Video - Navigating Statistics Canada's Website
Catalogue number: Catalogue number: 11-629-x
Issue number: 2019002
Release date: December 12, 2019
Navigating Statistics Canada's Website - Video transcript
(The Statistics Canada symbol and Canada wordmark appear on screen with the title Navigating Statistics Canada's Website)
(A background image of graphs appears with the words: Navigating Statistics Canada Website, Presented by Jimmy Mikedis, Consulting Analyst)
So in today's presentation, we will be showing you our recently updated website. Throughout the webinar, we will view the site's features, functionalities and show you how to find information on our website. By the end of the presentation, you will be able to efficiently navigate our website. So the first thing I will go ahead and do is share my screen with everybody.
(The Screen goes white and reads: There is no content to view at the moment either because no content is being shared or because an unsupported media object is being shared.)
(The screen changes to the Statistics Canada Home Page)
For those of you who are not familiar with Statitics Canada's website, it is www.statcan.gc.ca So with approximately 25 million data users annually, Statistics Canada has identified the need for a more simplified, coherent and user-friendly website. So, on June 4th we went ahead and updated it with an appearance and a look and feel, which is more congruent to the other Government of Canada websites. The first thing that we will be able to see all the way at the top is a blue banner ad.
(The mouse moves to the top of the page and hovers over the subject tab, then the data tab, then the Analysis tab, then the Reference tab, then the Geography tab, the Census program tab, Surveys and Statistical programs tab, the About Statcan and the Canada.ca.)
So Subject, Data, Analysis, Reference, Geography, Census program, Surveys and and Statistical programs, About StatCan and Canada.ca. We will be going ahead and looking through each single one of these during today's presentation, to see what kind of information is available.
(The mouse moves to the top right hand side and hovers near the icons for Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit,Twitter.)
In the top right hand corner of the homepage, we are going to be able to see the various social media platforms that you can follow us on. So Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit, Twitter or Facebook.
(The mouse moves down to hover over the link for MyStatCan)
Right underneath that, we are going to be seeing "My StatCan." So, My StatCan allows you create a profile where you can indicate topics of interests, so that you are alerted by email when the information is released. So let's say that you are curious on information with regards to agriculture on the portal. You can say anytime agriculture-related information is released. Please send me an email. The system will send you an email. And at that point, you can just go ahead and connect to the website in order to access the information.
(The mouse moves left to In the News section)
On the left hand side, we are going to be seeing "In the News." which provides a glimpse of some of our newest releases. To the right of that, we are going to be seeing the Daily.
(The mouse moves to the right to click on the Daily link and the screen changes to the Daily page.)
The Daily is Statistics Canada's official release bulletin, published every morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, and it has been published as such since 1932.
(The mouse hovers over to the Asphalt Roofing and Financial market statistics release.)
So here we will be able to see some of our recent releases that were released today. So, as we can see Asphalt Roofing and Financial Market Statistics.
(The mouse clicks the back arrow at the upper left corner to go back to the home page screen. The mouse then clicks on the Interact with data link)
To the right of the Daily, we would see Interact with Data. Interact with Data is a one-stop shop for all visualization tools available for us on the Statistics Canada website.
(The mouse clicks the link for Data visualization.)
So the first we are going to be seeing is Data Visualisation, which essentially, allow you to understand the story behind the data. So it provides information in various statistics in graphical format. Underneath that, we are going to be seeing Infographics, which are essentially one pagers mixed with graphs and statistics. So looking at one of our most frequently consulted ones that was just released information on
(The mouse clicks the link to the Infographic - "Eating out: Nutrition information on menus and menu boards" and scrolls down to show the whole infographic.)
Eating Out: Nutritional information on menus and menu boards. So you can see the information is presented in a very digestible form. So there is key statistics and one word sentences.
(The mouse clicks the back arrow at the upper left corner to go back to the home page screen. The mouse then clicks on the Interact with data link.The mouse clicks the back arrow at the upper left corner to go back to the Data Visualization page where it hovers near the thematic maps links and the Videos.)
Underneath that, we are going to be seeing Thematic Maps, which essentially graph various information on a map of Canada and underneath that we are going to be seeing various Videos Statistics Canada has created as well.
(The mouse clicks the back arrow at the upper left corner to go back to the Home page to the Key Indicators on the right hand side of the page.)
Going back to the Homepage, we'll be going ahead and seeing to the right of Interact with Data, Key Indicators. So, key indicators are available for individuals who are looking for that one quick number. For example, sometimes you'll come up to the Statistics Canada website, and just say, I wonder what the most recent unemployment rate is? So that's where you can find information within this section.
(The mouse moves around showing the Key Indicators and stops at the drop down menu to highlight the word Canada.)
Currently, we are seeing 4 key indicators, that are available at the national level. Should you require an alternate geography, you can always go ahead and access this using the drop-down menu all the way at the top. A list of all indicators that are currently available can be accessed either at the to the top or bottom of the section.
(The mouse moves down the Home page to show the Services and Information section and then hovers over the Data tab on the banner.)
Under Services and Information, we are going to be seeing various tabs. All of these tabs are the same tabs we are going to be seeing all the way at the top in the blue banner. The only two new ones that we are going to be seeing are essentially:
(The mouse moves down to hover over "Request customized products and services".)
Request Customized Products and Services, which allow you to essentially put through a request with Statistics Canada, should information you are looking for are not available on the website. You can always go ahead and see if it can be created for you through a customized order.
(The mouse moves to the right to hover over "Register to our workshops, training and conferences".)
To the right of that, we are going to be seeing Register to our workshops, training and conferences. And we will actually be reviewing this all of the way at the end of today's presentation.
(The mouse moves up to the right to hover over "Most Requested" and moves around the topics Consumer Price Index, Census profiles and population estimates links.)
Here, we'll find information on our Most Requested and visited pages. So you can imagine, this is where we're going to be seeing the Consumer Price Index, information with regards to census profiles, or population estimates.
