Operating context and key risks

Operating context

A developed, democratic country like Canada requires vast amounts of information to function effectively. Statistics provide Canadians with vital high-quality, detailed and timely statistics, and with appropriate context and analysis to help monitor inflation, promote economic growth, plan cities and roads, adjust pensions, and develop employment and social programs. Statistics help governments, businesses and individuals make important decisions based on well-researched, credible and trustworthy statistics.

The value placed on data by every segment of society is growing at an exponential pace. At the same time, new tools and new computing power are emerging and multiplying the volume and types of information available.

As the demand for information increases along with its importance and availability, privacy concerns, call-screening technology and the busy lives of Canadians are making it harder to reach and obtain information from households. As a result, the agency is continually seeking out new and innovative approaches to meet emerging data needs.

Now 100 years strong, the agency has continuously progressed to make its data more accessible and engaging, to focus on the evolving information needs of our users and to meet tomorrow's needs. As it innovates and modernizes, Statistics Canada is well-positioned and is playing a more active role in guiding and shaping this information age.

Key risks

Through sound risk management, Statistics Canada is able to meet Canadians' current and emerging information needs efficiently and effectively. The agency has in place an integrated risk management framework to systematically identify, understand, manage, monitor and communicate risk. In accordance with this framework, the agency's Corporate Risk Profile is updated each year to outline the key corporate risks along with the relevant mitigation strategies.

Users' expectations are continuously evolving; they require more sophisticated and timely data and analyses for their decision making. To be responsive and remain relevant, the agency must stay connected with users, adopt innovative methodological approaches, foster strong partnerships, and provide effective and efficient access to data.

Key risks
Risks Mitigating strategy and effectiveness Link to the department's Programs Link to mandate letter commitments and any government-wide or departmental priorities
1) The agency is unable to meet the rising expectations of stakeholders

To mitigate this risk, the agency launched its comprehensive modernization agenda. The agenda focuses on five key pillars: user-centric service delivery, statistical capacity building, partnerships and collaboration, leading-edge methods, and a modern and flexible workplace. Expected key outcomes include more timely, detailed and responsive statistics, and seamless access.

The impact of the risk did not materialize during the reporting period; activities related to the modernization agenda are monitored and updated regularly.

Program 1: Economic and Environmental Statistics

Program 2: Socio-economic Statistics

Program 3: Censuses

Program 4: Statistical Infrastructure

Program 5: Cost-recovered Statistical Services

Internal Services

Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Mandate Letter:

  • Improve the quality of publicly available data in Canada. This will require working with Statistics Canada, the President of the Treasury Board and other departments and agencies to develop an Open Data initiative that would consider big data and make more of the data paid for by Canadians available to the public

Government-wide priorities:

  • Take a new results and delivery approach
  • Make evidence-based decisions
  • Strengthen the public service; provide evidence-based advice
  • Grow the middle class; act on climate change; drive economic growth through innovation; increase and diversify trade and foreign investment; provide better social and economic security for Canadians; improve the situation and living conditions of Indigenous peoples; and build a modern, sustainable and resilient infrastructure approach

Agency priorities:

  • Close data gaps, support the work priorities of policy departments and help measure program outcomes
2) Statistical methods and techniques are misaligned with current and future societal expectations

Similar to the previous risk, this risk is also mitigated through the launch of the modernization agenda; in particular, the focus on partnerships and collaboration, and leading-edge methods. Key outcomes include: modern approaches to gathering and disseminating data, greater access to data, and lower response burden for Canadians.

The impact of the risk did not materialize during the reporting period; activities related to the modernization agenda are monitored and updated regularly.

Program 1: Economic and Environmental Statistics

Program 2: Socio-economic Statistics

Program 3: Censuses

Program 4: Statistical Infrastructure

Program 5: Cost-recovered Statistical Services

Agency priorities:

  • Continue to research innovative ways to conduct surveys, respond to new data needs and reduce response burden
  • Diversify the data formats available
3) A major error occurs in a key statistical report or program

The agency continued to mitigate this risk by regularly performing thorough analyses and systematic data evaluation, developing subject matter expertise, adequately testing processes and adopting proper information-management practices.

During the reporting period, an error occurred relating to the 2016 Census of Population. Because of a programming error, the original release for the language variable included inaccurate data in a small group of communities. The agency's response mechanisms functioned as planned, and the error was addressed. Within one week of identifying the error, the corrected data were re-released. As well, additional mitigations were implemented.

Overall, mitigation strategies will continue to be updated annually.

Program 1: Economic and Environmental Statistics

Program 2: Socio-economic Statistics

Program 3: Censuses

Program 4: Statistical Infrastructure

Program 5: Cost-recovered Statistical Services

Not applicable
4) A material breach of confidential or sensitive information occurs

Data confidentiality is fundamental at Statistics Canada. The agency continued to effectively mitigate this risk by continuously reviewing dissemination release procedures and processes, diligently applying stringent protection measures defined in the Policy on Official Release, regularly assessing the IT Security posture, and providing regular training and raising awareness on matters related to security of classified and designated information.

The impact of the risk did not materialize during the reporting period; mitigation activities are updated annually.

Program 1: Economic and Environmental Statistics

Program 2: Socio-economic Statistics

Program 3: Censuses

Program 4: Statistical Infrastructure

Program 5: Cost-recovered Statistical Services

Agency priorities:

  • Further strengthen overall security and the protection of critical informatics technology from cyber threats
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