023 report.
6. Roundtable Discussion and Chairperson Closing Remarks
Following a roundtable discussion among CSAC members, Dr. Ramos discussed next steps for the Council. He thanked CSAC members, the Chief Statistician, the Assistant Chief Statisticians and their teams and the CSAC Secretariat for their support.