(The mouse moves down to the Contact Us section)
Underneath, we see the section "Contact Us". "Contact Us" is essentially a team of agents that are available to answer any inquiries whether it be by phone or by email. They are available from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. So, in order to ask any questions, you can use the phone number that appears here, you can use a web form, or send them an email.
(The mouse moves down to highlight the toll free phone number)
(The mouse moves down to the What we are doing section.)
Underneath that, we are going to be seeing the section that's called "What are we doing?" So, in the section, "What are we doing?", it focuses on research and consultations that we are currently conducting to ensure the data we are providing meets the needs of our users.
(The mouse rolls down to the Corporate Information section.)
Underneath that, we'll see Corporate Information which provides information with regards to our Ministry, our Minister, as well as our Chief Statistician.
(The mouse moves down to Of Interest section where it hovers near the various Hub icons.)
Underneath this, we are going to be seeing that Statistics Canada has created some hubs. Hubs are essentially hot topics, and it's all of the data we have with regards to those specific hot topics in one central location, so as we call it a one-stop shop.
(The mouse moves around the Cannabis hub link and the gender diversity and inclusion link.)
So some of our current hot topics, as you can imagine, are cannabis, gender diversity and inclusion. So, as such, we have created a hub to allow you to more easily access this type of information.
(The mouse scrolls up to the top of the home page and clicks on the Subjects tab.)
Going all the way back to the top of the page, we are going to be clicking on the first tab, which is Subjects. Some individuals who come on to Statistics Canada's website, are curious about a specific topic, but they are not exactly sure what information they are looking for. So they are looking for a data table, are they looking for an analytical publication or article? So that's why we've created the Subject's tab.
(The mouse hovers near the list of all the subjects.)
By clicking Subject, there is a list of approximately 30 various subjects, that may be of interest to you and you can simply see what information is available under each topic.
(The mouse clicks on Education, training and learning and the screen changes to Education, training and learning screen.)
We'll go ahead and click on Education, training and learning. we are going to be seeing some key indicators related to this topic.
(The mouse moves around to show some key indicators such as new registration in registered apprenticeship programs and then clicks on the dropdown menu to highlight Canada.)
So the information with regards to new registrations in registered apprenticeship programs. Once again, the system is going to default at a national level. Alternative geographies are available through the dropdown menu.
(The mouse moves down to show filters, then hovers over keywords and subjects.)
Underneath this, we're going underneath the key indicators, we are going to be seeing that we can filter down the results, whether it be by specific keyword, whether it be by a second subject or a third tier subject. Underneath the topic of education, training and learning, we can go ahead and click one of these subjects, in order to narrow down the type of information looked for.
(The mouse moves up to the drop down menu that sorts by date of release.)
So all the way at the top here, we are going to be seeing that the data that is currently, the tables and products that are currently available are sorted in terms of their release date. So that is the default setting. Should you enter in a keyword,
(The mouse moves up to the drop down menu and highlights relevance.)
the sort by criteria will switch to Relevance.
(The mouse moves up to the drop down menu and highlights title.)
If ever you are looking for, essentially, a list of results in an alphabetical format, that's when you can use the Title option.
(The mouse moves down to and hovers over the All tab.)
So underneath here, we are going to be seeing, with regards to once again, Education, training and learning. So with regards to this topic, there are over 1,000 products available,
(The mouse moves down to and hovers over the data, analytical products and reference material tab.)
of which a little over 500 are data tables, a little over 500 are analytical products, and 95 are reference materials.
(The mouse moves to the left and clicks on the Education indicators link and the screen changes to show a lower number of list under the all, data, analytical products and reference material tabs.)
So once again, if we were looking to see information on education indicators, we would simply click Education indicators. What we are going to be seeing, is the list of products have significantly decreased in order to provide you information with regards to education indicators.
(The mouse moves up to the left and hovers over the Subject tab then clicks on the data tab and the screen changes to show the data page.)
So that's how one would go about to use the Subject tab. Using the Data Tab. So, in the past, for those who are familiar in our website, our various data products, whether it be CANSIM tables, or summary tables were available in separate environments. We decided to consolidate everything, and simplified the access using the DATA tab.
(The mouse moves down and moves around the keyword search then the subject's links.)
Similar to what we saw in Subject, we can go ahead and search using a keyword or subject. We do have some new search criteria, that are available at this specific section. We will be able to see geography as well as Statistics Canada surveys. So if you know the specific geography that you are looking for, you can simply go ahead and click on the little box in front, and the amount of items will significantly decrease.
(The mouse hovers over the little box in front of the word Canada under Geography.)
as well as by subject.
(The mouse moves up to the drop down menu that sorts by date of release and then moves down to the tabs and hovers over the all, tables, profiles on a specific community or region; thematic maps; Public use micro use data files and data visualization tabs.)
Similar to the Data tab, we can sort by date, by relevance or by title. Underneath this we are going to be seeing the various types of data tables that are available we have overall tables. Profiles on a specific community or region, thematic maps, Public use micro use data files as well as data visualization. So we understand that this look may be quite different from what we used to have on our website.
(The mouse moves up to the right and highlights the help icon and moves just below to show the link to What's new on our website and clicks on it. The screen changes to show the screen with the What's new on our website video.)
So as such, we have created a little help option all the way at the top, as well as a "What's New?" on our website. So "What's New on our website?" is a short 2 minute video. Although we won't be reviewing it during today's call. I would recommend that right after this presentation, you take a moment and just quickly watch the video to see if it can provide any additional information that may be of use to you.
(The mouse moves up to the right hand corner and clicks on the back arrow to go to the Data screen and the mouse moves down to the bottom of page to show the link to Contact us.)
As you can imagine, with over 800 pages available of results, should you ever require any assistance in finding information. You can always once again go ahead and use the Contact us button, that appears in the bottom left hand corner of every Statistics Canada page. Once again, they are a team of dedicated agents available to help you from 7:30 to 7:30 EST. They are fantastic and provide a very rapid service. So please once again feel free to contact them if you ever you are having a hard time accessing any information.
