Help spread the word about 2021 census data on language in Canada. These data were released on August 17, 2022.
Quick facts
English is the first official language spoken by just over three in four Canadians. This proportion increased from 74.8% in 2016 to 75.5% in 2021.
French is the first official language spoken by an increasing number of Canadians, but the proportion fell from 22.2% in 2016 to 21.4% in 2021.
The proportion of Canadians who spoke predominantly French at home decreased in all the provinces and territories, except Yukon.
The proportion of bilingual English–French Canadians (18.0%) remained virtually unchanged from 2016.
In Canada, 4 in 10 people could conduct a conversation in more than one language.
In 2021, one in four Canadians had at least one mother tongue other than English or French, and one in eight Canadians predominantly spoke predominantly a language other than English or French at home.
In 2021, 189,000 people reported having at least one Indigenous mother tongue.
4.6 million Canadians speak predominantly a language other than English or French at home.
Aside from English and French, Mandarin and Punjabi were the country's most widely spoken languages.
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Percentage of population by first official language spoken in 2021
Province or territory
French
English
Canada
21
75
Newfoundland and Labrador
< 1
99
Prince Edward Island
3
96
Nova Scotia
3
97
New Brunswick
30
69
Quebec
82
13
Ontario
3
93
Manitoba
3
96
Saskatchewan
1
98
Alberta
2
97
British Columbia
1
95
Yukon
5
95
Northwest Territories
3
96
Nunavut
2
93
Note(s): English is the minority official language of Canada in Quebec, while French is the minority official language in other provinces and territories, as well as in Canada as a whole.
Source(s): Census of Population, 2021 (3901).
New #2021Census data show that English is the first official language spoken by 75.5% of Canadians, and French by 21.4%.
Percentage of population in large urban centres who spoke predomininantly a language other than English or French at home in 2021
Census metropolitan area (CMA)
Percent
Large urban centres with the highest percentages
Vancouver
27.6
Toronto
26.3
Abbotsford–Mission
20.9
Calgary
17.4
Winnipeg
15.3
Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo
14.9
Edmonton
14.3
Large urban centres with the lowest percentages
Montréal
13.2
Saguenay
0.4
Trois-Rivières
1.7
Drummondville
1.8
St. John's
2.2
Québec
2.4
Peterborough
2.4
Note(s): The term 'large urban centre' means a census metropolitan area.
Source(s): Census of Population, 2021 (3901).
In Toronto and Vancouver, more than one in four individuals predominantly speak a language other than English or French at home. In Montréal, nearly one in five people is trilingual.
Learn more about #2021Census data on languages: https://bit.ly/3QoLv75
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Why are we conducting this survey?
This survey collects data on capital expenditures in Canada. The information is used by federal and provincial government departments and agencies, trade associations, universities and international organizations for policy development and as a measure of regional economic activity.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.
Other important information
Authorization to collect this information
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
Confidentiality
By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.
Record linkages
To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.
Data-sharing agreements
To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.
Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.
For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.
Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Enterprise Statistics Division
150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6
For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Infrastructure Canada, the Canada Energy Regulator, Natural Resources Canada and Sustainability Development Technology Canada.
For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.
Business or organization and contact information
1. Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct where needed.
Note: Legal name modifications should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.
Legal Name
The legal name is one recognized by law, thus it is the name liable for pursuit or for debts incurred by the business or organization. In the case of a corporation, it is the legal name as fixed by its charter or the statute by which the corporation was created.
Modifications to the legal name should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.
To indicate a legal name of another legal entity you should instead indicate it in question 3 by selecting 'Not currently operational' and then choosing the applicable reason and providing the legal name of this other entity along with any other requested information.
Operating Name
The operating name is a name the business or organization is commonly known as if different from its legal name. The operating name is synonymous with trade name.
Legal name
Operating name (if applicable)
2. Verify or provide the contact information of the designated business or organization contact person for this questionnaire and correct where needed.
Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.
First name
Last name
Title
Preferred language of communication
English
French
Mailing address (number and street)
City
Province, territory or state
Postal code or ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) code
Example: A9A 9A9 or 12345-1234
Telephone number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable)
Fax number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
3. Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Operational
Not currently operational
e.g., (for example) temporarily or permanently closed, change of ownership
Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
Seasonal operations
Ceased operations
Sold operations
Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
Temporarily inactive but will re-open
No longer operating due to other reasons
When did this business or organization close for the season?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
Bankruptcy
Liquidation
Dissolution
Other
Specify the other reasons why the operations ceased.
When was this business or organization sold?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
What is the legal name of the buyer?
When did this business or organization amalgamate?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
4. Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
This question verifies the business or organization's current main activity as classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system developed by the statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Created against the background of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it is designed to provide common definitions of the industrial structure of the three countries and a common statistical framework to facilitate the analysis of the three economies. NAICS is based on supply-side or production-oriented principles, to ensure that industrial data, classified to NAICS , are suitable for the analysis of production-related issues such as industrial performance.
The target entity for which NAICS is designed are businesses and other organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. They include farms, incorporated and unincorporated businesses and government business enterprises. They also include government institutions and agencies engaged in the production of marketed and non-marketed services, as well as organizations such as professional associations and unions and charitable or non-profit organizations and the employees of households.
The associated NAICS should reflect those activities conducted by the business or organizational units targeted by this questionnaire only, as identified in the 'Answering this questionnaire' section and which can be identified by the specified legal and operating name. The main activity is the activity which most defines the targeted business or organization's main purpose or reason for existence. For a business or organization that is for-profit, it is normally the activity that generates the majority of the revenue for the entity.
The NAICS classification contains a limited number of activity classifications; the associated classification might be applicable for this business or organization even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business or organization's main activity.
Please note that any modifications to the main activity through your response to this question might not necessarily be reflected prior to the transmitting of subsequent questionnaires and as a result they may not contain this updated information.
The following is the detailed description including any applicable examples or exclusions for the classification currently associated with this business or organization.
Description and examples
This is the current main activity
This is not the current main activity
Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity.
e.g. , breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
Main activity
5. You indicated that is not the current main activity.
Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as:?
Yes
When did the main activity change?
Date
No
6. Search and select the industry classification code that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.
How to search:
if desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting this business or organization's activity sector
enter keywords or a brief description that best describes this business or organization main activity
press the Search button to search the database for an activity that best matches the keywords or description you provided
then select an activity from the list.
Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)
Farming or logging operation
Construction company or general contractor
Manufacturer
Wholesaler
Retailer
Provider of passenger or freight transportation
Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
Provider of health care or social services
Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
Other sector
Enter keywords or a brief description, then press the Search button
Reporting period information
1. What are the start and end dates of this organization's fiscal year?
Note: For this survey, the end date should fall between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:
May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022
July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022
August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022
September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022
October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022
December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022
February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023
March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023
April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:
September 18, 2021 to September 15, 2022 (e.g., floating year-end)
June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (e.g., a newly opened business).
Fiscal Year Start
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Date
Fiscal Year-End
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Date
2. What is the reason the reporting period does not cover a full year?
Select all that apply.
Seasonal operations
New business
Change of ownership
Temporarily inactive
Change of fiscal year
Ceased operations
Other reason - specify:
Additional reporting instructions
3. Throughout this questionnaire, please report financial information in thousands of Canadian dollars.
For example, an amount of $763,880.25 should be reported as:
CAN$ '000
I will report in the format above.
Capital Expenditures - Preliminary Estimate 2022
4. For the fiscal year 2022, what are this organization's preliminary estimates for capital expenditures?
Include: all capitalized overhead and capitalized interest.
When there are partnerships and joint venture activities or projects, report the expenditures reflecting this corporation's net interest in such projects or ventures.
Report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000).
Exclude sales tax.
When precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimates.
If there are no capital expenditures, please enter '0'.
A. Oil and gas rights acquisition and retention costs (exclude inter-company sales or transfers):
Include acquisition costs and fees for oil and gas rights (include bonuses, legal fees and filing fees), and oil and gas retention costs.
