Attendance
CSAC Members Attendance
Dr. Howard Ramos (Chairperson), Anil Arora, David Chaundy, Benoit Dostie, Annette Hester, Jan Kestle
Statistics Canada
Assistant Chief Statisticians: Josée Bégin, Stéphane Dufour, André Loranger, Kathleen Mitchell, Eric Rancourt, Mélanie Scott
Meeting Agenda – Day 1
| Time | Agenda | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9:10 |
Members meet-and-greet |
All members |
| 9:10 – 9:30 |
Chief Statistician updates |
Anil Arora Chief Statistician of Canada |
| 9:30 – 9:50 |
Chairperson introductory remarks |
Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
| 10:00 – 11:00 |
Discussion on modernization in data and analytics |
Jan Kestle CSAC member |
| 11:00 – 12:00 |
Cloud computing, data science and generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) at Statistics Canada |
Ian Bale Director, Enterprise Cloud Services Division, Statistics Canada Christos Sarakinos Director, Data Science and Innovation Division, Statistics Canada Marc Peladeau Director, Digital Strategy, Planning and Enablement Division, Statistics Canada |
| 12:00 – 13:00 |
Lunch |
|
| 13:00 – 13:45 |
Discussion on legislation and privacy |
Pierre Desrochers Director, Office of Privacy Management and Information Coordination, Statistics Canada |
| 13:45 – 14:45 |
Update on Census of Environment |
Francois Soulard Research Manager, Environment accounts and statistics Division, Statistics Canada |
| 15:00 – 15:45 |
Communications strategy for the 2023 CSAC report |
Christine Léger Director, Strategic Communications and Planning Division, Statistics Canada Mireille Nassrallah Manager, Corporate Communications, Statistics Canada |
| 15:45 – 16:00 |
Chairperson closing remarks for the day |
Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
Meeting Minutes
1. Chief Statistician updates
Dr. Ramos opened the meeting by welcoming members to the in-person meeting of the CSAC. Mr. Arora gave an update on the agency's operating context and noted the importance of Statistics Canada's data stewardship role. He provided a summary of his international engagements during the fall of 2023 and reiterated the leadership role of Statistics Canada on several issues. The Chief Statistician concluded his remarks with corporate updates.
2. Chairperson introductory remarks
Dr. Ramos shared updates on Council business, including key meetings he had in his capacity as the Chairperson of CSAC, and provided an overview of the agenda for the first day of the in-person meeting.
3. Discussion on modernization in data and analytics
Ms. Kestle thanked members for the invitation to share some thoughts on new data processing techniques and data sources as well as privacy enhancing technologies and privacy by design, building on her work with Environics Analytics. The organization specializes in geo-demographic segmentation, site evaluation modelling and custom analytics. The Council and Statistics Canada participants in this session discussed implications and opportunities for the national data ecosystem, the role of Statistics Canada and other companies like Environics Analytics and the importance of partnerships.
4. Cloud computing, data science and generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) at Statistics Canada
Mr. Rancourt introduced the presentation by providing context on the interconnection between data science, AI and cloud computing. Mr. Bale presented an overview of Statistics Canada's cloud journey, the opportunities provided by the cloud, lessons learned and examples of Statistics Canada initiatives enabled by the cloud. Mr. Sarakinos then shared the maturity progress of data science in the agency, the adopted model and opportunities related to expansion of data science capabilities. Mr. Peladeau provided background on the use of generative AI at Statistics Canada, opportunities, considerations and next steps. Meeting participants discussed key considerations and opportunities.
Council members noted that these technologies present opportunities for efficiency and provided advice on the importance of using the technology to remove some of the current limitations statistical organisations face. They also noted the need to ensure the workforce has the skills needed to not only adopt but also to be nimble and agile to adapt to new technologies and tools. The Council recommended to use these new technologies to improve how stakeholders, Canadians and policy makers can access, understand and consume insights published by StatCan. The team will keep the CSAC apprised of the progress on this file, including incorporating the Council's feedback, at subsequent meetings.
5. Discussion on legislation and privacy
Mr. Desrochers presented an update on the discussions on the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (Bill C-27), introduced by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Phillippe Champagne, and next steps. Meeting participants discussed other related bills and pieces of legislation as well as key considerations for the national statistical system.
6. Update on Census of Environment
Mr. Loranger provided background and context on the Census of Environment and previous presentations to the Council, noted the purpose of the presentation and introduced the presenters to the Council. Mr. Soulard presented an overview of the scope of the Environmental Statistics Program, an update on ongoing activities for the Census of Environment, key products Statistics Canada is delivering and upcoming products. A question-and-answer period followed the presentation during which meeting participants discussed the scope of the program, key priorities to focus on and distribution and accessibility of data on the environment. Statistics Canada presenters welcomed CSAC's recommendation to use plain language and user-centric and design techniques so that the program is easier to understand for non-technical audiences and all Canadians.
Council members emphasized the need to ensure an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders who need the data, such as Canadians, policy makers, researchers and businesses, by designing pilots and minimum viable products, focusing on the desired outcome, to adapt and improve based on feedback from users. They recommended focusing on ease of access for users and products that can be consumed easily for decision-making, depending on targeted stakeholders. They also noted the importance of leveraging technologies and ensuring the workforce has the skills needed to be agile and innovative. The team will keep the CSAC apprised of the progress on this file, including incorporating the Council's feedback, at subsequent meetings.
7. Communications strategy for the 2023 CSAC report
Ms. Léger and Ms. Nassrallah presented an overview of the communication plan and products that will be shared with members to support the release of the 2023 CSAC annual report. A discussion between members and the presenters followed the presentation focusing on key products and differences with last year's plan.
8. Chairperson closing remarks for the day
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 Remote Data Access - Perspective from France |
Guest Speaker: Kamel Gadouche Director of the Centre d'accès Sécurisé aux Données (Secure Access Data Center), France |
| 10:20 – 12:00 |
Taking stock for the coming year |
All members |
| 12:00 – 12:40 |
Working lunch |
|
| 12:40 – 12:50 |
Roundtable Discussion and Chairperson closing remarks |
Howard Ramos Chairperson, CSAC |
1. Chairperson Introductory Remarks
Dr. Ramos welcomed participants back and provided an overview of the agenda for the second day of the CSAC in-person meeting.
2. Discussion on Remote Data Access - Perspective from France
Mr. Gadouche presented the work of Centre d'accès Sécurisé aux Données (Secure Access Data Center) or CASD. It is a non-profit consortium, with six institutions participating to its development, which organizes and implements secure access services for confidential data for non-profit research, study, evaluation or innovation, activities described as "research services". He explained how access to confidential data is managed in France in the context of the European legal framework and confidentiality continuum. He presented the governance framework CASD uses and certifications received. Mr. Gadouche provided an overview of services provided by CASD, including the technical aspects, and some examples of projects. A question-and-answer period between meeting participants and the guest speaker followed the presentation.
3. Taking stock for the coming year
CSAC members held an in-camera discussion on the work of the Council for the year to come, including the annual report.
4. Roundtable Discussion and Chairperson Closing Remarks
Following a roundtable discussion among CSAC members, Dr. Ramos summarised 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.