(The mouse moves up to top of the right hand side of the page to hover over the first result on a link to Bank of Canada data on Assets and Liabilities.)
So let's quickly go ahead and look at the one specific, let's go ahead and look at one of the results. So the first result over here is a table that comes from the Bank of Canada data on assets and liabilities. and it provides averages on Wednesdays. So underneath that we are going to be seeing the unique table number.
(The mouse moves below to highlight the table number below the link.)
So the unique table number is a 2 digit code followed by, a 2 digit code followed by a 4 digit code and then a 2 digit code. The first 2 digits relate to the subject, the second 2 digits indicate if product is a data table or is essentially the overall product type. The next 4 digits are the multidimensional data tables or data cube numbers and the last 2 indicate the amount of views available. So right now we are seeing that this specific table is a view one for table such as the Consumer Price Index. This is where you will often be seeing that the exact same information is presented in multiple formats using various views. So you may be going ahead and seeing the last 2 digits change to, for example, a 2 to a 3. So let's say that your boss or co-worker or even educator, comes up to you and say they want you to find some information on Statistics Canada's website. Let's say they tell you they are looking for information with regards to employment and unemployment rates. for the last 3 years for the province of Québec and the province of Ontario. So you would know that the information you are looking for is essentially in a table format.
(The mouse moves up to the top and hovers over the data tab.)
You would simply click on Data. Then at that point, you would say, let's start off using the keywords. That's how I would go about the overall search. So in that case, I know that I am looking for information with regards to employment.
(The mouse types in the word employment in the keyword search box and a list of suggestions appear below. The mouse clicks on the first suggestion employment and unemployment and it appears in the keyword box.)
So let's start typing in employment. What we are going to see is that the system provides you with some commonly search suggestions. So since the information that I looking for looks very similar to employment and unemployment.
(The mouse clicks on employment and unemployment and then clicks on the little magnifying glass icon.)
I'll go ahead and click on that. As you are going to see, the number of results hasn't changed yet. Because we need to click on the little magnifying glass. Once we go ahead and click on the magnifying glass, we'll see that a filter is now created in the top left hand corner, and the amount of products available has significantly decreased.
(The mouse hovers over the tabs to show that the numbers have decreased.)
Once again, knowing that the information that we're looking for is for the province of Ontario and the province of Québec. Let's say we're looking for that. Let's tell the system we're looking for a table that has that search criteria available.
(The mouse moves to the left under Geography and click on the little box right in front of the province or territories.)
So here we are simply going to click on the little box right in front of the province or territory.
(The mouse moves up to the filters to indicate the second filter criteria that has been added and the way to remove it.)
As as we're going to go ahead and see that a second criteria has been added all the way at the top. Should you ever wish to go ahead and remove it, simply click the little x.
(The mouse hovers over the all tab to show the numbers have decreased.)
We're going to once again see that the amount of products available has significantly decreased. Let's say that we don't want to start reading through the various tables yet. Let's say that we are a very seasoned data user, and that we know the information we are looking for comes from, the Labour Force Survey, which is collecting information on a monthly basis.
(The mouse moves to the left and under Survey and Statistical program clicks on more and a list of links appear below and clicks on Labour Force Survey with 81 in parenthesis.)
We can go ahead and a third filter on so if we add a 3rd filter, we'll now go ahead and see, there are 81 results available. So let's go ahead and start reading the various titles and descriptions, in order to see if the information we are looking for is in the tables. So once again we're looking for information with regards to employment and unemployment for the last 3 years for Ontario and Québec.
(The screen changes to show a list of results. The mouse hovers over the link Labour Force characteristics, by province, monthly, seasonally adjusted.)
So the first tables tells us it is providing information with regards to labour force characteristics.
(The mouse clicks on the word more under the link Labour Force characteristics, by province, monthly, seasonally adjusted to see a description.)
If we're not sure what the definition of labour force characteristics is we can always go ahead and read through the description. So here it is telling us it provides information with regards to employment and unemployment. So looking good.
(The mouse hovers over the link Labour Force characteristics, by province, monthly, seasonally adjusted.)
The next part of the title indicates that it does provide information by province. Once again, great. However, the next thing that is a little worrying to me is that it's monthly information. I know that my colleague, boss or supervisor is looking for annual information. So I wouldn't go ahead and click on the first table.
(The mouse moves to the second result Labour Force characteristics, by census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted.)
Let's go ahead and look at the second one. Once again it says Labour Force characteristics, and it is saying by Census Metropolitan Area, and three month moving average. So that is really not what I am looking for.
(The mouse scrolls down and hovers over the next result Labour Force characteristics, by sex, and detailed age group, annual.)
So I'll move on the the third. So here labour force characteristics by sex, and detailed age group, and it's available on annual format. So the description below also says that it is providing information on a province level. So it does look like the information I am looking for.
(The mouse clicks on this result and the screen changes to show a table titled Labour Force characteristics, by sex, and detailed age group, annual [x 1,000].)
So let me go ahead and open it up and quickly see what information is available.
(The mouse moves down the table to hover over the numbers.)
So the first thing we see at the top is the title of the table, and it's saying that the numbers expressed in the table below are in thousands. So once again very important to multiply these numbers in thousands. To the right of the table, we're going to be seeing a little footnote.
(The mouse moves and clicks on to the footnote link and ¬the screen changes to description in a dialogue box. The mouse then clicks on the x in the upper right hand corner to close the box.)
If we click on the footnote, it will simply provide us additional reading material with regards to something that may be of interest to us.
(The screen appears with the table titled Labour Force characteristics, by sex, and detailed age group, annual [x 1,000] and the mouse hovers over frequency, table number.)
