Canadian Statistics Advisory Council (CSAC) in-person meeting – February 2 and 3, 2026

Day 1: February 2, 2026, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Attendance

Agenda

Day 1 Summary

1. Acting-Chairperson opening remarks – Benoit Dostie

Mr. Dostie opened the meeting by welcoming members and Assistant Chief Statisticians (ACS) and provided an overview of the meeting agenda.

2. Updates/Hot Files from the Chief Statistician – André Loranger

André Loranger briefed CSAC members on Statistics Canada's key priorities and challenges, including the Agency's position within the Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER). This included invoking the Workforce Adjustment process, the adjustment or elimination of certain Statistics Canada programs, and efforts to improve efficiency through the adoption of modern tools and methods, as well as adjustments to data collection strategies. He also provided updates on key areas of interest to Statistics Canada including, the measurement of productivity in the Public Service, the impact of a potential shutdown of the US federal government, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Agency.

3. Future of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and NSOs as Data Platform Companies – Osama Rahman

Osama Rahman presented a high‑level overview of the ongoing transformation facing national statistical offices (NSOs). He emphasized that NSOs are at a pivotal moment, requiring rapid modernization through the integration of multisource data, strengthening governance and privacy protections, reinforcing public trust, adopting new survey design addressing bias, alongside the adaptation of new technologies, digital capabilities, and more collaborative operating models.

Discussion with Council members explored how emerging platforms and technologies may require NSOs to evaluate their operating models, potentially adopting platform‑style architectures inspired by the private sector.

Mr. Rahman reiterated the importance of pursuing a careful yet ambitious transition, focused on modernizing systems, strengthening partnerships, and better leveraging existing data assets, while ensuring that quality, neutrality, and public trust remain at the core of official statistics.

4. The Future of National Statistical Organizations, an "Institut de la statistique du Québec" perspective - Marc Sirois and Patricia Caris

Mr. Sirois opened with an overview of the Institut de la Statistique du Québec (ISQ), highlighting its history and mandate as well as its four main areas of work: Demography, Health, Education, and Income.

The presentation was structured around two blocks, National Governance, and Technological Change. Pertaining to National Governance, discussions focused on the role of the "Institut de la Statistique du Québec" (ISQ) and explored opportunities for strengthened collaboration, particularly through interdepartmental agreements.

The discussion covered the establishment of national governance and a national statistical framework, an inherently complex undertaking given the different legal frameworks across provincial and federal legislation.

On technological change, Mr. Sirois highlighted shared challenges across provincial and federal statistical agencies, including trust, increased use of artificial intelligence, integration of administrative data in the statistical process, and the need to remain relevant in an evolving data and statistics landscape. Ms. Caris raised issues of data coherence at the national and international levels and invited CSAC input; members noted that achieving coherence through official statistics may require legislative changes.

Collaboration between Statistics Canada and the ISQ and other Canadian agencies is encouraged to develop a functional federal-provincial-territorial framework for official statistics.

5. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A StatCan 2030 perspective – Kathryn Stephenson and Lucy Chung

Ms. Stevenson and Ms. Chung presented the StatCan 2030 Vision, focusing on the strategy driving the plan, and the domains of focus: data ingestion and integration, data processing, data analysis, data access, and the workforce.

Discussion with Council members focused on implementation the vision, its connectivity with the idea of Official Statistics, the important role that statisticians need to play to ensure transparency and explainability of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and risks and impacts for researchers. Ms. Stevenson promoted the fundamentality role of quality assurances in all aspects of the vision, and the importance of maintaining Canadian public trust.

Council members emphasized the importance of the virtual data labs (vDLs) and encouraged the use of more current tools, including AI and open-source software like R and Python.

6. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A Council perspective – Catherine Beaudry

Ms. Beaudry shared her perspective on Statistics Canada priorities in today's fast-evolving socio-economic landscape.

7. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A Council perspective – Anke Kessler

Ms. Kessler shared her perspective on Statistics Canada's priorities in today's fast-evolving socio-economic landscape.

8. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A Council perspective – Vinamra Mathur

Mr. Mathur shared his perspective on Statistics Canada's priorities in today's fast-evolving socio-economic landscape.

9. Council Discussion (In camera)

Council members held an in-camera discussion.

10. Acting-Chairperson closing remarks – Benoit Dostie

Mr. Dostie provided closing remarks for the day.

Day 2: February 3, 2026, from 8:55 am to 1:00 pm

Attendance

Agenda

Day 2 Summary

1. Acting-Chairperson opening remarks – Benoit Dostie

Mr. Dostie opened the meeting by welcoming members and Assistant Chief Statisticians (ACS) to day 2 of the in-person meeting and provided an overview of the day's agenda.

2. Assistant Chief Statistician introduction – André Loranger

Chief Statistician André Loranger introduced Beatrice Baribeau. The recently appointed Assistant Chief Statistician of the Strategic Data Management, Methods and Analysis field.

3. 2026 Census of Population

Mr. Mathieu provided an update on the Census of Population outlining the 2026 Census collection plan and timeline, key updates and highlights, and next steps. He also presented an overview of the 2026 Census methodology and innovative features like the Census ChatBot and Live Chat. He shared an update on the printing of paper questionnaires and concluded by highlighting the enhancements the 2026 Census of Population content.

Discussion followed focused on cost comparisons across Census cycle, opportunities for efficiencies and the use of modern communication strategies. Mr. Mathieu explained that each cycle is different from the last, particularly from a technological and content standpoint, as well as external factors beyond Statistics Canada's control, for example shipping costs. While the Census of Population uses mobile text messages and email, a physical letter still remains the most trusted and effective method for reminders and follow-ups.

4. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A Council perspective – Stephen Tapp

Mr. Tapp shared his perspective on Statistics Canada's priorities in today's fast-evolving socio-economic landscape.

5. Defining Statistics Canada priorities – A Council perspective – Benoit Dostie

Mr. Dostie shared his perspective on Statistics Canada's priorities in today's fast-evolving socio-economic landscape.

6. Council Discussion (In-camera)

Council members held an in-camera discussion.

7. Acting-Chairperson closing remarks – Benoit Dostie

Mr. Dostie thanks CSAC members, the Chief Statistician, the Assistant Chief Statisticians and their teams and the CSAC Secretariat for their support.