2009 Annual Return of "Broadcasting Distribution" Licensee

For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2009

Confidential when completed

Collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S19.

Keep one copy of this return for your files and mail 3 completed copies (including financial statements) by November 30, 2009 to:

Chief, Industry Statistics and Analysis, Broadcast Analysis, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Ottawa, K1A 0N2.

Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under the Statistics Act.

See page 1, Reporting Guide for notice of agreements made by Statistics Canada under Sections 11 and 12 of the Statistics Act with other federal and provincial government bodies concerning information contained in the Annual Return.

Si vous préférez un questionnaire en français, veuillez cocher

Upon receipt of this annual return, please review the systems listed below. If the list is different from your organizational structure. please contact the Chief, Broadcasting Section, Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Telephone: (613) 951-1891; Fax: (613) 951-0009.

STC
CRTC FILE
ATTN:
System Number
Location
Prov.
CRTC ID
Additional CRTC Forms

in co-operation with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

SECTION 1

LICENSEE (COMPANY) INFORMATION

Enquiries concerning this return may be referred to Dany Gravel, Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Telephone: (613) 951-0390; Fax: (613) 951-9920; E-mail: dany.gravel@statcan.gc.ca

  1. Complete name of licensee:

  2. Mailing address of the licensee:
    Street and Number
    City and Province
    Postal Code
    Telephone
    Fax
    E-mail

  3. Person to be contacted in connection with this return:
    Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.
    Name
    Title
    Address (if different from licensee address)
    Street and Number
    City and Province
    Postal Code
    Telephone
    Fax
    E-mail

  4. If, during the period covered by this return, the licensee conducted business under a name or address other than that listed in 1 or 2, please indicate:
    Name
    Street and Number
    City and Province
    Postal Code

  5. If the information in this return is for a period other than 12 months ending August 31, 2009, please indicate:
    From To
    Reasons:

  6. If any undertaking(s) reported in this return was acquired or sold during the reference year ending August 31, 2009, please indicate the undertaking(s) and the name(s) of the previous owner(s)/purchaser(s):
    Date(s) of transaction(s):

  7. Type of business organization:
    Incorporated company, shares publicly traded
    Sole proprietorship/partnership
    Co-operative
    Incorporated company, shares NOT publicly traded
    Non-profit organization
    Military Unit
    Other (specify)

  8. MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION
    I, (Name) (Title), am authorized to certify on behalf of (Licensee) that the information shown on this return and all the attachments thereto are true and complete in all respects to the best of my knowledge and belief.
    (Signature) (Date) (Telephone and Area Code)
    Date received
    (Official use only)
    CRTC File Number
    STC File Number

INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS

Please complete one form per licensee (company) 

(See Guide) 

Record 40 

Non-merchandise charges related to broadcasting operations
Receipts from non-residents
Business services
($'000 Canadian)

  • Program rights and royalties
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Advertising
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Other
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Interest and dividends
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL

Record 41

Payments to non-residents
Business services
($'000 Canadian)

  • Program rights and royalties
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Advertising
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Other
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL
  • Interest and dividends
    1. United States
    2. United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. European Union (excl. U.K. and France)
    5. Japan
    6. OECD countries (excl. Japan, United States and E.U.)
    7. All other countries
    TOTAL

    CRTC File Number
    STC File Number

Summary of revenues and expenses

For year ended August 31, 2009

Please report the results for all systems (exempted and non-exempted) within the Province.
(See Guide for details)

Province:

Record 90

$(omit cents)

Basic and Non-Basic Programming Services

  1. Revenue
    1. Subscription
    2. Connection (install. and reconnect)
    3. Community channel and facilities rental
    4. Digital Addressable Digital Video Compression (DVC) Decoders - Rental
    5. Digital Addressable DVC Decoders - Net Sales
    6. Other (specify)
    7. Total Revenue
  2. Expenses
    1. Programming (community)
    2. Affiliation Payments
    3. Technical
    4. Sales and Promotion
    5. Administration and General
    6. Total Expenses
  3. 1. Operating Income (loss)

Exempt Programming Services

  1. Revenue
    1. Subscription
    2. Connection (install. & reconnect)
    3. Community channel and facilities rental
    4. Digital Addressable Digital Video Compression (DVC) Decoders - Rental
    5. Digital Addressable DVC Decoders - Net Sales
    6. Other (specify)
    7. Total Revenue
  2. Expenses
    1. Programming (community)
    2. Affiliation Payments
    3. Technical
    4. Sales and Promotion
    5. Administration and General
    6. Total Expenses
  3. 1. Operating Income (loss)

Non-Programming Services

  1. Revenue
    1. Subscription
    2. Connection (install. & reconnect)
    3. Community channel and facilities rental
    4. Digital Addressable Digital Video Compression (DVC) Decoders - Rental
    5. Digital Addressable DVC Decoders - Net Sales
    6. Other (specify)
    7. Total Revenue
  2. Expenses
    2. Affiliation Payments
    3. Technical
    4. Sales and Promotion
    5. Administration and General
    6. Total Expenses
  3. 1. Operating Income (loss)

Total All Services

  1. 1. Subscription
    2. Connection (install. & reconnect)
    3. Community channel and facilities rental
    4. Digital Addressable Digital Video Compression (DVC) Decoders - Rental
    5. Digital Addressable DVC Decoders - Net Sales
    6. Other (specify)
    7. Total Revenue
  2. Expenses
    1. Programming (community)
    2. Affiliation Payments
    3. Technical
    4. Sales and Promotion
    5. Administration and General
    6. Total Expenses
  3. 1. Operating Income (loss)
    2. Less: Depreciation
    3. Less: Interest
    4. Other adjustments - Income (expense)
    5. Net income (loss) before income taxes
    6. Provision for income taxes
    7. Net income (loss) after income taxes

GROSS REVENUE FROM EXEMPT PROGRAMMING & NON-PROGRAMMING SERVICES

Record 71 

EXEMPT PROGRAMMING

Licensee Revenue

  • Classified advertising
  • Teleshopping/general services
  • Infomercials
  • Games services
  • Other exempt
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 27 on line 1.7 above)

Affiliate Entity Revenue

  • Classified advertising
  • Teleshopping/general services
  • Infomercials
  • Games services
  • Other exempt
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 27 on line 1.7 above)

Total Revenue

  • Classified advertising
  • Teleshopping/general services
  • Infomercials
  • Games services
  • Other exempt
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 27 on line 1.7 above)