B. Exploration and evaluation, capitalized or expensed ( e.g. , leases and licences, seismic, exploration drilling):
These expenditures include mineral rights fees and retention costs, geological, geophysical and seismic expenses, exploration drilling, and other costs incurred during the reporting period in order to determine whether oil or gas reserves exist and can be exploited commercially. Report gross expenditures, before deducting any incentive grants, incurred for oil and gas activities on a contracted basis and/or by your own employees. Exclude the cost of land acquired from other oil and gas companies.
C. Building construction ( e.g. , process building, office building, camp, storage building, and maintenance garage):
Include capital expenditures on buildings such as office buildings, camps, warehouses, maintenance garages, workshops, and laboratories. Fixtures, facilities and equipment that are integral parts of the building are included.
D. Other construction assets ( e.g. , development drilling and completions, processing facilities, natural gas plants, upgraders):
Include all infrastructure, other than buildings, such as the cost of well pads, extraction and processing infrastructure and plants, upgrading units, transportation infrastructure, water and sewage infrastructure, tailings, pipelines and wellhead production facilities (pumpjacks, separators, etc. ). Include all preconstruction planning and design costs such as development drilling, regulatory approvals, environmental assessments, engineering and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, as well as site clearance and preparation. Equipment which is installed as an integral or built-in feature of a fixed structure ( e.g. , casings, tanks, steam generators, pumps, electrical apparatus, separators, flow lines, etc. ) should be reported with the construction asset; however, when the equipment is replaced within an existing structure, the replacement cost should be reported in machinery and equipment (sustaining capital).
E. Machinery and equipment purchases ( e.g. , trucks, shovels, computers, etc. ):
Include transportation equipment for people and materials, computers, software, communication equipment, and processing equipment not included in the above categories.
Preliminary Estimate
2022 Preliminary Estimate ( CAN$ '000 )
Oil and gas rights acquisitions and retention costs
Exploration and evaluation
Non-residential building construction
Development and other construction
Machinery and equipment
Total
Total
Research and Development
5. For the fiscal year 2022, did this organization perform scientific research and development in Canada of at least $10,000 or outsource (contract-out) to another organization scientific research and development activities of at least $10,000?
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge - including knowledge of humankind, culture and society - and to devise new applications of available knowledge. For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:
To be aimed at new findings (novel);
To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
To lead to results to could be possibly reproduced (transferable/ or reproducible).
The term R&D covers three types of activity: basic research, applied research and experimental development. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
Yes
No
Capital Expenditures - Intentions 2023
6. For the fiscal year 2023, what are this organization's intentions for capital expenditures?
Include: all capitalized overhead and capitalized interest.
When there are partnerships and joint venture activities or projects, report the expenditures reflecting this corporation's net interest in such projects or ventures.
Report all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000).
Do not include sales tax.
Percentages should be rounded to whole numbers.
When precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimates.
If there are no capital expenditures, please enter '0'.
A. Oil and gas rights acquisition and retention costs (exclude inter-company sales or transfers):
Include acquisition costs and fees for oil and gas rights (include bonuses, legal fees and filing fees), and oil and gas retention costs
B. Exploration and evaluation, capitalized or expensed ( e.g. , leases and licences, seismic, exploration drilling):
These expenditures include mineral rights fees and retention costs, geological, geophysical and seismic expenses, exploration drilling, and other costs incurred during the reporting period in order to determine whether oil or gas reserves exist and can be exploited commercially. Report gross expenditures, before deducting any incentive grants, incurred for oil and gas activities on a contracted basis and/or by your own employees. Exclude the cost of land acquired from other oil and gas companies.
C. Building construction ( e.g. , process building, office building, camp, storage building, and maintenance garage):
Include capital expenditures on buildings such as office buildings, camps, warehouses, maintenance garages, workshops, and laboratories. Fixtures, facilities and equipment that are integral parts of the building are included.
D. Other construction assets ( e.g. , development drilling and completions, processing facilities, natural gas plants, upgraders):
Include all infrastructure, other than buildings, such as the cost of well pads, extraction and processing infrastructure and plants, upgrading units, transportation infrastructure, water and sewage infrastructure, tailings, pipelines and wellhead production facilities (pumpjacks, separators, etc. ). Include all preconstruction planning and design costs such as development drilling, regulatory approvals, environmental assessments, engineering and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, as well as site clearance and preparation. Equipment which is installed as an integral or built-in feature of a fixed structure ( e.g. , casings, tanks, steam generators, pumps, electrical apparatus, separators, flow lines, etc. ) should be reported with the construction asset; however, when the equipment is replaced within an existing structure, the replacement cost should be reported in machinery and equipment (sustaining capital).
E. Machinery and equipment purchases ( e.g. , trucks, shovels, computers, etc. ):
Include transportation equipment for people and materials, computers, software, communication equipment, and processing equipment not included in the above categories.
Intentions 2023
Intentions 2023 ( CAN$ '000 )
Oil and gas rights acquisitions and retention costs
Exploration and evaluation
Non-residential building construction
Development and other construction
Machinery and equipment
Total
Total
In order to reduce future follow-up, please select one of the following options.
You could also make corrections to the current cycle by pressing the Previous button.
You have not reported anything for 2023, but have entered data for 2022. Is this correct? If you do not intend on having any capital expenditures in the 2023 fiscal year, please return to the previous page and enter `0`s. If this information is not yet available, please press the Next button.
I confirm that all values are correct.
I am unable to confirm that all values are correct.
7. You have not reported any capital expenditure intentions for 2023.
Please indicate the reason.
Zero capital expenditure intentions for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for no change in capital expenditures for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for an increase in capital expenditures for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for a decrease in capital expenditures for 2023
Research and Development
8. For the 2023 fiscal year, does this organization plan on performing scientific research and development in Canada of at least $10,000 or outsourcing (contracting-out) to another organization scientific research and development activities of at least $10,000?
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge - including knowledge of humankind, culture and society - and to devise new applications of available knowledge. For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:
To be aimed at new findings (novel);
To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
To lead to results to could be possibly reproduced (transferable/ or reproducible).
The term R&D covers three types of activity: basic research, applied research and experimental development. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
Yes
No
Notification of intent to extract web data
9. Does this business have a website?
Yes
Specify the business website address e.g. , www.example.ca
No
Statistics Canada is piloting a web data extraction initiative, also known as web scraping, which uses software to search and compile publicly available data from organizational websites. As a result, we may visit the website for this organization to search for, and compile, additional information. This initiative should allow us to reduce the response burden on organizations, and produce additional statistical indicators to ensure that our data remain accurate and relevant.
We will do our utmost to ensure the data are collected in a manner that will not affect the functionality of the website. Any data collected will be used by Statistics Canada for statistical and research purposes only, in accordance with the agency's mandate.
Telephone number (including area code):
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable):
The maximum number of characters is 5.
Fax number (including area code):
Example: 123-123-1234
Feedback
12. How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?
Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.
Hours:
Minutes:
13. Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?
Enter your comments
200 characters available
Why are we conducting this survey?
This survey collects data on capital and repair expenditures in Canada. The information is used by federal and provincial government departments and agencies, trade associations, universities and international organizations for policy development and as a measure of regional economic activity.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.
Other important information
Authorization to collect this information
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
Confidentiality
By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.
Approved disclosure
Section 17 of the federal Statistics Act allows for the disclosure of certain information relating to an individual, business or organization. Statistics Canada will only disclose information where there is a demonstrated statistical need and for the public good, and when it will not harm individuals, organizations or businesses if data were disclosed. For the Capital and Repair Expenditures Survey, The Chief Statistician has authorized the release of data relating to carriers, public utilities and non-commercial institutions including, but not limited to, hospitals, libraries, educational institutions, federal government entities and individual provincial, territorial and municipal governments. These include capital and repair expenditure expenditures at the aggregate level.
Record linkages
To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.
Data-sharing agreements
To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.
Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.
For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.
The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.
Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Enterprise Statistics Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6
For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Infrastructure Canada, the Canada Energy Regulator, Natural Resources Canada and Sustainability Development Technology Canada.
For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.
Business or organization and contact information
1. Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct where needed.
Note: Legal name modifications should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.