Underneath that we'll see details of the table. So it will indicate to us the frequency of this table is on annual basis. It will provide information to table number, it's old CANSIM table number, and at this point, I'd like to add a little parenthesis and indicate that if ever you have an old CANSIM table saved, as a favourite, we have created redirect pages. So if you go ahead and click on your old favourite, it will go ahead and re-open the new table.
(The mouse hovers over geography, the word Canada and the word employment, sex, age group, for 5 years.)
Underneath that it will indicate the information being produced at a national and provincial level. So here, we are going to be seeing that the data within this table focus currently on a national level, with regards to employment, by sex, age group, for 5 years and the table indicates information in the number of persons.
(The mouse scrolls down to show information is broken down by gender and at the bottom hovers over the link for information on how to cite the table.)
Scrolling to the bottom, we will see the information is broken down by gender. And at the bottom we are going to be seeing information on how to cite the table should you ever need to do so for one of your reports.
(The mouse scrolls down to Source [Survey and Statistical program] and clicks on the link and a link to the Labour Force Survey appears below.)
Underneath that, we are going to be seeing "Source".
(The mouse scrolls down and clicks on Related Products and Data appears below with a link to a table Unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate by sex, annual. Below that is Analysis and a link to Stats in brief: Labour Force Survey, December 2018. The mouse then clicks on Subjects and a list appears below for Labour, Employment, Unemployment, and Labour Force characteristics.)
Underneath that, we see information with regards to related products as well as subject.
(The mouse scrolls up to the top right hand corner of the page to the link for Tips on Data tables.)
Once again, for some of our more seasoned users we have went ahead and created a Frequently Asked Questions section as well as short video tutorials on how to use and modify a specific data table.
(The mouse moves to the left of the page to hover over Geography and Labour Force Characteristics.)
So right here we see that we have what's called a simple modification that's available. So we can modify the table below based on two criteria. One being geography and the other being labour force characteristics. So once again knowing that I am looking for information with regards to employment and unemployment.
(The mouse moves to the drop down menu under Geography and Canada appears underneath. The mouse scrolls down and highlights Quebec.)
I'll go ahead and select Quebec.
(The mouse moves to the right to the drop down menu under Labour Force Characteristics and a list of suggestions appear. The mouse scrolls down to highlight unemployment rate and clicks the apply button.)
and I will put unemployment rate and click on the apply button.
(The screen changes to show a table with information on the unemployment rate for Quebec.)
We'll see that the table below will go ahead and update. Once again, for information with regards to the unemployment rate for Quebec. Let's say we want one table that has information on not only Canada, but Quebec and Ontario and focuses on employment and unemployment.
(The mouse clicks on the add and remove data button and the screen changes to a page where various elements are available on tabs. On the geography, tab the mouse hovers over a link to 11 items and then the mouse clicks on a little arrow to expand the geographies available.)
We wouldn't be able to go ahead and do this with simple modification, but we can go ahead and click on the add and remove data buttons. When we go ahead and click on that, we can see various elements that are available. Of which we can go ahead and modify in the table below. So here we will be seeing 1 of 11 items. But we are only seeing 1 item which is currently Canada. If we expand the little arrow, we will go ahead and see that we can essentially increase the amount of geographies available. Here we will see a little box with a green check mark.
(The mouse hovers over the green check mark by the word Canada. Then it clicked the boxes for Ontario and Quebec to add.)
The green check mark simply indicates that the table below is currently showing that variable. So currently it will show Canada and Canada. Once again, I'll add Ontario and Quebec to this table.
(The mouse hovers over the green check mark by the word Canada. Then it clicked the boxes for Ontario and Quebec to add. The screen changes and the mouse hovers over the Labour Force characteristics tab and then deselects employment and clicks on unemployment, participation rate and employment rate.)
With regards to labour force characteristics, there are 10 items available. So 10 elements available. So I'll go ahead and simply expand all the options. So once again I'm not looking for information with regards to employment. I am really looking for unemployment and participation rate and employment rate. So as such I went ahead and deselected employment, and then I selected the 3 other criteria.
(The mouse hovers the sex tab and then clicks on the age group tab and starts to deselect age categories but stops and clicks once on the box in front of the word All to select all elements and then clicks it a second time and deselects all the elements. The mouse then clicks on the box in front of 15 years and over.)
I'd like the information broken up by gender, and so I'll leave this section as is. And with regards to age group, I know that I am looking for information with regards to individuals 15 years and over. So I can either go ahead and start unseleting the little boxes. Or a very useful trick we use is, in front of the word All, we'll see a little box. If we click it a first time, all the elements will be selected. If we click it a second time, all the elements will become unselected, and then we can click on 15 years and over.
(The screen changes to a new table and the mouse highlights the reference period tab and clicks on the box following from and chooses 2016 and in the box following to highlights 2018 and clicks on the apply button.)
Once again, we know we want information for the last 3 years. This specific table with go back all the wasy to 1976, so we'll simply put 2016 to 2018, and then we'll click on the Apply button.
(The screen changes to show a new table and the mouse hovers over the words Canada, Quebec, Ontario and titles unemployment, employment, participation rate for the last 3 years but we have information broken up by gender as well as individuals 15 years and over.)
Once we click on the apply button, now we'll go ahead and see all the various elements we selected now appear in the table below. So we have information on not only Canada, but we have Quebec, Ontario. We have information for unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate, for the last 3 years. And we have information broken up by gender as well as individuals 15 years and over. If you are ever interested in customizing the layout of the table,
(The mouse clicks on the customize layout tab and a new screen appears with a box of various elements which the mouse hovers over and then hovers over the words column and row.)
We can click on the button called Customize layout. It will simply provide all the various elements and ask you if you are looking for them in a column or row format. So let's say that we are interested in having the geography switch into a row format.
(The mouse moves to a radio button in front of the word row and selects it and then clicks on apply button. A new screen appears with the table in a row format.)
