Survival after a diagnosis of cancer is affected by a variety of individual, tumour and healthcare system factors. Individual factors include sex, age at diagnosis, comorbidity, socioeconomic status and lifestyle; tumour-related factors include histological subtype, aggressiveness of the tumour, and spread of disease at diagnosis; and, healthcare system factors include the availability and quality of early detection, diagnostic and treatment services. Examined across cancer types and regions, survival estimates can be used to establish priority areas for improving prognosis.^{Note 1} Examined over time, and in conjunction with incidence and mortality trends, survival estimates can be used to monitor progress in cancer control.^{Note 2} Because of the importance of cancer survival, the Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR) regularly produces survival estimates using the cohort approach. Key aspects of the methodology employed are detailed below.

Survival analyses include all primary cancers, including multiple primaries for the same person. This approach is becoming standard practice.^{Note 3-5} However, cancers diagnosed through autopsy only or death certificate only (DCO) are excluded from survival analysis because the date of diagnosis, and thus survival time, is unknown. Since the “true” survival of cases registered as DCO is generally poorer than those registered by other means, the common approach of excluding DCOs may bias survival estimates upward, particularly in provinces/territories with proportionally more DCOs. The magnitude of such bias, however, is generally minor.^{Note 6}

The vital status of a person with cancer is determined through linkage with the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database and information reported by provincial/territorial cancer registries (PTCRs). Deaths reported by PTCRs but not confirmed by linkage are included in survival analyses using the date of death submitted by PTCRs. Survival time is calculated as the number of days between the date of diagnosis and date of death or date of last follow-up (whichever is earliest). For the small percentage of persons missing month and/or day of diagnosis or death, the survival time is estimated^{Note 7}; however, decedents with an unknown year of death are excluded from survival analyses.

Survival analyses are performed using publicly available SAS programs to which minor adaptations are made.^{Note 8} The standard five-year observation time for each individual is split into multiple observations, one for each interval of follow-up time. Three month intervals are used for the first year of follow-up and six month intervals for the remaining four years for a total of 12 intervals. Since the employed actuarial life table method assumes deaths are evenly distributed within an interval, more intervals are used in the first year of follow-up because mortality is often highest and most unevenly distributed during the first year after a cancer diagnosis. With the exception of cases previously excluded because they were diagnosed through autopsy only or DCO, persons with the same date of diagnosis and death are assigned one day of survival because the SAS program automatically excludes cases with zero days of survival. Survival estimates are then calculated at discrete points in follow-up by taking the product of the interval-specific (conditional) survival estimates within the follow-up period.

Expected survival proportions are derived from sex- and province/territory-specific annual life tables by applying the Ederer II approach.^{Note 9} Due to small populations, only abridged life tables are produced for Prince Edward Island and the three territories. Using methods suggested by Dickman et al.^{Note 10}, abridged life tables are expanded to complete life tables using the abridged and complete life tables for Canada. Since abridged life tables only extend to age 99 years, expected survival proportions for age 100 to 109 years are drawn from complete Canadian life tables.

Five-year observed survival is the percentage of people surviving five-years after cancer diagnosis. Five-year relative survival ratios are estimated as the ratio of the observed survival of the group diagnosed with cancer to the expected survival for the corresponding general population of the same age, sex, province of residence, and time period. In theory, relative survival ratios greater than 100% indicate that the observed survival of people with cancer is better than that expected in a comparable group from the general population. In these instances, it could be that the persons diagnosed with cancer experienced lower mortality from other causes of death because of a greater than usual interaction with the healthcare system. However, estimates of relative survival greater than 100% should be interpreted with caution as several other factors may be at play including random variation in the observed number of deaths, failure to register some cancer deaths, and imprecision in the estimation of expected survival.

As an indication of the level of statistical uncertainty in survival estimates, confidence intervals formed from standard errors estimated using Greenwood's method^{Note 11} are provided. To avoid implausible lower limits less than zero and/or upper limits greater than one for observed survival estimates, asymmetric confidence intervals based on the log (-log) transformation are constructed. Relative survival ratio confidence limits are then derived by dividing the observed survival limits by the corresponding expected survival proportion.