Legal Name
The legal name is one recognized by law, thus it is the name liable for pursuit or for debts incurred by the business or organization. In the case of a corporation, it is the legal name as fixed by its charter or the statute by which the corporation was created.
Modifications to the legal name should only be done to correct a spelling error or typo.
To indicate a legal name of another legal entity you should instead indicate it in question 3 by selecting 'Not currently operational' and then choosing the applicable reason and providing the legal name of this other entity along with any other requested information.
Operating Name
The operating name is a name the business or organization is commonly known as if different from its legal name. The operating name is synonymous with trade name.
Legal name
Operating name (if applicable)
2. Verify or provide the contact information of the designated business or organization contact person for this questionnaire and correct where needed.
Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.
Telephone number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable)
The maximum number of characters is 10.
Fax number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
3. Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Operational
Not currently operational
Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
Seasonal operations
Ceased operations
Sold operations
Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
Temporarily inactive but will re-open
No longer operating due to other reasons
When did this business or organization close for the season?
Date
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
Bankruptcy
Liquidation
Dissolution
Other
Specify the other reasons why the operations ceased
When was this business or organization sold?
Date
What is the legal name of the buyer?
When did this business or organization amalgamate?
Date
What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
Date
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
4. Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
This question verifies the business or organization's current main activity as classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system developed by the statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Created against the background of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it is designed to provide common definitions of the industrial structure of the three countries and a common statistical framework to facilitate the analysis of the three economies. NAICS is based on supply-side or production-oriented principles, to ensure that industrial data, classified to NAICS , are suitable for the analysis of production-related issues such as industrial performance.
The target entity for which NAICS is designed are businesses and other organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. They include farms, incorporated and unincorporated businesses and government business enterprises. They also include government institutions and agencies engaged in the production of marketed and non-marketed services, as well as organizations such as professional associations and unions and charitable or non-profit organizations and the employees of households.
The associated NAICS should reflect those activities conducted by the business or organizational units targeted by this questionnaire only, as identified in the 'Answering this questionnaire' section and which can be identified by the specified legal and operating name. The main activity is the activity which most defines the targeted business or organization's main purpose or reason for existence. For a business or organization that is for-profit, it is normally the activity that generates the majority of the revenue for the entity.
The NAICS classification contains a limited number of activity classifications; the associated classification might be applicable for this business or organization even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business or organization's main activity.
Please note that any modifications to the main activity through your response to this question might not necessarily be reflected prior to the transmitting of subsequent questionnaires and as a result they may not contain this updated information.
The following is the detailed description including any applicable examples or exclusions for the classification currently associated with this business or organization.
Description and examples
This is the current main activity
This is not the current main activity
Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity
e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development
Main activity
5. You indicated that is not the current main activity.
Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as: ?
Yes
No
When did the main activity change?
Date
Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional)
Farming or logging operation
Construction company or general contractor
Manufacturer
Wholesaler
Retailer
Provider of passenger or freight transportation
Provider of investment, savings or insurance products
Real estate agency, real estate brokerage or leasing company
Provider of professional, scientific or technical services
Provider of health care or social services
Restaurant, bar, hotel, motel or other lodging establishment
Other sector
Reporting period information
1. What are the start and end dates of this organization's 2022 fiscal year?
Note: For this survey, the end date should fall between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:
May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022
July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022
August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022
September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022
October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022
December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022
February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023
March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023
April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 .
Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:
September 18, 2021 to September 15, 2022 ( e.g. , floating year-end)
June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 ( e.g. , a newly opened business).
Fiscal Year Start date
Fiscal Year-End date
2. What is the reason the reporting period does not cover a full year?
Select all that apply.
Seasonal operations
New business
Change of ownership
Temporarily inactive
Change of fiscal year
Ceased operations
Other reason - specify:
Additional reporting instructions
3. Throughout this questionnaire, please report financial information in thousands of Canadian dollars.
For example, an amount of $763,880.25 should be reported as:
CAN$ '000
I will report in the format above
What are Capital Expenditures?
Capital Expenditures are the gross expenditures on fixed assets for use in the operations of your organization or for lease or rent to others. Gross expenditures are expenditures before deducting proceeds from disposals, and credits (capital grants, donations, government assistance and investment tax credits).
Fixed assets are also known as capital assets or property, plant and equipment. They are items with a useful life of more than one year and are not purchased for resale but rather for use in the entity's production of goods and services. Examples are buildings, vehicles, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, machinery, and computer software.
Include:
cost of all new buildings, engineering, machinery and equipment which normally have a life of more than one year and are charged to fixed asset accounts
modifications, additions and major renovations
capital costs such as feasibility studies, architectural, legal, installation and engineering fees
subsidies
capitalized interest charges on loans with which capital projects are financed
work done by own labour force
additions to capital work in progress.
Exclude:
transfers from capital work in progress (construction-in-progress) to fixed assets accounts
assets associated with the acquisition of companies
property developed for sale and machinery or equipment acquired for sale (inventory).
How to Treat Leases:
Include:
assets acquired as a lessee through either a capital or financial lease
assets acquired for lease to others as an operating lease.
Exclude:
operating leases acquired as a lessee and capitalized to right-of-use assets in accordance with IFRS 16 (International Financial Reporting Standards)
assets acquired for lease to others, either as a capital or financial lease
Capital Expenditures - Preliminary Estimate 2022
4. For the 2022 fiscal year, what are this organization's preliminary estimates for capital expenditures?
Report your best estimate of capital expenditures expected for the full year.
Include:
the gross expenditures (including subsidies received) on fixed assets for use in the operations of your organization
all capital costs such as feasibility studies, architectural, legal, installation and engineering fees as well as work done by your own labour force
additions to work in progress
leasehold improvements with the assets being leased ( e.g. , office leasehold with non-residential construction).
Exclude asset transfers and business acquisitions.
Imported used fixed assets should be reported under New assets including financial leases.
Purchase of Used Canadian Assets
Definition: Used fixed assets may be defined as existing buildings, structures or machinery and equipment which have been previously used by another organization in Canada that you have acquired during the time period being reported on this questionnaire.
Explanation: The objective of our survey is to measure gross annual new acquisitions to fixed assets separately from the acquisition of gross annual used fixed assets in the Canadian economy as a whole.
Hence, the acquisition of a used fixed Canadian asset should be reported separately since such acquisitions would not change the aggregates of our domestic inventory of fixed assets, it would simply mean a transfer of assets within Canada from one organization to another.
Imports of used assets, on the other hand, should be included with the new assets because they are newly acquired for the Canadian economy.
Work in Progress:
Work in progress represents accumulated costs since the start of capital projects which are intended to be capitalized upon completion.
Typically capital investment includes any expenditure on an asset in which its' life is greater than one year. Capital items charged to operating expenses are defined as expenditures which could have been capitalized as part of the fixed assets, but for various reasons, have been charged to current expenses.
Land
Capital expenditures for land should include all costs associated with the purchase of the land that are not amortized or depreciated.
Residential Construction
Report the value of residential structures including the housing portion of multi-purpose projects and of townsites.
Exclude:
buildings that have accommodation units without self-contained or exclusive use of bathroom and kitchen facilities ( e.g. , some student and senior citizen residences)
the non-residential portion of multi-purpose projects and of townsites
associated expenditures on services.
The exclusions should be included in non-residential construction.
Non-Residential Building Construction (excluding land purchase and residential construction)
Report the total cost incurred during the year of building construction (contract and by own employees) whether for your own use or rent to others.
Include also:
the cost of demolition of buildings, land servicing and of site-preparation
leasehold and land improvements
all preconstruction planning and design costs such as engineer and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, etc.
townsite facilities, such as streets, sewers, stores, schools.
Non-Residential Engineering Construction
Report the total cost incurred during the year of engineering construction (contract and by own employees) whether for your own use or rent to others.
Include also:
the cost of demolition of buildings, land servicing and on site-preparation
leasehold and land improvements
all preconstruction planning and design costs such as engineer and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, etc.
oil or gas pipelines, including pipe and installation costs
communication engineering, including transmission support structures, cables and lines, etc.
electric power engineering, including wind and solar plants, nuclear production plants, power distribution networks, etc.
