Serving Canadians while navigating a path to recovery

As we continue to move forward in these uncharted times, the importance of providing reliable statistics to Canadians becomes more evident. The social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have fuelled an extraordinary demand for real-time, high quality data on Canada's people, society and economy. In step with this demand, Statistics Canada hastened its data collection and dissemination of insights on the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses and individuals.

Our partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada resulted in preliminary data on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases available to Canadians and researchers. Our COVID-19 – A data perspective web portal facilitated quick access to a variety of information and tools.

Thanks to the rapid deployment of crowdsourcing initiatives, Canadians were able to tell us how COVID-19 is affecting their mental health, their finances, their domestic situation – even their ability to finish school. In partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, with input from Canadian business owners, the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions reported on factors like revenues, layoffs and payroll, trade and exports, and stimulus support.

Statistics Canada is using its expertise in artificial intelligence and data management to help Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada work closely with the provinces and territories in order to better manage personal protective equipment.

We also delivered new tools that help Canadians tailor the information to their needs. The Canadian Economic Dashboard and COVID-19, a data visualization tool which brings together 16 indicators along with weekly analytical commentary to help monitor the impact of the pandemic on economic activity in Canada. The Canadian Statistical Geospatial Explorer, allows users to find, explore, customize, and export our data in various formats and includes social and economic indicators to help those managing the pandemic better.

We continue to support members of our Research Data Centre with free Real Time Remote Access data and Public Use Microdata Files collection, as well as support other academic research activities.

Statistics Canada's internationally-renowned statistical expertise – proven methodology, innovative survey design, data analytics and stewardship – coupled with timely, high quality data is critical as we begin to navigate a path to recovery. A recovery that will also require the creation of new collaborations and a bolstered whole-of-government approach.