We would simply click on the little radio button and then click Apply. And as we'll go ahead and see, the table is in a format that may be more conducive to your needs.
(The mouse scrolls up to the top on the right hand side to a Save my selection button and clicks on it. Below it will appear a unique link with all the various elements and layouts selected and save it. The screen changes and a Google page appears. The mouse selects a new tab and the table appears that you saved.)
Wanting to go ahead and save this table, a few different options are available. The first one is Save my selection. By clicking on Save my selection, it'll create a unique link with all the various elements and layouts that you previously selected and save it. So if you were to ahead and create and open it up in a new tab. We'll go ahead to see the information appear exactly the same as what we had requested.
(The mouse scrolls up to the top and clicks on the x for the new tab and the screen changes to show the original window with the table. The mouse then selects the download options button and clicks on it. A new screen appears with six options available.)
Alternatively, we do have the option of downloading the information. When we click on download information, we are going to be seeing 6 options are available to us.
(The mouse highlights the first one- CSV Download the data as currently is displayed.)
So first one is downloading the data as currently displayed.
(The mouse highlights the second one- CSV Download the data as displayed [but excluding accompanying symbols].)
Second one is downloading the data as displayed but excluding any accompanying quality indicators, or any accompanying symbols. So what we mean by this is, a few of your tables have quality indicators, and as such it may cause issues that are doing analysis with a CSV format. So we went ahead and created a second version which excludes this information.
(The mouse highlights the third one- CSV Download the selected data for [in database loading].)
The 3rd option is downloading the selected data for database loading. We'll go ahead and see what that looks like, exactly like in the next few seconds. Underneath that we have metadata information or downloading the entire table.
(The mouse hovers over CSV Download cube metadata information and the next one CSV download the entire table. Then the mouse highlights the SDMX format Download the entire table.)
Underneath that we are going to be seeing information is also available in SDMX format. So this is a format that is available for, that is created to allow information to be shared on international standard. So it is essentially an international standardizing, the exchange of statistical data and metadata amongst international organizations. So in order for let's say, different statistical bureaus or different countries to exchange information this format needs to be available. So let's go ahead and look at the first option, which is to downloading the data as displayed. In order to save us a few seconds, I went ahead and already downloaded it.
(The mouse clicks on the first Download option and an excel spreadsheet appears on the screen. The mouse moves around the sheet to show details of the table are found all the way at the top.)
So very similar to what we saw before, information with regards to the details of the table are found all the way at the top. The data itself is at the middle of the page and relevant footnotes on how to cite are all the way at the bottom. That's how we would use option 1.
(The pointer closes out of the excel spreadsheet and the screen appears with the list of download buttons.)
Option 3 which is downloading the selected database downloading is Option 3 So I'll go ahead and see what that looks like.
(The pointer selects the third Download option.)
So once again to save a few moments I went ahead and downloaded the table.
(An excel spreadsheet appears on the screen.)
So here we are going to be seeing that essentially one line item has been created for each element of the table.
(The pointer highlights Line row 2 of the spreadsheet is selected.)
So if we look at line row 2, we're going to be seeing that information for 2014, Canada, unemployment rate for both sexes, individuals 15 and over are expressed in terms of percentage, and the overall value is 6.9%. One of my favourite features about this specific format, is it provides column K which are vectors.
(The pointer highlights Column K with the title Vector.)
Vectors are essentially a way to access one specific combination of data. Let's say we are interested in the future in obtaining information with regards to Canada, unemployment rate, both sexes, 15 years and over in a percent format. All we would have to simply do is use this specific vector. Vectors are as we are going to be seeing, right underneath here all of the specific,
(The first 6 rows up to the K column are highlighted in grey.)
all of these within this table. All of these are focusing on the exact same variable but a different year. And they all have the same vector. The reason for that is that a vector does not take into account time frames. So let's say that we are interested in having information for these combination of variables.
(The vector under column K is highlighted.)
Go back onto the Statistics Canada website and click on the data tab.
(The screen changes to show the DATA page of Statistics Canada's website. The pointer hovers over the blue Search by vector button.)
So here, there is one option we hadn't seen yet which was to Search by Vector.
(The screen changes to the Search by vector page. The mouse clicks on the box to the right of the Enter your vector number and pastes in v2461224 and types in v9.)
Under Search by Vector, you can go and enter one vector or a combination. By entering in the combination stream here, I remember a second vector that I'm looking for as well which is v9.
(The mouse clicks on the box to the right of number of most recent reference periods and types in 3. Then the mouse hovers over the from and to boxes to the right of Date range of reference periods. The mouse clicks on the search button.)
The system gives you 2 options, in order to pull up information with regards to these vectors. The first one is the amount of reference periods that you are looking for, or the 2nd option is the date range, of the reference period you are looking for. You can indicate to the system, which months and which years you are looking for. Let's say that we're going to take the first one into account, which is the number of reference periods. We are telling the system for these two separate vectors. We want the last 3 reporting periods or the most recent 3 that are most currently available. Let's click on the Search button.
(The screen changes and the mouse scrolls down to see the results from the search. The mouse highlights the details under the title and description columns.)
When we click on the Search button here, we find once again data with regards to the table where we access the information and a description of what is included within the vector. So once again, Canada, unemployment rate, both sexes, 15 years and over. It will provide us the most recent results.
(The mouse highlights v9 and hovers over Population estimates, on a quarterly bases for Nova Scotia and is expressed in the amount of persons.)
The 2nd vector I'd pulled up was population estimates, on a quarterly basis, for Nova Scotia and is expressed in the amount of persons. So that's how we would access information with regards to the Data tab.
(The mouse scrolls up to the blue banner and clicks on the Analysis tab. Then hovers over data tab to the left and then scrolls down to the keyword search box.)
Moving on, let's go ahead and see the Analysis tab. Analysis tab is exactly as it sounds. It essentially provides an analytical component to data, provides information in a raw table. Analysis provides essential information in a more digestible format. So there is a story behind the number. Think about it that way. Similar to what we saw in Subject and Data, we can go ahead and search using Keyword or Subject. Two new criteria have been added.
