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Data Privacy Week 2025 takes place from January 27 to 31. This year’s theme is “Put Privacy First.” It is important for individuals, businesses and federal institutions to be aware of the impact that technology may be having on privacy rights, and to prioritize the protection of personal information.
In addition to conducting the census every five years, Statistics Canada carries out approximately 350 active surveys covering virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Your participation in these provides valuable insights that help us all to better understand Canada’s population, resources, economy, society, and culture.
Whether you are responding to one of our surveys or simply using our website, you may wonder: is my information safe and private?
The answer is yes. All information provided to Statistics Canada through the census, other surveys or any other source is strictly confidential. It is anonymized to ensure that no publicly available data can be connected to you or to your household.
Your privacy is always our top concern, and we place the highest priority on protecting it. Here are some key facts about how Statistics Canada ensures data confidentiality and prioritizes privacy:
- Statistics Canada uses state-of-the-art tools, software and processes that keep your information safe, and ensures the confidentiality and privacy of individual data.
- The Statistics Act, Privacy Act, and Access to Information Act guide our actions by law.
- Statistics Canada continues to collaborate with experts from businesses and academia around the world, as well as the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, to develop new statistical methods based on necessity and proportionality.
The way that data are collected is constantly evolving and improving. In the current digital age, information needs are growing, and new data sources offer new possibilities for information. As this happens, protecting Canadians’ privacy remains a top priority.
Want to learn more about what happens when your data—whether it be from surveys or administrative data sources—arrive at Statistics Canada? The newly released Joe Anonymous video walks you through the process.
To learn more about Statistics Canada’s dedication to trust and privacy, explore the Trust Centre.
Protect yourself, put your privacy first
In 2022, 95% of people aged 15 years and older in Canada used the Internet, up from 91% in 2018. With more Canadians using the Internet than ever before, putting privacy first is important for all of us.
More Canadians are being exposed to potential risks online: 70% of Canadians experienced a cybersecurity incident in 2022, up from 58% in 2020. Among Canadians aged 15 years and older, in 2022, 22% reported being redirected to fraudulent websites asking for personal information.
Phishing and social engineering scams may try to trick you with convincing emails, prompting you to click on potentially dangerous links. Avoiding suspicious emails and links can help stop hackers from accessing your personal information.
There are several measures you can take to better protect your privacy online. Enabling multi-factor authentication is a great way to add an extra layer of protection against potential hackers.
Being aware of the risks and preventative measures we can take to avoid them is important. There are so many more ways to put privacy first—visit Get Cyber Safe to explore additional helpful resources.
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Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).