Machinery and Equipment
Report total cost incurred during the year of all new machinery, whether for your own use or for lease or rent to others. Any capitalized tooling should also be included. Include progress payments paid out before delivery in the year in which such payments are made. Receipts from the sale of your own fixed assets or allowance for scrap or trade-in should not be deducted from your total capital expenditures. Any balance owing or holdbacks should be reported in the year the cost is incurred.
Include:
automobiles, trucks, professional and scientific equipment, office and store furniture and appliances
computers (hardware and software), broadcasting, telecommunication and other information and communication technology equipment
motors, generators, transformers
any capitalized tooling expenses
progress payments paid out before delivery in the year in which such payments are made
any balance owing or holdbacks should be reported in the year the cost is incurred
leasehold improvements.
Preliminary estimates for capital expenditures
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
5. For the 2022 fiscal year, did this organization perform scientific research and development in Canada of at least $10,000 or outsource (contract-out) to another organization scientific research and development activities of at least $10,000?
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge - including knowledge of humankind, culture and society - and to devise new applications of available knowledge. For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:
To be aimed at new findings (novel);
To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
To lead to results that could be possibly reproduced (transferable/ or reproducible).
The term R&D covers three types of activity: basic research, applied research and experimental development. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
Yes
No
Capital Expenditures - Intentions 2023
6. For the 2023 fiscal year, what are this organization's intentions for capital expenditures?
Report the value of the projects expected to be put in place during the 2023 fiscal year.
Include:
the gross expenditures (including subsidies received) on fixed assets for use in the operations of your organization
all capital costs such as feasibility studies, architectural, legal, installation and engineering fees as well as work done by your own labour force.
additions to work in progress
leasehold improvements with the assets being leased (e.g., office leasehold with non-residential construction).
Exclude asset transfers and business acquisitions.
Imported used fixed assets should be reported under New assets including financial leases.
Purchase of Used Canadian Assets
Definition: Used fixed assets may be defined as existing buildings, structures or machinery and equipment which have been previously used by another organization in Canada that you have acquired during the time period being reported on this questionnaire.
Explanation: The objective of our survey is to measure gross annual new acquisitions to fixed assets separately from the acquisition of gross annual used fixed assets in the Canadian economy as a whole.
Hence, the acquisition of a used fixed Canadian asset should be reported separately since such acquisitions would not change the aggregates of our domestic inventory of fixed assets, it would simply mean a transfer of assets within Canada from one organization to another.
Imports of used assets, on the other hand, should be included with the new assets because they are newly acquired for the Canadian economy.
Work in Progress:
Work in progress represents accumulated costs since the start of capital projects which are intended to be capitalized upon completion.
Typically capital investment includes any expenditure on an asset in which its' life is greater than one year. Capital items charged to operating expenses are defined as expenditures which could have been capitalized as part of the fixed assets, but for various reasons, have been charged to current expenses.
Land
Capital expenditures for land should include all costs associated with the purchase of the land that are not amortized or depreciated.
Residential Construction
Report the value of residential structures including the housing portion of multi-purpose projects and of townsites.
Exclude:
buildings that have accommodation units without self-contained or exclusive use of bathroom and kitchen facilities ( e.g. , some student and senior citizen residences)
the non-residential portion of multi-purpose projects and of townsites
associated expenditures on services.
The exclusions should be included in non-residential construction.
Non-Residential Building Construction (excluding land purchase and residential construction)
Report the total cost incurred during the year of building construction (contract and by own employees) whether for your own use or rent to others.
Include also:
the cost of demolition of buildings, land servicing and of site-preparation
leasehold and land improvements
all preconstruction planning and design costs such as engineer and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, etc.
townsite facilities, such as streets, sewers, stores, schools.
Non-Residential Engineering Construction
Report the total cost incurred during the year of engineering construction (contract and by own employees) whether for your own use or rent to others.
Include also:
the cost of demolition of buildings, land servicing and on site-preparation
leasehold and land improvements
all preconstruction planning and design costs such as engineer and consulting fees and any materials supplied to construction contractors for installation, etc.
oil or gas pipelines, including pipe and installation costs
communication engineering, including transmission support structures, cables and lines, etc.
electric power engineering, including wind and solar plants, nuclear production plants, power distribution networks, etc.
Machinery and Equipment
Report total cost incurred during the year of all new machinery, whether for your own use or for lease or rent to others. Any capitalized tooling should also be included. Include progress payments paid out before delivery in the year in which such payments are made. Receipts from the sale of your own fixed assets or allowance for scrap or trade-in should not be deducted from your total capital expenditures. Any balance owing or holdbacks should be reported in the year the cost is incurred.
Include:
automobiles, trucks, professional and scientific equipment, office and store furniture and appliances
computers (hardware and software), broadcasting, telecommunication and other information and communication technology equipment
motors, generators, transformers any capitalized tooling expenses
progress payments paid out before delivery in the year in which such payments are made
any balance owing or holdbacks should be reported in the year the cost is incurred
leasehold improvements.
Intentions for capital expenditures
Table summary
This table contains no data. It is an example of an empty data table used by respondents to provide data to Statistics Canada.
7. You have not reported any capital expenditure intentions for 2023.
Please indicate the reason.
Zero capital expenditure intentions for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for no change in capital expenditures for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for an increase in capital expenditures for 2023
Figures not available but plans are for a decrease in capital expenditures for 2023
Research and Development
8. For the 2023 fiscal year, does this organization plan on performing scientific research and development in Canada of at least $10,000 or outsourcing (contracting-out) to another organization scientific research and development activities of at least $10,000?
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge - including knowledge of humankind, culture and society - and to devise new applications of available knowledge. For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:
To be aimed at new findings (novel);
To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
To lead to results that could be possibly reproduced (transferable/ or reproducible).
The term R&D covers three types of activity: basic research, applied research and experimental development. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
Statistics Canada is piloting a web data extraction initiative, also known as web scraping, which uses software to search and compile publicly available data from organizational websites. As a result, we may visit the website for this organization to search for, and compile, additional information. This initiative should allow us to reduce the reporting burden on organizations, as well as produce additional statistical indicators to ensure that our data remain accurate and relevant.
We will do our utmost to ensure the data are collected in a manner that will not affect the functionality of the website. Any data collected will be used by Statistics Canada for statistical and research purposes only, in accordance with the agency's mandate.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Statistics Canada Client Services, toll-free at 1-877-949-9492 (TTY: 1-800-363-7629) or by email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca. Additional information about this survey can be found by selecting the following link:
CVs for Total sales by geography
This table displays the results of Retail Trade Survey (monthly): CVs for total sales by geography – June 2022. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Month and Percent (appearing as column headers)
Geography
Month
202206
%
Canada
0.6
Newfoundland and Labrador
1.9
Prince Edward Island
1.0
Nova Scotia
1.8
New Brunswick
1.9
Quebec
1.2
Ontario
1.2
Manitoba
1.1
Saskatchewan
3.4
Alberta
1.2
British Columbia
1.7
Yukon Territory
1.9
Northwest Territories
2.0
Nunavut
1.3
Application Program Interface (API)
Web services are commonly referred to as an API (Application Programmer Interface). The API allows data users to access Statistics Canada aggregate data and metadata by connecting directly to our public facing databases.
The Web Data Service is an API service that will provide access to data and metadata released by Statistics Canada each business day. Web Data Service methods are the preferred mechanism for data users to consume a discrete amount of data points via the Statistics Canada website. This web service provides an access to the main Statistics Canada output database via a number of calls or methods that harvest the data and metadata in their raw forms and return them to the caller. There are two services for our main database: one returns data points in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) language and the other returns Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) XML output. There are user guides for both our developer pages on the website as well as other reference APIs for other subjects.