(The mouse scrolls down below subjects on the left and hovers over year of publication and authors. The mouse then scrolls up to the right and hovers over the all tabs, the stats is brief tab, Articles and reports tab and then the last tab Journals and periodicals.)
The first one is year of publication, and the second one is author. To the right of that we'll be seeing the various products that are available in terms of analysis. So we have Stats in Brief, which are short articles, such as The Daily or fact sheets. To the right of that, we're going to be seeing Articles and Reports, which tend to be longer in length and, to the right of that we'll see Journals, which are essentially collections in which the articles and reports are written. So for example as many articles are written about crime and justice, that would all fall under the Juristat journal or periodical.
(The mouse clicks on the Journals and Periodicals tab and the screen changes to show a list of results.)
So for example, if you were to click on here we are going to see the various journals and periodicals that are available. That's how we find information with regards to the Analysis tab.
(The mouse then moves up to the blue banner and clicks on the Reference tab and the screen changes to the Reference page. The mouse moves and clicks on the Classification tab and a list of results appear below. The mouse hovers over the occupation and industry results.)
With regards to Reference tab, this is where we are going to be finding information with regards to various classifications used by Statistics Canada. So here we see the overall classifications, with regards to occupation, to products, to industry.
(The mouse moves to the right of this tab and hovers over Surveys and Statistical programs- Documentation tab, Geographic tab and Notices and consultation tab.)
to the right of that we'll be seeing documentation that's available in terms of various surveys and statistical programs. To the right geographic files. To the right of that notices and consultations. So if ever we were interested in finding a specific industry code, which is a question we often asked. We can click North American Industry Classification system,
(The mouse moves to the list of results to the left and clicks on North American Industry Classification system [NAISC]link. The screen changes to the North American Industry Classification system [NAISC] page where the mouse hovers over the date September 21, 2018 and then clicks on the link to North American Industry Classification system [NAISC] Canada 2017 version 3.)
and the system would provide us the various iterations of this classification with the most recent one being released Sept. 21, 2018. If we were to go ahead and click on it, the system would ask if we want the information in HTML or CSV format.
(The mouse moves below the HTML format title to the link below classification structure and a new page appears with the North American Industry Classification system [NAISC] Canada 2017 version 3 classification structure.)
If we were to click on HTML and see the classification structure appear. So that is how we access information with regard to the Reference tab.
(The mouse moves to the top of the blue banner and clicks on the Geography tab. A new page appears with the words Geography-Find information by region or area. The mouse moves to the box above the map that reads place name or postal code.)
To the right of that we're going to be seeing Geography, which is actually one of my favourite tabs. So it's been developed to help users access information on a specific region or geography. The new mapping tool provides the results of all Statistics Canada's surveys, including the Census and the National Household Survey. So here we're going to see a map. All the way at the top, we'll see place name or postal code.
(The mouse scrolls down and highlights the title Results for Canada. Then the mouse hovers over the data tab below and above, the analysis tab below and above and the reference tab below and above on the blue banner.)
So if we were to scroll a little lower, we would see that information is currently available at a national level, and at the right the results for Canada. Once again, the various products are available. So the system will ask you, Are you looking for data tables? which are available under Data. Are you looking for analysis? which is under Analysis. Or are you looking for reference material with regards to obviously a specific geography?
(The mouse moves to the place name or postal code box above the map and starts to type in Vanc and a list of 6 suggestions drop down below. The mouse continues to finish the word Vancouver and a list of three suggestions appear. The mouse then highlights each: the City of Vancouver, the Census Metropolitan area or the Population centre.)
So let's say we are interested in finding information. All the information Statistics Canada has available with regards to Vancouver. And we will go ahead and start typing in Vancouver. And the system will provide us essentially suggestions that include VANC going ahead and completing the word Vancouver. It will provide us 3 options: the City of Vancouver, the Census Metropolitan Area or the Population Centre.
(The mouse clicks on the first suggestion the City of Vancouver and the screen changes to a different map and the mouse hovers over the area of Vancouver. The mouse moves to the left and hovers over various geographies.)
Let's say that we are interested in information with regards to the city. The first thing we'll be able to see on a graph, essentially on a map. The City of Vancouver is outlined. To the left of that we see various related geographies, whether they be higher or lower in terms of geographical hierarchy.
(The mouse clicks on the map, it zooms in and then clicks again, and a small dialogue box appears in the map with information on a dissemination area.)
Underneath that we see that there are 108 products available for the City of Vancouver. If ever we are curious with regards to what level of geography is available, in terms of the smallest area, we can go ahead and zoom in on the map, and simply click it, and it will tell us the information is available for a dissemination area. As you can imagine, the smaller the geography that we go to, the more likely that the only Statistics Canada sample that will have that information at the granular level will be information derived from the census.
(The mouse clicks on the all tab below the map to show that there are a list below of 14 products related to this dissemination area.)
So here we see there are a total of 14 products available for this specific dissemination area. So this is a very useful tool, and if ever you are curious about it, please feel free and go ahead and try to use it.
(The mouse moves up to the blue banner at the top and clicks on the Census program tab. The screen changes to the Census program page.)
So next, we are going to be clicking on census programs. The census program is very, very large in scope and unfortunately we won't have a chance to look at it in great detail in today's 45 minute presentation. But I do think it is something noteworthy so we'll go ahead, something that is very, very noteworthy, so as such we'll do a quick overview of the census program, Should you ever require more in-depth training with regards to this tab, as obviously it combines some of our most powerful information. Please feel free to let us know, and we'll go ahead and offer another webinar focusing specifically on the census program.
(The mouse moves to the left to Find Data title, then moves to the right to Key indicators and hovers over a graph and then clicks on the indicator box and a list of suggestions dropdown. The mouse clicks on total private dwellings and the graph changes and the mouse hovers around the red line line indicating a total of Canada.)