Because survival estimates vary with age and the age distribution of cancer cases can vary over time and between geographic areas, it is usually preferable to use age-standardized survival estimates to compare survival over time, across provinces, or between a province and Canada as a whole. Age-standardized survival estimates are interpretable as the survival estimate that would have occurred if the age distribution of the cancer group under study had been the same as that of the standard population. Age-standardized estimates are calculated using the direct method. Specifically, age-specific survival estimates for a given cancer are weighted to the age distribution of persons diagnosed with that cancer over a recent, relatively long period with the age categories used in the weighting being dependent on the cancer under study. Such an approach has the advantage of producing age-standardized survival estimates that are similar to non-standardized estimates.^{Note 12} Specifics regarding the standard population used and age categories employed are generally detailed in the various publications released by Statistics Canada. Confidence intervals for age-standardized relative survival ratios are formed by multiplying the corresponding age-standardized observed survival lower and upper limits by the ratio of the age-standardized relative survival ratio to the age-standardized observed survival.

Notes

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Recruitment - Mathematical Statisticians

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Corporate management reporting includes annual and quarterly reports, proactive disclosures as well as other information and reporting pertaining to Statistics Canada.

This bar graph shows Statistics Canada's budgetary authorities and expenditures, in thousands of dollars, as of June 30, 2013 and 2014:

• As at June 30, 2013
  • Net budgetary authorities: $400,509
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $520,509
  • Net expenditures for the period ending June 30: $124,232
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending June 30: $15,063
  • Total expenditures: $139,295

• As at June 30, 2014
  • Net budgetary authorities: $379,555
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $499,555
  • Net expenditures for the period ending June 30: $121,613
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending June 30: $12,951
  • Total expenditures: $134,564

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program

A) Introduction

Statistics Canada's mandate

Statistics Canada is a member of the Industry portfolio.

Statistics Canada's role is to ensure that Canadians have access to a trusted source of statistics on Canada that meets their highest priority needs.

The Agency's mandate derives primarily from the Statistics Act. The Act requires that the Agency collects, compiles, analyzes and publishes statistical information on the economic, social, and general conditions of the country and its people. It also requires that Statistics Canada conduct the census of population and the census of agriculture every fifth year, and protects the confidentiality of the information with which it is entrusted.

Statistics Canada also has a mandate to co-ordinate and lead the national statistical system. The Agency is considered a leader, among statistical agencies around the world, in co-ordinating statistical activities to reduce duplication and reporting burden.

More information on Statistics Canada's mandate, roles, responsibilities and programs can be found in the 2014–2015 Main Estimates and in the Statistics Canada 2014–2015 Report on Plans and Priorities.

The quarterly financial report

• should be read in conjunction with the 2014–2015 Main Estimates, and Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 (Budget 2012);
• has been prepared by management, as required by Section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act, and in the form and manner prescribed by Treasury Board;
• has not been subject to an external audit or review.

Statistics Canada has the authority to collect and spend revenue from other government departments and agencies, as well as from external clients, for statistical services and products.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Agency's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Agency consistent with the Main Estimates for the 2014–2015 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

The Agency uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

B) Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results

This section highlights the significant items that contributed to the net decrease in resources available for the year, as well as actual expenditures for the quarter ended June 30.

Description for Chart 1

Chart 1 outlines the gross budgetary authorities, which represent the resources available for use for the year as of June 30.

Significant changes to authorities

Total authorities available for 2014–2015 have decreased by $20.9 million, or 4%, from the previous year, from $520.5 million to $499.6 million (Chart 1). This net decrease was mostly the result of the following:

• decrease for the 2011 Census of Population and the National Household Survey ($6.2 million) and the 2011 Census of Agriculture ($1.8 million), as the programs wind down;
• net reductions related to Budget 2012 saving measures ($15.6 million);
• decrease for the transfer of funds to Shared Services Canada for workplace technology device software ($1.6 million);
• partially offset by an economic increase for collective agreements ($5 million).

