Before each census, Statistics Canada conducts engagement activities to facilitate the sharing of data users', and interested parties across Canada, views on the census dissemination strategy.
Consultative engagement objectives
The consultative engagement activities will provide opportunities for you to provide feedback and indicate your satisfaction with the 2021 Census of Population dissemination and strategy, its product lines and service suite within the Census Program at Statistics Canada. The results will inform decisions on the 2026 Census of Population dissemination and release strategy, its products and its services.
Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultative engagement participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the agency is kept strictly confidential; it 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 in Fall 2024.
Program manager: Director, Centre for Social Data Integration and Development
Director General, Social Data Insights, Integration and Innovation
Reference to Personal Information Bank (PIB)
Personal information collected through the Survey Series on People and their Communities is described in Statistics Canada's "Special Surveys" Class of Personal Information. The Personal Information Bank refers to information collected through Statistics Canada's ad hoc surveys, which are not part of the regular survey taking activities of the Agency. They cover a variety of socio-economic topics including health, housing, labour market, education and literacy, as well as demographic data.
Under the authority of the Statistics Act,Footnote 1 Statistics Canada has been conducting the voluntary Survey Series on People and their Communities (SSPC) since October 2022. This survey series operates under the umbrella of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP) which was part of the Government of Canada's federal Budget 2021. It collects information about the lived experiences of specific sub-populations in Canada, such as racialized groups and immigrants. Each survey collection in the series (Wave) contains questionnaire content that changes based on emerging data needs, with an overall aim of providing insights on intersections such as those between racialized identity and immigrant status with various social topics with specific data gaps related to the level of granularity of the data. The first three waves in the series on Community Engagement (SSPC-CE / Wave 1), Sport, Workplace Culture, Political Engagement and Shared Values (SSPC-SWCPESV / Wave 2), and Quality of Life, Sources of Information and Trust (SSPC-QLSIT / Wave 3) were internally funded through the Disaggregated Data Action Plan initiative and the fourth wave on Participation and Experiences in Community Sports (SSPC-PECS / Wave 4) will be funded by Heritage Canada.
The first SSPC wave sampled a total of 70,000 individuals that were representative of the Canadian population aged 15 and older selected from the 2021 long-form Census survey frame, with an oversamplingFootnote 2 of individuals belonging to self-identified visible minority groups and immigrants to Canada to ensure enough data would be captured to be able to release disaggregated statistics on relevant sub-groups that meet Statistics Canada's Quality Guidelines. The initial SSPC sample was comprised of two evenly divided subsamples of 35,000 individuals each. Respondents were asked at the end of their first questionnaire to provide their email address or phone number if they agreed to be contacted for participation in future surveys in the series.
Respondents that provided valid contact information were then used to create a sample of targeted respondents for subsequent waves, totaling 35,773 individuals. This methodology, also known as a panel survey, repeatedly uses the same group of respondents that provided their contact information for such purposes for all subsequent waves. If respondents who previously agreed to participate in the SSPC no longer wish to participate, they can withdraw their participation and opt-out of the series by contacting Statistics Canada using the information provided in their email invitations or during their telephone interview.
SSPC Waves 1-3 collected less sensitive and less detailed personal information (e.g. Wave 1 collected information about the presence of generalized long-term conditions and disabilities, rather than granular details about those health conditions), and as such any related privacy risks were assessed in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA).
Wave 4 of the SSPC on Participation and Experiences in Community Sports (SSPC-PECS), will be collecting new content about the respondents' participation in sport, with a focus on immigrants' and racialized peoples' experiences with unfair treatment, racism and discrimination as a victim or witness in sports and involvement in non-athletic roles in sport. This sensitive content, in conjunction with the longitudinal nature and linkages with responses in the previous waves and the Census, warrants the development of this supplement to the Generic PIA in order to assess, describe and mitigate any potential associated privacy risks.
To reduce respondent burden and enhance the analytical value of the data, longitudinal microdata linkage is performed on the data from each wave of the SSPC and to sociodemographic data from the 2021 long-form Census, with information collected in SSPC-CE being linked to information from subsequent waves. Statistics Canada's microdata linkage and related statistical activities were assessed in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment.Footnote 3 All data linkage activities are subject to established governance,Footnote 4 and are assessed against Statistics Canada's principles of necessity and proportionality.Footnote 5 All approved linkages are published on Statistics Canada's website.Footnote 6
While the Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) addresses most of the privacy and security risks related to statistical activities conducted by Statistics Canada, this supplement was developed to address the collection and use of sensitive new content in Wave 4 of this survey series that includes information about respondents' experiences with unfair treatment, racism and discrimination as a victim or witness, combined with sociodemographic and other information collected from prior survey series waves. As is the case with all PIAs, Statistics Canada's privacy framework ensures that elements of privacy protection and privacy controls are documented and applied.
Necessity and Proportionality
The collection and use of personal information for Wave 4 of the Survey Series on People and their Communities – Participation and Experiences in Community Sports (SSPC-PECS) can be justified against Statistics Canada's Necessity and Proportionality Framework:
Necessity
The first three waves of the SSPC were internally funded by the Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP), while Wave 4, the SSPC-PECS, supports the DDAP and is funded by Canadian Heritage. It addresses issues relates to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the sport domain, including support for demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in sport, to produce detailed statistical information using the personal characteristics of respondents to underline the similarities and differences between and among groups. The data will serve to provide insights and fill data gaps on Canada's social and cultural environment related to barriers in sport participation of different demographic groups. It will do this by highlighting the attitudes and lived experiences of specific population groups, such as racialized groups and immigrants, in regard to their participation in sport, involvement in non-athletic roles in sport and experiences of unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports culture in Canada. The information aims to support policy, program development and funding decisions, and to provide evidence for projects such as the Community Sport for All Initiative of the Sport Support Program from Heritage CanadaFootnote 8 or the implementation of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport,Footnote 9 both of which have a goal of promoting accessibility and equity in sports in Canada.
The panel survey methodology is required in conjunction with the oversampling methodology due to the low prevalence of certain targeted respondents (racialized groups and immigrants) in the general population, in order to manage response burden and fatigue while continuing to be able to extract important information. In both cases, the purpose is ultimately to be able to produce and publish robust confidential disaggregated statistics that meet Statistics Canada's Quality Guidelines.
Excluding the approximately 1500 minors aged 15 and older in the SSPC sample was considered for the SSPC-PECS, however doing so would result in data findings that are not representative of the Canadian population. Information from minors 15 and older is important to collect and analyze for the SSPC-PECS, as this age group is often involved in sport at a higher prevalence than those of other age groups, meaning their experiences will help to fill the existing data gaps identified, and represent an important affected demographic. These individuals have agreed to participate in the survey series and have expressed a desire to respond to emerging data issues. As with all respondents of the SSPC, if at any time the minor chooses not to participate, they can skip the question or request to be removed from the survey series.
Effectiveness - Working assumptions
The SSPC-PECS is the most effective method to fill the data gaps identified by Sport Canada on issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport for traditionally underrepresented demographic groups. Specifically, due to the lower prevalence of racialized groups and immigrants in the general population, contrasted with the need to produce more detailed disaggregated data on those sub-populations, the SSPC uses Statistics Canada's 2021 Census of Population as the survey frame. The survey frame was stratified by racialized groups, immigration status, and geographic region, so that reliable estimates could be produced for domains of interest. The non-racialized group was also sampled along with racialized groups to ensure coverage of the entire target population and as a comparison to racialized groups. The differences in sampling rates between the various target groups makes it possible to carry out more disaggregated and intersectional analysis with this survey than a survey with a general population sample design.
The panel survey methodology allows Statistics Canada to link respondent information (e.g., sociodemographic, and other analytical information collected) for those that respond across survey waves, reducing the response burden of subsequent waves by eliminating the need to repeatedly request the same information. Further, a panel survey with oversampling is required due to the expected low prevalence of sub-groups and variables of interest (racialized groups and immigrants; experiences), to be able to collect and publish reliable confidential disaggregated statistics on these factors.
The questionnaire content in Wave 4 was developed in collaboration with subject matter experts from Heritage Canada as well as the Diversity and Sociocultural Statistics division within Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre (QDRC) provided input and feedback for the survey questionnaire after conducting a series of qualitative testing interviews with individuals who are representative of the sample. Overall, QDRC participants reacted positively, and the topics covered in the survey were of general interest. There were no major issues observed and there were no concerns about the proposed topics being too personal or sensitive.
This combination of survey methodology and questionnaire content enables the effective production of robust statistics that meet Statistics Canada's quality guidelines and provide insights into differences and similarities in experiences among and between visible minorities and immigrants, compared to the rest of the Canadian population.
Proportionality
Questions were developed with Heritage Canada to fill specific data gaps and help support policy and program development around Canadian sports culture. While the sensitivity of these questions on experiences of unfair treatment, racism, and discrimination in sports settings may cause distress for some respondents, the results from this survey are expected to provide data to help address issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion for demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in sport, potentially leading to a reduction in the occurrence and prevalence of racism and discrimination in sports in Canada. Although no concerns were raised by participants in focus groups during the testing of the questionnaire, respondents will be provided with the ability to skip the questions, as well as with information on relevant resources. Additionally, interviewers are trained to provide relevant resources to respondents who show signs of distress, and to offer to skip sensitive questions.
Moreover, many of the sociodemographic personal information elements required for analysis such as age, gender, education, knowledge of languages, immigrant status and racialized group do not need to be collected in the SSPC-PECS, as they were either collected in previous SSPC waves or are available through the planned microdata linkages to the 2021 Long-form Census of Population. Respondents will therefore not need to transmit the same personal information multiple times to Statistics Canada, thus limiting the scope of information collected in subsequent waves to only new required information.