NON-PROGRAMMING SERVICES
Licensee Revenue

  • Channel lease
  • Internet access services
  • Telephony
  • Other telecommunications services (incl. security)
  • Other (specify)
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 47 on line 1.7 above)

Affiliate Entity Revenue

  • Channel lease
  • Internet access services
  • Telephony
  • Other telecommunications services (incl. security)
  • Other (specify)
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 47 on line 1.7 above)

Total Revenue

  • Channel lease
  • Internet access services
  • Telephony
  • Other telecommunications services (incl. security)
  • Other (specify)
  • Total (should equal sum of cells 47 on line 1.7 above)

CRTC File Number
STC File Number

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

For year ended August 31, 2009

Record 92 

Please report the results for all systems (exempted and non-exempted) within the Province.
Province:
Total Remuneration
($ omit cents)

  1. Salaries and Wages (include sales commissions and talent fees paid to employees), fringe benefits and directors fees
  • Programming and production
  • Technical
  • Sales and promotion
  • Administration and general
  • Total
  1. Average number of employees (the typical weekly average of full & equivalent part time employees)
  • Programming and production
  • Technical
  • Sales and promotion
  • Administration and general
  • Total
  1. Fringe Benefits (included in line 1 column 5 above)
  • Total

SUMMARY OF FIXED ASSETS

Please report assets for each Province in which you operate.

Record 93

Province of operation

Classification of Fixed Assets
$(omit cents)

Historical cost of assets in use at August 31, 2009

  1. Land
  2. Buildings (Include land improvements)
  3. Head-end and components-earth receiving station & associated plant
  4. Distribution system plant/transmitters/transponders
  5. Cost of subscriber drops and devices including descramblers
  6. Test equipment and tools
  7. Furniture and fixtures
  8. Other property, plant and equipment
  9. Cable casting equipment/local program production equipment
  10. Leasehold improvements (except cable system plant)
  11. Automobiles and trucks
  12. Computers
  13. Total

Accumulated depreciation at August 31, 2009

  1. Land
  2. Buildings (Include land improvements)
  3. Head-end and components-earth receiving station & associated plant
  4. Distribution system plant/transmitters/transponders
  5. Cost of subscriber drops and devices including descramblers
  6. Test equipment and tools
  7. Furniture and fixtures
  8. Other property, plant and equipment
  9. Cable casting equipment/local program production equipment
  10. Leasehold improvements (except cable system plant)
  11. Automobiles and trucks
  12. Computers
  13. Total

Additions to fixed assets 2009

  1. Land
  2. Buildings (Include land improvements)
  3. Head-end and components-earth receiving station & associated plant
  4. Distribution system plant/transmitters/transponders
  5. Cost of subscriber drops and devices including descramblers
  6. Test equipment and tools
  7. Furniture and fixtures
  8. Other property, plant and equipment
  9. Cable casting equipment/local program production equipment
  10. Leasehold improvements (except cable system plant)
  11. Automobiles and trucks
  12. Computers
  13. Total

CRTC File Number
STC File Number

AFFILIATION PAYMENTS AND SUBSCRIBERS

Please report the results for all systems (exempted and non-exempted) within the Province

Province:

Record 72 

1. Affiliation payments summary

  1. Pay Services
    Number of subscribers
    1. Canadian Pay Services
    2. Non-Canadian Pay Services
  • Affiliation payments
    $ (omit cents)
    1. Canadian Pay Services
    2. Non-Canadian Pay Services
    3. Total - Pay Services

Record 73

  1. Specialty Services
    Number of subscribers
    1. Canadian Specialty Services
    2. Non-Canadian Speciality Services
  • Affiliation payments
    $ (omit cents)
  1. Canadian Specialty Services
  2. Non-Canadian Speciality Services
  3. Total - Speciality Services
  4. Total - Affiliation Payments (should be equal to Cell 9 Page 4)

CABLE 

Record 91 

2. Cable

  1. Number of Direct subscribers to basic cable services
  2. Number of Indirect subscribers to basic cable services
  3. Total number of direct and indirect subscribers to basic cable services
  4. Number of households with access to cable services (homes passed)
  5. Number of households in licensed area

INTERNET

Cable modem, satellite or Multipoint Distribution System (MDS)

Record 77 

3. Internet

  • This Company
  1. Number of subscribers to high speed internet access services
  2. Revenues from high speed internet access services
  3. Number of households with access to high speed internet services
  • Affiliate
  1. Number of subscribers to high speed internet access services
  2. Revenues from high speed internet access services
  3. Number of households with access to high speed internet services

DIGITAL TELEVISION 

REC 76

4. Digital Television

  1. Number of subscribers to digital cable services
  2. Revenues from digital services
  3. Number of households with access to digital television

VIDEO-ON-DEMAND

REC 78

5. Video on demand

  1. Number of households with access to Video-on-demand

TELEPHONE

REC 79

6. Telephone

  1. Number of subscribers to telephone services by cable
  2. Revenues from telephone services by cable
  3. Number of households with access to telephone services by cable

CRTC File Number
STC File Number

REPORTING SUMMARY FOR COMBINED UNDERTAKINGS

For each province, please complete the detailed revenue by system (including exempted systems), for all class 1, 2 and 3..

IMPORTANT: Do not combine the systems that operate in different provinces.
Province:
Number of exempted systems

CRTC Undertaking Number

  • Exempted Y/N
  • Number of subscribers basic service
  • Total basic and non-basic revenue
  • Exempt programming revenue
  • Non-programming revenue
  • Total all services revenue

Total of all systems

  • Total number of subscribers basic services. Should be equal to line 2.3, p. 6
  • Total basic and non-basic revenue. Should be equal to line 1.7, col (1), p. 4
  • Total exempt programming revenue. Should be equal to line 1.7, col (2), p. 4
  • Total non-programming revenue. Should be equal to line 1.7, col (3), p. 4
  • Total all services revenue. Should be equal to line 1.7, col (4), p. 4

CRTC File Number

Documentation

The documentation for the SPSD/M is necessarily extensive due to the complex nature of the database and model. The majority of the documentation is of a reference nature providing definitions of parameters and variables or descriptions of algorithms and programs. The documentation is written and organized in such a way as to provide the analyst first with a conceptual and functional understanding of the product and its use, and then where to find and how to use the detailed operational specifications included in the manuals. The documentation is consequently organized into fourteen separate guides and grouped into three volumes as follows:

Introduction Manual
Subject Description
Introduction and Overview Basic concepts and tutorial examples
How to Run the SPSM Description of the operation of the SPSM
Addendum Modifications since the last version
How to Use SPSD/M Help Information relating to the use of the on-line help facility
SPSD/M User's Manual
Subject Description
Commodity Tax User's Guide Description and utilization of the commodity tax (COMTAX) Input/Output model
SPSM User's Guide Reference manual for black-box use
X-tab User's Guide Reference manual and tutorial
SPSM Programmer's Guide Reference manual for glass-box use
Growth and Validation Guide Reference for Aging and Benchmarking SPSD/M
Tools User's Guide How to use various included software aids
SPSD/M Reference Manual
Subject Description
Algorithm Guide Description of the tax/social programs and their specific implementation in the SPSM
Parameter Guide Detailed descriptions of all parameters
Variable Guide Detailed description of all variables
Database Creation Guide Detailed description of the creation and contents of the database
Report a problem or mistake on this page
Date modified:

The model algorithms

The SPSD/M comes with the necessary algorithms and parameters to simulate over 20 years of the Canadian tax/transfer system.

The central program, the SPSM, is a micro-simulation based model which calculates taxes and transfers for individuals and families as appropriate. These calculations are performed for everyone on the SPSD and then aggregated to obtain estimates. The SPSM is a static impact model and is therefore not intended to simulate how an individual's behaviour is likely to change in response to various policy options. A second program, the commodity tax model (COMTAX) is a macro-economic Input/Output based model. COMTAX is intended to provide estimates of effective federal and provincial tax rates by province and commodity type. This model is required because many commodity taxes are levied at intermediate stages of production, not at the final retail stage. Rates calculated by the COMTAX model can be input as parameters into the SPSM to obtain estimates of the commodity taxes paid by any given household.

The SPSM is driven by over 2,000 parameters that control three main processes. Control parameters specify input and output files for a specific model run and are used to activate model software facilities. Database adjustment parameters control the inflation or deflation of money items on the database. Tax/transfer parameters control the specific functioning of the tax and transfer programs. Perusing the included lists of the tax/transfer parameters can give the user a feel for the scope of options available in the tax/transfer algorithms.

The SPSM is written and compiled using the C++ programming language. Changes to the tax/transfer system can be made in two distinct ways: the "black-box" or the "glass box" mode. When using the model in the black-box mode, changes to one or more parameters are specified during a user-friendly dialogue. In this mode the user can change levels and rates affecting various benefits, taxes, and eligibility requirements, and can also specify the population that will be modeled. Most applications are developed using this black-box mode. The glass-box mode is designed for use by persons who wish to develop entirely new algorithms or adjust existing algorithms. Glass-box users can write a new, (or modify an existing) algorithm in the C++ programming language and then recompile the complete system using a simple one word command. The user need not be a C++ language expert in order to use the model in glass-box mode, but should be experienced with some high level computer language. The user requires Microsoft C++ to use the model in glass-box mode.

A set of database adjustment algorithms are included with the model. These algorithms allow the user to "grow" the money items on the current database to some future or past year. The user can select a series of growth rates which are then applied by the model. For most variables a set of province specific growth rates are applied. However for certain important or complex variables more complicated rates are applied. For example, employment earnings are grown by rates specific to the province of employment and sex of the individual. These algorithms can be used independently of or in conjunction with alternate yearly demographic weights included with the database.

In the historical time period, the growth factors reproduce, on a provincial basis, the growth of the conceptually closest benchmark series in the System of National Accounts (SNA). In future years, the growth factors reproduce the growth seen in an average of public and private sector forecasts at a Canada level.

Model Algorithm Highlights

Personal Income Taxes

  • Taxation algorithms to represent more than 20 tax years
  • Major deduction/tax credit items
  • Payroll deductions (CPP/QPP, EI contributions)
  • Provincial tax algorithms (Tax on Tax and Tax on Income)

Cash Transfers

  • Unemployment/Employment Insurance Benefits
    • Detailed treatment of eligibility and benefits by:
      • type (regular, maternity, fishing, sickness, parental)
  • Old Age Security benefits including partial benefits
  • Guaranteed income supplement benefits including partial benefits
  • Provincial GIS supplement programs
  • Canada Child Benefit and Child Tax Benefit
  • Goods and Services Tax Credit
  • Provincial tax credit programs

Database Adjustment Algorithms

  • Scaling available for all income and expenditure variables by province
  • Wages and Salaries by province and sex
  • CPP/QPP Income by age

Commodity Tax Model

  • Eleven different tax types accounted for including:
    • Federal Custom Import Duties
    • Federal Goods and Services Tax
    • Provincial profits on liquor commissions and liquor gallonage tax
    • Federal Excise Taxes and Duties
    • Provincial Amusement Taxes
    • Provincial Gasoline Taxes
    • Provincial Sales Taxes
    • Provincial Tobacco Taxes
    • Provincial Environmental Taxes
  • Determination of expenditures net of "original" taxes

Selected Parameters Controlling Government Transfer Algorithms

  • Employment Insurance
    • EI contribution rate on earnings
    • Maximum insurable earnings
    • Minimum waiting period all claims
    • Maximum number of weeks - regular
    • Maximum number of weeks - maternity
    • Maximum duration of an EI claim
    • EI reform option
  • Benefit Rates
    • Benefit rate for basic phase
    • Benefit rate for quitters in basic phase
  • Repayment (through tax system)
    • EI benefit recovery base amount factor
  • Federal Goods and Services Tax Credit
    • GST credit amount for filer
    • GST credit amount
    • GST credit reduction rate
    • GST additional credit amount
    • GST additional credit rate of net income
  • Federal Child Tax Benefit
    • Basic child benefit (per child)
    • Child care expense reduction rate
    • Federal child benefits family income turndown
    • Family income reduction rate
    • Child benefits earned income supplement rate
    • Child benefits earning supplement reduction rate
    • Child benefits earned income supplement
    • Child benefits earning supplement cut-in level
    • Child benefits earning supplement turndown level
    • Flag for WIS dependent on number of children
    • Earnings where WIS phase-in is at maximum
    • Enriched WIS for each children
    • WIS reduction rate for families with children
    • Deflator to calculate previous year income
  • Canada Child Benefit
    • Canada Child benefit per child
    • Family income Canada Child Benefit turndown
    • Canada Child Benefit reduction rate
  • Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
    • Old age security flag
    • OAS take-back phase in
    • Basic OAS
    • OAS reduction rate
    • Family income OAS turndown
    • Federal GIS/SPA/ESPA flag
    • Basic GIS supplement - single
    • Basic GIS supplement - married
    • Basic GIS portion of extended SPA
    • CPI deflator to calculate previous year income
    • Basic GIS reduction level: single pensioners
    • Basic GIS reduction level: married pensioners
    • SPA reduction point: one married/widowed
    • Basic GIS reduction rate: single pensioners
    • Basic GIS reduction rate: married pensioners
    • OAS portion of SPA taxback rate
  • Take-up Rates by Income Group
    • GIS take-up rate: single pensioner
    • GIS take-up rate: pensioner couple
    • GIS take-up rate: one pensioner couple
    • SPA take-up rate by income group
    • Extended SPA take-up rate by income group
  • Provincial GIS Supplementation Programs
    • Provincial GIS top-up flag
    • Ontario GIS supplement: single pensioners
    • Ontario GIS supplement: married pensioners
    • Manitoba GIS supplement: single pensioners
    • Manitoba GIS supplement reduction point: single
    • Saskatchewan GIS supplement: single pensioners
    • Alberta GIS supplement maximum annual benefit
    • British Columbia GIS supplement: single
    • British Columbia GIS supplement married
  • Social Assistance Parameters
    • SA for elderly calculation method
    • Federal social assistance flag

Selected Parameters Controlling Federal Personal Tax and Commodity Tax Algorithms

  • Calculation of Total Income
    • Capital gains inclusion rate
    • Federal dividend gross-up rate
  • Deductions from Total Income
    • Employment Expense Deduction
    • Child Care Expense Deduction
  • Non-refundable Tax Credits
    • Basic Personal Amount
    • Age Amount
    • Married Amount
    • Married Equivalent Amount
    • Pension Income Amount
    • Caregiver Amount
    • CPP/QPP Contributions
    • Employment Insurance Contributions
    • Medical Expenses
    • Interest on Student Loans Amount
    • Tuition and Education Amounts
    • Charitable Donation Amount
  • Deductions from Net Income
    • Capital Gains Deduction
  • Federal Taxes
    • Federal tax table
    • Federal non-refundable tax credit rate
    • Federal dividend tax credit rate
    • Federal Alternate Minimum Tax
    • Quebec Tax Abatement
  • Commodity Taxes
    • Federal custom import duties
    • Federal excise duties
    • Federal goods and services tax
    • Federal excise taxes
    • Provincial liquor gallonage tax
    • Provincial profits on liquor commissions
    • Provincial gasoline tax
    • Provincial amusement tax
    • Provincial tobacco tax
    • Provincial sales tax
    • Provincial environmental tax

Selected Parameters for Provincial Tax Algorithms

  • Parameters Common to all Provinces (excluding Quebec)
    • Provincial tax fraction
    • Provincial tax on taxable income table
    • Provincial alternative minimum tax
    • Provincial dividend tax credit
    • Provincial non-refundable tax credits
      • Basic Personal Amount
      • Age Amount
      • Married Amount
      • Married Equivalent Amount
      • Pension Income Amount
      • Caregiver Amount
      • CPP/QPP Contributions
      • Employment Insurance Contributions
      • Medical Expenses
      • Interest on Student Loans Amount
      • Tuition and Education Amounts
      • Charitable Donation Amount
  • Newfoundland
    • Sales Tax Credit
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Low-income tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Political contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Low-income tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
  • Nova Scotia
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Low-income tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
  • New Brunswick
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Low-income tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
  • Quebec
    • Child care expenses
    • Living alone exemption/amount
    • Disability deduction/amount
    • Income tax table
    • Dividend tax credit
    • Quebec sales tax credit
    • Child Assistance refundable tax credit
    • Work Premium refundable tax credit
    • Basic Personal Amount
    • Age Amount
    • Married Amount
    • Married Equivalent Amount
    • Pension Income Amount
    • CPP/QPP Contributions
    • Employment Insurance Contributions
    • Interest on Student Loans Amount
    • Tuition and Education Amounts
    • Charitable Donation Amount
    • Property tax credit
    • Political contribution tax credit
    • Medical expense tax credit
    • Alternative Minimum Tax
    • Contribution to the Health Services Fund
  • Ontario
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
    • Property tax credit
    • Seniors property tax credit
    • Sales tax credit
    • Seniors sales tax credit
    • Ontario Health Premium
  • Manitoba
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
    • Personal tax credit
    • Property tax credit
  • Saskatchewan
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
    • Sales tax credit
  • Alberta
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
    • Sales tax credit
    • Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan premium
  • British Columbia
    • Political Contribution tax credit
    • Provincial surtax
    • Tax reduction
    • Labour-sponsored funds tax credit
    • Sales tax credit
    • British Columbia Medical Services Plan premium

The Model Software

The SPSD/M comes with a powerful software support environment designed to enhance the range, speed and ease of policy analysis in both black-box and glass-box modes of use. The comprehensive and flexible set of outputs allow for detailed verification of algorithms and results. The software has been designed to work in an integrated fashion at many different family levels (e.g. household, census family, individual,etc.). A user-friendly interface allows the analyst to view and modify parameters, run simulations and examine results. An on-line help facility provides information on the use of the model dialogue as well as a handy reference to variable and parameter descriptions and lists. Some highlights of the model software are given below.

  • A generalized expression facility allows the user to create new variables.
  • The user can specify a database subset in terms of any combination of database or modeled variables (e.g. all Ontarians with income below $40,000).
  • Marginal tax rate analyses can be performed in a single execution of the model.
  • Two distinct tax/transfer systems can be run simultaneously. Base and variant runs may be differentiated on the basis of parameter inputs, alternate algorithms (glass-box), or both.
  • Comprehensive set of default tables includes dollar amounts and persons reporting for over 40 variables with breakdowns by province, income class, family type, and proportion above or below specified income levels.
  • Built-in custom tabulation routines allow users to specify custom n-dimensional tables with database, model, or user defined variables and statistics. The user is given full control over formats, precision and labeling of the tables.
  • Database output interfaces allow the user to create custom files in compressed binary format, ASCII format or as a documented SAS file. These files are for subsequent analysis using the SPSM or other software packages and may contain any database or modeled variables.
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Product description

The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M) is a tool designed to assist those interested in analyzing the financial interactions of governments and individuals in Canada. It can help one to assess the cost implications or income redistributive effects of changes in the personal taxation and cash transfer system. As the name implies, SPSD/M consists of two integrated parts: a database (SPSD), and a model (SPSM). The SPSD is a non-confidential, statistically representative database of individuals in their family context, with enough information on each individual to compute taxes paid to and cash transfers received from government. The SPSM is a static accounting model which processes each individual and family on the SPSD, calculates taxes and transfers using legislated or proposed programs and algorithms, and reports on the results. A sophisticated software environment gives the user a high degree of control over the inputs and outputs to the model and can allow the user to modify existing programs or test proposals for entirely new programs. The model comes with full documentation including an on-line help facility.

Users and Applications

The SPSD/M has been been used in hundreds of sites across Canada. These sites have diverse research interests in the area of income tax-transfer and commodity tax systems in Canada as well as varied experience in micro-simulation. Our growing client base includes federal departments, provincial governments, universities, interest groups, corporate divisions, and private consultants.

The diverse applications of the SPSD/M can be seen in the following examples of studies and published research reports:

  • Costing out proposals for amendments to the Income Tax Act affecting the tax treatment of seniors and the disabled
  • Estimating the fiscal viability of major personal tax reform options, including three flat tax scenarios
  • The comparison low income (poverty) measures and their effect on the estimates of the number of poor
  • An Analysis of the Distributional Impact of the Goods and Services Tax
  • Married and Unmarried Couples: The Tax Question
  • Taxes and Transfers in Rural Canada
  • Equivalencies in Canadian Public Policy
  • When the Baby Boom Grows Old: Impact on Canada's Public Sector

Some potential uses of the model are illustrated by the following list of questions which may be answered using the SPSM:

  • How large an increase in the federal Child Tax Benefit could be financed by allocating an additional $500 million to the program?
  • Which province would have the most advantageous tax structure for an individual with $45,000 earned income, 2 children and $15,000 of investment income?
  • What is the after-tax value of the major federal child support programs on a per child basis, and how are these benefits distributed across family types and income groups?
  • How many individuals otherwise paying no tax would have to pay tax under various minimum tax systems, and what would additional government revenues be?
  • How much money would be needed to raise all low income families and persons to Statistics Canada's low income cut-offs in 2014?
  • How much would average household "consumable" income rise if a province elminated its gasoline taxes?
  • How much would federal government revenue rise by if there was an increase in the GST rate?
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The database

For the most part, microdata collected by different statistical surveys and various administrative procedures were designed for specific purposes. No one dataset from a given survey or administrative source provides a sufficiently detailed and integrated picture of Canadian households to support the analysis of costs and distributional impacts of the entire tax/transfer system as it moderates the flows of money between governments and individuals. The SPSD is the only such integrated database in Canada.

The SPSD was constructed by combining individual administrative data from personal income tax returns and unemployment claimant histories with survey data on family incomes, employment and expenditure patterns. The techniques used to create the database and avoid confidential data disclosure include various forms of categorical matching and stochastic imputation. While no one record on the database contains information for the same individual from the four bases, the database has been constructed in such a way as to provide a micro-statistically representative sample of Canadians.

Certain adjustments have been made to the data which force agreement between data and known control totals. For example, survey weights have been adjusted to ensure that the population by age and sex corresponds to Census data, and the number of high income Canadians corresponds to the number reported by Canada Revenue Agency. Further adjustments have been made to compensate for item non-response in the surveys (e.g. to increase the number of families receiving Employment Insurance). It should be noted that the SPSD coverage does not extend to the Yukon, the Nunavut or Northwest Territories, persons residing on reservations, or armed forces personnel residing in barracks.

Also included in the SPSD package are effective tax rates, including sales taxes, derived from data from Statistics Canada's Input/Output tables. These rates support the commodity tax model which facilitates the analysis of changes in commodity taxes on Canadian households and individuals.

Database Highlights

  • Data for more than 1,000,000 composite individuals residing in over 300,000 households in ten Canadian provinces.
  • Preserves the confidentiality of individual information without compromising statistical validity.
  • Approximately 600 variables covering detailed socio-economic and demographic data as well as information on weekly employment histories, expenditure patterns and itemized tax deductions.
  • Full family structure for each individual on the database allows one to identify the familial relationships between all household members.
  • A series of weight files and growth parameters allow analysts to use the database to represent the population of other years.

Micro Data Sources

  • Canadian Income Survey (CIS)
    • Detailed information on income, family structure
    • Sample of over 50,000 individuals within 25,000 households
  • Personal Income Tax Returns (T1 Family File)
    • Detailed distributions derived from personal income tax returns from Statistics Canada's T1 Family File.
    • Synthetic information on high income Canadians to supplement CIS
    • Over fifty deduction/tax credit items for each synthetic individual
  • EI Claimant History Data
    • 200,000 individuals; over 250,000 claims
    • Human Resources Development Canada administrative claim data
    • Benefit type, duration, phase, and repeater status
  • Survey of Household Spending (SHS)
    • Household expenditure data for 30 categories (coinciding with I/O concepts)
    • 12,000 households from a 2013 to 2015 diary samples, with emphasis on 2014

SPSD Selected List of Variables

  • Household Structure
    • Household Weight
    • Household Type
    • Relationship to Household Head
    • Relationship to Economic Family Head
    • Relationship to Census Family Head
  • Income - Market
    • Employment Earnings
    • Self-employment
    • Retirement Pension Income
    • Other Income
    • Interest and Other Investment Income
    • Dividend Income
    • Capital Gains/Losses
  • Income - Transfers
    • Family Allowances/Child Tax Benefit
    • Old Age Security Benefits (OAS)
    • Guaranteed Income Supplement Benefits
    • Spouse's Allowance Benefits
    • Provincial GIS Top-ups
    • Canada/Quebec Pension Plan
    • Other Transfers
    • Social Assistance Income
    • Unemployment Insurance/Employment Insurance Benefits
    • Worker's Compensation Benefits
  • Tax Credits
    • Child Tax Credit
    • Federal Political Contribution
    • Investment Tax Credit
    • Labour-sponsored Funds
    • Provincial Tax Credits
  • Income/Payroll Taxes
    • EI Contributions
    • CPP/QPP Contributions
    • Federal Income Taxes
    • Provincial Income Taxes
  • Housing Characteristics
    • Tenure (including institutionalized)
  • Commodity Taxes
    • Federal Custom Import Duties
    • Federal Excise Taxes and Duties
    • Federal GST
    • Total Federal Commodity Taxes
    • Provincial Liquor Gallonage Taxes
    • Provincial Profits on Liquor Commissions
    • Provincial Gasoline Tax
    • Provincial Amusement Tax
    • Provincial Tobacco Tax
    • Provincial Sales Tax
    • Total Provincial Commodity Taxes
  • Individual Social Characteristics
    • Province
    • Urbanization
    • Age
    • Sex
    • Marital Status
    • Years Since Immigration
    • Labour Force Status
    • Level of Education
    • Educational Status
    • Weeks Worked Last Year
    • Weeks Unemployed Last Year
    • Last Year Full Time, Part Time
  • Income Components - Deductions
    • RPP Contributions
    • RRSP Contributions
    • Professional and Union Dues
    • Child Care Expenses
    • Alimony Paid
    • Business Investment Losses
    • Moving Expenses
    • Carrying Charges
    • Exploration and Development Expenses
    • Stock Option Deductions
    • Other Deductions
    • Capital Gains Deduction
    • Northern Residents Deductions
    • Allowable Employment Expenses
  • Household Expenditures
    • Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
    • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Tobacco
    • Clothing and Footwear
    • Gross Rent Paid
    • Gross Imputed Rent
    • Water supply and sanitation services, and Maintenance and Repair of the dwelling
    • Electricity
    • Natural Gas
    • Other Fuels
    • Goods related to the dwelling / property
    • Services related to the dwelling / property
    • Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutic products
    • Hospital and Out-patient services
    • New and used (net) motor vehicles
    • Motor fuels and lubricants
    • Motor vehicle goods & services
    • Purchased Air Transportation
    • Purchased Land and Water Transportation
    • Communications
    • Books, Newspapers and Periodicals
    • Goods related to Recreation and Culture
    • Services related to Recreation and Culture
    • Education
    • Restaurants and accommodation services
    • Life Insurance
    • Property / Health / Transport Insurance
    • Financial services
    • Child care services
    • Miscellaneous goods and services
  • Non-Refundable Tax Credits
    • Basic Personal Amount
    • Age Amount
    • Married Amount
    • Amounts for Dependent Children
    • Medical Expense Deduction Allowed
    • Pension Income
    • Disability Deduction
    • Tuition Fees - self
    • Education Amount - self
    • Tuition Fees and Education Amount Transferred from Child
    • Amount Transferred from Spouse
    • Interest Paid on Student Loans
    • Caregiver Amount
    • Charitable Donations
    • Gifts to Canada/Provinces
  • EI Claim Data (EI Claimants Only)
    • Claim Type
    • Insurable Weekly Earnings
    • Effective Weekly Rate
    • Repeat Claim Flag
    • Week Claim Established
    • Weeks of Benefits
    • Weeks of Work Prior to Claim
    • Benefits Paid in Calendar Year
    • Local Unemployment Rate
    • Exhaustee Flag
    • Weeks of Training Benefits
    • Training Benefit Weekly Rate
    • Benefits Paid on Claim
    • Received Parental Benefits
    • Weeks of Past EI Benefits
    • New Entrant Re-Entrant Flag
    • Modeled Insurable Weekly Earnings
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Survey of Broadcasting Distribution Systems, 2009 (Short Form)

Confidential when completed

Collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, chapter S19.

Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under the Statistics Act.

Si vous préférez un questionnaire en français, veuillez cocher

For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2009

Objective

This survey is necessary to measure the contribution of the Broadcasting Distribution industry to the Canadian economy and inform the policy process. The information collected will allow a measurement of the impact of competition in the industry and of the availability and use of new technologies in smaller communities.

Authority

Collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, chapter S19. Sharing agreements between Statistics Canada with other federal and provincial government bodies exist under Sections 11 and 12 of the Statistics Act. See “Important Notice” at the back of the questionnaire.

Confidentiality Statement

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from publishing any statistics which would divulge information obtained from this survey that relates to any identifiable business/institution/individual. The data reported on this questionnaire will be treated in confidence, used for statistical purposes and published in aggregate form only. The confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act are not affected by either the Access to Information Act or any other legislation.

Postage paid return envelope Please submit one copy of this questionnaire in the enclosed envelope before November 30, 2009 and keep one copy for your records.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need help to complete this questionnaire or require the electronic version, please contact Dany Gravel, Unit Head, Broadcasting Section. Telephone: (613) 951-0390, fax (613) 951-9920 or e-mail: Dany.Gravel@statcan.gc.ca

Upon receipt of this annual return, please review the systems listed below. If the list is different from your organizational structure. please contact Dany Gravel, Unit Head, Broadcasting Section, Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Telephone: (613) 951-0390; Fax: (613) 951-9920.

STC C1S

ATTN:

Systems
System Number
System Class
Location
Prov.
ID

SURVEY OF BROADCASTING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(Short Form)

LICENSEE (COMPANY) INFORMATION

Enquiries concerning this return may be referred to Dany Gravel, Unit Head, Broadcasting section, Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Telephone: (613) 951-0390; Fax: (613) 951-9920

1. Complete name of licensee:

2. Mailing address of the licensee:

  • Street and Number
  • City and Province
  • Postal Code
  • Telephone
  • Fax
  • E-mail

3. Person to be contacted in connection with this return:

  • Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.
  • (Name)
  • (Title)
  • Address (if different from licensee address)
  • Street and Number
  • City and Province
  • Postal Code
  • Telephone
  • Fax
  • E-mail

4. If, during the period covered by this return, the licensee conducted business under a name or address other than that listed in 1 or 2, please indicate:

  • Name
  • Street and Number
  • City and Province
  • Postal Code

5. If the information in this return is for a period other than 12 months ending August 31, 2009, please indicate:

  • From:
  • To:
  • Reasons:

6. If any undertaking(s) reported in this return was acquired or sold during the reference year ending August 31, 2009, please indicate the undertaking(s) and the name(s) of the previous owner(s)/purchaser(s):

Date(s) of transaction(s):

7. Type of business organization:

  • Incorporated company, shares publicly traded
  • Sole proprietorship/partnership
  • Co-operative
  • Incorporated company, shares NOT publicly traded
  • Non-profit organization
  • Military Unit
  • Other (specify)

8. MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION

I,  (Name)  (Title), am authorized to certify on behalf of (Licensee) that the information shown on this return and all the attachments thereto are true and complete in all respects to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(Signature) 
(Date) 
(Telephone and Area Code)
Date received
(Official use only)
CRTC File Number 
STC File Number

SURVEY OF BROADCASTING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(Short Form)

For year ended August 31, 2009

Company name:
Operating province:

STC File number
Record 88

If you operate systems in more than one Province, please complete one form for each Province.