In addition to the appropriations allocated to the Agency through the Main Estimates, Statistics Canada also has vote net authority within Vote 105, which entitles the Agency to spend revenues collected from other government departments, agencies, and external clients to provide statistical services. Vote netting authority is stable at $120 million in each of the fiscal years 2013–2014 and 2014–2015.

Significant changes to expenditures

Year-to-date net expenditures recorded to the end of the first quarter decreased by $2.6 million, or 2%, from $124.2 million to $121.6 million. (See Table A: Variation in Departmental Expenditures by Standard Object.)

Statistics Canada spent approximately 27% of its authorities by the end of the first quarter, compared with 27% in the same quarter of 2013–2014.

01) Personnel: The decrease resulted from incurring expenditures for severance liquidations related to the signing of collective agreements in the first quarter of 2013–2014. These expenditures were partly offset by increased salary expenditures, resulting from annual increments and the signing of collective bargaining agreements.

04) Professional and special services: The increase resulted from increased spending on informatics services.

05) Rentals: The increase resulted from increased maintenance costs associated with additional database hosting licenses acquired.

09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment: The decrease resulted from acquiring computer equipment in the first quarter of 2013–2014.

12) Other subsidies and payments: The increase resulted from a one-time transition payment for implementing salary payment in arrears by the Government of Canada.

The decrease in revenues resulted primarily from timing differences between years for the receipt of funds and scheduled key deliverables.

C) Risks and uncertainties

In 2014–2015, Statistics Canada plans to continue monitoring budget pressures, including the cost-saving measures announced in Budget 2014, with the following actions and mitigation strategies:

• additional analysis, monitoring and validation of financial and human resources information through a modified monthly financial package for budget holders
• review of monthly project dashboards in place across the Agency to monitor project issues, risks and alignment with approved budgets
• continued realignment and reprioritization of work

In addition, Statistics Canada uses risk management and a risk-based decision-making process to prioritize and conduct its business. To do so effectively, the Agency identifies its key risks and develops corresponding mitigation strategies in its Corporate Risk Profile.

D) Significant changes to operations, personnel and programs

No significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs have occurred over the last quarter.

E) Budget 2012 implementation

This section provides an overview of the savings measures announced in Budget 2012 that are being implemented in order to refocus government and programs, make it easier for Canadians and businesses to deal with their government, as well as modernize and reduce the back office.

Statistics Canada's savings target as announced in Budget 2012 Economic Action Plan is $33.9 million by 2014–2015. This reduction is being implemented progressively, beginning with $8.3 million on April 1, 2012, rising to $18.3 million on April 1, 2013, in order to achieve the full reduction by April 1, 2014. The reductions, as of April 1, 2014, have been reflected in Statistics Canada's Main Estimates. To meet this target, Statistics Canada has focused resources where they are most needed.

The savings incurred through these program adjustments represent moderate reductions in the production of statistics to support development, administration, and evaluation of policy, while continuing to meet the public's highest priority needs. In some cases, the information will continue to be available in a different format. A full list of program adjustments is available online.

There are no financial risks or uncertainties related to these reductions.

Approval by senior officials

The original version was signed by
Wayne R. Smith, Chief Statistician
Stéphane Dufour, Chief Financial Officer
Date signed August 21, 2014

This bar graph shows Statistics Canada's budgetary authorities and expenditures, in thousands of dollars, as of December 31, 2012 and 2013:

• As at December 31, 2012
  • Net budgetary authorities: $508,174
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $628,174
  • Net expenditures for the period ending December 31: $377,020
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending December 31: $44,741
  • Total expenditures: $421,761
• As at December 31, 2013
  • Net budgetary authorities: $494,724
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $617,724
  • Net expenditures for the period ending December 31: $350,096
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending December 31: $47,009
  • Total expenditures: $397,105

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program

A) Introduction

Statistics Canada's mandate

Statistics Canada is a member of the Industry portfolio.

Statistics Canada's role is to ensure that Canadians have access to a trusted source of statistics on Canada that meets their highest priority needs.

The Agency's mandate derives primarily from the Statistics Act. The Act requires that the Agency collects, compiles, analyzes and publishes statistical information on the economic, social, and general conditions of the country and its people. It also requires that Statistics Canada conduct the census of population and the census of agriculture every fifth year, and protects the confidentiality of the information with which it is entrusted.

Statistics Canada also has a mandate to co-ordinate and lead the national statistical system. The Agency is considered a leader, among statistical agencies around the world, in co‑ordinating statistical activities to reduce duplication and reporting burden.

More information on Statistics Canada's mandate, roles, responsibilities and programs can be found in the 2013–2014 Main Estimates and in the Statistics Canada 2013–2014 Report on Plans and Priorities.

The quarterly financial report

• should be read in conjunction with the 2013–2014 Main Estimates, the Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, and Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 (Budget 2012);
• has been prepared by management, as required by Section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act, and in the form and manner prescribed by Treasury Board;
• has not been subject to an external audit or review.

Statistics Canada has the authority to collect and spend revenue from other government departments and agencies, as well as from external clients, for statistical services and products.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Agency's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the agency consistent with the Main Estimates for the 2013–2014 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

As part of the Parliamentary business of supply, the Main Estimates must be tabled in Parliament on or before March 1 preceding the new fiscal year. Budget 2012 was tabled in Parliament on March 29, after the tabling of the Main Estimates on February 28, 2012. As a result, the measures announced in Budget 2012 could not be reflected in the 2012–2013 Main Estimates.

In fiscal year 2012–2013, frozen allotments were established by Treasury Board authority in departmental votes to prohibit the spending of funds already identified as savings measures in Budget 2012. In 2013–2014, the changes to departmental authorities were reflected in the 2013–2014 Main Estimates tabled in Parliament.

The Agency uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

B) Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results

This section highlights the significant items that contributed to the net decrease in resources available for the year, as well as actual expenditures for the quarter ended December 31.

Description for chart 1

Chart 1 outlines the gross budgetary authorities, which represent the resources available for use for the year as of December 31.

Significant changes to authorities

During the third quarter, Statistics Canada authorities increased by $94.2 million compared with the second quarter of 2013–2014. Most of the increase is related to

• funding received for the 2016 Census of Population Program ($37.4 million), as well as the 2016 Census of Agriculture Program ($4.3 million);
• funding received related to the carry-forward from fiscal year 2012–2013 to 2013–2014 ($23.8 million);
• funding received from Treasury Board Secretariat for specific salary expenditures  ($29.6 million);
• funding removed for the transfer of funds to Shared Services Canada for workplace technology device software ($1.6 million).

Total authorities available for 2013–2014 have decreased by $13.5 million, or 7%, from the previous year, from $628.2 million to $614.7 million (Chart 1). This net decrease was mostly the result of the following:

• decreased funding for the 2011 Census of Population and the National Household Survey ($43.3 million), as well as the 2011 Census of Agriculture ($1.9 million) as the programs are winding down;
• increased funding for the 2016 Census of Population Program ($37.4 million), as well as the 2016 Census of Agriculture Program ($4.3 million);
• net reductions related to Budget 2012 saving measures ($11.3 million), which were included in the 2013–2014 Main Est­imates;
• a smaller carry-forward amount was requested in 2013–2014 than in 2012–2013 ($ 13.8 million reduction);
• a greater amount of funding was received from Treasury Board Secretariat for specific salary expenditures ($6.7 million increase);
• partially offset by an increase in funding for collective agreements ($9.8 million).

In addition to the appropriations allocated to the Agency through the Main Estimates, Statistics Canada also has vote net authority within Vote 105, which entitles the Agency to spend revenues collected from other government departments, agencies, and external clients to provide statistical services. Vote netting authority is stable at $120 million in each of the fiscal years 2012–2013 and 2013–2014.

Significant changes to expenditures

Year-to-date net expenditures recorded to the end of the third quarter decreased by $26.9 million, or 7%, from $377.0 million to $350.1 million. (See Table A: Variation in Departmental Expenditures by Standard Object.)

Statistics Canada spent approximately 65% of its authorities by the end of the third quarter, compared with 67% in the same quarter of 2012–2013.