Alternatives
Alternative sources for the data to be collected in the SSPC-PCES are not available in any other Statistics Canada surveys or administrative data holdings. Alternative designs to a panel survey were considered for collecting this information, including a traditional survey, however, the response burden a traditional survey would place on this population would have likely compromised the ability to achieve response rates required to produce reliable statistics. Ultimately, a panel survey was deemed the optimal collection method to produce all the required disaggregated data for analysis without overburdening respondents.
Additionally, although the General Social Survey (GSS)Footnote 10 program collects similar information, it does not collect the specific data gaps identified by Heritage Canada's analytical needs, such as racism and discrimination in sports. Moreover, the GSS does not oversample for a sufficient level of disaggregation needed to identify disparities between racialized and non-racialized groups and immigrants and non-immigrants on these topics.
Mitigation factors
The overall risk of harm to the survey respondents has been deemed manageable with existing Statistics Canada safeguards that are described in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment, including the following measures:
Resources
Some questions contained in the SSPC-PECS are considered sensitive as they relate to an individual's experience or witnessing of unfair treatment, racism, or discrimination. Relevant resources will be provided to respondents in the information for survey participants and interviewers will be instructed to provide the resources should a respondent experience any distress. Additionally, respondents will be provided with the possibility to skip questions.
Consent
Individuals selected for the SSPC-PECS will be informed in the invitation email and in the electronic questionnaire or during the telephone interview that their participation is voluntary before being asked any questions.
Confidentiality
Variables that directly identify respondents will be separated from the data files in the first stage of data processing and placed in a secure location with controlled access. Variables that might indirectly identify respondents are examined and modified as necessary in order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents. Individual responses will be grouped with those of others when reporting results. Individual responses and results for very small groups will never be published or shared with government departments or agencies. Careful analysis of the data and appropriate additional disclosure controls will be performed prior to the publication and sharing of data (in RDCs, etc.) to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable communities are not disproportionally impacted.
Data linkage
The linkage of SSPC-PECS data with other sources of information will be used in statistical studies to evaluate data quality and the impact of non-response, to improve and assist with data editing and imputation, and for direct replacement of data in presence of partial non-response when the quality is deemed appropriate. The linkage files will be used only within Statistics Canada for methodological research, development and processing.
Security measures for linkage keys and administrative files respect the policies, directives and guidelines for information technology security at Statistics Canada. When linkage is required, it is done using anonymized statistical identifiers ("linkage keys") and, as a result, no linked file contains personal identifiers such as name, phone number and address (excluding postal code). These anonymized statistical identifiers are used to link to other sources of information for statistical purposes only. The personal identifiers obtained are removed from the rest of the information and securely stored with restricted access with an approved operational requirement to access them, and whose access is removed when no longer required.
Transparency
Prior to the survey, respondents will be informed that the survey is voluntary, and of the survey purpose, allowing them to decide whether they wish to participate.
This information will be provided in the invitation email, the electronic questionnaire, by interviewers, as well as on the SSPC-PECS website.
Conclusion
This assessment concludes that, with the existing Statistics Canada safeguards including those listed above, any remaining risks are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage the risk.
Formal approval
This Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment has been reviewed and recommended for approval by Statistics Canada's Chief Privacy Officer, Director General for Modern Statistical Methods and Data Science, and Assistant Chief Statistician for the Social, Health and Labour Statistics field.
The Chief Statistician of Canada has the authority for section 10 of the Privacy Act for Statistics Canada, and is responsible for the Agency's operations, including the program area mentioned in this Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment.
This Privacy Impact Assessment has been approved by the Chief Statistician of Canada.
This page brings together information available on sex at birth from multiple sources for a better understanding of the term and to promote standards adoption and interoperability of data.
Surveys including sex at birth
The 2021 Census of Population included for the first time the "at birth" precision to the sex question which can be found in the 2021 Census: 2A questionnaire. Sex at birth is typically assigned at birth based on a person's reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
In accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices (2018), gender is expected to be used by default in most social statistics programs. Sex at birth can also be collected and used when it is needed. This is the case, for example, when calculating certain demographic or health indicators, or measuring the transgender population.
Sex at birth of person variable
Sex at birth of person includes the definition, usage, conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards, classification, additional information and previous versions.
Sex at birth classification
The Classification of sex at birth outlines the classification structure and includes a link to the definitions and usage.
Questions designed to collect data on Sex at birth.
Option 1
(response by proxy)
What was this person's sex at birth?
Sex at birth refers to the sex recorded on a person’s first birth certificate. It is typically observed based on a person’s reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
Male
Female
Option 2
(self-reported)
What was your sex at birth?
Sex at birth refers to the sex recorded on a person’s first birth certificate. It is typically observed based on a person’s reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
This page brings together information available on gender from multiple sources for a better understanding of the term and to promote standards adoption and interoperability of data.
Gender statistics
Gender Statistics includes a description, data sources and methodology.
Surveys including gender
In 2018, Statistics Canada started collecting data on gender in social surveys, such as in the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. The 2021 Census of Population included for the first time the question on gender and the "at birth" precision to the sex question which can be found in the 2021 Census: 2A questionnaire. Gender is expected to be used by default in most social statistics programs at Statistics Canada in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices (2018). Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, woman, or non-binary person while sex at birth is typically assigned at birth based on a person's reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
Gender of person variable
Gender of person includes the definition, usage, conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards, classifications, additional information and previous version.
Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
Man
Woman
Or please specify this person's gender:
Option 2
(self-reported)
What is your gender?
Gender refers to an individual’s personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
Labour market activity and school attendance (ACT1)
Labour market activity and school attendance (ACT1)
ACT1_R01
The next questions are about your activities between January and December 2023, as well as the activities of other members of your household.
ACT1_Q01
Q2
Did you work at a job or business in 2023?
1. Yes
2. No
ACT1_Q05
Q3
During 2023, how many weeks did you work at a job or business?
Count every week worked, no matter the number of hours. Include: vacation, maternity or parental leave, illness, strikes, lock-outs.
ACT1_Q10
Q4
During those weeks, how many hours did you usually work per week at all jobs?
If the number of work hours varied from week to week, please provide an average.
ACT1_Q15
Q5
Considering all the jobs you held in 2023, did you work:
Select all that apply.
1. As an employee
2. As self-employed
3. In a family business without pay
ACT1_Q20
Q6
During 2023, how many weeks were you without work and looking for work?
Include temporary lay-offs. Exclude weeks as a full-time student.
ACT1_Q25
Q7
What was your main activity during the weeks when you were neither working nor looking for work?
1. Ill, or disabled and unable to work
2. Took care of home or family
3. Went to school
4. Retired
5. Other – Specify
ACT1_Q30
Q8
Did you attend a school, college, CEGEP or university at any time between January and December 2023?
Include attendance only for courses that can be used as credit towards a certificate, diploma or degree.
1. Yes
2. No
ACT1_Q35
Q9
Were you enrolled as a full-time student, a part-time student or both full-time and part-time?
1. A full-time student
2. A part-time student
3. Both full-time and part-time student
ACT1_Q40
Q10
Did you receive any money from a scholarship, bursary or fellowship in 2023?
1. Yes
2. No
ACT1_Q45
Q11
What was the total amount you received in 2023?
Support payments received (SCC1)
Support payments received (SCC1)
SCC1_R05
The next questions are about support payments and child care expenses.
SCC1_Q05
Q12
Between January and December 2023, did you receive support payments from a former spouse or partner?
By support payments we mean a formal agreement for spousal support, alimony, separation allowance, or child support. Include only support payments actually received. Exclude gifts or additional transfers of money.
1. Yes
2. No
SCC1_Q10
Q13
What is your best estimate of the amount of support payments you received in 2023?
Include only support payments actually received. Exclude gifts or additional transfers of money.
Support payments paid (SCC2)
Support payments paid (SCC2)
SCC2_Q05
Q14
Between January and December 2023, did you make support payments to a former spouse or partner?
By support payments we mean a formal agreement for spousal support, alimony, separation allowance, or child support. Include only support payments actually paid. Exclude gifts or additional transfers of money.
1. Yes
2. No
SCC2_Q10
Q15
What is your best estimate of the total amount you paid in support payments in 2023?
Include only support payments actually paid. Exclude gifts or additional transfers of money.
Childcare expenses (SCC3)
Childcare expenses (SCC3)
SCC3_Q05
Q16
Between January and December 2023, did you pay for child care, so that you could work at your paid job(s)?
Include child care paid during school holidays.
1. Yes
2. No
SCC3_Q10
Q17
What is your best estimate of the total amount you paid for child care in 2023?
Exclude any amount previously reported. Enter "0" if the entire amount was previously entered.
Total personal income (INC1)
Total personal income (INC1)
INC1_R05
Now a question about total personal income.
INC1_Q05
Q24
What is your best estimate of your total personal income, before taxes and deductions, from all sources during the year ending December 31, 2023?
Income can come from various sources such as from work, investments, pensions or government. Examples include Employment Insurance, social assistance, child benefits and other income such as child support, spousal support (alimony) and rental income. Capital gains should not be included in the personal income.
INC1_Q10
Q25
For the year ending December 31, 2023, can you estimate in which of the following groups your total personal income fell? Was it:
1. Less than $30,000, including income loss
2. $30,000 and more
INC1_Q15
Q25
Please indicate the income range
1. Less than $5,000
2. $5,000 to less than $10,000
3. $10,000 to less than $15,000
4. $15,000 to less than $20,000
5. $20,000 to less than $25,000
6. $25,000 to less than $30,000
INC1_Q20
Q25
Please indicate the income range
1. $30,000 to less than $40,000
2. $40,000 to less than $50,000
3. $50,000 to less than $60,000
4. $60,000 to less than $70,000
5. $70,000 to less than $80,000
6. $80,000 to less than $90,000
7. $90,000 to less than $100,000
8. $100,000 and over
INC1_Q25
Q26
Does this amount include any social assistance payments?