For example the JSON API includes the following methods:
Product Change Listings
getChangedSeriesList
getChangedCubeList
Cube Metadata and Series Information:
getCubeMetadata
getSeriesInfoFromCubePidCoord
getSeriesInfoFromVector
Data Access; data changes for today, over time and full table
getChangedSeriesDataFromCubePidCoord
getChangedSeriesDataFromVector
getDataFromCubePidCoordAndLatestNPeriods
getDataFromVectorsAndLatestNPeriods
getBulkVectorDataByRange
getDataFromVectorByReferencePeriodRange
getFullTableDownloadCSV
getFullTableDownloadSDMX
Supplemental Information
getCodeSets
Please see the Web Data Service (WDS) user guide and documentation for more information.
Statistical Geomatics Centre seeking input on Census Geography's products and services
Opened: July 2022 Closed: October 2022
Consultative engagement objectives
The Statistical Geomatics Centre and the Consultative Engagement Team are working together to improve the Census Geography's line of products and services.
Geography is central to the dissemination of Census-related information, and we would like you to share your experience with us to ensure that our users can leverage and use our substantial library of products and services to their full extent.
Your feedback will have a direct impact on informing the development of better geographical products. We believe that this project will be mutually beneficial to Statistics Canada and its users: catering to your needs ensures that we innovate and stay 'ahead of the curve' in this dynamic geographic ecosystem.
Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the agency is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada's privacy policies, please consult the privacy notice.
Results
Summary results of the engagement initiatives will be published online when available.
In August 2022, questions measuring the Labour Market Indicators were added to the Labour Force Survey as a supplement.
Question wording within the collection application is controlled dynamically based on responses provided throughout the survey.
Labour Market Indicators
ENTRY_Q01 / EQ1 - From the following list, please select the household member that will be completing this questionnaire on behalf of the entire household.
WFH_Q01 / EQ2 - At the present time, in which of the following locations (do/does) (Respondent's name/this person/you) usually work as part of (his/her/their/your) main job or business?
WFH_Q02 / EQ3 - Last week, what proportion of (his/her/their/your) work hours did (Respondent name/this person/you) work at home as part of (his/her/their/your) main job or business?
VAL_Q01 / EQ4 – In general, how important are each of the following to (Respondent's name/this person/you) in the workplace?
VAL_Q02 / EQ5 – Does (Respondent's name's/this person's/your) main job or business align with what (he/she/they/you) value(s) in the workplace?
VAL_Q03 / EQ6 – How important is it to (Respondent's name/this person/you) that (his/her/their/your) job or business align with what (he/she/they/you) value(s) in the workplace?
ETH_Q01 / EQ7 – To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: If financial stability was guaranteed, (Respondent's name/this person/you) would be happier if (he/she/they/you) never had to work again.
ETH_Q02 / EQ8 – Usually, (do/does) (Respondent's name/this person/they/you) look forward to the end of the work day?
LEA_Q01 / EQ9 – In the next 12 months, (are/is) (Respondent's name/this person/you) planning on leaving (his/her/their/your) main job or business?
LEA_Q02 / EQ10 – What is the main reason why (Respondent's name/this person/you) (is/are) planning on leaving (his/her/their/your) main job or business?
Report and Draft Recommendations: Engagement on Corrections Disaggregated Data and Analysis Strategy
Over the years, there have been increasing demands for better disaggregated data to shed light on people's diverse experiences with the police and the justice system. Disaggregated data can help to identify and respond to issues of social inequities, discrimination, and systemic racism within Canadian society. Concerns for the disparate treatment of Indigenous and racialized peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system revealed important gaps in the availability of disaggregated data. This situation is especially true for information on the identity of people who encounter police for various reasons, including criminal incidents.
In response to these growing demands, Statistics Canada is in the process of developing a Corrections Disaggregated Data and Analysis Strategy on the Representation of Indigenous and Racialized Groups in Canada's Correctional Systems. This strategy aims to better understand the experiences of Indigenous and racialized groups in terms of their interactions and involvement with correctional systems and with the criminal justice system more generally. Prior to starting development of the strategy, the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics (CCJCSS) engaged numerous partners of interest, including Indigenous and racialized community groups and organizations, and sought input through the Engagement on Corrections Representation Data & Analysis Strategy. This report provides the background and key results of the Engagement, including seven key recommendations.
Recommendation 1
Statistics Canada should develop population-based indicators and re-contact indicators using disaggregated data to measure representation of sub-populations in correctional systems;
Recommendation 2
Statistics Canada should disaggregate its correctional services data as much as possible;
Recommendation 3
Relationships between socio-economic and mental health issues and over-representation should be analyzed further;
Recommendation 4
Statistics Canada should engage in data quality evaluations of the disaggregated data information collected;
Recommendation 5
Statistics Canada should include appropriate context as part of the data analysis process, and work closely with affected populations when publishing disaggregated data;
Recommendation 6
Statistics Canada should review options for dissemination to enhance data accessibility and use; and
Recommendation 7
Statistics Canada should regularly review its definitions, terminology and categorizations in order to ensure that the language used is appropriate and culturally-sensitive.
Background
Through CCJCSS, Statistics Canada has a long history of publishing data on Indigenous persons in corrections. Most of the reporting to date has focused on presenting the number of admissions (with breakdowns by custody/community and adult/youth) for a given fiscal year by Indigenous identity. Data on Indigenous identity by admission is available back to 1997/1998 for youth and 2000/2001 for adult corrections.
The CCJCSS is currently in the process of developing a Corrections Disaggregated Data and Analysis Strategy: Representation of Indigenous and Racialized Groups in Canada's Correctional Systems (for ease of reference, referred to hereafter as: The Corrections Representation Data & Analysis Strategy).
The Engagement on Corrections Representation Data & Analysis Strategy sought input from partners and data users outside of Statistics Canada to guide the development of its statistical program. Our goal is to provide our partner organizations and the public at large with up-to-date disaggregated data and information pertaining to correctional services in Canada. The Engagementinvolved respondents from a wide and diverse range of perspectives, including: Indigenous and racialized groups and organizations; corrections agencies; academics; and other interested parties at the national and provincial/territorial government levels. Feedback was sought on the following:
Current key indicators produced by Statistics Canada related to Indigenous peoples' over-representation in corrections, and ways in which the indicators and analysis can be improved to be more relevant to data users and the public;
In addition to the historical focus at Statistics Canada on Indigenous peoples' involvement in correctional systems, explore the importance of expanding the national corrections statistical program to collect, analyze and produce indicators that provide relevant and timely information for Black, Hispanic, South Asian, East and Southeast Asian and other racialized groups;
Important contextual information to consider and present when disseminating disaggregated data; and
Assessments of data quality.
Feedback was obtained in two ways: (1) from written responses to an engagement document; and (2) from participation in small-group discussions led by Statistics Canada.
Methods
Engagement Document
The written engagement document, both in French and English, was sent to 322 partners and community organizations on November 6, 2021. The original deadline was extended from November 26, 2021 to December 24, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, 33 responses were received and analyzed. Respondents were asked to answer 16 questions in the written document which consisted of a combination of yes/no questions, Likert scales, and open-ended questions.
Small Group Discussions
Due to the impact of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, small group discussions were held virtually between November and December 2021. Small group discussions for the Canadian Correctional Statistics Survey (CCSS) were conducted in tandem with the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR) for a total of 41 participants. There were 25 participants who joined the CCSS-specific small group discussions; they were invited to attend a session based on their organization affiliation:
Indigenous groups and organizations;
Racialized groups and organizations;
Correctional services agencies;
Academics; and
Other interested parties at the national and provincial/territorial government levels.
The discussions were held in both French and English, and were facilitated by a neutral, third-party moderator from Statistics Canada's Internal Engagement team. For each session, the moderator posed the same 12 questions in the same order. These questions were derived directly from the written engagement document and were shortened to be more 'interview-friendly'. Moreover, the moderator encouraged further discussion among the participants and at times would offer prompts such as "How do you see this being useful?" to help move the conversation along and to gain more insight into a particular answer.
Response Rates
Engagement Document
Thirty-three (33) written document responses were received for an overall response rate of 10.3%. The breakdown was as follows:
Federal Partners / Stakeholders: 33.3%
Criminal Justice: 27.3%
Correctional Services Programs: 15.2%
Ethno-Cultural Groups / Organizations: 6.1%
Indigenous Representative Bodies: 6.1%
Other Partners / Stakeholders: 12.2%
Please note that the total sum of the individual percentages above does not add up to 100.0% due to rounding.