So the first thing we are going to be able to see is that we can access the information with regards to a specific geography. To the right of that, we're going to be seeing key indicators. and the key indicators will appear in a graphical format underneath. So let's say we are interested in seeing the total number, amount of private dwellings broken up by province. The graph will update with an overall line indicating a total of Canada.
(The mouse scrolls down to Services and Information section on the left. The mouse then hovers over the title Access the data, Analytical products, the Reference resources, the Geographic tools, the Visualization tools and the Census of Agriculture.)
Underneath this, we are going to be seeing the various services and information available as a result of the census. So how can one go ahead and access the data that is created as a result of the census? The analytical products, the reference resources, the geographic tools, the visualization tools as well as information available with regards to the Census of Agriculture.
(The mouse scrolls down and hovers over various topics of interest.)
with regards to the Census of Agriculture. Information can be accessed based on a specific topic of interest. So here we have the various, all the different topics that are collected within the census. And towards the bottom of the page, we are going to be seeing information is available with regards to previous censuses. So you can actually access previous census information going back to 1996.
(The mouse scrolls down and hovers over the link to Accessing my census information.)
You can also go ahead and see what the procedure is in order to access your own census information, which is confidential. So there is a process and procedure in place in order to be able to access this type of information.
(The mouse scrolls up to the place name search box under Find data and types in Toronto. A list of suggestions appear below and then the mouse clicks on the Search button and the Census Profile, 2016 – Search results screen appears.)
So let's quickly go ahead and look at one census profile. So in order to access a census profile, we would simply enter in the name of a geography all the way at the top. So let's say we are looking at information about Toronto, the system will provide some commonly search suggestions with the word Toronto in it. We'll go ahead and just click the search button, and the system will provide all the geographies, that are available that include word Toronto. Let's say we are not sure what geography boundaries essentially establish the city in comparison to the census metropolitan area.
(The mouse clicks on the word map next to Toronto city and a map appears indicating the boundaries. The mouse zooms then moves to the right hand corner and clicks on the x to close the map.)
You can always go ahead and click on the map, in order to see what the boundaries of that geography are. So I went ahead and clicked on the City of Toronto, so that the map can essentially zoom into what the City of Toronto looks like. And it does look like it's the information I am looking for.
(The Census Profile, 2016 – Search results screen appears. The mouse clicks on the word Toronto and the screen changes to Census Profile, 2016 Census Toronto, City[Census subdivision] Ontario, Census Division [ Census Division] Ontario. The mouse scrolls down from the top to show a table with a long list of information.)
So I'll go ahead and click on the word Toronto itself. And here is where I will access information with regards to the census profile. It takes a few seconds to open up, as you'll be able to see at the top right hand corner, the table is quite long. It has information with regards to population, households, income, marital status, languages. The table is quite long. So if you are looking for a specific topic, within a specific geography in a census profile,
(The mouse scrolls up to the top to a Select a view box and clicks on the down arrow of the dropdown menu. The list of suggestions appears and the mouse highlights the last suggestion visible minority and clicks the submit button to the right. Then the table is updated to show information on visible minority.)
you can simply click on Select a view, and a drop-down menu will become available. So let's say you are looking for information with regards to visible minority. You simply click on Visible Minority and click on the Submit button. And as you see, the table has the available data is significantly decreased. If you want to go ahead and compare this geography with another, you can go ahead. It can be done using the last 3 columns. Currently the next highest geography is defaulted in the system. so in this case the Census Division of Toronto.
(The mouse clicks on the Change geography button at the top right hand side of the page. The screen changes to a page with an alternate geography.)
So if ever we were interested in changing it, we can click on the Geography tab. Enter in an alternate geography, and the system will allow us to pull up that alternate geography for comparative purposes. So it is quite powerful. So that is how we would access information with regards to a census profile.
(The mouse scrolls up to the top of the page and clicks on the Census program link which brings up the Census program home page. The mouse scroll down to the Services and Information section and clicks on the Access our data link. Then the Data products, 2016 Census home page appears and the mouse scrolls down and hovers over Census profile and Highlight tables.)
We'll also go ahead and see what other products are available. In order to do that, we are simply going to click on Access Data. Once we went ahead and clicked Access Data, we're going to see the various products available. So one we have already currently seen is Census profiles. Underneath that, we are going to be seeing highlight tables which provide information on a specific topic using Key indicator and various levels of geography. So let's say we are interested in having one list of the amount of individuals that are 65 years and over for all of the cities in Canada. You would be able to go ahead and access that information in a highlight table.
(The mouse moves down the list and hovers over Focus on Geography Series, Data tables and Census Program Data Viewer.)
Underneath that we're going to see Focus on Geography, which is essentially a short analytical article for each geography. Underneath that we're going to see Focus on Geography. So it essentially takes information from the census profile and then puts it in a story format. It provides graphs as well, so it is very, very useful. I would recommend consulting it. Data tables provide very detailed information by census theme using various combinations of variables. We will be seeing that in the next few seconds. Underneath that we are going to be seeing the Census Program Data Viewer, which is a new web based visualisation tool that makes information available using a statistical graphic dashboard. So essentially you're able to map various topics on a map so very very useful.
(The mouse scrolls up and clicks on the Data table link. The Data tables, 2016 Census page appears and the mouse hovers over the various topics. The mouse clicks on Labour link and a page appears with the mouse hovering over the title 87 results. The mouse then hovers over the description of the first result and highlights population, aged 15 years and over in private households.)
So clicking on a data table, we'll go ahead and see that a myriad of census topics is available. Let's say that we're interested in data with regard to labour. We go ahead and click on labour, and the system will tell us that there are 87 tables available. In the title it will indicate essentially what population is included in this table, so this specific table is focusing on a universe of population, aged 15 years and over in private households. And it is telling you the multiple variables and amount of elements included in each.