Exclude employment insurance (including for maternity leave), workers' compensation, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and child benefits.
1. Yes
2. No
Introduction to the disability screening questions (PDSQ)
Introduction to the disability screening questions (PDSQ)
PDSQ_R05
In order to reduce the length of the questionnaire and to obtain additional information about the relationship between income and persons with and without a disability, one person has been randomly selected in your household for the next set of questions. In your household, you have been selected.
Disability screening questions (DSQ)
Disability screening questions (DSQ)
DSQ_R01
The following questions are about difficulties you may have doing certain activities. Only difficulties or long-term conditions that have lasted or are expected to last for six months or more should be considered.
DSQ_Q01
Q27
Do you have any difficulty seeing? Would you say:
1. No
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q02
Q28
Do you wear glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q03
Q29
[Which/With your glasses or contact lenses, which] of the following best describes your ability to see?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty seeing
2. Some difficulty seeing
3. A lot of difficulty seeing
4. You are legally blind
5. You are blind
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q04
Q30
How often does this [difficulty seeing/seeing condition] limit your daily activities?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q05
Q31
Do you have any difficulty hearing?
Would you say:
1. No
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q06
Q32
Do you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q07
Q33
[Which/With your hearing aid or cochlear implant, which] of the following best describes your ability to hear?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty hearing
2. Some difficulty hearing
3. A lot of difficulty hearing
4. You cannot hear at all
5. You are deaf
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q08
Q34
How often does this [difficulty hearing/hearing condition] limit your daily activities?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q09
Q35
Do you have any difficulty walking, using stairs, using your hands or fingers or doing other physical activities?
Would you say:
1. No
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_R10
The following questions are about your ability to move around, even when using an aid such as a cane.
DSQ_Q10
Q36
How much difficulty do you have walking on a flat surface for 15 minutes without resting?
This refers to your regular walking pace.
If you use an aid for minimal support such as a cane, walking stick or crutches, please answer this question based on your ability to walk when using these aids.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do at all
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q11
Q37
How much difficulty do you have walking up or down a flight of stairs, about 12 steps without resting?
This refers to your regular walking pace.
If you use an aid for minimal support such as a cane, walking stick or crutches, please answer this question based on your ability to walk when using these aids.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do at all
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q12
Q38
How often [does this difficulty walking/does this difficulty using stairs/do these difficulties] limit your daily activities?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q13
Q39
How much difficulty do you have bending down and picking up an object from the floor?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do at all
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q14
Q40
How much difficulty do you have reaching in any direction, for example, above your head?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do at all
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q15
Q41
How often [does this difficulty bending down and picking up an object/'does this difficulty reaching/do these difficulties] limit your daily activities?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q16
Q42
How much difficulty do you have using your fingers to grasp small objects like a pencil or scissors?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do at all
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q17
Q43
How often does this difficulty using your fingers limit your daily activities?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_R18
The following questions are about pain due to a long-term condition that has lasted or is expected to last for six months or more.
DSQ_Q18
Q44
Do you have pain that is always present?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q19
Q45
Do you [also] have periods of pain that reoccur from time to time?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q20
Q46
How often does this pain limit your daily activities?
If you have both pain that is always present and pain that reoccurs from time to time, consider the pain that bothers you the most. If your pain is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q21
Q47
When you are experiencing this pain, how much difficulty do you have with your daily activities?
If you have both pain that is always present and pain that reoccurs from time to time, consider the pain that bothers you the most. If your pain is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
DSQ_R22
Please answer only for difficulties or long-term conditions that have lasted or are expected to last for six months or more.
DSQ_Q22
Q48
Do you have any difficulty learning, remembering or concentrating?
Would you say:
1. No
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q23
Q49
Do you think you have a condition that makes it difficult in general for you to learn? This may include learning disabilities such as dyslexia, hyperactivity, attention problems, etc.
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q24
Q50
Has a teacher, doctor or other health care professional ever said that you had a learning disability?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q25
Q51
How often are your daily activities limited by this condition?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q26
Q52
How much difficulty do you have with your daily activities because of this condition?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q27
Q53
Has a doctor, psychologist or other health care professional ever said that you had a developmental disability or disorder? This may include Down syndrome, autism, Asperger syndrome, mental impairment due to lack of oxygen at birth, etc.
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q28
Q54
How often are your daily activities limited by this condition?
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q29
Q55
How much difficulty do you have with your daily activities because of this condition?
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q30
Q56
Do you have any ongoing memory problems or periods of confusion?
Exclude occasional forgetfulness such as not remembering where you put your keys.
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q31
Q57
How often are your daily activities limited by this problem?
If the problem is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using your medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q32
Q58
How much difficulty do you have with your daily activities because of this problem?
If the problem is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
DSQ_R33
Please remember that your answers will be kept strictly confidential.
DSQ_Q33
Q59
Do you have any emotional, psychological or mental health conditions?
e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, etc.
Would you say:
1. No
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q34
Q60
How often are your daily activities limited by this condition?
If the condition is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q35
Q61
When you are experiencing this condition, how much difficulty do you have with your daily activities?
If the condition is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q36
Q62
Do you have any other health problem or long-term condition that has lasted or is expected to last for six months or more?
Exclude any health problems previously reported.
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q37
Q63
How often does this health problem or long-term condition limit your daily activities?
If you have more than one other health problem or condition, please answer based on the health problem or condition that limits your daily activities the most.
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_R38
The following questions are about pain due to a long-term condition that has lasted or is expected to last for six months or more.
DSQ_Q38
Q64
Do you have pain that is always present?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q39
Q65
Do you [also] have periods of pain that reoccur from time to time?
Would you say:
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q40
Q66
How often does this pain limit your daily activities?
If you have both pain that is always present and pain that reoccurs from time to time, consider the pain that bothers you the most. If your pain is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Always
9. Don't know
DSQ_Q41
Q67
When you are experiencing this pain, how much difficulty do you have with your daily activities?
If you have both pain that is always present and pain that reoccurs from time to time, consider the pain that bothers you the most. If your pain is controlled by medication or therapy, please answer this question based on when you are using medication or therapy.
Would you say:
1. No difficulty
2. Some difficulty
3. A lot of difficulty
4. You cannot do most activities
9. Don't know
Unmet health care needs (UCN)
Unmet health care needs (UCN)
UCN_Q005
Q68
During the past 12 months, was there ever a time when you felt that you needed health care, other than homecare services, but you did not receive it?
1. Yes
2. No
UCN_Q010
Q69
Thinking of the most recent time you felt this way, why didn't you get care?
Select all that apply.
1. Care not available in the area
2. Care not available at time required (e.g., doctor busy, away from office or no longer at that practice, inconvenient hours)
3. Do not have a regular health care provider
4. Waiting time too long
5. Appointment was cancelled
6. Felt would receive inadequate care
7. Cost
8. Decided not to seek care
9. Doctor didn't think it was necessary
10. Transportation issue
11. Other
UCN_Q015
Q70
Again, thinking of the most recent time, what was the type of care that was needed?
Select all that apply.
1. Treatment of a chronic physical health condition diagnosed by a health professional
2. Treatment of a chronic mental health condition diagnosed by a health professional
3. Treatment of an acute infectious disease (e.g., cold, flu and stomach flu)
4. Treatment of an acute physical condition (non-infectious)
5. Treatment of an acute mental health condition (e.g., acute stress reaction)
6. A regular check-up (including pre-natal care)
7. Care of an injury
8. Dental care
9. Medication / Prescription refill
10. Other
UCN_Q020
Q71
Did you actively try to obtain the health care that was needed?
1. Yes
2. No
UCN_Q025
Q72
Where did you try to get the service you were seeking?
Select all that apply.
1. A doctor's office
2. A hospital outpatient clinic
3. A community health centre [or CLSC]
4. A walk-in clinic
5. An emergency department or emergency room
6. Other
Financial difficulty due to disability (FDD)
Financial difficulty due to disability (FDD)
FDD_Q05
Q73
In 2023, have you and your household experienced significant financial difficulty because of a long term disability or health problem of a member of you household? Would you say:
1. Yes, sometimes
2. Yes, often
3. No
Owners and renters (DWL)
Owners and renters (DWL)
DWL_R05
The next series of questions will be about your dwelling.
DWL_Q05
Q74
Is this dwelling part of a condominium development?
1. Yes
2. No
DWL_Q10
Q75
Is this dwelling in need of any repairs?
Do not include desirable remodelling or additions.
Would you say:
1. No, only regular maintenance is needed, for example, painting, furnace cleaning
2. Yes, minor repairs are needed, for example, missing or loose floor tiles, bricks or shingles, defective steps, railing or siding
3. Yes, major repairs are needed, for example, defective plumbing or electrical wiring, structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings
Owners (OWN)
Owners (OWN)
OWN_Q05
Q76
Does anyone in your household operate a farm on this property?
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q10
Q77
Does anyone in your household operate a business from this dwelling or property?
Property is interpreted as the land and buildings associated with the dwelling.
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q15
Q78
How many bedrooms are there in this dwelling?
Please include all rooms designed as bedrooms even if they are now used for something else, for example, as guest rooms or television rooms.
Do not count rooms used solely for business purposes.
Include all rooms used as bedrooms now, even if they were not originally built as bedrooms, such as bedrooms in a finished basement.
For a one-room dwelling or bachelor apartment, please enter zero.
OWN_Q20
Q79
Is there a mortgage on this dwelling?
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q25
Q80
Are property taxes included in your mortgage payments?
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q30
Q81
Do you have more than one mortgage on your dwelling?