IMPORTANT:  Do not combine undertakings that operate in different provinces

1. Revenue
$ (omit cents)

Basic and Non-Basic

  1. Subscribers (Programming, Internet and Telephone)
  2. Connection (installation and re-connect)
  3. Community channel sponsorship and facilities rental
  4. Converter rental/sales revenue
  5. Other revenue (specify)
  6. Total Revenue

Total

  1. Subscribers (Programming, Internet and Telephone)
  2. Connection (installation and re-connect)
  3. Community channel sponsorship and facilities rental
  4. Converter rental/sales revenue
  5. Other revenue (specify)
  6. Total Revenue

2. Expenses

  1. Community programming
  2. Affiliation payments
    • Affiliation payments for Canadian pay and specialty services (included in Affiliation payments)
    • Total
  3. Technical
  4. Sales and promotion
  5. Administration and general
  6. Total expenses

3. 1. Operating Income (loss)

  1. Less: Depreciation (recorded in accounts)
  2. Less: Interest expense
  3. Investment, interest and incidental income
  4. Less: Amortization of goodwill, start-up, and other costs
  5. Gain (loss) from disposal of fixed assets, investments, etc.
  6. Net income (loss) before income taxes
  7. Provision for income taxes
  8. Net income (loss) after income taxes

4. Other financial data

  1. Historical cost of fixed assets
    • Additions during the year
    • Total
  2. Accumulated depreciation (recorded in accounts)
  3. Net book value

Total Remuneration
($ omit cents)

  1. Salaries and Wages (include sales commissions and talent fees paid to employees), fringe benefits and directors fees
  • Programming and production
  • Technical
  • Sales and promotion
  • Administration and general
  • Total
  1. Average number of employees (the typical weekly average of full and equivalent part time employees)
  • Programming and production
  • Technical
  • Sales and promotion
  • Administration and general
  • Total
  1. Fringe Benefits (included in line 1 column 5 above)
  • Total

Cable access and subscribers

Number of households in licenced area
Number of households with access to cable
Number of subscribers

High speed Internet access

This Company

Number of households with access to high speed Internet service
Number of subscribers to high speed Internet service
Revenues from the provision of high speed Internet service

Affiliates or Third Parties

Number of households with access to high speed Internet service
Number of subscribers to high speed Internet service
Revenues from the provision of high speed Internet service

Digital cable services

Number of households with access to digital cable service
Number of subscribers to digital cable service (Note 1)
Revenues from the provision of digital cable service

Video-on-demand

Number of households with access to Video-on-demand

Telephone services by cable

Number of households with access to telephone cable service
Number of subscribers to telephone cable service (Note 1)
Revenues from the provision of telephone cable service

Note 1. Please count subscribers that have a digital terminal, whether or not these subscribers have chosen digital specialty expressions

SURVEY OF BROADCASTING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

(Short Form)

This information is collected under section 12 of the Statistics Act, with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for all broadcasting undertakings in Canada. This information is required by the Commission under the authority of the Broadcasting Act, the Telecommunications Act and the regulations and conditions of licence thereunder. Statistics Canada is collecting the information on behalf of the Commission. The Commission will retain a copy of the questionnaire thus satisfying the requirements of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations or conditions of licence for broadcasters in Canada to provide this type of information to the Commission on or before November 30 of each year for the year ending on the previous August 31.

Under section 11 of the Statistics Act, an agreement was reached to share the information from this survey with the Quebec Bureau of Statistics for systems operating in the province of Quebec. The Quebec Statistics Act includes the authority for the collection of this information and the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of information as the Federal Statistics Act.

Under section 12 of the Statistics Act a similar agreement was reached with the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage for all broadcasting undertakings in Canada, the Quebec Department of Communications for broadcasting undertakings in Quebec, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade for broadcasting undertakings in Ontario. The agreements we have with these agencies require that they keep the information confidential and only use it for statistical and research purposes. In the case of the agreements with these three agencies, respondents may object to the sharing of their information by giving notice in writing to the Chief Statistician and returning the letter of objection in a separate envelope addressed to: Chief, Telecommunication and Broadcasting Section, Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Main building, 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Room 1506, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0T6. Telephone: (613) 951-1891; Facsimile: (613) 951-0009, E-mail: heidi.ertl@statcan.gc.ca.

Thank you for your co-operation

Employee Clearance Notification - Privacy impact assessment

Introduction

All departing Statistics Canada employees are required to complete an Employee Clearance Notification form to ensure that all documents, reference materials and equipment assigned to employees are returned prior to their leaving the Agency. An electronic version of this form was developed to facilitate this process for the employees to better meet this requirement and to address related issues.

Objectives

A privacy impact assessment of the electronic Employee Clearance Notification form was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality and security issues, and if so, to make recommendations for their resolution or mitigation.

Description

The electronic version of the Employee Clearance Notification form was developed and added to the Data Access Request System which is available on Statistics Canada’s Administrative Systems Portal. The completion of the electronic version of this form will be less onerous on employees. When completing the paper version, there were eleven different signatures that employees needed to obtain by going from one section to another throughout the Agency. In reality, there were many drawbacks: because the process was very time-consuming and many employees did not obtain all signatures which meant, in certain instances, there were outstanding issues that had to be dealt with after the employees’ departure.

As well departing employees were also asked to do an exit survey that was often not completed because employees did not have the time. Requesting that employees do this exit survey on-line will be part of the new process.

Using the electronic Employee Clearance Notification form, employees will be able to initiate the process earlier in anticipation of their departure which should assist in ensuring the full completion of the form by all responsible areas. Hence this improvement will allow the better management of the return or re–assignment of any documents, material and equipment previously assigned to these employees. It is also anticipated that the new process will also result in an increase in the number of completed exit departure surveys.

Conclusion

This privacy impact assessment did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using either current safeguards or others that have been specifically developed for the implementation of the electronic version of the Employee Clearance Notification form.

Staffing Activity Management System - Privacy impact assessment

Introduction

The Staffing Activity Management System (SAMS) was developed to facilitate the tracking and monitoring of staffing activities within Statistics Canada.

Objective

A privacy impact assessment of the Staffing Activity Management System was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality and security issues, and if so, to make recommendations for their resolution or mitigation.

Description

The Staffing Activity Management System was developed as a secure system. This tool is used as a method for Statistics Canada’s staffing officers to manage the staffing activities related to a position. It has been added to Statistics Canada’s Administrative Portal which resides on the internal closed network (Network A). Access to SAMS is restricted to Statistics Canada staffing advisors and assistants.

Conclusion

This privacy impact assessment did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using either current safeguards or others that have been specifically developed for the implementation of the Staffing Activity Management System.

2006 Census of Population - Privacy impact assessment summary

Introduction

In Canada, the census of population is conducted every five years. It provides a snapshot of the population: its size and geographic distribution as well as its demographic, socio-cultural and socio-economic characteristics. The data produced are used widely by all levels of government for policy planning and program administration. Population estimates based on census counts are used to determine fiscal transfers between levels of government. Aggregated census data are also used by the private sector, educators and the general public.

Statistics Canada will be conducting the 2006 Census of Population on May 16th, 2006.

Objectives

A privacy impact assessment for the 2006 Census of Population was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality and security issues associated with the census, and if so, to make recommendations for their resolution or mitigation.

Description

The 2006 Census of Population will collect detailed socio-demographic information on individuals and households through a long-form questionnaire which is completed by approximately one household in five. The remaining Canadian households will receive a short-form questionnaire asking basic demographic questions. Response to both questionnaires is mandatory under the Statistics Act.

Significant changes are being introduced into the collection and capture of data for the 2006 Census. The census will be more centralized and automated than in the past and respondents will be given the option of completing their questionnaire on-line as an alternative to mailing back a paper questionnaire. Questionnaires that are returned by mail will be imaged and data captured in a single Data Processing Centre using automated Optical Character Recognition technology before being edited and coded. Therefore local enumerators will no longer see the completed form and, overall, fewer people will handle respondents' information. These changes will improve the privacy, confidentiality and security of respondents' personal information.

Statistics Canada has reviewed the overall Census process and conducted a threat and risk assessment of the various collection and processing methods to be used in the 2006 Census. Some of the changes being introduced in 2006, however, warranted a more in-depth review: the use of the Internet for collection of Census data, the option of permitting use of tax records, the procurement of hardware, software and printing of questionnaires from the private sector for the 2006 Census, the capture, use and retention of names and addresses; and the implications of legislation allowing the archiving and eventual public release of Census records.

With respect to the introduction of an Internet option for completing the census questionnaire, Statistics Canada, in conjunction with the government's Secure Channel, has developed an approach that provides a much higher level of data security than that typically in place for commercial — including financial — transactions. While there are inherent risks in using the Internet, the use of Secure Channel and safeguards built into the Census application significantly reduce these risks, providing a secure and efficient on-line option to respond to the Census.

Also introduced in the 2006 Census is the option for respondents to give Statistics Canada explicit consent to obtain their income information from tax files rather than providing this information on the Census questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to encourage the person completing it to consult each individual tax filer as to whether they grant permission or not. This option not only reduces respondent burden, but it also involves less privacy risk since sensitive income data will not appear on the census questionnaire.

The new methodology introduced for the 2006 Census required investment in hardware and systems development. Through a transparent and competitive procurement process, systems development for the Internet application, for the call centres, and for the Data Processing Centre was contracted out. To address concerns about private-sector contractors having access to Canadians' personal information, stringent security measures have been put in place to ensure that no confidential information is ever in the possession of contractors. All collection and processing of Census data is conducted exclusively by Statistics Canada employees in Statistics Canada facilities with no external connections. Regardless, all contractors must have the required security clearance and are sworn-in under the Statistics Act (thereby they are subject to sanctions for any breach of confidentiality). Contractors are under the direct supervision of Statistics Canada employees at all times. Finally, Statistics Canada is undertaking three independent Information Technology security assessments to further validate the security of contractor developed systems. With these measures, the privacy risk associated with the contracting out of work is mitigated.

The use of automated data capture from images makes it possible to capture names and addresses from Census questionnaires in a cost-effective manner. The availability of names and addresses in electronic format in turn improves the efficiency of collection, processing and evaluation activities. Other than in records retained for archival purposes, names will be retained on Census files for only a limited period of time. Strict controls have been put into place to limit access to identifiable information, such as names and addresses, which minimize the potential for misuse or disclosure of identifiable Census data.

In June 2005, Parliament passed an amendment to the Statistics Act allowing for the release of Census information by Library and Archives Canada after 92 years. For the 2006 Census and subsequent censuses, only information for persons who have given explicit consent will be released 92 years following a census. The wording of the question in the 2006 Census is designed to ensure that the responses reflect each individual's choice regarding the eventual release of their personal information.

Conclusion

This assessment concluded that the privacy risks related to the 2006 Census of Population were either negligible, were mitigated through existing safeguards or were addressed through the implementation of additional safeguards.

Human Resources Self Serve Portal - Privacy impact assessment

Introduction

The Human Resources Self Serve Portal was developed to provide desktop access to Statistics Canada employees to a wide range of personal and work-related information.

Objectives

A privacy impact assessment of the Human Resources Self Serve Portal was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality and security issues, and if so, to make recommendations for their resolution or mitigation.

Description

To make the management of a variety of employee information more efficient, the Human Resources Self Serve Portal was developed and added to Statistics Canada’s Administrative Portal. It resides on a secure internal network and access to the portal is restricted to Statistics Canada employees with a valid Statistics Canada computer account.

Prior to the Human Resources Self Serve Portal, key employee information was kept in numerous data bases and files. Employees did not have direct access to these, so, as a result they had to contact Human Resources Branch. For example if an employee needed to change his/her home or mailing address, or emergency contact, a request had to be made to Human Resources Branch and an officer would then make the requested change on the file of the employee.

With the Human Resources Self Serve Portal, employees can now make changes themselves as well as having access to other personal and work-related information.

Conclusion

This privacy impact assessment did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using either current safeguards or others that have been specifically developed for the implementation of the Human Resources Self Serve Portal.

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