Canadian Statistics Advisory Council (CSAC) In-Person Meeting – May 18-19, 2023

Attendance

CSAC Members Attendance

Dr. Howard Ramos (Chairperson), Anil Arora, David Chaundy, Benoit Dostie, Annette Hester, Jan Kestle, Céline Le Bourdais

Statistics Canada

Lynn Barr-Telford, Josée Bégin, Stéphane Dufour, André Loranger, Kathleen Mitchell, Eric Rancourt, Mélanie Scott

Meeting Agenda – Day 1

Time Agenda Presenter(s)
9:15 – 9:45 Members meet-and-greet All members
9:45 – 9:50 Chairperson introductory remarks Howard Ramos
Chairperson, CSAC
9:50 – 10:20 Chief Statistician updates Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada
10:30 – 11:15 Discussion on open data Guest speaker:
Tom Emery
Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Deputy Director of ODISSEI (Netherlands)
11:30 – 12:15 Discussion on data stewardship Guest speaker:
Pádraig Dalton
Director General of the Central Statistics Office in Ireland and Chair of the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES)
12:15 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 13:45 Discussion on social acceptability of data sharing

Guest speakers:
Sue Hutchison
President of Equifax Canada

Sandy Kyriakatos
Chief Data Officer, Equifax Canada

13:45 – 14:00 Photo opportunity with council members All members
14:10 – 15:00 Discussion about the report
In camera
All members
15:10 – 15:40 Discussion about the report (continued)
In camera
All members
15:40 – 15:50 Chairperson closing remarks for the day Howard Ramos
Chairperson, CSAC

Meeting Minutes

1. Chairperson Introductory Remarks

Dr. Ramos kicked off the meeting by welcoming participants and highlighting intended outcomes for the two-days CSAC in-person meeting.

2. Chief Statistician Updates

Mr. Arora gave an update on Statistics Canada's shifting operating context, noting its leadership role on various influential tables within the international statistical system and provided a summary on his international engagements during the Spring and early Summer of 2022. The Chief Statistician (CS) also provided a progress update on the Agency's hybrid workplace strategy and the way forward.

3. Discussion on Open Data

Guest Speaker:

  • Tom Emery, Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Deputy Director of ODISSEI (Netherlands)

Mr. Emery shared information about ODISSEI, a federated data infrastructure for the social and economic sciences in the Netherlands, representing 45 member organizations. The unique data consortium enables access to infrastructure and data for researchers, linking survey data to administrative data. He shared details on the consortium, including on its organizational model, governance, data stewardship and funding. He then took questions from meeting participants.

4. Discussion on Data Stewardship

Guest Speaker:

  • Pádraig Dalton, Director General of the Central Statistics Office in Ireland and Chair of the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES)

Mr. Dalton spoke to Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) journey to a data stewardship role, noting that it took them a long time to collectively increase the readiness of Ireland's data ecosystem. He spoke to key drivers, including quality data and insights, and data services. He also spoke to their efforts to engage key stakeholders over the years, including the custodians of administrative data, citizens and policy makers. The extent to which the CSO can be a data steward is dependent on trust. Mr. Dalton also touched on the importance of data linkages and integration and of innovation, partnerships and collaborations, as well as co-ordination on standards and classifications. He recognized Statistics Canada as a leading agency worldwide, including in the areas of modernization of official statistics, and of data stewardship. Guests and meeting participants concluded this segment with questions and answers.

5. Discussion on Social Acceptability of Data Sharing

Guest Speakers:

  • Sue Hutchison, President of Equifax Canada
  • Sandy Kyriakatos, Chief Data Officer, Equifax Canada

Ms. Hutchinson gave an overview of Equifax Canada and its business areas including fraud, consumer and commercial solutions. Ms. Hutchinson and Ms. Kyriakatos spoke to the need for partnerships for their organization to source, enrich, enhance and integrate data for better insights. They shared insights and lessons learned on gaining trust for data sharing, including the need to drive value and positive outcomes, for those who share their data and the importance of informed consent and data privacy and security. The presentation was followed by a discussion between guests and meeting participants focused on social acceptability of data sharing.

6. Discussion on the CSAC report

CSAC members held an in-camera discussion on their 2023 report.

7. Chairperson Closing Remarks

Dr. Ramos facilitated a roundtable discussion and offered closing remarks for the day.

Meeting Agenda – Day 2

Time Agenda Lead Participant(s)
9:00 – 9:10 Chairperson introductory remarks Howard Ramos
Chairperson, CSAC
9:10 – 10:10 Discussion on Parliamentary committees and business
Presentation by Statistics Canada
Pierre Desrochers
Director, Statistics Canada  
10:20 – 11:00 Discussion on Net Zero
Presentation by Statistics Canada

Heidi Ertl
Director, Centre for Energy and Transportation Statistics

Francois Soulard
Research Manager, Environment and Accounts Statistics Division

11:00 – 11:45 Discussion on social acceptability of data sharing Guest Speaker:
Alika Lafontaine
President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch
12:45 – 14:00 Discussion on report
In camera
All members
14:00 – 14:15 Chairperson closing remarks Howard Ramos
Chairperson, CSAC

1. Chairperson Introductory Remarks

Dr. Ramos welcomed participants back, provided an overview of accomplishments from the previous day and intended outcomes for the second day of the CSAC in-person meeting.

2. Discussion on Discussion on Parliamentary Committees and Business

Guest Speaker:

  • Pierre Desrochers, Chief Privacy Officer, Statistics Canada  

Mr. Desrochers shared with CSAC members an update on the stage of the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (Bill C-27), introduced by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Phillippe Champagne, in the legislative process and what next steps are. CSAC members discussed the implications of legislation related to data and digital infrastructure on an evolving privacy landscape, including for individual and economic interests in a 21st century digital world.

3. Discussion on Net Zero

Guest Speakers:

  • Heidi Ertl, Director, Centre for Energy and Transportation Statistics
  • Francois Soulard, Research Manager, Environment and Accounts Statistics Division

Speakers provided a progress update to CSAC members, on Canada's actions to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Statistics Canada's activities are coordinated with Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Canada Energy Regulator and aligned with the Net Zero Advisory Board advice on measuring and monitoring net zero. They shared information on the latest agency measurement activities, data and tools, including hubs and portals to increase access to net zero data and insights. The presentation was followed by a discussion between guests and meeting participants.

4. Discussion on Social Acceptability of Data Sharing

Guest Speaker:

  • Alika Lafontaine, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA)

Mr. Lafontaine shared a historical overview of the health data system in Canada and barriers around data, data access and governance over the years. He then shared some industry best practices he has come across and what he foresees for health data, including the integration of patient data consent across systems. Federal, provincial, and territorial partnerships for standards will be crucial. So will social acceptability for data sharing and trust. Mr. Lafontaine then answered questions from CSAC members on opportunities and challenges CSAC members could consider around the data ecosystem.

5. Discussion on the CSAC report – continued

CSAC members held another in-camera discussion on their 2023 report.

6. Roundtable Discussion and Chairperson Closing Remarks

Following a roundtable discussion among CSAC members, Dr. Ramos discussed next steps for the Council. He thanked CSAC members, the Chief Statistician, the Assistant Chief Statisticians and their teams and the CSAC Secretariat for their support.