PUMF Program Subscription Form – Membership Agreement (PDF, 315.75 KB)

Between His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, having been designated as the Minister for the purposes of the Statistics Act (referred to herein as "Statistics Canada"),

And:

• Name of the other party,
• Hereinafter called the "Licensee"

Whereas His Majesty the King in Right of Canada is the lawful owner of the Public Use Microdata Files to be licensed;

And whereas the Licensee wishes to use the Public Use Microdata Files;

Now therefore the Parties agree as follows:

Definition

1. "Public Use Microdata File" means a non-identifiable data set containing characteristics pertaining to surveyed units as described in section 2.

Description of product

2. This agreement relates to the Public Use Microdata File Collection (hereinafter called the "Collection"). The Collection contains Public Use Microdata Files released by Statistics Canada and related documentation for surveys as defined on the collection portal of the Statistics Canada website at Public Use Microdata File Collection.

Contact and custodian

3. (1) The Licensee hereby nominates [person] as the contact person to whom all further communication shall be addressed on any matter concerning this agreement; and as the designated custodian of the Collection with responsibility for ensuring its proper use and custody pursuant to the terms of this agreement.

(2) The contact information for the contact person and custodian referred to in subsection (1) may be advertised on the Collection page of the Statistics Canada website at Public Use Microdata File Collection.

Effective date and term

4. This Agreement comes into force when signed by both Parties and shall continue for an initial term ending March 31, [year]. Thereafter, the term shall be automatically extended for succeeding periods of one (1) year, unless terminated in accordance herewith.

Payment

5. (1) The Licensee agrees to pay an annual service fee of $10,000 to access the Collection. The first payment will be due to Statistics Canada on signing of this agreement. Subsequent payments will be made at the latest thirty (90) days after the expiration of the previous term (April –June).

(2) The following methods of payment are accepted; Cheque / Money Order (non-federal clients); Credit Card (MasterCard), (Visa) or (American Express) (non-federal clients); Federal Government of Canada Interdepartmental Settlement (federal clients); Direct Deposit (non-federal clients) or Bill Payment service (BPS) with Canadian bank Institutions).

(3) All cheque payments shall be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada and sent to:

Statistics Canada
Finance, 6th Floor, RH Coats Building
100 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

Delivery

6. Upon execution of this agreement and payment of the annual service fee prescribed in Section 5, Statistics Canada shall provide the Licensee with password access to the Collection and related documentation.

Use of microdata

7. The Use of the Microdata is governed by Statistics Canada Open Licence, see: Statistics Canada Open Licence. For any questions regarding the Statistics Canada Open Licence see: Statistics Canada Open Licence FAQs.

Termination

8. (1) Statistics Canada will terminate this agreement automatically and access to the Collection will be revoked if the Licensee fails to comply with any of the terms of this agreement.

(2) Either party may terminate this agreement, without cause, by providing 10 days written notice. The termination shall become effective and access to the Collection will be revoked at the date mutually agreed to by both parties.

(3) Where this Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection (1), the Licensee shall immediately take measures to terminate all use of the Collection by its users, destroy all copies of the data and related documentation and certify this destruction in writing to Statistics Canada.

Notices

9. Any notice to be given to Statistics Canada or the Licensee shall be sent to statcan.dadpumf-dadfmgd.statcan@canada.ca.

Amendment

10. No amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless it is reduced to writing and signed by the Parties hereto.

Entire Agreement

11. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Statistics Canada and the Licensee with respect to Licensee's right to use the Collection.

Appropriate law

12. This Agreement shall be governed and construed, in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable herein.

Approved by:

• Signature
• Date

Chief, Data Access Division

And By:

• Name of Institution
• Print name of authorized representative
• Signature
• Date

Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited)
for the year ending March 31
(in thousands of dollars)

	Forecast results 2020-21	Planned results 2021-22
Expenses
Statistical information	773,547	977,075
Internal services	94,092	71,099
Total expenses	867,639	1,048,174
Revenues
Special statistical services	129,403	138,000
Other revenues	100	100
Revenues earned on behalf of the Government of Canada	-16,346	-18,100
Total revenues	113,157	120,000
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	754,482	928,174

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations

Notes to the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited) for the year ending March 31

1. Methodology and significant assumptions

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared on the basis of government priorities and the plans of Statistics Canada (the agency) as described in the 2021-22 Departmental Plan.

The information in the forecasted results for fiscal year 2020-21 is based on actual results as at December 30, 2020 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts were estimated for the planned results for fiscal year 2021-22.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

• The agency's activities will remain substantially the same as the previous year.
• Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on historical trends and known cyclical changes.

These assumptions are made as at December 30, 2020.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2020-21 and for 2021-22, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecasted information presented, and this variation could be material.

In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, the agency established estimates and assumptions about the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and are continually evaluated.

Factors that could lead to material differences between the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and the historical financial statements include:

• the timing and the amount of acquisitions and disposals of property which may affect gains, losses and amortization expenses;
• the implementation of new collective agreements;
• economic conditions, which may affect both the amount of revenue earned and the collectability of receivables; and
• other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments made later in the fiscal year.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, the agency will not be updating the forecasts for any changes in financial resources made in ensuing supplementary estimates. Variances will be explained in the Departmental Results Report.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared using the Government of Canada's accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2020-21, and is based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Expenses

Transfer payments are recorded as an expense in the year the transfer is authorized and all eligibility criteria have been met by the recipient.

Other expenses are generally recorded when goods are received or services are rendered and include expenses related to personnel, professional and special services, repair and maintenance, utilities, materials and supplies, as well as amortization of tangible capital assets. Provisions to reflect changes in the value of assets or liabilities, such as provisions for bad debts, advances and inventory obsolescence, as well as utilization of inventories and prepaid expenses, and other are also included in other expenses.

(b) Revenues

Funds received for special statistical services are recorded upon receipt as deferred revenue. These revenues are recognized in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.

Deferred revenue consists of amounts received in advance of the delivery of goods and rendering of services that will be recognized as revenue in a subsequent fiscal year as it is earned.

Other revenues are recognized in the period the event giving rise to the revenues occurred.

Revenues that are non-respendable are not available to discharge the agency's liabilities. Although the deputy head is expected to maintain accounting control, he has no authority over the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are considered to be earned on behalf of the Government of Canada and are therefore presented as a reduction of the agency's gross revenues.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The agency is financed in part by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the agency differs from financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles because authorities are based mainly on cash flow requirements. Items recognized in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the agency has a different net cost of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to requested authorities (in thousands of dollars)

Reconciliation of net cost of operations to requested authorities (in thousands of dollars)

	Forecast results 2020-21	Planned results 2021-22
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	754,482	928,174
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Amortization of tangible capital assets	-28,106	-24,975
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets	-56	0
Services provided without charge by other federal government departments	-107,298	-108,584
Increase/decrease in vacation pay and compensatory leave	-17,708	7,014
Increase in employee future benefits	-906	-1,847
Refunds of previous years expenditures	712	712
Consumption of prepaid expenses	-13,181	-12,061
Bad debt expense	-3	0
Accrued salary receivables	187	0
Total items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities	-166,359	-139,741
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets	30,863	29,266
Increase in prepaid expenses	12,795	13,261
Transfer of payment in arrears	5	0
Payments for pay equity settlement	140	140
Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities	43,803	42,667
Requested authorities forecasted to be used	631,926	831,100

(b) Authorities requested (in thousands of dollars)

Authorities requested (in thousands of dollars)

	Forecast results 2020-21	Planned results 2021-22
Authorities requested
Vote 1: operating expenditures	586,646	748,327
Statutory amounts	79,842	82,773
Total authorities requested	666,488	831,100
Less: Estimated unused authorities and other adjustments	-34,562	0
Requested authorities forecasted to be used	631,926	831,100

Complete your census questionnaire:

• Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
• Mark circles with "X".

Any questions?

• www.census.gc.ca
• Call us free of charge at 1-855-340-2021
• TTY: 1-833-830-3109

Français au verso

Confidential when completed

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

Step A

1. What is your telephone number?

• Number, Ext.

2. What is the address where you received this questionnaire?

• Number (and suffix, if applicable)
  (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
• Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
• Apartment/unit/room
• City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
• Province/territory
• Postal code

3. What is the mailing address of this dwelling, if different from above?
(e.g., Rural Route, PO Box, General Delivery)

Step B

1. What is your name?

• Family name(s)
• Given name(s)

Step C

The following questions refer to your situation on May 11, 2021.

If you are:

• a Canadian citizen
  • Continue with step D
• a landed immigrant (permanent resident)
  • Continue with step D
• a person who has claimed refugee status (asylum seeker) in Canada
  • Continue with step D
• a person from another country with a work or study permit
  • Continue with step D

If you are:

• a resident of another country visiting Canada, for example, on vacation or on a business trip
  • Mark "X" the circle
    STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.
• a government representative of another country
  • Mark "X" the circle
    STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.

Step D

Is this your main residence?

• Yes
  • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
• No, but I have no other residence in Canada
  • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
• No, it is somewhere else in Canada
  • Specify complete address
    • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
      (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
    • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
    • Apartment/unit/room
    • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
    • Province/territory
    • Postal code
    • Telephone number

    STOP HERE.
    You should be included on the household questionnaire for the above address.
    See instructions in Step E on page 6.

1. a) Is there any other address in Canada where someone may include you on the census form for that household?

For example, at the home of a parent, relative or friend, or a place where you live while working, or a vacation home.