The low total response rate can be attributed, at least in part, to response and respondent burden. For instance, some respondents had indicated that they found the engagement document too long and parts of it too complex.
In the coming months, there will be additional opportunities for comments and engagement with partners and stakeholders as Statistics Canada, through CCJCSS, develops its five-year Corrections Representation Data & Analysis Strategy.
Small Group Discussions
Of the 25 individuals participating in the CCSS-specific virtual small group discussions, the majority (32.0%) represented organizations from the Federal Partners / Stakeholders category.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Statistics Canada should develop population-based indicators and re-contact indicators using disaggregated data to measure representation of sub-populations in correctional systems
Current Measures of Over-Representation
Recent studies and reports, as well as those going back decades, have highlighted and drawn attention to how the experiences of First Nations peoples, Métis and Inuit and other racialized groups and populations in the Canadian criminal justice system have been marked by over-representation and inequitable treatment. First Nations peoples, Métis and Inuit, for instance, have long and unique social, cultural and political histories in Canada. Most notably, the history of colonialism – including residential schools and culturally insensitive and inaccessible programs – and settler colonial policies continue to seriously impact Indigenous people and communities to this day. As a result, Indigenous peoples have experienced and continue to experience social, economic and institutional marginalization, and also various forms of inter-generational trauma.
Statistics Canada currently measures over-representation by proportion of admissions, where the individual self-identifies as Indigenous. Admissions are counted each time a person begins any new legal status while being supervised in a correctional institution. This means that the same person may be included several times in the admission counts where they move from one correctional program to another (e.g., person initially enters corrections on a remand status then to sentenced custody later in the same involvement – this scenario would count as two admissions, one for remand and one for sentenced custody) or re-enter the system later in the same year. Admissions therefore represent the number of all entries during a fiscal year to each type of legal status (remand, sentenced custody or a community supervision program), and track correctional events more than persons supervised by the system.
Proposed New Indicators
Population-based Measures (Incarceration Rates and Custodial Involvement Rates)
Statistics Canada is exploring developing population-based measures that would present involvement in the correctional system as a rate or percentage of the overall target population as our main indicator of representation. Population-based measures present involvement in the correctional system as a rate or percentage of the overall target population as the main indicator of representation. This includes taking into account incarceration rate and custodial involvement rate indicators.
Incarceration rate measures the proportion of a population in custody on an average day in the year. It is calculated by taking the Average Daily Count (ADC) of the correctional population then dividing it by the general population estimate for that same year. For the CCSS, the rate is expressed as the number of incarcerated persons per 10,000 population. For example, a rate of 100 for Canada means that, on an average day in the year, 1% of the population in Canada was incarcerated. With the CCSS, ADC is now available by Indigenous and racialized groups, allowing Statistics Canada to produce both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous incarceration rate for the population as a whole, or apply intersectionality to the rates (e.g., limit to adult males, adult females, youth between the ages of 12 to 17, etc.). Over-representation (for Indigenous persons for example) would be measured by the relative difference between the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Incarceration Rates.
Custodial involvement rate measures the proportion of a specific populations experiencing custody over a reference period. The measure identifies the number of unique persons spending at least one day in custody during the reference period for a defined population (Indigenous, Black, young males, etc.), then calculates the percentage of the population experiencing incarceration. Individuals are counted equally, whether or not they spent one night in custody or the whole year.
Over-Representation Index (of Indigenous Populations)
Studies have shown that being young and male are risk factors for involvement in crime. The Over-representation Index would account for differences in age and sex profile of different populations when calculating rates of incarceration. The Over-representation Index recalculates the relative difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates, as if both populations have an age/sex profile identical to the national population distribution. For instance, for a province or territory where the Indigenous population is younger or proportionally more male, there could be a lower score on the Over-representation Index than the actual relative differences between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Incarceration Rates. Likewise, over time, as population profiles change for a province or territory, the Over-representation Index controls for these changes, reducing the impact demographic shifts may have on the over-representation measurement.
While our initial work on the Over-representation Index has been limited to measuring Over-representation in Indigenous populations, the concepts developed can be applied to other populations, such as Black people in Canada, as well as applying intersectionality.
Re-contact Indicator
Re-contact refers to a measure of return to the justice system after initial release. The re-contact indicator is complicated, with a number of different elements: (1) The reference event is the starting point from which re-contact for an individual is assessed (i.e. when the "clock" starts); (2) Follow-up period: Length of time over which an offender is observed (e.g. 2 years from reference event); (3) Re-contact Event: The re-contact event is defined as the occurrence and start date of any new legal hold status occurring after the reference event and within the follow-up period. There are three metrics associated with the definition of re-contact, listed below:
Prevalence (size of the issue): number/proportion of offenders with a re-contact event within the follow-up period?
Frequency (how active): how many re-contacts did individuals have during the follow up period (e.g., are most re-contacts due to a small group with a large number of recontacts?)
Elapsed time (time to re-contact): how much time passed between the reference event and a re-contact event?
Statistics Canada is currently working with Public Safety on the Pan-Canadian Re-contact Strategy. The strategy aims to continue work on the re-contact indicators, with an initial focus on persons re-contacting the justice system after going through corrections. Statistics Canada is currently reviewing the re-contact definitions and is evaluating adding an escalation metric (indicator of whether the severity of offences associated with re-contacts are increasing or decreasing).
What we heard
Current Measures
Four in ten (42%) of the written document respondents and 52% of the small group discussion participants indicated that observing the rate of admission is useful for measuring the over-representation of incarcerated Indigenous and racialized groups. However, there are concerns surrounding how this method can lead to multiple counts of one individual and therefore, can impact the accuracy and quality of the data. As such, an alternative method was suggested by the majority of respondents: measure over-representation via daily count to avoid the risk of double-counts of re-admission. This would also paint a more accurate picture of the situation inside the correctional facilities.
There is a strong consensus among the Engagement participants that there is an immediate need to develop an official definition for over-representation, and to also implement a national, standardized Over-Representation Index to be used across all correctional systems.
Population-based Measures
Seven in ten (70%) of the written document respondents and 80% of the small group discussion participants have indicated that developing population-based measures would be useful to meet their data needs. There is an overall consensus among all the participants in the Engagement project that population-based measures would help advance our knowledge because it would allow researchers to draw comparisons across provinces and territories. Moreover, this measure would be beneficial to design culturally appropriate programs and to engage with communities in a meaningful way.
Over-Representation Index
Eight in ten (82%) of the written document respondents and 84% of the small group discussion participants have indicated that, in general, the Over-Representation Index would be a very useful measure. More specifically, 70% of the written document respondents also indicated that it would be especially useful to present a national indicator of over-representation by integrating CSC (Correctional Service of Canada) and Provincial/Territorial results (see Figure 1 below).
Description for Figure 1: Percentage of respondents finding indicator very useful for measuring and analysing over-representation of vulnerable populations
Percentage of respondents finding indicator very useful for measuring and analysing over-representation of vulnerable populations
Percentage (%)
Proportion of admissions
48.48
Population/rate based indicators
72.72
Over-representation index
87.88
Recontact indicators
90.91
Re-contact Indicators
Almost nine in ten (88%) of the written document respondents agree that it would be useful to them and their organization to enhance current re-contact indicators. This would include an initial emphasis on correctional data by identifying criminal justice system re-contacts after release from correctional services. The strategy would produce rates of re-contact for the overall correctional population and disaggregate into groups. Similarly, 84% of the small group discussion participants agree that disaggregating rates of re-contact for the overall population would be useful. Furthermore, 32% of the participants have suggested that greater level of detail needs to be included within the re-contact indictor, such as reason for re-contact, quantity of re-contacts, length of stay, and type of offence.
Measures of Over-Representation Used by STC (Statistics Canada) Partners
Almost nine in then (89%) of the written document respondents have indicated that their organization collects and analyzes data on over-representation. 56% of the small group discussion participants collect their own data on over-representation while 44% of participants work with the data collected by Statistics Canada. Furthermore, the majority of participants from both the written document (66%) and the small group discussions (68%) have indicated that they do not have an official, standardized method of measuring and evaluating over-representation. Four in ten (42%) of the written document respondents and 40% of the small group discussion participants measure over-representation by comparing the proportion of the Canadian population to the number of incarcerated individuals. On the other hand, some respondents have indicated that they do have a method of measuring over-representation through the use of several indicators, such as through admission rate, observing the proportion of Indigenous and racialized prisoners, evaluating proportion of dangerous prisoners, and understanding mental health needs.
Recommendation 2
Statistics Canada should disaggregate its correctional services data as much as possible
Overall consensus
The present data on racialized identity is too general and does not accurately represent the cultural diversity that exists within Indigenous peoples and racialized groups
In addition to understanding the incarceration experiences of Indigenous people, Statistics Canada seeks to expand its program to also collect and analyze racialized identity. Respondents were asked several questions on the collection, assessment, and presentation of corrections data for Indigenous and racialized groups. The responses varied when respondents addressed issues facing racialized groups and Indigenous peoples.
Results drawn from current data cannot be used to draw conclusions about the larger population and should only be strictly applied to those in the dataset. Therefore, Statistics Canada needs to develop a strategy to disaggregate the data as much as possible so that the correctional population can be accurately represented.
Disaggregated data for Racialized groups
The findings from the Engagement suggest that there is a strong need to disaggregate race data as much as possible. Racialize identity and ethnicity are often conflated with one another, but they are separate. "Race" is a social construct and does not have any biological basis; it is ascribed to individuals based on their physical characteristics (e.g., skin colour). Ethnicity, on the other hand, encompasses everything from language, to nationality, to religion, and culture. As such, an individual can have multiple/mixed racial identities and ethnicities.
Fifty-two (52%) of the written document respondents indicate race data should be disseminated to include ethnic origin and allow for multiracial identities. It is harmful to collapse identities in one category, as individuals have very different experiences depending on their racial and ethnic identity and should be avoided where possible. Respondents also underscored that it is crucial to allow for the reporting of multiple/mixed racial identities, and it is equally important that such data is disaggregated appropriately. However, no feedback was offered on approaches to analyze and disseminate multi-racial categories, therefore the ideal approach CCJCSS should take regarding this will require further exploration and engagement.
Overall, the respondents would like to see a clear distinction made between race-based data and ethnicity data. Just as how the historical and cultural diversity among Indigenous people is recognized, the same is recommended for racialized groups. For example, "Black" is race-based data because it is socially constructed. However, it does not accurately portray the cultural diversity that exists among Black communities. The experiences of individuals who descend from African-Americans fleeing slavery from the United States is very different than recent immigrants from North Africa or the Caribbean. As such, collecting ethnic-based data would allow for a more accurate portrayal of the incarcerated population, rather than just grouping everyone under the same label as their racialized identity.
Indigenous Groups and Peoples
A frequent misconception is the idea that Indigenous people are homogenous. Thirty percent (30%) of the written document respondents and 16% of the small group discussion participants recognize the diversity and heterogeneity of Indigenous groups and peoples. They agree there is a need to disaggregate the correctional data as much as possible otherwise it becomes difficult to determine the extent to which the aggregated data among Indigenous populations can be generalized to each sub-group. Furthermore, respondents indicated that it would be helpful to examine the differences and similarities between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people to better understand their experiences with the correctional system and to develop culturally appropriate programs. There is also a need to understand the major regional variation regarding the over-representation of Indigenous people. 18% of the written document respondents and 16% of the small group discussion participants have indicated that the data should be disaggregated by geographical location, such as those living on- or off-reserve. Moreover, 12% of the written document respondents stressed that the data should also be disseminated by regional differences, such as urban or rural dwellings.
Recommendation 3
Statistics Canada should further analyze the relationship between socio-economic and mental health issues and the over-representation of certain groups in correctional systems
Overall consensus
Additional socio-economic and mental health factors should be considered by Statistics Canada when conducting analysis of over-representation
Respondents were specifically asked to identify important contextual information and factors that Statistics Canada should consider when presenting data and writing analytical reports pertaining to Indigenous, racialized and other diverse populations. Understanding additional contextual factors that may contribute to over-representation will ultimately allow for the development of evidence-based approaches to appropriately respond to the phenomenon.
Responses to both the written engagement exercise and small group discussions indicated a rich variety of additional socio-economic and mental health factors that should be considered by Statistics Canada when conducting analysis of over-representation. Some factors were more frequently identified than others (such as education), but the majority of respondents were very clear in asserting that over-representation data cannot be analyzed solely on its own accord. As one respondent explained, "We cannot consider over-representation data in isolation of other data sets such as health and education data."
Additional socio-economic and mental health factors
Respondents to the written engagement noted many socio-economic factors and mental health issues that are associated with over-representation. Education was the area respondents most frequently noted, with 91% indicating that education needs to be considered when conducting data analysis on over-representation. The next factors most frequently noted by respondents were mental health, labour force, and age and gender, with 85% of respondents observing that these areas need to be considered. Other areas to be considered in data analysis on over-representation are noted in Figure 2 below:
Description for Figure 2: Top 10 areas to be considered when doing data analysis on overrepresentation
Top 10 areas to be considered when doing data analysis on overrepresentation
Percentange (%)
Breach
54.54545
Community Supervision
60.60606
Risk/Need
69.69697
Gang
72.72727
Offences
75.75758
Marginalization
81.81818
Age & Gender
84.84848
Labour Force
84.84848
Mental Health
84.84848
Education
90.90909
Respondents to the written engagement also noted substance use, marital/family stability, housing, sexual orientation, programming availability, length of incarceration, intergenerational trauma, and childhood maltreatment as other factors impacting over-representation.
The small group discussions further identified many factors impacting over-representation, such as homelessness (16%), mental health (16%), experience of violence and/or sexual violence (12%), housing (8%), state of crisis/emergency (8%), cost of living (8%), substance use (8%), and immigration status (8%).
Going forward, it will be very important for Statistics Canada to consider data on over-representation within the context of social issues. The aforementioned factors identified by respondents will guide the focus of Statistics Canada in conducting future analyses of over-representation data, with particular emphasis on those factors that were most frequently identified.
As one respondent commented, "it is important to ensure that over-representation is contextualized with an understanding of the 'social determinants' of interaction with the criminal justice system." Ultimately, as another respondent noted, "understanding the intersection among health, education, poverty, age, gender, etc. and crime informs broader evidence-driven solutions to understanding crime prevention and successful community integration."
Recommendation 4
Statistics Canada should conduct data quality evaluations of the disaggregated information collected
Overall consensus
Current method of collecting self-reporting identity is concerning and can inflict or deepen existing trauma, which can impact the quality of the data
Trauma-informed data collection methods may help to mitigate the risk of re-traumatization
The following findings were derived from an open-ended question which asked respondents to indicate any concerns they may have about the quality of data and information collected by correctional programs and other sectors of the criminal justice system in regard to Indigenous people and racialized groups. Overall, the majority of Engagement respondents (85% of the written respondents and 64% of the small group discussion participants) expressed concern about the quality of disaggregated data collected by correctional services and other sections of the justice system regarding Indigenous peoples.
The strongest concern that was discussed by the Engagement participants (15% of the written document participants and 12% of the small group discussion participants) revolve around data quality regarding identity. 40% of the written document respondents are concerned about Indigenous identity and 48% of respondents indicated that the current measures of self-reporting identity is problematic. Participants indicated that Indigenous individuals are often more hesitant to disclose their Indigenous identity at intake, for various reasons. Indigenous individuals may feel that declaring their identity will invite further discrimination within the correctional facility from both prison workers and prisoners, especially if the prison worker in question is White. Moreover, 12% of the small group discussion participants are concerned with the lack of consent surrounding identity collection, and 10% are concerned with the potential for re-traumatization due to data collection. Furthermore, 15% of the small group discussion participants have identified that there could be privacy implications among small cohort sizes. It may be easier to identify the individual in question if the admissions of a particular group is small.
