CHMS Cycle 7 genetics consent

If you participated in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) between January 2023 and December 2024, we are now seeking your informed consent to allow the biospecimens you provided during the survey to be used in genetic health research projects. Your consent will help support important research into how human genetic information is linked to health outcomes.

What you need to know:

Your sample and genetics

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that contains genetic information. It is found in many parts of the body, including cells, skin and blood. DNA can be taken from your blood sample to help us understand what makes people sick and what keeps them healthy. Genetic information collected from your samples can be used in research and shared as combined data from groups of people (aggregated or pooled data). Your samples and genetic data will not be used or published at the individual level.

What is genetic research?

Genetic research studies human DNA to learn how genes and environmental factors affect health and disease. This research can help us discover what causes diseases, improve how they are detected and treated, and even help prevent them.

Keeping your data safe

To protect your privacy, each biological sample has a barcode instead of your name or personal details. Your samples are frozen and stored safely at the Statistics Canada Biobank in the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory. This secure facility follows international standards. Strict security measures are in place to ensure the risk of anyone identifying you from your samples is very low.

Only authorized Statistics Canada employees can access your information when needed for their work. A small number of employees can connect the barcode on your sample to your personal information, which is stored separately at our head office. No one outside Statistics Canada will have access to your personal details.

Authorized researchers can use your samples for research, but only if they

  1. apply for access to the samples
  2. get approval from the Statistics Canada Biobank Advisory Committee.

This process ensures that your information is always protected. The approval process includes

  • a research project application submitted to Statistics Canada
  • a review by a committee of scientists, experts and ethicists to ensure the research adheres to all guidelines.

All health research is carefully monitored by the Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the researcher's institutional ethics board. This ensures the research follows ethical guidelines and protects your privacy.

Statistics Canada follows strict privacy laws under the Statistics Act. Published research results will show only combined data from groups of people, and no personal or identifiable information will be shared.

Your right to withdraw

If you no longer want to participate in any part of this survey, including the genetic research, you can withdraw at any time. To remove your genetic samples from current or future research, you can send a written request by email to statcan.biobankinfo-infobiobanque.statcan@statcan.gc.ca. Please include your full name, the approximate date and home address at the time of your visit at the temporary examination centre, and your date of birth. This information will be used only to ensure that the correct samples are identified and properly destroyed. Please note that any data already used in research and published before your withdrawal request cannot be removed.

Genetic research can help identify genes linked to diseases. With the advances in genetic research, researchers have discovered and continue to discover genes or variations of genes that are associated with an increase in the risk of certain diseases. In future genetic research studies using your biological samples, if researchers discover genetic information that could impact your health, it will not be shared with you or your doctor. Your sample will be used solely for research purposes, and the findings will not influence your medical care. By consenting to the storage and use of your samples for genetic research, you understand that you will not receive any personal genetic results or health information.

Genetic research at the individual level

DNA is like a giant instruction book that tells your body how to grow, develop and function. Researchers can read this book using DNA sequencing, which helps them understand different things about you. To do so, researchers use a DNA sequencing laboratory method that analyzes your DNA, providing information about your genetic traits, the risks of getting certain diseases and other health-related characteristics. For this cycle of the CHMS, the publishing of genetic research involving data outputs at the individual level will not be permitted with your samples.

Genetic research at the population level

When genetic data are used at the population level, your results are combined with those of other CHMS participants. This means your personal information and individual results are not included. Any genetic data that could potentially reveal your identity or the identity of other participants are removed before research results are published. Here is a summary:

  • Your DNA results will be included in statistical summaries (for example, showing the prevalence of certain genetic traits or diseases).
  • Your genetic data will be combined with data from many other participants, with no personal details included.
  • The data shared in research publications cannot be linked back to any individual, ensuring robust privacy protection.
  • The goal of this research is to identify patterns and relationships within large groups of people, helping scientists better understand genetics and disease.

For more information, please visit

Please use the secure access code included in the invitation you received from Statistics Canada to access our secure web portal and provide your consent.

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