It is my sincere pleasure to present Statistics Canada's accomplishments over the 2022–23 fiscal year in this Departmental Results Report.
As the country faced both economic and social challenges throughout the year, Statistics Canada worked diligently to provide Canadians with high-quality data-driven insights to inform their decision making. The agency has delivered results for Canadians on the following priorities for 2022–23:
- Published the results of the 2021 Census of Population and Census of Agriculture: Using state-of-the-art systems, Statistics Canada proudly published seven themed major releases of 2021 Census data, with over 350 data tables and 30 analytical products, as well as visualization tools and infographics covering 18 major topics. This gave Canadians access to 31 billion data points—an unparalleled level of detail and insight. The agency also released multiple products associated with the 2021 Census of Agriculture that were well received by Canadians, including multiple analytical reports in Canadian Agriculture at a Glance. These data will serve Canadians for generations to come.
- Enhanced coverage of emerging issues: Statistics Canada made significant progress with its Disaggregated Data Action Plan, which allowed the agency to be more responsive to the data needs of diverse groups. For instance, key indicators on racialized populations, Indigenous peoples and people with disabilities can now be broken down to provide insights into the quality-of-life outcomes of these groups. The agency is also leading the development of the world's first Census of Environment. This initiative aims to improve Canadians' knowledge about the country's ecosystems and promote better decision making as a means of improving how Canada responds to global environmental challenges.
- Expanded leading-edge methods of data collection and integration: In 2022–23, Statistics Canada expanded its data science and data modelling capabilities to better position itself for the high-value work of producing not only data, but also data-driven insights. Work began on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual basket updates to allow the CPI to better reflect the latest consumption patterns for the goods and services purchased by Canadians. Frequent basket updates are important to monitor changes in consumer behaviours and preferences. Statistics Canada also developed a microsimulation and modelling program to support health prevention. The program gives experts and decision makers information about the impacts of health prevention strategies on chronic conditions, as well as about the economic implications of different policies on retirement and pensions.
- Collaborated and engaged with partners: Statistics Canada engaged with key partners to ensure that the data collected from and with them serve their needs while also enriching the country's data ecosystem. Collaborations included launching new data labs; partnering with research groups and universities; and sharing information and building statistical capacity with Indigenous groups, municipalities and chambers of commerce. Moreover, the agency continued to be a data steward in the federal public service, ensuring that departments can effectively govern and manage their data assets to better serve all Canadians.
- Provided user-centric services: Over the past year, the agency introduced and promoted innovative products such as the Eh Sayers podcast, StatsCAN Plus (one of the agency's release vehicles) and the StatsCAN app to modernize data publishing. It also promoted the Virtual Data Lab, which provides remote access to detailed, anonymized social and business microdata for research and analysis. These advances give Canadians access to the unbiased facts and data-driven insights they expect from Statistics Canada.
- Built statistical capacity and fostered data literacy: Statistics Canada made important strides on its commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise to help people in Canada use data to make informed decisions. The agency expanded training resources and shared them freely with users through its Data Literacy Training Initiative, which provides videos and workshops for the various steps of the data journey.
- Built a flexible, diverse and agile workforce: Statistics Canada's employees are its strength and the foundation of its success. In 2022–23, the agency strengthened its workforce by attracting and retaining diverse talent that better represents Canada's geographical and cultural diversity, while building a culture of inclusion. The agency focused on ensuring that employees are agile and equipped to deliver greater value to Canadians and continued to support wellness and mental health. It also made great progress on the commitments and actions in the multi-year Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan: Moving Forward Together by completing or beginning 47 of the 50 commitments identified for the first year.
As Canadians continue to face complex changes—record population growth, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, economic challenges and calls for social change—the agency will continue to seek new ways to respond to the needs for high-quality, reliable data and data-driven insights.
Many groups and partnerships contributed to another successful year. I would like to thank the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council, the Advisory Council on Ethics and Modernization of Microdata Access, the Departmental Audit Committee and the many subject-matter committees that helped drive the agency's work forward.
In an ever-changing and complex world, data-driven decisions are more critical than ever, and so is Statistics Canada's commitment to safeguarding privacy and confidentiality. I invite Canadians to learn more about how the agency protects their data and how it is helping shape Canada by visiting Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
As we continue to strive to build a resilient, sustainable and inclusive future in Canada, data will always be our compass.
Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada