Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP)

This guide is designed to assist you as you complete the 2013 Survey of Service Industries. If you need more information, please call the Statistics Canada Help Line at the number below.

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 information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Help Line: 1-800-972-9692

Table of contents

Business activity

The description on file for this business comes from the North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS). This database contains a limited number of activity classifications. The classifications on file might be applicable for this business, even if it is not exactly how you would describe this business's main activity.

By selecting "Yes, this is the main activity.", you indicate that the description is applicable, and it describes the main economic activity which typically generates the most revenue for this business.

By selecting "No, this is not the main activity.", you indicate that this description is not applicable as a main or a secondary activity of this business. You will be given a chance to describe this business's main activity.

If none of the above activities describes your main source of revenue, please call 1-800 972 9692 for further instructions.

Reporting period information

Here are twelve common fiscal periods that fall within the targeted dates:

  • May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013
  • June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013
  • July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
  • August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013
  • September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013
  • October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013
  • November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013
  • December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013
  • January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
  • February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014
  • March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014
  • April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014

Here are other examples of fiscal periods that fall within the required dates:

  • September 18, 2012 to September 15, 2013 (e.g., floating year-end)
  • June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 (e.g., a newly opened business)

1. Sales of goods and services (e.g., fees, commissions, services revenue)

Report net of returns and allowances.

Sales of goods and services are defined as amounts derived from the sale of goods and services (cash or credit), falling within a business's ordinary activities. Sales should be reported net of trade discount, value added tax and other taxes based on sales.

Include: Sales from Canadian locations (domestic and export sales); Transfers to other business units or a head office of your firm.
Exclude: Transfers into inventory and consignment sales; Federal, provincial and territorial sales taxes and excise duties and taxes; intercompany sales in consolidated financial statements.

2. Rental and leasing revenue

Include: Rental or leasing of apartments, commercial buildings, land, office space, residential housing, investments in co-tenancies and co-ownerships, hotel or motel rooms, long and short term vehicle leasing, machinery or equipment, storage lockers, etc.

3. Commissions

Include: Commissions earned on the sale of products or services by businesses such as advertising agencies, brokers, insurance agents, lottery ticket sales, sales representatives, and travel agencies – (compensation could also be reported under this item (for example, compensation for collecting sales tax).

4. Subsidies (including grants, donations and fundraising)

Include: Non-repayable grants, contributions and subsidies from all levels of government; Revenue from private sector (corporate and individual) sponsorships, donations and fundraising.

5. Royalties rights, licensing and franchise fees

A royalty is defined as a payment received by the holder of a copyright, trademark or patent.

Include revenue received from the sale or use of all intellectual property rights of copyrighted materials such as musical, literary, artistic or dramatic works, sound recordings or the broadcasting of communication signals.

6. Dividends

Include: Dividend income; Dividends from Canadian sources; Dividends from foreign sources; Patronage dividends.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

7. Interest

Include: Investment revenue; Interest from foreign sources; Interest from Canadian bonds and debentures; Interest from Canadian mortgage loans; Interest from other Canadian sources.
Exclude: Equity income from investments in subsidiaries or affiliates.

8. Other revenue (please specify)

Include: Amounts not included in questions (1) to (7). intracompany transfers

9. Total revenue

(sum of questions 1 to 8)

E - Expenses

1. Cost of goods sold

Many business units distinguish their costs of materials from their other business expenses (selling, general and administrative). This item is included to allow you to easily record your costs/expenses according to your normal accounting practices.

Include: Cost of raw materials and/or goods purchased for re-sale – net of discounts earned on purchases; Freight in and duty.

  1. opening inventories
  2. purchases
    Include: raw material, goods purchased for resale and non-returnable containers
    Exclude: change in inventories
  3. closing inventories
  4. cost of goods sold
    (opening inventories plus purchases minus closing inventories)

2. Employment costs and expenses

(for all employees who were issued a T4):

  1. Salaries, wages and commissions
    Please report all salaries and wages (including taxable allowances and employment commissions as defined on the T4 – Statement of Remuneration Paid) before deductions for this reporting period.
    Include: Vacation pay; Bonuses (including profit sharing); Employee commissions; Taxable allowances (e.g., room and board, vehicle allowances, gifts such as airline tickets for holidays); Severance pay.
    Exclude: All payments and expenses associated with casual labour and outside contract workers (report these amounts at sub-question (3) - Sub-contracts).
  2. Employee benefits
    Include contributions to: Health plans; Insurance plans; Employment insurance; Pension plans; Workers' compensation; Association dues; Contributions to any other employee benefits such as child care and supplementary unemployment benefit (SUB) plans; Contributions to provincial and territorial health and education payroll taxes.

3. Sub-contracts

Sub-contract expense refers to the purchasing of services from outside of the company rather than providing them in-house.

Include: Hired casual labour and outside contract workers; Custom work and contract work; Sub-contract and outside labour; Hired labour.

4. Research and development

Expenses from activities conducted with the intention of making a discovery that could either lead to the development of new products or procedures, or to the improvement of existing products or procedures.

5. Professional and business fees

Include: Legal services; Accounting and auditing fees; Consulting fees; Education and training fees; Appraisal fees; Management and administration fees; Property management fees; Information technology (IT) consulting and service fees (purchased); Architectural fees; Engineering fees; Scientific and technical service fees; Other consulting fees (management, technical and scientific); Veterinary fees; Fees for human health services; Payroll preparation fees; All other professional and business service fees.
Exclude: Service fees paid to Head Office (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

6. Utilities

Utility expenses related to operating your business unit such as water, electricity, gas, heating and hydro.

Include: Diesel, fuel wood, natural gas, oil and propane; Sewage.
Exclude: Energy expenses covered in your rental and leasing contracts; Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications; Vehicle fuel (report at sub-question (21) - All other expenses).

7. Office and computer related expenses

Include: Office stationery and supplies, paper and other supplies for photocopiers, printers and fax machines; Postage and courier (used in the day to day office business activity); Diskettes and computer upgrade expenses; Data processing.
Exclude: Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses. (report this amount at sub-question (8) - Telephone, Internet and other telecommunication expenses).

8. Telephone, Internet and other telecommunications

Include: Internet; Telephone and telecommunications; Cellular telephone; Fax machine; Pager.

9. Business taxes, licenses and permits

Include: Property taxes paid directly and property transfer taxes; Vehicle license fees; Beverage taxes and business taxes; Trade license fees; Membership fees and professional license fees; Provincial capital tax.

10. Royalties, franchise fees and memberships

Include: Amounts paid to holders of patents, copyrights, performing rights and trademarks; Gross overriding royalty expenses and direct royalty costs; Resident and non-resident royalty expenses; Franchise fees.
Exclude: Crown royalties

11. Crown charges

Federal or Provincial royalty, tax, lease or rental payments made in relation to the acquisition, development or ownership of Canadian resource properties.

Include: Crown royalties; Crown leases and rentals; Oil sand leases; Stumpage fees.

12. Rental and leasing

Include: Lease rental expenses, real estate rental expenses, condominium fees and equipment rental expenses; Motor vehicle rental and leasing expenses; Studio lighting and scaffolding; Machinery and equipment rental expenses; Storage expenses; Road and construction equipment rental; Fuel and other utility costs covered in your rental and leasing contracts.

13. Repair and maintenance

Include: Buildings and structures; Machinery and equipment; Security equipment; Vehicles; Costs related to materials, parts and external labour associated with these expenses; Janitorial and cleaning services and garbage removal.

14. Amortization and depreciation

Include: Direct cost depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of leasehold improvements; Amortization of intangible assets (e.g., amortization of goodwill, patents, franchises, copyrights, trademarks, deferred charges, organizational costs).

15. Insurance

Insurance recovery income should be deducted from insurance expenses.

Include: Professional and other liability insurance; Motor vehicle and property insurance; Executive life insurance; Bonding, business interruption insurance and fire insurance.

16. Advertising, marketing, promotion, meals and entertainment

Include: Newspaper advertising and media expenses; Catalogues, presentations and displays; Tickets for theatre, concerts and sporting events for business promotion; Fundraising expenses; Meals, entertainment and hospitality purchases for clients.

17. Travel, meetings and conventions

Include: Travel expenses; Meeting and convention expenses, seminars; Passenger transportation (e.g., airfare, bus, train, etc.); Accommodations; Travel allowance and meals while travelling; Other travel expenses.

18. Financial services

Include: Explicit service charges for financial services; Credit and debit card commissions and charges; Collection expenses and transfer fees; Registrar and transfer agent fees; Security and exchange commission fees; Other financial service fees.
Exclude: Interest expenses (report at sub-question (19) - Interest expense).

19. Interest expense

Report the cost of servicing your company's debt.

Include: Interest; Bank charges; Finance charges; Interest payments on capital leases; Amortization of bond discounts; Interest on short-term and long-term debt, mortgages, bonds and debentures.

20. Other non-production-related costs and expenses

Include: Charitable donations and political contributions; Bad Debt expense; Loan losses; Provisions for loan losses (minus Bad debt recoveries); Inventory adjustments

21. All other costs and expenses (including intracompany expenses)

Include:
Production costs; Pipeline operations, drilling, site restoration; Gross overriding royalty; Other producing property rentals; Well operating, fuel and equipment; Other lease rentals; Other direct costs; Equipment hire and operation; Log yard expense, forestry costs, logging road costs; Freight in and duty; Overhead expenses allocated to costs of sales; Other expenses; Cash over/short (negative expense); Reimbursement of parent company expense; Warranty expense; Recruiting expenses; General and administrative expenses; Interdivisional expenses; Interfund transfer (minus expense recoveries); Exploration and Development (including prospect/geological, well abandonment & dry holes, exploration expenses, development expenses); Amounts not included in sub-questions (1) to (20) above.

22. Total expenses

(sum of lines 1 to 21)

Sales by type of client

This section is designed to measure which sector of the economy purchases your services.
Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.
Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

1. Clients in Canada

  1. Individuals and households
    Please report the percentage of sales to individuals and households who do not represent the business or government sector.
  2. Businesses
    Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
    Include: Sales to Crown corporations.
  3. Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)
    Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
    Include: Sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

2. Clients outside Canada

Please report the percentage of total sales to customers or clients located outside Canada including foreign businesses, foreign individuals, foreign institutions and/or governments.

Include: Sales to foreign subsidiaries and affiliates.

International transactions

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, royalties and licenses fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

General information

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

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.

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.

Please note that Statistics Canada does not share any individual survey information with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please visit our website at Information for survey participants (ISP) or call us at 1-800-972-9692 for more information about these data-sharing agreements.

Thank you!

Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

Vision

A better Canada driven by the agency's leadership in expanding knowledge and insights.

Raison d'être

Canadians need high-quality, insightful and accessible data to support good decision making. Statistics Canada's mission is to provide trusted data, statistical services and insights required to support these decisions, while continuing to build and maintain the trust of Canadians, Canadian businesses and Canadian institutions through robust quality, privacy protection, communications and measurement.

The agency is leading the integration of statistics and strengthening the national statistical system by enabling the strategic use of data and delivering data insights through innovative collaborations and partnerships. Furthermore, it is the agency's role to help decision makers and all Canadians increase their data literacy to draw actionable insights and unleash the power of data.

The agency is committed to ensuring the relevance of its statistical programs to meet the highest-priority information needs of Canadians, while also ensuring that its information is accessible; that respondent burden is kept to a minimum; and that the agency's business processes and systems are efficient, robust and responsive.

Mandate and role

Statistics Canada produces data that help Canadians better understand their country - its population, resources, economy, environment, society and culture. As Canada's central statistical office, Statistics Canada is legislated to serve this function for Canada and each of the provinces and territories. The agency must also conduct the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture every five years, providing a detailed picture of Canadian society. Statistics Canada operates under the authority of the Statistics Act and is committed to protecting the confidentiality and privacy of the information it is entrusted with.

Statistics Canada has two main roles:

  1. to provide statistical information and analysis about Canada's economic and social structure to
    • develop and evaluate public policies and programs
    • improve public and private decision making for the benefit of all Canadians
  2. to promote sound statistical standards and practices by
    • using common concepts and classifications to provide better-quality data
    • working with the provinces and territories to promote quality and coherence of Canada's statistics through collaboration
    • reducing the burden on respondents through greater use of data sharing agreements
    • improving statistical methods and systems through joint research studies and projects.

For more information on the agency's organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister's mandate letter.

Operating context

A developed, democratic country such as Canada requires vast amounts of data to function effectively. Statistics provide Canadians with vital information to help monitor inflation, navigate social and economic disruptions, promote economic growth, plan cities and roads, adjust pensions, help understand social inequities, and develop employment and social programs. They also help governments, businesses and individuals make informed decisions.

As the demand for information and data insights increases, privacy concerns and a decrease in response rates are making it more challenging to connect with and receive information from Canadians. As a result, the agency is actively researching, developing and implementing innovative solutions to provide decision makers with increased access to high-quality, relevant and trusted information on issues affecting society using methods that protect the privacy of Canadians.

In this digital world, Canadians must be able to trust that their privacy is protected and that their data will not be misused. To that end, the agency will continue to build partnerships that will strengthen its position of trust and deliver value at every interaction to better serve Canadians.

The key ingredient in meeting this ever-evolving operating context has always been, and will always be, an innovative, motivated, representative and professional workforce deployed in a strong, supportive, virtual and corporate environment. It is through employee engagement, dedication, knowledge and skill that the agency will serve Canada with high-quality statistical information that matters.

Directive on Microdata Linkage

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PDF Version (PDF, 390.69 KB)

1. Effective date

1.1 This directive takes effect on February 8, 2017.

1.2 It replaces the Directive on Record Linkage, dated August 31, 2011.

2. Application

2.1 This directive applies to all employees who undertake studies that involve microdata linkage, that is to say, the combining of two or more micro-records to form a composite record containing information about the same entity.

2.2 There are different types of microdata linkages, each with its own set of similar procedures.

  • Type A – where the linkage falls under the scope of an omnibus microdata linkage authority
  • Type B – where the linkage is an amendment of an existing linked file
  • Type C – where the linkage is new; i.e., proposal for a new linked file (not falling within types A or B)

Detailed procedures for each of these situations are described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage, including a more comprehensive definition of the types of linkages included in each type.

3. Legal Context

3.1 Section 3 of the Statistics Act gives Statistics Canada the mandate 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.

To fulfill this mandate, Statistics Canada undertakes microdata linkages, an important technique in the development, production, evaluation and analysis of statistical data to shed light on important societal issues. Although by its nature, microdata linkage is privacy intrusive, Statistics Canada undertakes microdata linkages in cases where the public good is clearly evident and outweighs the privacy intrusion. The privacy intrusion results from the fact that information for a particular individual is being put together in a manner that is generally unknown to the individual. As is the case with any microdata, in some situations, this could disadvantage the individual. The mitigating measure is that, by definition, statistical analysis is not focused on an individual, and only non-confidential statistical aggregates are produced.

4. Definitions

4.1 Definitions to be used in the interpretation of this directive are attached in Appendix A.

5. Directive statement

5.1 Objective

5.1.1 Ensure the effective management of microdata linkage activity conducted within Statistics Canada so that the operational and analytical benefits of microdata linkage support the mandate of Statistics Canada while, at the same time addressing and mitigating the inherent privacy intrusive nature of the activity.

5.2 Expected results

5.2.1 Information obtained from microdata linkage is used to produce statistical information that facilitates the better understanding of the Canadian society, economy and environment, and subsequent benefits are clearly in the public interest;

5.2.2 Confidentiality of information relating to individual persons, businesses or organizations (public or private, including public institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs) used in microdata linkages is strictly maintained and the results of the microdata linkage will not be used for purposes that can be detrimental to the persons, businesses or organizations whose information is involved;

5.2.3 Outputs of the microdata linkage will be released only in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act and with any applicable requirements of the Privacy Act;

5.2.4 The microdata linkage offers demonstrable cost or respondent burden savings over other alternatives, or is the only feasible option to meet the project objectives;

5.2.5 The microdata linkage is judged not to jeopardize the future conduct of Statistics Canada's programs.

6. Requirements

6.1 Director, Information Management Division (IMD)

The Director, Information Management Division (IMD) has primary responsibility for the implementation of this directive. This will be accomplished by directing statistical and legal analysts in IMD, who are responsible for:

6.1.1 Advising program areas planning microdata linkage projects, as required, and providing assistance in all phases of the approval process;

6.1.2 Maintaining and managing an inventory of all approved microdata linkages (apart from those approved through an omnibus linkage authority);

6.1.3 Ensuring that summaries of new linkages (Type C) are posted on the Statistics Canada website and are removed when a project is completed and linked files have been destroyed. The website also contains general text to describe the types of microdata linkages conducted under an omnibus authority;

6.1.4 Including in the Annual Report to Parliament on the Privacy Act summaries of microdata linkages involving personal information, except for omnibus and amendments (types A and B linkages) and those linkages involving economic statistics;

6.1.5 Undertaking a review of this directive regularly, and revising it as required.

In addition,

6.1.6 The Director of IMD approves all Type B linkages.

6.2 Directors of statistical program areas

In directing managers of statistical programs in their division on projects involving microdata linkage, a director is responsible for:

6.2.1 Ensuring that no microdata linkage is undertaken without obtaining approval as required by this directive;

6.2.2 Ensuring that approval is obtained to use all files required in the linkage held by other divisions;

6.2.3 Determining the required approval process for a microdata linkage as described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage, and adhering to all requirements;

6.2.4 If required, requesting the approval of the Chief Statistician to seek consent from respondents for a microdata linkage;

6.2.5 Ensuring that linked files, linkage keys and direct identifiers are retained in accordance to the Directive on the Management of Statistical Microdata Files, or retained only for the duration of the project.

6.2.6 Approving the use of an existing linked file or other files under their care and control, provided that certain conditions are met (see the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage).

6.2.7 Removing, prior to providing the file to the Sponsoring Division, information about survey respondents that opted-out of record linkage.

6.2.8 Tracking the approvals, through corporate tracking systems or other methods, for the use of a file or an existing linked file under their care and control.

6.2.9 Participating in the review of requests by other Sponsoring Division directors for microdata linkages related to his/her divisional mandate.

6.2.10 Assuming the responsibilities of the various divisional roles (i.e., Contributing Division, Custodian Division, Linking Division, Sponsoring Division) as required. (Refer to Appendix A for definitions).

6.3 Director, Microdata Access Division and Director, Economic Analysis Division

The Directors of Microdata Access Division and Economic Analysis Division have responsibility for directing managers of the Research Data Centres (RDCs), the Federal Research Data Centres (FRDCs) and the Canadian Centre for Data Development and Economic Research (CDER), respectively to:

6.3.1 Assume the responsibilities of the Sponsoring Division for all projects that create or use linked files in the RDCs, FRDCs, and CDER.

6.3.2 Ensure that all microdata linkage projects and projects involving the use of already linked microdata files in the RDCs, the FRDCs and the CDER receive the required approval prior to the start of the project.

6.4 Assistant Chief Statisticians

As an advisor to the Chief Statistician, an Assistant Chief Statistician (ACS) is responsible for:

6.4.1 Approving the recommendation for new linkages (Type C) and;

6.4.2 Submitting the microdata linkage requests to the Chief Statistician and/or Executive Management Board for review and approval, when required, based on suggestion from IMD.

6.5 Chief Audit Executive

As responsible for the internal audit functions in Statistics Canada, the Chief Audit Executive:

6.5.1 Assures, on a regular and ongoing basis, compliance with this directive through risk-based compliance audits.

6.6 Chief Statistician

6.6.1 The Chief Statistician has the ultimate authority to approve or deny requests for microdata linkages, based on recommendations from the ACS responsible for the sponsoring division. Approval authority for omnibus and amendments (Types A and B) has been delegated as described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage.

6.6.2 The Chief Statistician may permit other processes or uses.

7. Consequences

7.1 Statistics Canada has directives, including this one, and procedures which reflect basic principles found in the Privacy Act. Non-compliance would be counter to the letter and the spirit of the Privacy Act and to Statistics Canada's commitment to the protection and appropriate use of the personal information under its control.

8. References

8.1 Relevant legislation and regulations for this directive are as follows:

  • Statistics Act
  • Privacy Act

8.2 Related policy instruments and publications are as follows:

  • Policy on Privacy Protection (Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS))
  • Directive on Privacy Impact Assessment (TBS)
  • Directive on Privacy Practices (TBS)
  • Directive on Social Insurance Number (TBS)
  • Principles and Guidelines on Confidentiality Aspects of Data Integration Undertaken for Statistical or Related Research Purposes (United Nations)
  • Policy on Privacy and Confidentiality (Statistics Canada)
  • Policy on Information Management (Statistics Canada)
  • Policy on Official Release (Statistics Canada)
  • Directive on the Management of Statistical Microdata Files (Statistics Canada)
  • Directive on Obtaining Administrative Data under the Statistics Act (Statistics Canada)
  • Directive on Informing Survey Respondents (Statistics Canada)
  • Directive on the Security of Sensitive Statistical Information (Statistics Canada)
  • Generic Privacy Impact Assessment (Statistics Canada)
  • Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage

9. Enquiries

Please direct enquiries about this directive to the Director, Information Management Division.

Appendix A - Definitions

Definitions for terms used in this directive are included in this appendix.

A micro-record is defined as information about an identifiable entity.

An entity refers to an individual respondent or unit of observation, such as a person, family, household, dwelling, farm, company, business, establishment, institution, etc.

Microdata linkage is defined as the combining of two or more micro-records to form a composite record containing information about the same entity. The output of a microdata linkage must contain information that originated from more than one data file that were inputs to the microdata linkage activity.

Situations that are considered to be a microdata linkage:

  • Matching of information on the same entity from two or more files. The input files may be survey files, census files or administrative files or a combination of these. The input files may relate to different time periods.

Situations that are not considered to be a microdata linkage:

  • Subsetting of master files based on an external list. For example, a client wishes to analyze all persons who were diagnosed with a particular health condition in the past year. The list of all in-scope persons would be used only to identify all persons in a health survey who would be the subject of the analytical project. This is not a microdata linkage since the output file would not contain information from more than one input file.
  • Imputation methods that identify a "similar" entity to use for imputation, but no attempt is made to actually match the same individuals.
  • Linkages of person-level survey or administrative data, with files containing aggregate information at a geographical level. An example is when information about an identifiable person is matched to census summary information for that person's neighbourhood.
  • Information contained on statistical registers, such as geography or industry code may be included on survey production files when they are to be used for analytical purposes. Subject to the requirements on direct identifiers, survey managers have the authority to include variables from survey frames without requesting approval for a microdata linkage.
  • If the use of the already linked file falls within the approved purpose of the original request. For example, a linked data set approved and created to address a research question could be used for other research questions of similar nature or topic. It does require approval from the Custodian Division and the Contributing Division for use of the file as per the Directive on Security of Sensitive Statistical Information.

Direct Identifiers are the variables used for linking operations to combine files, but which are not to be used for analytical purposes. They permit the immediate identification of an individual (person, business or organization), such as name and address as well as identifying numbers such as the Social Insurance Number, Provincial Health Number and Business Number.

Amendments of linked files is defined as situations where a currently-existing linked file is used for an already approved purpose but involves the addition of files to the original linkage.

Linked file environments are situations where the purpose of the linkage is to provide an analytical database for future analytical projects. A linked environment may be a linked file or it may simply be the creation of linkage keys that can be used to readily link files for individual projects in an efficient direct deterministic fashion.

Divisional Roles: There are different roles played within the context of a project involving microdata linkage. These roles are described below. It is possible for a single division to play more than one role within a specific project, and in fact this is often the case.

  • Contributing Division: This is a division which has custody of one or more files that are to be used for a microdata linkage project. In some cases, the information comes from an external organization, in which case, a Statistics Canada division must be identified as the Contributing Division.
  • Custodian Division: This is the division which has operational responsibility for the linked file, including: use, access, storage, retention and disposition. The director must ensure that all requirements of the Directive on the Security of Sensitive Statistical Information are met.
  • Linking Division: This is the division which performs the microdata linkage and produces the linked file (or linkage keys).
  • Sponsoring Division: This is the division which initiates the microdata linkage project. In addition to the requirements of this directive, the Director of a Sponsoring Division must ensure that all the requirements of the Policy on Peer and Institutional Review and the Directive on the Security of Sensitive Statistical Information are met.

Appendix B: Omnibus authority for linkages carried out within the Economic Statistics program

This appendix describes an omnibus microdata linkage authority for the Economic Statistics program (with certain exceptions as described below), and includes the procedures to confirm authorization for each specific linkage.

Microdata linkages within the Economic Statistics program can be for three purposes:

  • Data production: Use already collected data for a statistical program rather than re-collect. It also includes frame creation, preparation of contact material, imputation for invalid or non-response.
  • Analysis to support production: Analysis for purposes of data certification and data quality evaluation, such as evaluating trends in one dataset by examining the reports of the same businesses in another dataset.
  • Analysis to provide information: Making use of combined datasets to support analysis that is not possible by a single existing dataset. In most cases, the outputs from these projects are officially released.

For a particular program, linkages can be one or more of the following:

  • Survey data to administrative data for the same time period.
  • Survey data for a specific time period to the same survey data from a different time period.
  • Survey data for a specific time period to data from another survey for the same time period.
  • Administrative file to another administrative file.

In this manner, both cross-sectional and longitudinal linkages are possible.

The following Economic Statistics programs are included (unless specifically excluded below):

  • All programs in Statistics Canada's Economic Statistics Field
  • All economic statistics and research programs in the Analytical Studies Branch, that do not include household or a person's information.
  • Programs that provide supporting infrastructure to these programs: specifically Statistical Registers and Geography Division and Administrative Data Division
  • Selected programs outside the Economic Statistics Field: specifically, the "Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours" and the "Pension Plans in Canada" program.
  • All linkage activities of Agriculture Division.

All microdata files held within the programs listed above are in scope for the purposes of this omnibus linkage.

This omnibus authority includes all linkages that are specified as part of the survey collection process, provided that the intent of the linkage is to aid in the production of a survey master file. This would include, for example, using another data file to impute for item non-response. Linkages to other survey data files, to administrative files, or both would be possible (again provided that they are specified in the survey collection instruments), and would also include longitudinal linkages.

Internal testing, feasibility studies and data validation whose purpose is internal in nature only are also included under this omnibus authority.

The overriding considerations behind this authority are:

  • No linkage should damage our relationship with the business respondents.
  • No privacy-invasive linkages shall be carried out without a demonstrated public good.
  • If the linkage involves an externally-specified group of businesses, no files are to be linked if the results might harm the interests of that group.

To operationalize these considerations, the following are excluded from the umbrella of this omnibus microdata linkage authority:

  • Linkages that involve client-supplied lists of businesses;
  • Linkages that present a significant risk of residual disclosure.

Linkages excluded under the above bullets must be brought forth for the Chief Statistician's consideration, on a case-by-case basis (see the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage for procedures). The Director, IMD, may be consulted on specific projects to help determine whether the omnibus authority applies.

All linkages that are in scope are covered by this omnibus linkage authority, and are considered to be Type A linkages as described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage.

Retention of linked files, keys and identifiers

As stated in the Directive on the Management of Statistical Microdata Files, the linked files are retained until no longer required. The linkage keys and direct identifiers are to be retained until the possibility of re-use for linkage purposes is considered low.

Reporting of microdata linkages covered by the omnibus authority

Linkages conducted under the umbrella of this omnibus authority are considered routine and critical to permit Statistics Canada to meet its mandate. They are also numerous and detailed. Therefore, no reporting or inventory of specific microdata linkages is required.

The Statistics Canada website has a notice that describes the linkage activities conducted in accordance with this directive.

Other considerations

Special care must be taken with respect to data sharing under Sections 11 and 12 of the Statistics Act and data disclosure under Section 17(2) of the Statistics Act, when it applies to administrative information. Legal requirements must be met. The Director, IMD can advise on specific circumstances.

Appendix C: Omnibus authority for linkages carried out within the Population and Household Statistics programs, and for privacy-sensitive Economic Statistics programs

This appendix describes an omnibus microdata linkage authority related to the Population and Household statistics programs, and includes the procedures to confirm authorization for each specific linkage. Generally, such linkage activities fall into two broad categories.

Category A: Linkages whose primary purpose is for internal use and is not to contribute directly to statistical outputs that are disseminated outside Statistics Canada

The purpose of linkages covered in this part is to do one of the following:

  • Obtain information that benefits a survey, such as for stratification in survey design, but that does not directly contribute to estimates;
    • Providing supporting infrastructure to these programs: specifically frame creation with Statistical Registers and Geography Division and Administrative Data Division.
  • Study and assess survey data quality, for example, by comparing survey data to data from other sources; and
  • Aid in data collection, such as to provide addresses to mail introductory letters or to provide telephone numbers to reduce collection costs by permitting data collection through a telephone interview.
  • Internal testing, feasibility studies and data validation whose purpose is internal in nature only.

The linkages can be from survey file to survey file, from survey file to administrative file, or from administrative file to administrative file and may be carried out, for example, to:

  • Creation of survey frames or registers
  • improve procedures for non-response adjustment, resulting in a reduction of estimation bias. (Census or administrative data are used to determine the characteristics of non-respondents and then adjust the weights of respondents accordingly);
  • evaluate the coverage of a survey frame (to assess what types of units are not covered well);
  • detect overlap in possible survey samples in an effort to minimize burden on respondents;
  • obtain, augment or verify frame information;
  • obtain contact information for sample units;
  • compare administrative sources;
  • evaluate the quality of an administrative file as a source of survey variables;
  • assess disclosure risk.

Such linkage activities increase survey quality and in most cases, reduce survey costs and/or response burden. All linkages that are in scope for Category A are covered by this omnibus linkage authority, and are considered to be Type A linkages as described in Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage.

Category B: Linkages whose primary purpose is to contribute directly to statistical outputs that are disseminated outside Statistics Canada

The following types of linkages are approved:

  • Linkage of supplementary surveys to the main survey: This is a situation where a second household survey is designed to use all or part of the sample of another household survey, and to reduce response burden by using content collected in the original survey. This second survey may be collected at the same time as the initial survey or at a later time, but the planned linkage for the second survey must be clearly indicated on the survey questionnaire. Examples of surveys with supplements are the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Another example is the linkage of the Census of Population data to that for a postcensal survey.
  • Longitudinal surveys: The linkage of survey information for the same individual but collected at different times. This applies to surveys that are designed to be longitudinal.
  • Linkage of administrative data to survey data. This applies to situations where essential survey content is not collected as part of the direct data collection, but is planned to be taken from administrative files. An example is household surveys who do not ask questions on sources and amounts of personal income, but plan to link to income tax files to obtain the required income information.
  • Longitudinal linkage of personal administrative information: This applies to the longitudinal linkage of the same administrative file over time. An example is the Longitudinal Administrative Database (LAD), which links personal income tax files over time. Linkages of different administrative files, either longitudinally or cross-sectionally, are not included.
  • All linkages that the intent of the linkage is to aid in the production of a survey master file. This would include, for example, using another data file to impute for item non-response. Linkages to other survey data files, to administrative files, or both would be possible (again, provided that they are specified in the survey collection instruments), and would also include longitudinal linkages.