(The mouse hovers over Aboriginal Identity [9] and Employment Income statistics [7].)
So here, there are 9 iterations of Aboriginal Identities, 7 breakdowns of employment income statistics and so on and so forth.
(The mouse scrolls down to hover over the Catalogue number and Geography related to this first result. The mouse then moves to the right to hover over the formats HTML and Beyond 20/20.)
Underneath that, we're going to be seeing the catalogue number, what geographies are available, and that the information can be accessed in 2 separate formats. The first one being on your internet browser so HTML format. The second one is using Beyond 20/20 which is external software that allows you to customize the appearance and possibility of the table's variables as per your needs. So let's say that we are interested in seeing what one of these tables looks like. I'm going to go to one of the tables that I tend to use most often.
(The mouse scrolls down to result 36 hovers over the description – industry, employment income statistics, class of workers, work activities, age group and sex and then clicks on the HTML link which opens up this Data Table page.)
We will go ahead and scroll down to table #36, which is information broken up by industry and employment income statistics, as well as class of workers, work activities age group and sex.
(The mouse scrolls down to show the employment income statistics, broken up by industry figures. The mouse then scrolls up to the Select data categories for this table and hovers over Geography, class of worker, work activities, age and sex.)
So I want to open up an Internet brower. Click on HTML and what we'll be able to go and see here are essentially employment income statistics, broken up by industry. There are various breakdowns available. The first being geography, class of worker, work activities, age and sex. So let's say we're interested in customizing this table. And let's say we're looking for information with regards to the Province of Quebec.
(The mouse clicks on the down arrow in the geography box and highlights Quebec. Then it moves to the right and on the down arrow in the class of worker box and highlights self-employed. The mouse moves to the Work activity during the reference year box and clicks the down arrow and highlights worked a full year. The mouse then clicks on the down arrow of the age box and highlights – 15 to 24 years. The mouse moves to the box indicating sex and clicks on the down arrow to highlight female.)
Individuals that are self-employed, who worked a full year, who were aged between 15 – 24 and who were female.
(The mouse clicks on submit button. When the new table appears with these criteria the mouse moves up to the top to click on the Surveys and Statistical program tab.)
So we are asking the system to update the below table based on these criteria. And we click on submit. And what we are going to see is that the table has been updated. So these tables are very, very powerful, and combine a lot of information that will definitely be of use to you whether it be professionally or personally. Please feel free to go ahead and consult it.
(The Surveys and statistical programs main page appears and the mouse hovers over the link to the Information for survey participants.)
Moving on to the Surveys and Statistical programs. To the left, we're able to go ahead and see information that is available to households or businesses that have been selected to partake in surveys.
(The mouse moves to the right and clicks on the link to Results and documentation of surveys and statistical programs. The screen changes to the Results and documentation of surveys and statistical programs page. The mouse moves to the lower left hand side of the page to Survey status and hovers over the links to Active and inactive.)
And to the right of that, we are going to be seeing results and documentation of surveys and statistical programs. So essentially in this section, we are going to be seeing that we have almost 400 current active surveys, and almost 400 currently inactive surveys. So let's say that you're looking for all the data that's available from one specific survey. You can go ahead and access it by using this specific portal. So let's say that you're interested in finding information with regards to Labour Force Survey.
(The mouse moves up to the top right and hovers over letters of the alphabet and clicks on the letter L. The screen changes to a list of survey beginning with the letter L and the mouse clicks on the second one in the list - Labour Force Survey. The Labour Force Survey page appears and the mouse hovers over Data, Analysis, Reference tabs.)
You would simply click on the letter L, and click Labour Force Survey. What we'll be able to see here is that information is broken up by Data, Analysis, Reference.
(The mouse moves to the top of the page and hovers over the subject tab, then the data tab, then the Analysis tab, then the Reference tab, and shows the same tabs in the middle of the page.)
Once again we can access the information based on topics using Subject. We can always access the same information under the DATA tab. The analysis under the Analysis tab, and reference under the Reference tab. But we've created one portal which essentially summarizes all the information with regards to one specific survey in this section.
(The mouse moves to the left hand side of the page and clicks on the link to Labour Force Survey. The Labour Force Survey page appears and the mouse scrolls down the page to show links to detailed information on questionnaire; sample size; the accuracy of the numbers.)
If ever you are interested in learning what kind of additional information about the survey, You can click detailed information about the survey, and it will provide you with information with regards to questionnaire, sample size and the accuracy of the numbers that are provided on our website.
(The mouse moves to the top of the and hovers over About StatCan and then moves to the right and hovers over Canada.ca.)
To the right of that we can see About StatCan, which provides information about the ministry. To the right of that we are going to be seeing information on Canada.ca, which is, essentially provides, redirects you to the main Government of Canada website.
(The mouse moves above the tabs and clicks on the words Statistics Canada and the screen changes to the Statistics Canada home page. The mouse moves down to the bottom middle of the page and clicks on the link to Register to our workshops, training and conferences.)
Going back to the home page, there is one particular section which I haven't shown you, which was the Register to our workshops, training and conferences. So in order to increase and promote statistical literacy, we have 3 separate options that are available.
(The mouse scrolls down the page and hovers over webinars and then clicks on webinars and the screen changes to the Webinars home page with a list of current topics. The mouse scrolls up to the left hand corner and clicks on the back arrow to go back to the home page.)
The first one is essentially webinars, which are free 45 minute sessions such as the one you are currently participating in.
And if you are interested in seeing which topics we'll be covering in the next little while, you can always click on webinar and it will provide you the list as well as the dates available and the registration information. We also provide Cost Recovery workshops and training program. The full information can be accessed in this section.
Today's webinar was presented on behalf of the Data Service Centres. Some of our services include helping data users with data requests and offering workshops and webinars.
Again, if you have any questions about this webinar, please feel free to call or email us. Our contact information is on the screen.
(Canada wordmark appears.)
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