Statistics Canada (French: Statistique Canada), widely known as StatCan, is the federal agency responsible for producing official statistics that help Canadians understand the country’s population, economy, resources, society, and culture. Established in 1971, it replaced the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, which had been operating since 1918. Headquartered in Ottawa, StatCan is one of the most respected statistical institutions in the world and has often been cited internationally for its accuracy, transparency, and professionalism.
Mandate and Operations
StatCan operates under the Statistics Act, which requires it to:
- Conduct a national census of population every five years.
- Conduct a census of agriculture every ten years.
- Carry out more than 350 surveys annually covering all aspects of Canadian life, from labour markets to immigration, healthcare, justice, and the environment.
The agency not only serves the federal government but also produces official statistics for all provinces and territories, making it central to evidence-based policymaking across Canada.
As of 2024, StatCan employed more than 7,200 staff and operated with a budget of CA$740.7 million.
Leadership
The agency is led by the Chief Statistician of Canada, a non-partisan role reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. The current chief statistician is André Loranger, who took office permanently in December 2024.
Notable past leaders include:
- Robert H. Coats (1918–1942) – Canada’s first Dominion Statistician.
- Sylvia Ostry (1972–1975) – the first woman to head StatCan.
- Ivan Fellegi (1985–2008) – who oversaw major modernization.
- Anil Arora (2016–2024) – who reinstated and defended the long-form census.
Publications and Data Access
StatCan publishes a wide array of data products, including:
- The Daily – the agency’s official bulletin of economic and social indicators, updated every business day.
- Survey Methodology – a peer-reviewed journal on statistical research.
- Canadian Income Survey (CIS) and Labour Force Survey (LFS) – key tools for understanding employment, income distribution, and poverty trends.
Much of StatCan’s data is now released under an open license, allowing free use with proper attribution. The historic CANSIM database of socio-economic indicators has been replaced with more user-friendly data tables accessible on the agency’s website.
The agency also partners with the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN), a network of 27 research facilities across the country that provides secure access to detailed microdata for academic and policy research.
History and Controversies
- Formation (1971): Created by the Statistics Act, StatCan replaced the Dominion Bureau of Statistics.
- Canada Year Book: A flagship publication from 1867 until 2012, when it was discontinued due to budget cuts.
- Bill S-18 (2005): Allowed historical census data from 1911–2001 to be released to the public after 92 years, balancing privacy with historical research.
- 2010 Census Debate: The federal government controversially cancelled the mandatory long-form census, replacing it with the voluntary National Household Survey (NHS). Critics argued this reduced data quality and harmed vulnerable groups’ representation. The Chief Statistician, Munir Sheikh, resigned in protest.
- 2015 Reinstatement: The incoming Trudeau government restored the mandatory long-form census, starting with the 2016 cycle.
Despite budget cuts in the early 2010s, StatCan has retained its global reputation for credibility, frequently ranked by international observers such as The Economist as one of the world’s leading statistical agencies.
The Census
The census remains StatCan’s most recognized function:
- Frequency: Every 5 years (most recent in 2021, with the next in 2026).
- Legal obligation: By law, all Canadian households must complete the census.
- Digital-first approach: Since 2006, most households submit responses online.
- Scope: Collects demographic, social, economic, and cultural data crucial for policymaking, urban planning, and academic research.
Special forms like the long-form census provide deeper insights into immigration, Indigenous communities, education, housing, and labour markets.
Modern Role
Today, Statistics Canada’s work underpins nearly every aspect of public policy and private decision-making in Canada. Its data informs:
- Federal budgets and provincial funding allocations.
- Business investment and market research.
- Healthcare and education planning.
- Academic and scientific research.
- Monitoring of national challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change.
By balancing privacy protection with the public need for information, StatCan continues to be a trusted source of knowledge that shapes Canada’s development.