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q35
Q82
How often do you make regular mortgage payments?
1. Weekly
2. Every two weeks
3. Twice a month
4. Monthly
5. Quarterly
6. Twice a year
7. Annually
8. Other – Specify
OWN_Q45
Q83
How much do you pay for each of these regular mortgage payments, including your property taxes?
Exclude irregular and lump sum payments.
OWN_Q50
Q84
How much do you pay for each of these regular mortgage payments?
Exclude irregular and lump sum payments.
OWN_Q55
Q85
How much do you pay monthly for all these mortgages, including your property taxes?
Exclude irregular and lump sum payments.
OWN_Q65
Q87
What is the total annual property tax bill for this dwelling?
Include school taxes, special service charges and local improvements.
OWN_Q70
Q88
Is water included in the payments just mentioned?
Payments just mentioned could include mortgage payments and property taxes.
1. Yes
2. No
OWN_Q75
Q89
What is the regular monthly condominium fee for this dwelling?
OWN_Q80
Q90
Are any of the following items included in the payments just mentioned?
Payments just mentioned could include mortgage payments, property taxes and condo fees.
Select all that apply.
1. Electricity
2. Heating fuel
3. Water
4. None of the above
Food security (FSC)
Food security (FSC)
FSC_R010
The following statements may describe the food situation for your household in the past 12 months. Please indicate if the statement was often true, sometimes true or never true for you and other household members in the past 12 months.
FSC_Q010A
Q91a
You and other household members worried that food would run out before you got money to buy more
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_Q010B
Q91b
The food that you and other household members bought just didn't last and there wasn't any money to get more
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_Q010C
Q91c
You and other household members couldn't afford to eat balanced meals
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_Q010D
Q91d
You or other adults in your household relied on only a few kinds of low-cost food to feed the children because you were running out of money to buy food
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_Q010E
Q91e
You or other adults in your household couldn't feed the children a balanced meal because you couldn't afford it
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_Q015
Q92
The children were not eating enough because you or other adults in your household just couldn't afford enough food. Would you say:
1. Often true
2. Sometimes true
3. Never true
FSC_R020
The following few questions are about the food situation in the past 12 months for you or any other adults in your household.
FSC_Q020A
Q93
In the past 12 months, since last [current month], did you or other adults in your household ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q020B
Q93
How often did this happen? Was it:
1. Almost every month
2. Some months but not every month
3. Only 1 or 2 months
FSC_Q025A
Q94
In the past 12 months, did you (personally) ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money to buy food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q025B
Q95
In the past 12 months, were you (personally) ever hungry but didn't eat because you couldn't afford enough food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q025C
Q96
In the past 12 months, did you (personally) lose weight because you didn't have enough money for food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q030
Q97
In the past 12 months, did you or other adults in your household ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q035
Q97
How often did this happen? Was it:
1. Almost every month
2. Some months but not every month
3. Only 1 or 2 months
FSC_R040A
Now, a few questions on the food experiences for children in your household.
FSC_Q040A
Q98
In the past 12 months, did you or other adults in your household ever cut the size of any of the children's meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q040B
Q99
In the past 12 months, did any of the children ever skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q040C
Q99
How often did this happen? Was it:
1. Almost every month
2. Some months but not every month
3. Only 1 or 2 months
FSC_Q040D
Q100
In the past 12 months, were any of the children ever hungry but you just couldn't afford more food?
1. Yes
2. No
FSC_Q040E
Q101
In the past 12 months, did any of the children ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
The information from this survey will serve the following purposes: maintain and update the Canadian Business Register, the principal frame for the economic statistics program of Statistics Canada and to improve the efficiency of the Agriculture Statistical Program by collecting information on the main products and activities of this business.
Purpose
Why we conduct this survey?
Statistics Canada is conducting the Agricultural Frame Update Survey (AFUS) to ensure the accuracy of the agriculture universe on the Business Register (BR).
The information from the Agricultural Frame Update Survey will serve the following purposes:
Maintain and update the Canadian Business Register, the principal frame for the economic statistics program of Statistics Canada. The Business Register lists all active businesses in Canada.
Improve the efficiency of the Agriculture Statistical Program by collecting information on the main products and activities of this business.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
You are legally required to complete this questionnaire according to the Statistics Act.
Other important information
How are we authorized to collect this information?
Collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
Your answers are confidential
Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which 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.
Record linkages
To enhance the data from this survey and to minimize the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine it 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. For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
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 and mailing it to the following address:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Care of Director, Agriculture Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0T6
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.
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Definitions and explanations
A help button is available for certain questions. Press this button to obtain additional information or clarification.
Business or organization and contact information
Business and organization contact information - Question identifier: 1
Please verify the business or organization name and correct where needed.
Legal name:
Operating name:
Business and organization contact information - Question identifier: 2
Please verify the business or organization contact person and address for this questionnaire and correct where needed. The contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.
First name:
Last name:
Title:
Email address:
Address (number and street):
City:
Province, territory or state:
Postal code or ZIP code:
Country:
Canada
United States
Telephone number (including area code):
Extension number (if applicable):
Fax number (including area code):
Preferred language of communication:
English
French
Business Number
Business Number - Question identifier: 3
Does this operation have a Business Number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)? A Business Number is a unique 9-digit number assigned to a business by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is used to register a business for tax programs such as GST/HST, payroll deduction, corporation income tax, etc.
Yes
Enter the Business Number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Include only the first 9 digits.
Business Number Example: 123456789
No
Business Number - Question identifier: 4
Do you operate or own other agricultural or non-agricultural businesses
Yes
Enter the other legal or operating name of the businesses and their associated Business Number.
Legal or operating name 1
Associated Business Number 1 Example: 123456789 (if applicable)
Legal or operating name 2 (if applicable)
Associated Business Number 2 Example: 123456789 (if applicable)
Legal or operating name 3 (if applicable)
Associated Business Number 3 Example: 123456789 (if applicable)
If there are more than three other businesses, enter them in the edit field below
No
Business or organization status
Business and organization status - Question identifier: 1
Is this business or organization currently in operation?
Yes
No, seasonal operations
No, ceased all operations
No, sold all operations
No, amalgamated with (an)other business(es) or organization(s)
No, temporarily inactive but will re-open
No, no longer operating due to other reason(s)
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 2
When did this business or organization cease all operations?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 3
Why did this business or organization cease all operations?
Bankruptcy
Liquidation
Dissolution
Other reason - specify:
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 4
When was this business or organization sold?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 5
What is the legal name of the buyer?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 6
When did this business or organization amalgamate?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 7
What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 8
What is (are) the legal name(s) of the other amalgamated business(es) or organization(s)?
Business or organization status - Question identifier: 9
When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
Business or organization status - Question identifier:10
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Business or organization status - Question identifier:11
Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
Business or organization status - Question identifier:12
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Business or organization status - Question identifier:13
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
Agricultural activity
Agricultural activity - Question identifier: 1
Will this operation produce agricultural products in 2023? Examples of agricultural products include: field crops, vegetables, fruit, livestock, horses, poultry, meat, milk, eggs, maple products, honey, wool, ornamental plants, sod, Christmas trees, greenhouse products, mushrooms, etc.
Yes
If yes, will this operation be reporting sales or expenses for these agricultural products to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)? Include sales and expenses from:
agricultural products grown or raised by this operation in 2023 (e.g., field crops, vegetables, fruit, livestock, horses, poultry, meat, milk, eggs, maple products, honey, wool, ornamental plants, sod, Christmas trees, greenhouse products, mushrooms)
other commodities produced using agricultural products grown or raised by this operation in 2023 (e.g., wine, meat products).
1. Yes
2. No
No, but other agricultural operations used the land and/or farm buildings to produce agricultural products.
No, this operation did not produce agricultural products.
Business activity
Business activity - Question identifier: 2
According to our records, this business or organization's main activity, which typically generates the most revenue, is classified as: [ ].
Is this correct?
Yes, this is the main activity.
No, this is a secondary activity.
No, this description is not applicable.
Business activity - Question identifier: 3
Was this business or organization's main activity, which typically generates the most revenue, ever classified as?
Yes
No
Business activity - Question identifier: 4
When did the main activity change?
Business activity - Question identifier: 5
Please provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity. This is the main economic activity (typically generating the most revenue).
e.g., Breakfast cereal manufacturing or Shoe store or Software development.
Business activity - Question identifier: 6
This will search the database for the classification that matches the keywords you provided. If desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting the business or organization's activity sector.
Search keywords. Select this business or organization's sector (optional)
Please select an activity (industry description)
Please select an activity (industry code)
Business activity - Question identifier: 7
You have indicated that the main activity of this business or organization is: [ ]. Are there any other activities that contribute significantly (at least 10%) to this business or organization's revenue?
Yes, there are other activities.
No, that is the only significant activity.
Business activity - Question identifier: 8
Please provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's secondary activity.
e.g., Breakfast cereal manufacturing or Shoe store or Software development.
Business activity - Question identifier: 9
Approximately what percentage of this business or organization's revenue is generated by each of the following business activities? Estimates are acceptable.
Business activity - Question identifier:a)
Main business activity:
Business activity - Question identifier:b)
Percentage of revenue:
Business activity - Question identifier:c)
All other business activities:
Business activity - Question identifier:d)
Total percentage:
Main farm location of this operation
Main farm location of this operation – Question identifier: 1
Please provide the main farm location of this operation.
This is where the main agricultural activities take place. It can be the farm headquarters, main farm buildings or main gate of the farm operation.
Province of the main farm location
Civic address of the main farm location (if no civic address, skip to the land description field below in the page)
Number:
Road or street:
Name of village, town or city:
Postal code
Land description of the main farm location (for the Prairies and parts of British Columbia only)
Quarter:
Section:
Township:
Range:
Meridian:
Unit of measure
Unit of measure – Question identifier: 2
What unit of measure will be used to report land areas for this operation?
Acres
Hectares
Arpents (Quebec only)
Total farm area
Total farm area – Question identifier: 3
What is the total farm area of this operation?
Include all land area owned, leased, rented, crop-shared or used by this operation.
Unit of measure – Question identifier: 4
What is the total area of land used by others?
Include land rented, leased or crop-shared to others, land trading, rent-free, etc.
Agriculture production
Agriculture production – Question identifier: 5
Select the agricultural products currently being produced on this operation.
Select all that apply
Field crops
Hay
Summerfallow
Potatoes
Fruit, berries and nuts
Vegetables
Sod
Nursery products
Greenhouse products
Cattle and calves (include beef or dairy)
Pigs
Sheep and lambs
Mink
Fox
Hens and chickens
Turkeys
Maples taps
Honeybees
Mushrooms
Other agricultural products – specify:
Area in crops
Area in crops - Question identifier: 6.
Report the area for: (see list below), on this operation.
Exclude land used by others.
Report the areas only once, even if used for more than one crop type.
Field crops
Hay
Summerfallow
Potatoes
Fruit, berries and nuts
Vegetables
Sod
Nursery products
Other crops - specify:
Greenhouse area – Unit of measure
Greenhouse area - Unit of measure - Question identifier: 7.
What unit of measure will be used to report greenhouse area for this operation?
Square feet
Square metres
Greenhouse area
Greenhouse area - Question identifier: 8.
What is the total area under glass, plastic or other protection used for growing plants?
Report the total number of animals for: (See the list below) on this operation.
Exclude animals owned but kept on a farm, ranch or feedlot operated by someone else.
Cattle and calves
Pigs
Sheep and lambs
Mink
Fox
Other livestock - specify:
Birds
Birds - Question identifier: 10.
Report the total number of birds for: (see list below), on this operation.
Exclude poultry owned but kept on an operation operated by someone else.
Hens and chickens
Turkeys
Other poultry - specify:
Maple taps
Maple taps - Question identifier: 11.
Report the total number of taps made on maple trees this year.
Mushroom growing area – Unit of measure
Mushroom growing area - Unit of measure - Question identifier: 12.
What unit of measure will be used to report the mushroom growing area (standing footage) for this operation?
Square feet
Square metres
Mushrooms
Mushrooms - Question identifier: 13.
Report the total growing area (standing footage) for mushrooms.
Honeybees
Honeybees - Question identifier: 14.
How many live colonies of honeybees (used for production or pollination) are owned by this operation?
Gross farm receipts and operating expenses
Gross farm receipts and operating expenses - Question identifier: 15.
In 2023, what were the total gross farm receipts before deducting expenses, excluding resale of commodities purchased and any receipts from non-farming activities?
Include:
receipts from all agricultural products sold
program payments and insurance payments
receipts from custom work.
Exclude:
sales of forest products
sales of capital assets (e.g., quota, land, machinery)
the sale of any goods purchased for resale only.Report for the 2023 calendar year or for the last complete accounting (fiscal) year. Total gross farm receipts $ .00
Gross farm receipts and operating expenses - Question identifier: 16.
In 2023, what were the total farm operating expenses, excluding purchases of commodities resold and any expenses from non-farming activities?
Include only the farm business share of amounts paid.
Exclude:
costs of any goods purchased only for resale
amortization or capital cost allowance
inventory adjustment.
Report for the 2023 calendar year or for the last complete accounting (fiscal) year. Total farm operating expenses $ .00
Business partnership information
Business partnership information - Question identifier: 17.
Are there any partners associated with the operation: who may also report farm receipts or operating expenses for it?
Yes
No
Business partnership information - Question identifier: 18.
For the associated partner(s), please provide the following information:
If there is more than one business or business partner associated with this operation, please provide the additional information in the section below.
Business legal or corporation name
Business number (GST/HST)
Family name
First name
Mailing address
Name of village, town or city
Province/territory
Postal code
Telephone number
Please provide information for all other associated businesses or partners (Legal name, phone number, Business Number (if available))
Comments
Comments - Question identifier: 19.
How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?
Include time spent gathering the necessary information.
Hours:
Minutes:
Comments - Question identifier: 20.
We invite your comments about this questionnaire.
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If you are ready to submit your questionnaire, press the Submit button.
Program manager: Director, Centre for Direct Health Measures
Director General, Health Statistics
Reference to Personal Information Bank (PIB)
In accordance with the Privacy Act, Statistics Canada is submitting a new institutional personal information bank (PIB) to describe any personal information collected through the administrative data acquisition activities and voluntary oral health surveys of the Oral Health Statistics Program. The following PIB is proposed for review and registration. (See Appendix 1)
Description of statistical activity
In Budget 2023, the Government of Canada introduced a national dental program to be implemented by Health Canada, with $23.1 million allocated to Statistics Canada over two years "to collect data on oral health and access to dental care in Canada, which will inform the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan".
The national dental program aims to provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with annual family income of less than $90,000, with no co-pays for those with family incomes under $70,000. The implementation of this program aims to address inequities related to oral health such as the differences in health outcomes between different sub-populations and barriers to oral health care access across sociodemographic groups. This program is being implemented through the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)Footnote 1 which will replace the interim Canada Dental Benefit (CDB).Footnote 2 Health Canada is the primary program stakeholder for the CDCP, but will rely on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for administration of the interim CDB, on Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for the maintenance of CDCP applicant data and on a third-party service provider (Sun Life) for the administration of the CDCP.
As such, Statistics Canada, under the authority of the Statistics Act,Footnote 3 is establishing the Oral Health Statistics Program (OHSP) to address these data needs through an integrated comprehensive strategy focusing on two core activities: new oral health surveys and administrative data acquisitions and integration. This data strategy aims to collect data to assess and produce information on Canadians' self-reported oral health status, track changes in oral health care needs and oral health outcomes. The data strategy will also enable Health Canada to track the performance of the CDB and CDCP, the impact of the CDB and CDCP on the Canadian dental infrastructure as well as self-reported measures of the oral health of Canadians. While Health Canada is not a financial contributing partner on this initiative and will not be receiving any microdata from Statistics Canada, Statistics Canada and Health Canada will have a signed a Memorandum of Understanding describing both organisations' commitment to steward the OHSP, ensuring the latter is able to provide the statistical information required to accurately and adequately inform the CDCP on an ongoing basis.
Oral Health Surveys
The OHSP will collect and integrate the following survey activities:
Canadian Oral Health Survey (COHS): The COHS will be a voluntary household survey collecting information directly from respondents in all 10 Canadian provinces. The COHS will sample 55,000 Canadian dwellings where one adult 18 years and older will be randomly selected to complete the survey. The selected respondent will also answer the questionnaire on behalf of individuals 17 years and younger in the household. The first cycle will take place in 2023.
To better understand the state of Canadians' oral health, the COHS will collect information about:
self-perceived oral health
knowledge of publicly funded oral health programs and access to dental care
oral health-related expenses
oral health insurance coverage
Results from this survey will help better understand Canadians' oral health status, risk factors and insurance coverage to inform policies and monitor changes in the oral health of Canadians over time. It will support the deployment of dental care services to all Canadians, and fill gaps to support the CDCP.
Prior to starting the survey questionnaire, the COHS will inform respondents that their responses may be combined with sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables such as language spoken at home, immigration status and family income from Statistics Canada's 2021 Census of Population, the Longitudinal Immigration Database, the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile, as well as the Income Tax T1 Family File to further limit the burden of a lengthy questionnaire to respondents and increase the accuracy of results. The respondents are provided with Statistics Canada's contact information for any questions or concerns regarding the record linkage.Footnote 4
Future cycles of the COHS could also include the collection of direct physical health measures at a Statistics Canada's mobile examination centre (MEC),Footnote 5 similar to those used in Statistics Canada's Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), from the general Canadian population with a focus on CDCP claimants. The inclusion of direct physical measures, such as oral health assessments by oral health professionals, would be essential in identifying oral health trends in Canada and provide evidence to support the CDCP.Footnote 6
Statistics Canada will also conduct a mandatory business survey of dental care providers, the Survey of Oral Health Care Providers (SOHCP).Footnote 7 This survey will target businesses, not individuals, and will not collect any personal information aside from business survey respondent contact information or unincorporated business information, which is addressed in Statistics Canada's Generic PIA (Section 3, Program 1). The SOHCP and any other similar business surveys are out of scope for this SPIA.
Administrative Data Acquisitions and Integration
The OHSP will also collect and integrate the following administrative data about individuals participating in the CDB and CDCP:
CDB Recipient Data: The CDB has been administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) since November 2022. In this role, the CRA maintains a CDB file that provides socio-economic information about the recipient and their families, including their name, date of birth, social insurance or dependant identification number, address, income, employer, and dental care provider.
CDCP Applicant Enrollment Data: Once launched, the CDCP will be administered by ESDC, whereby they will maintain data on applicant's and their family for Canadians seeking to enroll in the CDCP, including their name, date of birth, contact information, social insurance number (SIN), plan enrollee identification number, preferred language of communication, and access to private dental benefits.
CDCP Client Claims Data: The CDCP client claims data will be collected and processed by a third-party administrator (Sun Life)Footnote 8 that will be responsible for facilitating the claims system on behalf of Health Canada. This will include information about the enrollee identification number, nature of dental care (procedure), reimbursement amounts, cost of procedure, and the name and address of the dental care service business.
The combined data will help administrators and policymakers better understand the eligible population seeking dental care. Further, the CDCP enrollment data will be used to generate a custom sampling frame for future surveys discussed above. Social insurance or dependant identification number and plan enrollee identification number and other direct identifiers are required to link individuals' microdata effectively and accurately across datasets and sources.Footnote 9
Existing Statistics Canada Data holdings: The CDB and CDCP administrative data will be integrated with existing Statistics Canada data holdings in the Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE)Footnote 10 such as the Longitudinal Immigration Database, the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile, the Income Tax T1 Family File and the 2021 Census of Population, to create a clear and complete picture of populations needing dental care, barriers to dental care, sub-population eligibility for the CDB and/or CDCP, as well as any gaps in program uptake, disaggregated by region and socio-economic characteristics. These insights will enable a better understanding of the eligible populations for the dental care programs, have the potential to highlight issues surrounding access to oral care, and help policymakers in designing targeted outreach strategies, managing risks to dental care supply, and ensuring eligible populations access benefits and receive needed oral health care.
In summary, the OHSP will consist of the following:
In summary, the OHSP will consist of the following:
Data source
Dataset name – vintage – frequency & type of data collection or acquisition
COHS: General population - annual cross-sectional survey (questionnaire)
Direct collection from randomly selected household respondent aged 18 years or older, plus, all household members by proxy; general population
Roster information: name, age
Direct collection from randomly selected household respondent aged 18 years or older, plus, household members under 18 years by proxy; general population
Sociodemographic information: sex at birth, gender identity, education, ethnicity, population groups, indigenous identity, disability, postal code
Health information, including self-reported oral health information (e.g. brushing habits, mouth pain), risk factors (e.g. use of nicotine products) and mental health status
Dental Insurance coverage information
COHS: Direct Physical Health Measures component - frequency to be determined
Target population to be determined
Direct physical assessment by a Statistics Canada oral health specialist using the 2022 CHMS protocols. The SPIA would be updated with an addendum to address any additional details.
Direct collection from randomly selected dental care providers
The SOHCP is a business survey and as such will not collect any personal information aside from business survey respondent contact information or unincorporated business information, which is addressed in Statistics Canada's Generic PIA (Section 3, Program 1), and as such is out of scope for this SPIA.
New Administrative data acquisition
CDB: Recipient Data file – 2020-2024 (anticipated program termination) – monthly
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); CDB recipients only
Applicant information (SIN, marital status, employment status, employer)
Dental Patient information (i.e., the child aged 12 or under in custody of applicant) dental care service date, date of birth, address, SIN or dependent information number (DIN))
Business information (dental care provider name, address)
Applicant's spouse information (name, date of birth, SIN, employer)
Income information (family net income)
CDCP: Applicant Enrollment Data file – December 2023-onward – monthly
Employment & Social Development Canada (ESDC); CDCP applicants only
Benefit application details (date of enrollment, coverage status, confirmation, start and end date)
Plan applicant (name, date of birth, address, phone number, dental insurance coverage attestation, plan enrollee ID)
Applicant's spouse (name, date of birth, SIN, plan enrollee ID)
Applicant's dependants (name, date of birth, SIN, plan enrollee ID)
CDCP Client Claims Data file – 2024-onward – monthly
3rd party administrator – Sun Life; CDCP claimants only
Plan member and dependent registration and subscriber information (name, date of birth, address, preferred language of communication, access to private insurance, plan enrollee identification number)
Business information (dental care provider name, address, service fees and expense amount, license number)
Health information (date of service, service code, tooth code/surface, procedure type/description, service reason(i.e., result of accident, orthodontics, initial placement)
Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings (Survey or Administrative Data Acquisition)
Statistics Canada; all individuals who completed a T1 tax return or received federal child benefits, and their spouse & children within the administrative files sourced through the Canada Revenue Agency for the reference year.
Statistics Canada; all immigrants to Canada & non-permanent residents
Citizenship Status
Country of birth
Year and admission category of immigration
The OHSP may enter into agreements to share personal information of identifiable individuals with their consent. Prior to granting or rejecting consent to share, respondents are advised as part of the data sharing consent request question, or by the interviewer, to consult each person in the household on behalf of whom they are answering, including minors. Availability and access to the program data will focus on using existing secure Statistics Canada access mechanisms such as the Federal Research Data Centre (FDRC), research data centre network (RDC),Footnote 12Real Time Remote Access (RTRA), Virtual Data Lab (VDL), and Data Analytics ServicesFootnote 13 such as the Advanced Analytics Workspace. These virtual workspaces continue to offer secure and reliable controlled digital environments in which Statistics Canada can manage and monitor controlled access to and use of datasets by vetted individuals working on approved research. These individuals have undertaken Statistics Canada's Oath of office to become deemed employees under the authority of the Statistics Act (Section 5 & 6). Outputs from these digital workspaces continue to be monitored and reviewed by Statistics Canada disclosure control experts prior to release from the virtual environment. The data will also be available in non-confidential aggregated formats via the Statistics Canada's website.
The necessity and proportionality for the OHSP and the collection and use of each dataset are described below.
Reason for supplement
While the Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) addresses most of the privacy and security risks related to statistical activities conducted by Statistics Canada, this supplement addresses specific privacy and security risks associated with the collection of personal information on adults and minors using a combination of surveys and administrative data acquisitions, including sensitive sociodemographic, financial, health and mental health information about individuals, including minors. As is the case with all PIAs, Statistics Canada's privacy framework ensures that elements of privacy protection and privacy controls are documented and applied.
Necessity and Proportionality
The collection and use of personal information for the program can be justified against Statistics Canada's Necessity and Proportionality Framework:
1. Necessity
In the 2023 Budget, the Government of Canada announced $23 million in funding over two years for Statistics Canada to collect data and produce statistics to address data gaps in oral health and access to dental care and inform the rollout and eventual impact of the CDCP on Canadians, specifically noting the need to disaggregate by region and socio-economic characteristics. As such, data collected by the OHSP are necessary to track changes in Canadians' oral health, access and utilization of dental care services, and help policymakers in the anticipated transformations in the delivery of dental care services. This will help Canadians and policymakers in better understanding the Canadian dental care landscape, as well as inform the rollout and implementation of the CDCP.
1.1 Collection modes & methods
A combination of collection modes and methods is necessary to effectively collect timely and accurate relevant data capable of providing robust statistical information about oral health and support Health Canada's implementation and administration of the CDCP in Canada. Microdata linkage will allow separate but relevant information about individuals to be linked, providing for analysis of multiple related variables.
1.1.1 Surveys
Direct collection from survey respondents is necessary in order to collect up-to-date information about individuals' oral health, dental care access, knowledge of publicly funded oral health programs and insurance coverage. Section 3 of the Statistics Act supports this activity by directing Statistics Canada "(a) to collect, compile, analyse, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic and general activities and condition of the people."
1.1.2 Administrative Data Acquisitions
Administrative Data Acquisitions are required to obtain the information as recorded by the dental care programs, which by necessity will contain the most accurate and up-to-date information on service providers and services provided. Administrative data are used for many different statistical purposes, including replacing or complementing direct data collection to reduce respondent burden and supporting foundational statistical operations, such as the creation of survey frames, design of survey samples, validation, imputation, estimation, and the measurement of the quality of other data. Section 3 of the Statistics Act supports this activity by directing Statistics Canada "(d) to promote the avoidance of duplication in the information collected by departments of government; and (e) generally, to promote and develop integrated social and economic statistics pertaining to the whole of Canada and to each of the provinces thereof and to coordinate plans for the integration of those statistics."
1.1.3 Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings
Existing Statistics Canada holdings such as the Census of Population are necessary to develop an accurate survey frame that accurately represents the Canadian population and produce proper statistical weights for statistical products. Other data holdings, such as the Longitudinal Immigration Database, T1 Family File are required in order to provide relevant and accurate sociodemographic, immigrant, income and business information without increasing respondent burden. As above, Section 3 of the Statistics Act supports this activity by directing Statistics Canada "(d) to promote the avoidance of duplication in the information collected by departments of government; and (e) generally, to promote and develop integrated social and economic statistics pertaining to the whole of Canada and to each of the provinces thereof and to coordinate plans for the integration of those statistics."
1.2 Types of information
The information collected and used in the OHSP includes personal information of minors, as the CDCP includes support for minors to obtain dental care.
1.2.1 Sociodemographic information (Surveys, Administrative Data Acquisitions, Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings)
1.2.1.1 Surveys
Sociodemographic information will be collected from surveys and will enable validation and statistical analytical evaluation of dental care disparities, health inequities, and risk factors associated with Canadians' oral health. This information will allow disaggregated statistical analysis that is representative of the Canadian population. This includes information about the gender of respondents and minors in the household, which are required to produce data on gender disparities and transgender identity as it relates to oral health.Footnote 14
1.2.1.2 Administrative Data Acquisitions
Administrative data acquisitions are required in order to produce information about the regional and sociodemographic characteristics of Canadians who are seeking financial help in order to reduce barriers, such as cost, associated with accessing and/or receiving oral care. Direct personal identifiers are also required to ensure the accuracy of linkages performed, in order to adhere to Statistics Canada's Quality Guidelines.
Together, these data will produce an overarching view of Canadians' oral health, helping policymakers and Canadians evaluate the rollout of the CDCP and highlighting potential dental care access concerns within sub-populations.
1.2.2 Income information (Surveys, Administrative Data Acquisitions, Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings)
1.2.2.1 Surveys
Supplementary information about net household and family income will be obtained via linkage with the T1 Family File and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile to evaluate the socioeconomic characteristics of Canadians who will enroll in the CDCP, helping policymakers and Canadians better understand the relationships between oral health and socioeconomic indicators.
1.2.2.2 Administrative Data Acquisitions
Information on net household and family income will be collected through the CDB recipient data file. Should income data be missing from the CDB recipient data file, this information will be sought through the T1 Family File, and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile. Income information is necessary to produce statistic on the socio-economic and regional characteristics of Canadians seeking oral care. This information will help Canadians and policymakers better understand nuanced economic characteristics of Canadians using this benefit program, which will in turn inform the implementation and administration of Canada's Dental Care Program.
1.2.2.3 Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings
For the CDCP applicant enrollment data and the client claims data files, income information will be via linkage with the T1 Family File, and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile and is necessary to produce statistics on the socio-economic and regional characteristics of Canadians seeking oral care.
1.2.3 Business information (Surveys, Administrative Data Acquisitions, Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings)
The OHSP will collect business information through the Survey of Oral Health Care Providers (SOHCP). However, as mentioned above, no personal information will be collected other than business contact or unincorporated business information, and as such, is out of scope for this SPIA. Business information about the service providers (dental care offices) will also be collected from administrative data acquisition activities and will serve to provide insights into where Canadians are accessing dental care and the costs associated with care. Information regarding dental care providers, such as the office address and procedure cost, will enable an understanding of dental care access, such as the average travel distance between patient residences and their dental care provider by province or sub-population. These data will be integral pieces of information needed so that Statistics Canada can meet the Government of Canada's commitment to define the current state of Canada's dental care infrastructure and potential barriers to access care. Policymakers and Canadians require this information in order to make informed decisions.
1.2.4 Health information (Surveys, Administrative Data Acquisitions, Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings)
1.2.4.1 Surveys
The collection of health information related to the individual's oral health, general health and mental health in combination with sociodemographic information are required to identify risk factors and health inequities amongst sub-populations. The collection of mental health information in combination with oral health information such as on-going and untreated mouth pain or brushing and flossing habits is necessary to understand possible associations, and the direction of those associations, between mental health, oral health behaviours, access to dental care services, oral health status and overall quality of life. Following the launch of the CDCP, this baseline information will be used to compare and assess improvements in Canadians' oral health over time with data collected from future surveys.
1.2.4.2 Administrative Data Acquisitions
Supplemental oral health information about Canadians who are enrolled in, and make a claim under, the CDCP will be acquired from administrative records. These claims data will include information about the procedure and its cost. This information is necessary to infer aspects of oral health and Canadians' approach to oral health behaviours (e.g., are the procedures preventative or for treatment?). This is particularly relevant because the CDCP is seeking to remove the barriers and improve the oral health of populations with oral health and oral care access challenges.
1.2.4.3 Existing Statistics Canada Data Holdings
The CDCP applicant enrollment data will be supplemented with disability tax credit information through linkage with the T1 Family File. This is necessary to measure the CDCP performance and to understand potential barriers to enrollment and use of the program. Linkage to the 2021 Census of Population will further allow for the production of statistics relative to disabilities. This is necessary to produce a holistic picture of the socio-economic and regional characteristics of oral health including populations living with a disability.
1.2.5 Dental insurance coverage information (Surveys, Administrative Data Acquisitions)
The collection of dental insurance coverage information from the administrative data acquisition activities and the oral health surveys will provide information about the status of applicants' CDCP enrollment, and attestations about any health insurance coverage provided through private, employment, or government insurance plans. This information will be used to understand the sociodemographic characteristics of Canadians who lack oral health insurance coverage, which will help inform Canadians and policymakers on the implementation of the CDCP.
2. Effectiveness – Working assumptions:
The OHSP aims to effectively collect and analyze information on the current and future status of oral health and dental care in Canada through the collection of the aforementioned datasets and surveys on an ongoing basis. All of Statistics Canada directives and policies for the collection, linkage, sharing, and dissemination of administrative and survey data and insights will be followed.
The survey questionnaires and sample frame were developed according to Statistics Canada's processes and methodologies ensuring results are representative of the population and provide a sufficient quantity of respondents to allow for privacy-protecting analysis, release and publication. Sociodemographic survey questions are based on previous Statistics Canada surveys such as the 2022 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) and the 2022 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The surveys will be administered using a self-reported electronic questionnaire with telephone follow-up.
Administrative records from the CDB and CDCP will contain information about the claimant, and may contain information about their family, if included at time of data entry. This data will include information on all Canadians who enrolled and/or claimed coverage under the CDB and CDCP and will therefore provide the means to achieve the highest quality estimates of sociodemographic characteristics of Canadians who seek improved access to oral care.
The collection of sociodemographic information will be effective in enabling an evaluation of dental care disparities, health inequities, and risk factors associated with Canadians' oral health and producing quality population level estimates that are representative of Canadian adults, households and/or children living in the 10 Canadian provinces. This data could, for instance, indicate the composition or types of households eligible for the CDCP as it rolls out in stages of eligible participants, assisting Canadians and policymakers in its implementation.
2.2.2 Income information
As there are only a few limited public oral health programs available to Canadians, oral health care is typically provided by private businesses with costs that can be a potential barrier to those requiring treatment. To better understand the economic characteristics of Canadians seeking access to oral health care under the CDB and CDCP, accurate and timely income information will be acquired from appropriate administrative records and existing Statistics Canada data holdings. Analysis of income information for CDB recipients will help discern characteristics of the eligible population for the CDCP. Furthermore, income information may help to discern CDCP-eligible populations who have not yet enrolled in the CDCP, further assisting Canadians and policymakers in its implementation.
2.2.3 Business information
Geographic information about dental care offices will be obtained through the CDB recipient and CDCP client claims data. Treatments and associated costs will also be obtained through the CDCP claims data. Information about where Canadians receive their dental care will provide a clearer picture of where Canadians access their dental care and what anticipated future demands will be placed on specific dental care providers as a result of the implementation of the CDCP.
2.2.4 Health information
Health related questions included in the oral health surveys are based on previous Statistics Canada surveys such as the 2022 CHMS and the 2022 CCHS. Comparison and analysis between the collected data from the oral health surveys and the health data collected from these other surveys will allow for effective monitoring of changes in trends around the oral health of Canadians over time and inform policy creation and maintenance. Oral health surveys will be collected annually for effective comparative analysis moving forward.
2.2.5 Dental insurance coverage
Dental insurance coverage data will indicate the cohort of respondents who plan to enroll in the CDCP before and after its implementation. By leveraging the dental insurance coverage data from the administrative data acquisition activities and oral health surveys, the OHSP will also help to improve the survey sampling strategy for future administrative data acquisition activities and surveys, effectively augmenting the quality of resulting statistical products.
3. Proportionality
While the personal information collected by the OHSP from different sources can be deemed sensitive, it is expected to yield benefits such as improving Canadian's access to oral health care, and reducing oral health inequities in Canada. Careful consideration was made to avoid adversely impacting the privacy of respondents by limiting the number of survey questions and incorporating data linkages where possible to increase accuracy and reduce respondent burden. The collection of data directly from individuals on oral health surveys in combination with the collection of data indirectly from administrative data acquisition activities will allow for proportional insights on barriers to oral health in the general population as well as in those seeking and accessing care, respectively. The survey data will include information on all Canadians, irrespective of their CDCP eligibility status (e.g., insurance coverage, travel to dental offices, etc.), while administrative data from the CDCP will provide additional information on the subpopulation that enrolled in the CDCP. This combination of information will allow policymakers to have the necessary evidence to evaluate the CDCP, such as by determining whether the program is improving health equity amongst Canadians. The OHSP is expected to deliver representative and high-quality information on oral health and dental care access in Canada by expanding and filling data gaps not covered in other Statistics Canada surveys.
4. Alternatives
Although Statistics Canada collects some oral health information in surveys such as the CHMS and CCHS, the OHSP collection activities will leverage new and more comprehensive oral health data. Moreover, as timely and consistent data on the oral health of Canadians has become an ongoing data need for the Government of Canada, the cyclical nature of oral health content in Statistics Canada's CHMS and CCHS, which is included to a limited degree only every few survey cycles, a dedicated oral health survey remains the only viable option to obtain comprehensive up-to-date information on oral health care and related factors. Additionally, despite the use of administrative data and microdata linkage activities to fill data gaps and reduce respondent burden, a cross-sectional oral health surveyFootnote 15 remains required to supplement those activities with first-hand information from affected individuals about conditions and other variables not captured in the administrative data. Alternative sources of data were considered before proceeding with this survey and several oral health questions from other Statistics Canada surveys such as the CHMS and the CCHS were reused or modified for this survey to allow for a comprehensive baseline survey on oral health.
There exist no viable alternatives to collecting administrative data directly from the CDB and CDCP programs themselves, as no other similar national programs exist from which to acquire administrative oral health data. The COHS will be the first primary source of comprehensive oral health data, but it will have limited effectiveness if it is not supplemented by the administrative data integrations, as they become available. As such, the selected combination of survey and administrative data is essential to providing insights on the state of oral health in Canada effectively and objectively, with no suitable substitutions.
Mitigation factors
The overall risk of harm to the survey respondents has been deemed manageable with existing Statistics Canada safeguards that are described in Statistics Canada's Generic Privacy Impact Assessment, which includes the following standard measures:
Transparency
Prior to the collection of the Canadian Oral Health Survey, respondents will be informed that the survey is voluntary, of the survey purpose, potential sharing agreements and anticipated data linkage, allowing them to decide whether they wish to participate and consent to sharing their information.
At the beginning of the survey:
Survey Purpose
Statistics Canada and Health Canada have partnered to conduct the Canadian Oral Health Survey. This annual survey gathers information from Canadians on their oral health, including their ability to pay, challenges finding oral services, experiences with the oral health care system, and care needs.
Additionally, the survey collects information on Canadians' knowledge of publicly funded oral health programs and access to dental care expenses and insurance coverage to better understand the state of oral health. Results from this survey will be used to inform policies and monitor changes in the oral health of Canadians over time."