All linkages that are in scope for Category B are covered by this omnibus linkage authority, and are considered to be Type A linkages as described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage. Out-of-scope linkages would be defined as another linkage type, and the procedures related to each type are described in the Operational Steps for Obtaining Approval for a Microdata Linkage. The Director, IMD, may be consulted on specific projects to help determine whether the omnibus authority applies.

Information applicable to both Category A and Category B Linkages

Retention of linked files

As stated in the Directive on the Management of Statistical Microdata Files, the linked files are retained until no longer required. The linkage keys and direct identifiers are to be retained until the possibility of re-use for linkage purposes is considered low.

Reporting of microdata linkages covered by the omnibus authority

Linkages conducted under the umbrella of this omnibus authority are considered routine and critical to permit Statistics Canada to meet its mandate. They are also numerous and detailed. Therefore, no reporting or inventory of specific microdata linkages is required.

The Statistics Canada website has a notice that describes the linkage activities conducted in accordance with this directive.

Other considerations

Special care must be taken with respect to data sharing under Sections 11 and 12 of the Statistics Act and data disclosure under Section 17(2) of the Statistics Act, when it applies to administrative information. Legal requirements must be met. The Director, IMD can advise on specific circumstances.

Consulting Canadians

Statistics Canada regularly engages with Canadians to seek input on projects and initiatives, and test the usability of website, web tools, and mobile applications.

We collect feedback through discussion tables, usability testing, and online questionnaires.

Statistics Canada's engagement activities, findings and results are published on this webpage. Please visit the Government of Canada's Consulting with Canadians website for a complete list of government engagement activities.

Consultative engagement activity types

Discussion tables
This type of consultative engagement activity collects feedback and input of stakeholder groups and/or the general public on Statistics Canada products.
Usability testing
Usability testing helps Statistics Canada ensure its products are functional, intuitive, and meet user needs. This type of consultative engagement activity usually involves one-on-one interviews or group discussions.

Consultative engagement activities

Recent consultative engagement activities are listed below. For the complete list of consultative engagement activities conducted by Statistics Canada please click here.

Open consultative engagement activities
Closed consultative engagement activities
  • Share your feedback on the Special Edition issue of Insights on Canadian Society
    Virtual group discussions will be held to seek feedback on the utility and accessibility of the Special Edition issue of Insights on Canadian Society, and to better understand its relevance and value to readers.
    Closed: March 2025
  • Share your input on Statistics Canada’s Direct Health Measures Programs
    Statistics Canada invites directly measured health data users and stakeholders to share their feedback on the Direct Health Measures Programs. The goal of the engagement activity is to identify data needs and gaps, raise awareness of Statistics Canada data holdings, learn from your subject matter expertise and explore potential collaboration.
    Closed: March 2025
  • Share your input on Statistics Canada’s service to the accessibility and disability community
    The purpose of this engagement activity is to understand the perspective of persons with lived experience with disability, external partners, and stakeholders. These perspectives will help Statistics Canada better design its products and services to serve the accessibility and disability community in Canada. The goal is to help identify, prevent, and eliminate any barriers persons with disabilities may experience to access and use Statistics Canada’s services and products.
    Closed: March 2025
  • Share your input on Statistics Canada's AI "IntelliStatCan" tool
    The purpose of this engagement activity is to conduct usability testing with a targeted audience such as researchers who would benefit from this AI tool (i.e., librarians, academic researchers, and AI collaborative networks). This engagement activity will gather user feedback to further inform the development of the tool.
    Closed: December 2024
  • Share your input on the Survey of Household Spending (SHS)
    We would like to thank all participants who provided feedback that helped Statistics Canada better understand how SHS users and stakeholders use the data.
    Closed: December 2024
  • Missing Persons Data Standards Consultative Engagement
    Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) has partnered with Statistics Canada to initiate a consultative engagement process in response to Call for Justice 9.5.v, one of the 231 Calls for Justice outlined in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Reclaiming Power and Place.
    Closed: December 2024
  • Share your feedback on the Labour Force Survey (LFS) Supplements Program
    Statistics Canada invites stakeholders and LFS users to provide feedback on the LFS Supplements Program. Feedback will be used to evaluate potential adjustments to data collection intervals and/or topics covered in the program
    Closed: October 2024
  • Share your input on a series of portraits for select racialized population groups
    To support Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and the Disaggregated Data Action Plan, Statistics Canada’s Diversity and Sociocultural Statistics (DSS) Division is creating a series of portrait reports on the following 6 racialized population groups: Black, South Asian, Filipino, Chinese, Latin American, and Arab.
    Closed: September 2024
  • Market Basket Measure of poverty (2023-base) consultative engagement
    From Spring 2023 to Winter 2024, Statistics Canada will conduct consultation activities to gather input from Canadians to help validate how we measure poverty. These activities will be key to informing the Third Comprehensive Review of the Market Basket Measure (MBM).
    Closed: April 2024
  • Statistics Canada is seeking input on the improved Standards, data sources and methods hub
    We want to thank all participants who provided their feedback which has helped influence and shape the future of data standards services in Canada.
    Closed: April 2024
  • 2026 Census of Agriculture dissemination consultative engagement
    Statistics Canada is conducting consultative engagement activities to obtain user feedback on the Census of Agriculture dissemination strategy and products.
    Closed: April 2024
Recent results of consultative engagement activities

Participate in consultative engagement

To participate in future consultative engagement activities and help improve Statistics Canada's website, products and services, please complete the form below!