01) Personnel: The decrease is primarily the result of a significant reduction in payments following the implementation of the Workforce Adjustment Directive. The remaining decrease is related to lower salary expenditures that relate to a smaller workforce, as well as lower retroactive payments that resulted from the settlement of collective agreements. These decreases are partially offset by an increase in severance liquidation payments related to the signing of collective agreements.

02) Transportation and communications: The decrease was the result of reduced field collection requirements for certain cost recovery projects.

04) Professional and special services: The increase was the result of timing differences between years for the payment of additional IT charges from Shared Services Canada. In addition, there was increased spending for training as well as informatics services.

09) Acquisition of machinery and equipment: The increase was the result of timing differences for acquisition of computer equipment and mobile collection units, as well as additional equipment requirements related to the Agency's space optimization project.

The increase in revenues was primarily the result of timing differences between years for the receipts of funds and scheduled key deliverables.

C) Risks and uncertainties

Budgetary pressures, arising from reduced appropriations and reduced cost-recovery revenues, resulted in financial and human resource management challenges in 2012–2013. To manage human resource risks, the Agency opted to move quickly to implement all mandated program adjustments and corresponding workforce reductions. To manage financial risks, given uncertainties over the timing of costs arising from workforce adjustment and the speed of implementation of program adjustments, additional controls were implemented on non-salary expenditures.

In 2013–2014, Statistics Canada plans to continue to meet these challenges with the following actions and mitigation strategies:

• additional analysis, monitoring and validation of financial and human resources information through a modified monthly financial package for budget holders
• review of monthly project dashboards in place across the Agency to monitor project issues, risks and alignment with approved budgets
• continued realignment and reprioritization of work.

D) Significant changes to operations, personnel and programs

2011 Census of Population and the National Household Survey

Data quality studies for the 2011 Census and National Household Survey will continue through 2013–2014. Major releases for the 2011 National Household Survey occurred on May 8, June 26, and September 11, 2013, and are now complete.

2016 Census of Population Program

Planning for the 2016 Census of Population has begun, including assessing users' content needs and beginning to test questionnaire content. Systems, processes and methodologies are also being developed or updated based on lessons learned from the 2011 Census Program.

E) Budget 2012 implementation

This section provides an overview of the savings measures announced in Budget 2012 that are being implemented to refocus government and programs, make it easier for Canadians and businesses to deal with their government, as well as modernize and reduce the back office.

Statistics Canada's savings target as announced in Budget 2012 Economic Action Plan is $33.9 million by 2014–2015. This reduction is being implemented progressively, beginning with $8.3 million on April 1, 2012, rising to $18.3 million on April 1, 2013, in order to achieve the full reduction by April 1, 2014. The reductions, as of April 1, 2013, have been reflected in Statistics Canada's Main Estimates. To meet this target, Statistics Canada has focused resources where they are most needed.

The savings incurred through these program adjustments represent moderate reductions in the production of statistics to support development, administration, and evaluation of policy, while continuing to meet the public's highest priority needs. In some cases, the information will continue to be available in a different format. A full list of program adjustments is available online.

Year-to-date expenditures for 2013–2014 are lower than in the previous fiscal year. The reduction is partially the result of the reduced workforce required after implementing the program adjustments mentioned above.

There are no financial risks or uncertainties related to these reductions.

Approval by senior officials

The original version was signed by
Wayne R. Smith, Chief Statistician
Stéphane Dufour, Chief Financial Officer

This bar graph shows Statistics Canada's budgetary authorities and expenditures, in thousands of dollars, as of September 30, 2012 and 2013:

• As at September 30, 2012
  • Net budgetary authorities: $492,366
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $612,366
  • Net expenditures for the period ending September 30: $253,127
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending September 30: $24,661
  • Total expenditures: $277,788
• As at September 30, 2013
  • Net budgetary authorities: $400,509
  • Vote netting authority: $120,000
  • Total authority: $520,509
  • Net expenditures for the period ending September 30: $248,206
  • Year-to-date revenues spent from vote netting authority for the period ending September 30: $22,126
  • Total expenditures: $270,332