Record linkages
To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with information from Census of Population, the Longitudinal Immigration Database, and tax data from the Canadian Revenue Agency
Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with other survey or administrative data sources.
At the end of the survey:
Data sharing agreements
To avoid duplication of surveys, Statistics Canada may enter into agreements to share the data from this survey, with provincial and territorial ministries of health. For Quebec residents, Statistics Canada may also enter into an agreement with the Institut de la statistique du Québec to share the same information.
These organizations agree to keep the data confidential and use it only for statistical purposes.
Do you agree to share the data provided?
If you are answering on behalf of other people, please consult each person."
Respondents will be able to reply "Yes" or "No"; if "No" is selected, their information will be excluded from all related share files.
The survey purpose will be provided via a brochure, invitation and reminder letters that will be mailed separately to the targeted respondents, and will also be reiterated at the beginning of the questionnaire. Respondents will also be informed in the brochure, invitation letter, reminder letters, and in the questionnaire itself, that their participation is voluntary before being asked any questions. Information about the survey including a copy of the questionnaire, will also be available on Statistics Canada's website.
Regarding the administrative data acquisitions, Canadians who enroll in the CDCP are informed that the information they provide to access these benefits are collected and managed according to the Department of Health Act, the Dental Care Measures Act, the Privacy Act, the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and other applicable laws and by applying to the CDCP, they consent to the use and disclosure of their information for the purpose of evaluating the implementation of the CDCP.
Confidentiality
As with all Statistics Canada programs, variables that directly identify respondents will be separated from the data files in the first stage of data processing and placed in a secure location with controlled need-to-know access. Variables that might indirectly identify respondents are also examined and modified as necessary in order to further protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents prior to publication and dissemination. Individual responses provided in a survey will be grouped with those of others when reporting results. Furthermore, careful analysis of the data will be performed prior to the publication and sharing of aggregate data to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable communities are not disproportionally impacted.
Data linkage
Security measures for linkage keys and administrative data files respect the policies, directives and guidelines for information technology security at Statistics Canada and the Government of Canada. When linkage is required, it is done only after strict review and approval, according to Statistics Canada's Directive on Microdata Linkages, using anonymized statistical identifiers ("linkage keys") and, as a result, no linked files contain direct personal identifiers such as name, phone number or address (excluding postal code). The personal identifiers used to create linkage keys are removed from the rest of the information and securely stored with highly restricted need-to-know access that is revoked when no longer required.
Conclusion
This assessment concludes that with the existing Statistics Canada safeguards and mitigations listed above, any remaining risks are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage the risk.
Formal approval
This Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment has been reviewed and recommended for approval by Statistics Canada's Chief Privacy Officer, Director General for Modern Statistical Methods and Data Science, and Assistant Chief Statistician for the Enterprise Statistics Field.
The Chief Statistician of Canada has the authority for section 10 of the Privacy Act for Statistics Canada and is responsible for the Agency's operations, including the program area mentioned in this Supplementary Privacy Impact Assessment.
This Privacy Impact Assessment has been approved by the Chief Statistician of Canada.
Appendix 1: Personal Information Bank
Oral Health Statistics Program
Description: This bank describes information obtained from respondents to Statistics Canada oral health surveys and from related administrative files of individuals who applied for, are enrolled in, or received reimbursement or payments under the Canada Dental Benefit and/or the Canadian Dental Care Plan. These files are obtained from the Canada Revenue Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the third-party administrator of the Canadian Dental Care Plan. The personal information may include name, contact, biographical, biometric, citizenship status, education, language, health and medical information, employment, marital status, family information (spouse name, gender, preferred language of communication, and dependent name and age), personal and family income, reimbursement for services received/coverage paid, provincial health card number and Social Insurance Number. Additional information such as information about applicants' private or government insurance coverage, their dental care provider (such as office address), and information about dental appointments (costs and dates) may also be collected.
Note: In addition to the requirements specified on the Personal Information Request form, individuals who participated in a health survey and are requesting information described by this bank must provide the name of the survey in which they participated, the year in which the survey was conducted and their address at that time.
Class of Individuals: General public and Canadian families or individuals who applied to, are or were enrolled in, or claimants of the Canada Dental Benefit and Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Purpose: The personal information is used, in aggregate form, for statistical analysis and research of various oral health-related trends and issues over time, to improve the health of Canadians and the delivery of oral health services to them through ongoing research at all levels of government. Personal information is collected pursuant to the Statistics Act (Sections 3, 4, 7, 8, 13).
Consistent Uses: The data acquired may involve data-matching of the above surveys and databases and other Statistics Canada data holdings to meet the objectives of these studies. Information without names or other identifying information may be shared with outside organizations such as other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, and university researchers, as permitted under the provisions of Sections 12 and 17(2) of the Statistics Act, for statistical and research purposes.
Retention and Disposal Standards: Information is retained until it is no longer required for statistical purposes, at which point it will be destroyed.
The Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM) provides statistics on sales and inventories for Canada and each province. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in estimating sub-provincial sales. Direct estimates of sales can be obtained from the MSM, but they would be reliable only if the sample sizes are large enough. Therefore, a Small Area Estimation (SAE) methodology is now used to improve the quality of sub-provincial estimates, using Goods and Services Tax data provided by the Canada Revenue Agency. This document briefly describes this methodology.
1. Introduction
The demand for sales estimates at smaller geographical levels has greatly increased in recent years. Standard weighted estimates (or direct estimates) at sub-provincial levels can be obtained from the MSM. However, these direct estimates can be considered reliable as long as the sample size in the area of interest is large enough. To address this issue, a SAE methodology is used to improve the quality of sub-provincial estimates by combining survey estimates with data from other sources.
SAE methods attempt to produce reliable estimates when the sample size in the area is small. In this application of the methodology, the small area estimate is a function of two quantities: the direct estimate from the survey data, and a prediction based on a model – sometimes referred to as the indirect, or synthetic estimate. The model involves survey data from the geographical area of interest, but also incorporates data from other areas (as input to the model parameters) and auxiliary data. The auxiliary data must come from a source that is independent of the MSM, and it must be available at the appropriate levels of geography. The SAE model uses the GST sales as the auxiliary data. More precisely, the GST sales along with the direct survey estimates, are used to derive the small area estimates. For the smallest areas, the direct estimates are not reliable and the small area estimates are driven mostly by the predictions from the model. However, for the largest areas, this is the opposite and the small area estimates tend to be close to the direct estimates.
There are two types of SAE models: area-level (or aggregate) models that relate small area means to area-specific auxiliary variables, and unit-level models that relate the unit values of the study variable to unit-specific auxiliary variables. The MSM uses an area-level model.
Section 2 describes the requirements to produce sub-provincial inbound travel spending estimates. In section 3, diagnostics used for model validation and evaluation of small area estimates are briefly discussed.
2. Area-level model
The small area estimates were obtained through the use of the small area estimation module of the generalized software G-EstFootnote 1 version 2.02 (Hidiroglou et al., 2019; Estevao et al., 2017). Three inputs need to be provided to the G-Est for each area in order to obtain small area estimates:
Direct estimates from survey data
Smoothed variance estimates, which are obtained by applying a piecewise smoothing approach on the variance estimates
Vector of auxiliary variables
For the estimation of sales, the domain of interest are defined as: 27 industry groups × 15 Census Metropolitan Areas (M=324).
The 27 industry groups are as follows:
Table 1: Industry groups
Industry Group
Description
311
Food manufacturing
312
Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
313
Textile mills
314
Textile product mills
315
Clothing manufacturing
316
Leather and allied product manufacturing
321
Wood product manufacturing
322
Paper manufacturing
323
Printing and related support activities
324
Petroleum and coal product manufacturing
325
Chemical manufacturing
326
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
327
Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
331
Primary metal manufacturing
332
Fabricated metal product manufacturing
333
Machinery manufacturing
334
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
335
Electrical equipment, appliance and component manufacturing
3361
Motor vehicle manufacturing
3362
Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing
3363
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing
3364
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
3365
Railroad rolling stock manufacturing
3366
Ship and boat building
3369
Other transportation equipment manufacturing
337
Furniture and related product manufacturing
339
Miscellaneous manufacturing
The 15 Census Metropolitan Areas that are used in the SAEFootnote 2 are shown in the following table.
Table 2: Census Metropolitan Areas
Census Metropolitan Area
Description
Province
205
Halifax
Nova Scotia
421
Québec
Québec
433
Sherbrooke
462
Montréal
505
Ottawa-Gatineau
Québec/Ontario
535
Toronto
Ontario
537
Hamilton
541
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo
559
Windsor
602
Winnipeg
Manitoba
705
Regina
Saskatchewan
725
Saskatoon
825
Calgary
Alberta
835
Edmonton
933
Vancouver
British Columbia
3. Evaluation of small area estimates
The accuracy of small area estimates depends on the reliability of the model. It is therefore essential to make a careful assessment of the validity of the model before releasing estimates. For instance, it is important to verify that a linear relationship actually holds between direct estimates from the MSM () and payment data (), at least approximately.
For the MSM, diagnostic plots and tests in the G-Est are used to assess the model, and outliers are identified iteratively by examining the standardized residuals from that model.
A concept that is useful to evaluate the gains of efficiency resulting from the use of the small area estimate over the direct estimate is the Mean Square Error (MSE). The MSE is unknown but can be estimated (see Rao and Molina, 2015). Gains of efficiency over the direct estimate are expected when the MSE estimate is smaller than the smoothed variance estimate or the direct variance estimate. In general, the small area estimates in the MSM were significantly more efficient than the direct estimates, especially for the areas with the smallest sample size.
References
Estevao, V., You, Y., Hidiroglou, M., Beaumont, J.-F. (2017). Small Area Estimation-Area Level Model with EBLUP Estimation- Description of Function Parameters and User Guide. Statistics Canada document.