• No
  • Go to question 2
• Yes
  • Specify complete address
    • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
      (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
    • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
    • Apartment/unit
    • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
    • Province/territory
    • Postal code
    • Telephone number

1. b) Please give the name of another adult (if any) living at this other address.

• Family name(s)
• Given name(s)
• No other adult

2. What was your sex at birth?

Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

• Male
• Female

3. What is your gender?

Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

• Male
• Female
• Or please specify your gender:

4. What are your date of birth and age?

If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

• Day
• Month
• Year
• Age

5. What is your marital status?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Never legally married
• Legally married (and not separated)
• Separated, but still legally married
• Divorced
• Widowed

6. Are you living with a common-law partner?

Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

• Yes
• No

7. What is your status here (at the address you entered on the front cover)?

Mark “x” or specify one response only.

• Resident under care or custody (e.g., patient, inmate)
• Roommate, lodger or boarder
• Employee
• Employee’s family member
• Other status — specify:

8. Can you speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• English only
• French only
• Both English and French
• Neither English nor French

9. a) What language(s) do you speak on a regular basis at home?

• English
• French
• Other language(s) — specify:

If you indicate only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

9. b) Of these languages, which one do you speak most often at home?

Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

• English
• French
• Other language — specify:

10. What is the language that you first learned at home in childhood and still understand?

If you no longer understand the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

• English
• French
• Other language — specify:

11. Have you ever served in the Canadian military?

Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
• Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
• No

The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

12. Is this dwelling located in Quebec?

• No
  • Continue with question 13.
• Yes
  • Go to question 16.

13. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes (previously or currently attending)
• No
  • Go to Step E

14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

• A regular French program in a French-language school
• A French immersion program in an English-language school
  • Go to Step E
• Both types of programs
• Other program — specify:

15. For how many years did you attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

• Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
  • Number of years
    • Go to Step E
• Number of years in secondary schooling
  • Number of years
    • Go to Step E

16. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes (previously or currently attending)
• No
  • Go to Step E

17. For how many years did you do your schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

• Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
  • Number of years
• Number of years in secondary schooling
  • Number of years

Step E

You have now completed your questionnaire.

Please see instructions on the envelope.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The law protects what you tell us

The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

Reasons why we ask the questions

Steps A to D and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

Comments

Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

• the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
• the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

Any questions?

Visit www.census.gc.ca

Ce questionnaire est disponible en français

• Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
• Mark circles with an "X".

Confidential when completed

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

Step A

1. Do you have a permanent place of residence in Canada presently occupied by one or more members of your family?

• Yes
  • What is the address of your permanent place of residence?
    • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
      (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
    • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
    • Apartment/unit
    • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
    • Province/territory
    • Postal code
    • Telephone number
    • Enter the name of an adult living at this address.
      • Family name(s)
      • Given names(s)
• No
  • What is the address you give for election purposes?
    If you have no such address, enter your last permanent address in Canada.
    • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
      (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
    • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
    • Apartment/unit
    • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
    • Province/territory
    • Postal code
    • Telephone number

2. Enter the name and address of the military or government establishment outside Canada to which you are presently attached or, if none, the city or town and the country in which you reside.

• Name of establishment
• Location — City or town
• Country

Step B

1. Including yourself, how many persons usually live at your address (outside Canada) as of May 11, 2021?

Include: all persons who have their main residence at this address, even if they are temporarily away, provided they are:

• Canadian government employees (federal, provincial and territorial) or a member of their family OR members of the Canadian Armed Forces or a member of their family who are stationed outside Canada,
• other Canadian citizens OR persons with Canadian landed immigrant status who are outside Canada on Census Day, but whose permanent residence is in Canada.

• Number of persons

2. Including yourself, list all persons who usually live at your address (outside Canada).

Important: Begin the list with an adult followed, if applicable, by that person's spouse or common-law partner and by their children. Continue with all other persons who usually live at this address.

• Person 1: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 2: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 3: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 4: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 5: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 6: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 7: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 8: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 9: Family name(s), Given name(s)
• Person 10: Family name(s), Given name(s)

Step C

Copy the names in Step B to question 1, at the top of page 4.

Keep the same order.

If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

1. Name

In the spaces provided, copy the names in the same order as in Step B. Then answer the following questions for each person.

Person 1

• Family name
• Given name

The following questions refer to each person's situation on May 11, 2021, unless otherwise specified.

2. What was this person's sex at birth?

Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

• Male
• Female

3. What is this person's gender?

Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

• Male
• Female
• Or please specify this person's gender:

4. What are this person's date of birth and age?

If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

• Day
• Month
• Year
• Age

5. What is this person's marital status?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Never legally married
• Legally married (and not separated)
• Separated, but still legally married
• Divorced
• Widowed

6. Is this person living with a common-law partner?

Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

• Yes
• No

7. What is the relationship of this person to Person 1?

If none of the responses in the list describes this person's relationship to Person 1, then specify a response under "Other relationship".