In terms of the data collection methods, 30% of the written documents respondents are concerned with how Indigenous identity data is collected. More specifically, 6% of the written document respondents and 12% of the small group discussion participants are concerned that the data collection officer does not have any culturally appropriate training, and may create further trauma for Indigenous peoples at intake. 6% of the written documents respondents have suggested that trauma-informed data collection methods may help to mitigate the risk of re-traumatization. In addition, 36% of the small group discussion participants problematized the lack of standardized identity categories and 29% participants noted the lack of identity categories for Indigenous people, which contributes significantly to the rates of misidentification.
Recommendation 5
Statistics Canada should include appropriate context as part of the data analysis process, and work closely with affected populations when publishing disaggregated data
Overall consensus
The historical and social context for marginalized groups needs to be strongly articulated and acknowledged to avoid perpetuating stereotypes
Statistics Canada needs to consult and collaborate with marginalized communities in research methods development
Racial identity and ethnicity need to be understood and operationalized as separate variables
A key concern noted by respondents was the possibility of adverse impacts on vulnerable populations resulting from Statistics Canada publications of representation and disaggregated data. The majority of respondents (64% from the written engagement raised this concern) noted the importance of ensuring over-representation is understood as a systems-based problem.
Respondents also highlighted the risk of reinforcing stereotypes and racial biases. A further 39% of respondents emphasized the importance of consulting with marginalized communities, and including their voices in the data collection and analysis processes.
Indigenous populations
Discussion group participants echoed the concerns of the written engagement, with many commenting on the need for community-based approaches with Indigenous populations. When working with Indigenous populations, respondents noted that it will be necessary for Statistics Canada to acknowledge historical injustices, the impact of colonialism, and recognizing that Indigenous peoples are not a single, homogenous group.
Many discussion group participants also commented on the need to provide historical and colonial context, traumas, and systemic racism when presenting the data. Thirty-six percent of both the written document respondents and small group participants agree that the histories and present dynamics of systemic racism should be taken into account when dealing with race-based data. Approximately three out of ten respondents (27%) of the written document respondents are concerned with how systemic discrimination against certain groups and communities have impacted the collection and quality of corrections data. Due to the plurality of histories and experiences of Black and other racialized groups, the data should be collected and presented in a culturally appropriate manner. Similarly, 28% of the small group discussion participants suggested that providing additional socio-economic context and highlighting the differences among racialized and ethnic communities would be beneficial.
Going forward, it will be crucial for Statistics Canada and CCJCSS to work with and engage proactively with Indigenous communities to achieve progress in responding to this recommendation. This could be completed through community engagement exercises such as town halls, as well as by collaborating with Indigenous communities and considering the incorporation of Indigenous research methods that promote Indigenous values and knowledge. A statement from one of the respondents who quoted an Indigenous professor illustrates the importance of doing so:
"We have a very long history in this country of being studied and researched and having data collected on us, only to twist that around to blame the victim in a sense. If you want to collect that data, then you do it with us. And you do it for us."
Racialized groups
In the case of racialized groups, respondents noted that Statistics Canada should refrain from conflating racialized identity and ethnicity.
It was noted that racial and ethnic groups are social constructs, and consequently, factors that lead to the over-representation of certain groups are socially-based (e.g. systemic racism), and not due to any perceived differences on the basis of genetic factors.
Further to this, it was noted that the purpose of the data for these populations is very important in determining how it will be used in the future:
"If the intent is to monitor and address inequalities stemming from racism or systemic bias, then race-based data should be collected and disaggregated. However if the intent is to tailor services or interventions in the community to reduce the overrepresentation of certain groups in correctional settings, then ethnicity-based data should be collected and disaggregated so that language, cultural or religious needs of individuals can be better anticipated. If both these purposes are relevant, than both race and ethnicity data should be collected and disaggregated."
Finally, respondents underscored the need for Statistics Canada to recognize that the experiences and needs of individuals vary significantly due to their racial and cultural histories. As one respondent explained, the histories and current dynamics of systemic racism, the plurality of histories and experiences of racialized groups, as well as other factors contributing to challenges in accessing services and supports need to be considered when Statistics publishes disaggregated data.
Recommendation 6
Statistics Canada should review options for dissemination to enhance data accessibility and use
Overall consensus
Publication of a specialized Juristat on over-representation would help deepen current understanding of over-representation
Accessing micro-data would help researchers in their research endeavours
Introducing additional analytical products that allow for a clearer visual representation of the data
Special topic Juristat reports
Specific to this recommendation, 30% of respondents from the written engagement exercise highlighted that a special topic published in Juristat would allow for a greater understanding of the variables that cause over-representation, as well as access to a direct comparison of findings that provide a more transparent view of how Indigenous and racialized groups are represented. As one respondent commented, "…special topics Juristats are helpful and focusing on characteristics of a specific population for a report can be informative."
Accessibility of micro-data
An additional 12% of respondents from the written engagement exercise proposed that increased accessibility to micro-data will allow researchers to examine a number of questions that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge on over-representation. As one respondent mentioned: "…having this data available as microdata in the Research Data Centres will allow for examination of some of the precursors to over-representation via integrated data projects.
Additional products
Search parameters were also suggested by 9% of respondents from the written engagement exercise. Allowing individuals to help filter data by jurisdiction, types of offence, racialized identity, and other parameters would make it more accessible to users.
Another 6% of respondents suggested that the inclusion of data tables and infographics will allow for a clearer visual representation of the data.
Finally, some respondents from the discussion groups suggested communicating data using familiar platforms, organizations, and resources. For instance, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) was suggested as a platform that could be used to share data.
Recommendation 7
Statistics Canada should regularly review its definitions, terminology and categorizations in order to ensure that the language used is appropriate and culturally-sensitive
Overall consensus
Several terminologies need to be replaced and/or redefined
Current uses of the words 'over-representation', 'offender', and 'gang affiliation' can be harmful and stigmatizing
Respondents highlighted the need for Statistics Canada to thoughtfully consider its terminology. As one respondent explained:
"The language and terminology used in collection practices, and the framework used to analyze data, should be determined in collaboration with communities that would be impacted by the data…The terms and language should then be shared widely through robust training."
Respondents most often referred to 'over-representation', 'offender', and 'gang affiliation' as terminology that should be reviewed by CCJCSS.
Defining 'over-representation'
The majority of discussion group respondents (56%) stressed the need for an official definition of over-representation, or a standard means by which it can be measured. Academics recommended using the term disproportionate in place of over-represented when commenting on imprisonment data.
Use of 'offender' and 'gang affiliation'
Respondents pointed to the term 'offender' as something that categorizes someone within the correctional system as an 'other'. Categorizing someone as an 'other' minimizes persons to a single characteristic, namely that they are housed within a correctional facility. Further to this, it is an inaccurate descriptor given that people held on remand may be later deemed innocent of their offence.
CCJCSS was also asked to exercise caution with use of the term 'gang affiliation'. This term has been disproportionately applied to Indigenous and racialized groups in the past, and has been applied to individuals who may have associated with individuals in gangs for however brief a period. The label can also be assigned to someone in a correctional facility without the requirement of police or court documentation. Once an individual in a correctional facility is assigned this label, removing it or correcting is "extremely difficult".
Next Steps
Based on these seven recommendations, Statistics Canada, through its CCJCSS, will develop a strategic five-year plan for developing its disaggregated data program with correctional services data. The plan will be comprehensive, addressing survey development, respondent and partner relations, analytical plans, indicator development and data quality evaluations, along with other components of its statistical program.
In the short-term, for fiscal year 2022/2023, CCJCSS will produce a special topic Juristat on Indigenous representation in adult custody (for provinces reporting to CCSS), and include a table on visible minority admissions on its website as part of its annual analysis. Within this context, it is important to note that CCJCSS has not yet developed standards for categorizing racialized groups as it awaits guidance from Statistics Canada on new classifications pertaining to racialized identity and ethnicity.