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a consultative engagement activity?

A consultative engagement activity collects feedback from Canadians on specific topics which directly support the development of Statistics Canada projects and programs. These activitiesare executed through discussion tables, usability testing, and online questionnaires.

Consultative engagement activities have now shifted to virtual-only platforms to allow Statistics Canada to collect input fromparticipants across Canada.

2. Why does Statistics Canada consult with Canadians?

Statistics Canada regularly holds consultative engagement activities with allies, stakeholders and the general public to continually improve Statistics Canada products and ensure their usability, and seek their input on programs and initiatives.

3. How do I contact the Consultative Engagement team?

Questions or comments? Please contact Statistic Canada’s Consultive Engagement Team at consultativeengagement-mobilisationconsultative@statcan.gc.ca.

4. Is participation in a consultative engagement activity voluntary or mandatory?

Participation is voluntary. However, Statistics Canada strongly encourages Canadians to take part in its consultative engagement activities as it provides an opportunity to contribute constructive feedback.

5. Can anyone take part in a consultative engagement activity?

If you would like to get involved in a consultative engagement activity, please refer to the page Participate in consultative engagement. Individuals and/or organizations are carefully selected according to the requirements of the project.

6. Are the results of consultative engagement activities available to the public?

Yes. Consultative engagement findings are available to the public on the consultative engagement activities page.

Consultative engagement results are also posted on the Consulting with Canadians government website, a portal that provides links to the consultation results of all federal departments.

 

New Dissemination Model - Home page, Navigation and Data Tables

Archived information

Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Archived

This page has been archived on the Web.

Consultation objectives

In April 2012, Statistics Canada launched its three-year New Dissemination Model project with the goal to modernize the methods and framework for disseminating data on its website. The key objective is to create a user-centric website and to increase coherency, consistency and simplicity in dissemination activities.

As part of this project, Statistics Canada consulted Canadians in January and February 2014. The consultation was designed to evaluate the website's ease of navigation, its usefulness and user satisfaction with the new design. Evaluation sessions tested the intuitiveness of the redesigned home page; the ease of website navigation, including the filters, data table titles and new product information; and whether the design of the data tables and complex datasets is useful and intuitive.

Consultation methodology

Statistics Canada held in-person usability consultations. Participants were asked to complete a series of tasks and to provide feedback on the proposed website.

How to get involved

The consultation is now closed.

Individuals who wish to obtain more information or to take part in a consultation may contact Statistics Canada by sending an email to consultations@statcan.gc.ca.

Please note that Statistics Canada selects participants for each consultation to ensure feedback is sought from a representative sample of the target population for the study. Not all applicants will be asked to participate in a given consultation.

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the Agency is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada's privacy policies, please consult the Privacy notice.

Results

What worked

Most participants successfully completed tasks on all three versions of the home page in either the mobile view or the desktop view. Participants liked aspects of each home page version. The Survey door on the main menu was intuitive.

The navigation within the subject listing on the left-hand side bar worked well on the subject landing page, as did the filters on the data landing page. The drop-down menus in the tables were intuitive to use and participants successfully found data in the more complex tables as well.

Areas for improvement

  • In mobile view, some home page tasks did not work.
  • 'Custom tabulations' was confused with 'Custom Surveys', 'Customized Services' and 'Contact Us'.
  • Participants searched for city or community data under Key statistics, which contains only provincial data.
  • The 'All data' link on the subject landing page and 'All tables' link on the data landing page were not intuitive for half of the participants in both the English and French versions of the site.
  • The 'Dataset' button to go from the simple table to a complex table was not intuitive.
  • The 'Build a table' customization feature was only used with prompting and was not intuitive.
  • Participants looked for geography cues in the data product titles. Previous testing had indicated that participants preferred the lowest level of geography in the title, with the remaining geographies listed in the description.
  • The Surveys and Methods areas of the site were not intuitive.

Recommendations

  • A hybrid of the three home page versions is recommended.
  • 'Information for survey participants' should be included under the 'Survey' door.
  • The filters should remain on the left-hand side bar.
  • Drop-downs menus in simple tables should be kept to a minimum and the initial layout should provide as much data as possible.
  • The picklist with the table customization feature requires further development and testing.
  • A default layout of complex tables should be provided to users with the 'Build a table' function as an advanced feature.
  • The preferred label for the Methods door often included 'Reference' or 'Methods.'

Statistics Canada thanks participants for their participation in this consultation. Their insights guide the Agency's web development and ensure that the final products meet users' expectations.

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Public consultation and notices - Instructional program classifications

Permanent consultation process for CIP Canada 2027 and beyond

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada

CIP Canada 2021 Version 1.0

CIP Canada 2016

CIP Canada 2011

CIP Canada 2000

About StatCan

To accommodate Canadians' preferences, Statistics Canada is now using text messaging, in addition to phone calls and email, to remind selected survey participants to complete their online questionnaire. This will help to ensure we have high participation rates for our surveys, which will allow us to continue to produce high-quality data. Our text message short code is 782-782. Standard message rates may apply.

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