Person 1

• Person 1

Person 2

• Husband or wife of Person 1
• Common-law partner of Person 1
• Son or daughter of Person 1 only
• Grandchild of Person 1
• Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
• Father or mother of Person 1
• Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
• Brother or sister of Person 1
• Foster child
• Roommate, lodger or boarder
• Other relationship — specify:

Persons 3-6

• Son or daughter of both Persons 1 and 2
• Son or daughter of Person 1 only
• Son or daughter of Person 2 only
• Grandchild of Person 1
• Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
• Father or mother of Person 1
• Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
• Brother or sister of Person 1
• Foster child
• Roommate, lodger or boarder
• Other relationship — specify:

8. Can this person speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• English only
• French only
• Both English and French
• Neither English nor French

9. a) What language(s) does this person speak on a regular basis at home?

• English
• French
• Other language(s) — specify:

If this person indicates only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

9. b) Of these languages, which one does this person speak most often at home?

Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

• English
• French
• Other language — specify:

10. What is the language that this person first learned at home in childhood and still understands?

If this person no longer understands the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

• English
• French
• Other language — specify:

11. Has this person ever served in the Canadian military?

Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
• Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
• No

The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

12. Is the address in Canada you provided in Step A, question 1, located in Quebec?

• No
  • Continue with question 13.
• Yes
  • Go to question 16.

13. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes (previously or currently attending)
• No
  • Go to Step D

14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

• A regular French program in a French-language school
• A French immersion program in an English-language school
  • Go to Step D
• Both types of programs
• Other program — specify:

15. For how many years did this person attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

• Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
  • Number of years
    • Go to Step D
• Number of years in secondary schooling
  • Number of years
    • Go to Step D

16. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

Mark "x" one circle only.

• Yes (previously or currently attending)
• No
  • Go to Step D

17. For how many years did this person do their schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

• Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
  • Number of years
• Number of years in secondary schooling
  • Number of years

Step D

Comments

Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

• the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
• the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

Step E

If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

You have now completed your questionnaire. Please return it in accordance with instructions from your unit or department.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Reasons why we ask the questions

Steps A and B and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

The law protects what you tell us

The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

Introduction

Statistics Canada is conducting the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS) from November 2020 to March 2021. This survey collects health data on the current COVID-19 pandemic by asking selected participants to complete an electronic questionnaire and provide a blood sample from a self-administered finger prick (dried blood spot sample). This voluntary survey will be sent to approximately 48,000 Canadians, aged 1 and over, across the provinces and territories. It is expected that approximately 20,000 respondents will complete the entire survey (questionnaire and blood sample).

All processes of the CCAHS have been reviewed and approved by the Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board to ensure that internationally recognized ethical standards for human research are met and maintained.

Objective

A privacy impact assessment for the CCAHS was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality or security issues with this survey and to make recommendations to resolve or mitigate any issues.

Description

This survey was developed in consultation with the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF). The CITF is funded by the Government of Canada and is composed of members from various domains, including universities, hospitals and the public health sector. The CITF was created to support the development and implementation of population-based serological studies (using blood tests) on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to better understand the impact of the pandemic in Canada.

Results from this survey will provide important information on the health status of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an estimate of the prevalence of infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This survey will also provide a platform to explore new measurement techniques, as this is the first time that self-administered blood samples are being collected from a nationally-representative sample of Canadians.

Risk Area Identification and Categorization

The PIA identifies the level of potential risk (level 1 is the lowest level of potential risk and level 4 is the highest) associated with the following risk areas:

Risk Area Identification and Categorization

	Risk scale
a) Type of program or activity Program or activity that does not involve a decision about an identifiable individual.	1
b) Type of personal information involved and context Sensitive personal information, including detailed profiles, allegations or suspicions and bodily samples, or the context surrounding the personal information is particularly sensitive.	4
c) Program or activity partners and private sector involvement Private sector organizations, international organizations or foreign governments	4
d) Duration of the program or activity One-time program or activity	1
e) Program population The program's use of personal information is not for administrative purposes. Information is collected for statistical purposes, under the authority of the Statistics Act.	N/A
f) Personal information transmission The personal information is transmitted using wireless technologies.	4
g) Technology and privacy The CCAHS does not require the implementation of new technology or modifications to legacy systems to support the creation, collection or handling of personal information.
h) Potential risk that in the event of a privacy breach, there will be an impact on the individual or employee. There is a very low risk for a breach of any personal information being disclosed without proper authorization. The impact on the individual would be high, as it could negatively affect their reputation because of the stigmatization related to certain health conditions or illnesses.

Conclusion

This assessment of the CCAHS did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using existing Statistics Canada safeguards and procedures, as well as those in place at the various laboratories being used. Any remaining risks are either negligible or are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage.