A Brief Survey of Privacy Preserving Technologies

By: Zachary Zanussi, Statistics Canada

As an organization, StatCan has always strived to adopt new technologies in a timely manner and innovate with methods. Big data technologies such as deep learning have increased the utility of data exponentially, and cloud computing has been an enabling vehicle for this, in particular when working with unclassified data. However, computations of unencrypted sensitive data in a cloud environment may provide exposure to confidentiality threats and cyber-security attacks. Statistics Canada has strict privacy policy measures that have been developed over decades of collecting data and releasing official statistics. To address the new requirements for operating in the cloud, we consider a class of new cryptographic techniques called Privacy Preserving Technologies (PPTs) that might help increase utility by taking greater advantage of technologies such as the cloud or machine learning while continuing to preserve the agency's security posture. This post provides a brief introduction to a number of these PPTs.

Description - Figure 1 Enhancing utility within the privacy vs. utility equation. The red solid line shows the privacy-utility balance with traditional methods, while the green dotted line shows what we hope to achieve with new privacy preserving technologies.

What do we mean by privacy? Privacy is the right of individuals to control or influence what information related to them may be collected, used and stored and by whom, and to whom that information may be disclosed. As Canada's national statistical organization, most of the data used at Statistics Canada are provided by respondents, such as an individual or a business. The confidentiality of the data is safeguarded according to the five safe principles to protect the privacy of these respondents by ensuring that the data they provide can't be traced back to them directly or from statistical outputs. More information on Statistics Canada's approach to privacy can be found in the Statistics Canada Trust Centre.

A breach of information involves an attacker successfully reidentifying a response and attributing it back to a particular respondent; in the case that the respondent is a person, then it is also called a breach of privacy. In this article, we will mainly use the terminology of privacy, while keeping in mind that these technologies, applied correctly, protect the data of any kind of respondent.

The respondents' data are considered as the input to some statistical process that produces an output. If an attacker gains access to the input data, then it's a breach of input privacy, while if the attacker can reverse engineer private data from the output, then it's a breach of output privacy. It is possible to prevent both of these types of breaches using classical statistical methods such as anonymizing, where potentially attributing features of data are removed; or perturbation, where the data values are modified in some way to prevent accurate reidentification. The downside is that these classical methods necessarily sacrifice the utility of the data, in particular sensitive data. Moreover, there are numerous reidentification examples which prove that these traditional techniques do not necessarily provide desired cryptographic security guaranteesNote de bas de page 1, Note de bas de page 2. The goal is to leverage PPTs to maintain strong privacy attributes while preserving as much utility as possible. The end result is effectively enhancing utility in the privacy vs. utility equation.

Differential privacy to preserve output privacy

Description - Figure 2 In differential privacy, the outputs of an algorithm on very similar datasets should be within some agreed-upon value known as epsilon. Here, the addition of the central (magenta) respondent changes the output of ƒ by an amount that is bounded by ε.

The output privacy of respondents is protected by carefully controlling the results of aggregate statistics. For example, it's possible for an adversary to reconstruct input data through the careful analysis of published statistics. Alternatively, if the public has query access to a secure database, where someone could request simple statistics (mean, max, min, etc.) on subsets of the database, an adversary could abuse this system to extract input data. Differential privacy reduces this risk through the addition of noise to input or output data. At first glance, this is simply an example of the data perturbation that has been employed in official statistics for decades. The innovation is the rigorous mathematical formulation of differential privacy, allowing to precisely gauge exactly where on the "Privacy—Utility" scale an algorithm resides using a parameter ε, called "epsilon."

An algorithm is called ε-differentially private if running the algorithm on two databases that differ by exactly one entry produces results that differ by less than ε. Informally, this means that an adversary querying the same statistic from differing subsets of a database can only infer an amount of information from the database that is bounded by ε. In practice, before releasing statistics, the level of privacy required is determined and used to set ε. Then, random noise is added to the data until the algorithms or statistics to be computed are ε-differentially private. Using differential privacy, better guarantees output privacy while maximizing utility.

Private computation as a means of protecting input privacy

Private computation is a blanket term covering a number of different frameworks for computing on data securely. For example, suppose you hold private data that you'd like to perform some sort of computation on, but you don't have access to a secure computing environment—you might be interested in homomorphic encryption. Or suppose you and several peers would like to perform a shared computation on your data without sharing it amongst yourselves—secure multiparty computation might be just what you are looking for. These two secure computing paradigms will be examined in more detail below.

With recent advances in cloud computing, individuals and organizations have unprecedented access to powerful and affordable cloud computing environments. However, most cloud providers do not guarantee the security of data while they are being processed, which means that the cloud is still out of reach to many organizations in possession of highly sensitive private data. Homomorphic encryption (HE) can change this. While traditional encryption algorithms require data to be decrypted before and after use (encryption-at-rest), in HE computations can be performed directly on encrypted data. The results of the computation can only be revealed after decryption. Thus, a data holder can encrypt their data and send them to the cloud knowing that it is cryptographically protected. The cloud can perform the desired computation homomorphically and return the encrypted result, which only the data holder can decrypt and view. In this way, the client can delegate its computations to the cloud without having to rely on trust that their data will be protected; it is secured by encryption! The downside of HE is increased computational complexity, which can be orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding unencrypted computation.

Suppose a number of hospitals have data about patients with a rare disease. If they pool their data, they could run some computations that would help them with treatment and prevention strategies. Laws in many countries require medical institutions to protect their patients' medical data. In the past, the only solution to this problem would be to have all the hospitals agree on a single trusted authority who would collect the data and run the computation. Today, the hospitals could implement (secure) multiparty computation (MPC). With MPC, the hospitals can collaborate and jointly perform their computations without sharing their input data with any party, dispensing the need for a trusted authority, in such a way that their input privacy is guaranteed even in the face of "dishonest" hospitals. MPC protocols are usually implemented using multiple rounds of "secret sharing," where each party holds a piece of a smaller computation that they use to perform their larger computation. The downside of MPC is increased computational complexity (although, usually not as much as HE) and the fact that the protocols usually entail multiple rounds of interactive communication.

Distributed learning

Neural networks and artificial intelligence may be the two technologies that have thrived the most in the era of big data. Rather than write a program to complete a task, data are fed into a machine and it trains a model to perform the task. This makes data collection the most important part of the process. As discussed above, this collection process can be prohibitive when the data are distributed and sensitive. Distributed learning is a class of MPC protocols that aim to train a model on data that is owned by multiple parties who want to keep their data private. Two protocols that implement this process in slightly different ways, known as Federated Learning and Split Learning will be discussed. The remainder of this section will assume a basic knowledge of how to train a neural network.

Both of these protocols begin with the same setup; multiple parties have access to data that they consider sensitive, and there is a central untrusted authority server who will assist them. The parties agree on a neural network architecture they would like to train, as well as other particulars such as hyperparameters. Here the two ideas diverge.

Description - Figure 3 In federated learning, each data holder computes gradients ∇ ₓ on their data and sends it up to a central authority who computes ∇ and distributes it down to each party. In this way, each party can obtain a neural network that has been trained on the union of their datasets, without sharing their data.

In federated learning, each party holds an identical local copy of the network they are training. They each perform one epoch of training on their network and send their gradients to the authority. The authority coordinates these gradients and instructs each of the parties on how to update their local models by combining the insights gained by every party's data. The process then repeats for the desired number of epochs, where finally the authority and every party holds a trained version of the network that they can use however they see fit. The resulting networks are identical, and the process reveals no more about the data than the accumulated gradients computed by each party. This could potentially facilitate an avenue for attack that needs to be considered when implementing a federated learning scheme.

Description - Figure 4 In split learning, the desired network is "split" between the parties and the server. Forward propagation is shown going up in dark blue, and backward propagation goes down in magenta. Each party performs forward propagation up to the split and sends the result to the server, who propagates forward and back again, sending the gradients back to their respective parties who can then update their networks.

In split learning, the neural net is split by the authority at a certain layer, and layers after the split are shared with the parties. Each party propagates their data up to the cut, then sends the activations at the cut layer to the server. The server finishes the forward propagation on the rest of the network, performs backward propagation up to the cut, then sends the gradients to the parties who can then each finish back propagation and update their copy of the network. After the desired number of epochs, the authority distributes its half of the network to each of the parties, and then each party has their own copy of the total network, the bottom half of each being explicitly tailored to their data. The only data leaked are those which can be inferred from the activations and gradients exchanged at each epoch. The layers below the split serve to alter the data enough that they are protected (sometimes called "smashing" the data), while still allowing the server to gather insights from it.

This article discussed a number of emerging privacy preserving technologies and how they can improve the utility extracted from data without sacrificing the privacy of those providing it. Future posts will take a more in-depth look at some of these technologies, so stay tuned! Next up is a much closer look at homomorphic encryption, from the mathematics of lattices to applications.

Want to keep in the loop about these emerging technologies, or want to share your work in the field of privacy? Check out our Privacy Preserving Technologies Community of Practice GCConnex page to discuss these DSN privacy posts, connect with peers interested in privacy, and share resources and ideas with the community. You can also give feedback on this post or leave suggestions for future posts in this series.

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Future-Oriented Statement of Operations
March 31, 2022

Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited)
for the year ending March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast results 2020-21 Planned results 2021-22
Expenses
Statistical information
 773,547 977,075
Internal services
 94,092 71,099
Total expenses 867,639 1,048,174
Revenues
Special statistical services
 129,403 138,000
Other revenues
 100 100
Revenues earned on behalf of the Government of Canada
 -16,346 -18,100
Total revenues 113,157 120,000
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 754,482 928,174

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations

Notes to the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited) for the year ending March 31

1. Methodology and significant assumptions

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared on the basis of government priorities and the plans of Statistics Canada (the agency) as described in the 2021-22 Departmental Plan.

The information in the forecasted results for fiscal year 2020-21 is based on actual results as at December 30, 2020 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts were estimated for the planned results for fiscal year 2021-22.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

  • The agency's activities will remain substantially the same as the previous year.
  • Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on historical trends and known cyclical changes.

These assumptions are made as at December 30, 2020.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2020-21 and for 2021-22, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecasted information presented, and this variation could be material.

In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, the agency established estimates and assumptions about the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and are continually evaluated.

Factors that could lead to material differences between the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and the historical financial statements include:

  • the timing and the amount of acquisitions and disposals of property which may affect gains, losses and amortization expenses;
  • the implementation of new collective agreements;
  • economic conditions, which may affect both the amount of revenue earned and the collectability of receivables; and
  • other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments made later in the fiscal year.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, the agency will not be updating the forecasts for any changes in financial resources made in ensuing supplementary estimates. Variances will be explained in the Departmental Results Report.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared using the Government of Canada's accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2020-21, and is based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Expenses

Transfer payments are recorded as an expense in the year the transfer is authorized and all eligibility criteria have been met by the recipient.

Other expenses are generally recorded when goods are received or services are rendered and include expenses related to personnel, professional and special services, repair and maintenance, utilities, materials and supplies, as well as amortization of tangible capital assets. Provisions to reflect changes in the value of assets or liabilities, such as provisions for bad debts, advances and inventory obsolescence, as well as utilization of inventories and prepaid expenses, and other are also included in other expenses.

(b) Revenues

Funds received for special statistical services are recorded upon receipt as deferred revenue. These revenues are recognized in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.

Deferred revenue consists of amounts received in advance of the delivery of goods and rendering of services that will be recognized as revenue in a subsequent fiscal year as it is earned.

Other revenues are recognized in the period the event giving rise to the revenues occurred.

Revenues that are non-respendable are not available to discharge the agency's liabilities. Although the deputy head is expected to maintain accounting control, he has no authority over the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are considered to be earned on behalf of the Government of Canada and are therefore presented as a reduction of the agency's gross revenues.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The agency is financed in part by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the agency differs from financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles because authorities are based mainly on cash flow requirements. Items recognized in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the agency has a different net cost of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to requested authorities (in thousands of dollars)

Reconciliation of net cost of operations to requested authorities (in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast results 2020-21 Planned results 2021-22
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 754,482 928,174
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Amortization of tangible capital assets
 -28,106 -24,975
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets
 -56 0
Services provided without charge by other federal government departments
 -107,298 -108,584
Increase/decrease in vacation pay and compensatory leave
 -17,708 7,014
Increase in employee future benefits
 -906 -1,847
Refunds of previous years expenditures
 712 712
Consumption of prepaid expenses
 -13,181 -12,061
Bad debt expense
 -3 0
Accrued salary receivables
 187 0
Total items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities
 -166,359 -139,741
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets
 30,863 29,266
Increase in prepaid expenses
 12,795 13,261
Transfer of payment in arrears
 5 0
Payments for pay equity settlement
 140 140
Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities
 43,803 42,667
Requested authorities forecasted to be used 631,926 831,100

(b) Authorities requested (in thousands of dollars)

Authorities requested (in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast results 2020-21 Planned results 2021-22
Authorities requested
Vote 1: operating expenditures
 586,646 748,327
Statutory amounts
 79,842 82,773
Total authorities requested 666,488 831,100
Less: Estimated unused authorities and other adjustments
 -34,562 0
Requested authorities forecasted to be used 631,926 831,100

2021 Census: 3A

Message from the Chief Statistician of Canada

Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate in the 2021 Census. The information you provide is converted into statistics used by communities, businesses and governments to plan services and make informed decisions about employment, education, health care, market development and more.

Your answers are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and kept strictly confidential. By law, every person must complete a 2021 Census of Population questionnaire.

Statistics Canada makes use of existing sources of information such as immigration, income tax and benefits data to ensure the least amount of burden is placed on households.

The information that you provide may be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes or may be combined with other survey or administrative data sources.

Make sure you count yourself into Canada's statistical portrait, and complete your census questionnaire today.

Thank you,

Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada

Complete your census questionnaire:

  • Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
  • Mark circles with "X".

Any questions?

  • www.census.gc.ca
  • Call us free of charge at 1-855-340-2021
  • TTY: 1-833-830-3109

Français au verso

Confidential when completed

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

Step A

1. What is your telephone number?

  • Number, Ext.

2. What is the address where you received this questionnaire?

  • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
    (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
  • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
  • Apartment/unit/room
  • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
  • Province/territory
  • Postal code

3. What is the mailing address of this dwelling, if different from above?
(e.g., Rural Route, PO Box, General Delivery)

Step B

1. What is your name?

  • Family name(s)
  • Given name(s)

Step C

The following questions refer to your situation on May 11, 2021.

If you are:

  • a Canadian citizen
    • Continue with step D
  • a landed immigrant (permanent resident)
    • Continue with step D
  • a person who has claimed refugee status (asylum seeker) in Canada
    • Continue with step D
  • a person from another country with a work or study permit
    • Continue with step D

If you are:

  • a resident of another country visiting Canada, for example, on vacation or on a business trip
    • Mark "X" the circle
      STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.
  • a government representative of another country
    • Mark "X" the circle
      STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.

Step D

Is this your main residence?

  • Yes
    • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
  • No, but I have no other residence in Canada
    • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
  • No, it is somewhere else in Canada
    • Specify complete address
      • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
        (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
      • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
      • Apartment/unit/room
      • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
      • Province/territory
      • Postal code
      • Telephone number

      STOP HERE.
      You should be included on the household questionnaire for the above address.
      See instructions in Step E on page 6.

1. a) Is there any other address in Canada where someone may include you on the census form for that household?

    For example, at the home of a parent, relative or friend, or a place where you live while working, or a vacation home.

    • No
      • Go to question 2
    • Yes
      • Specify complete address
        • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
          (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
        • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
        • Apartment/unit
        • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
        • Province/territory
        • Postal code
        • Telephone number

    1. b) Please give the name of another adult (if any) living at this other address.

    • Family name(s)
    • Given name(s)
    • No other adult

    2. What was your sex at birth?

    Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

    • Male
    • Female

    3. What is your gender?

    Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

    • Male
    • Female
    • Or please specify your gender:

    4. What are your date of birth and age?

    If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

    • Day
    • Month
    • Year
    • Age

    5. What is your marital status?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Never legally married
    • Legally married (and not separated)
    • Separated, but still legally married
    • Divorced
    • Widowed

    6. Are you living with a common-law partner?

    Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

    • Yes
    • No

    7. What is your status here (at the address you entered on the front cover)?

    Mark “x” or specify one response only.

    • Resident under care or custody (e.g., patient, inmate)
    • Roommate, lodger or boarder
    • Employee
    • Employee’s family member
    • Other status — specify:

    8. Can you speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • English only
    • French only
    • Both English and French
    • Neither English nor French

    9. a) What language(s) do you speak on a regular basis at home?

    • English
    • French
    • Other language(s) — specify:

    If you indicate only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

    9. b) Of these languages, which one do you speak most often at home?

    Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

    • English
    • French
    • Other language — specify:

    10. What is the language that you first learned at home in childhood and still understand?

    If you no longer understand the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

    • English
    • French
    • Other language — specify:

    11. Have you ever served in the Canadian military?

    Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
    • Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
    • No

    The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

    12. Is this dwelling located in Quebec?

    • No
      • Continue with question 13.
    • Yes
      • Go to question 16.

    13. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes (previously or currently attending)
    • No
      • Go to Step E

    14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

    • A regular French program in a French-language school
    • A French immersion program in an English-language school
      • Go to Step E
    • Both types of programs
    • Other program — specify:

    15. For how many years did you attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

    • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
      • Number of years
        • Go to Step E
    • Number of years in secondary schooling
      • Number of years
        • Go to Step E

    16. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes (previously or currently attending)
    • No
      • Go to Step E

    17. For how many years did you do your schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

    • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
      • Number of years
    • Number of years in secondary schooling
      • Number of years

    Step E

    You have now completed your questionnaire.

    Please see instructions on the envelope.

    Thank you for your cooperation.

      The law protects what you tell us

      The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

      Reasons why we ask the questions

      Steps A to D and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

      Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

      Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

      Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

      Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

      Comments

      Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

      • the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
      • the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

      2021 Census: 2C

      Message from the Chief Statistician of Canada

      Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate in the 2021 Census. The information you provide is converted into statistics used by communities, businesses and governments to plan services and make informed decisions about employment, education, health care, market development and more.

      Your answers are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and kept strictly confidential. By law, every person must complete a 2021 Census of Population questionnaire.

      Statistics Canada makes use of existing sources of information such as immigration, income tax and benefits data to ensure the least amount of burden is placed on households.

      The information that you provide may be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes or may be combined with other survey or administrative data sources.

      To ensure confidentiality, put your completed questionnaire in the envelope provided and seal it. Return the envelope in accordance with the instructions given by your unit or department. Only Statistics Canada staff will open the envelopes.

      Make sure you count yourself into Canada's statistical portrait, and complete your census questionnaire today.

      Thank you,

      Anil Arora
      Chief Statistician of Canada

      Any questions?

      Visit www.census.gc.ca

      Ce questionnaire est disponible en français

      • Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
      • Mark circles with an "X".

      Confidential when completed

      This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

      Step A

      1. Do you have a permanent place of residence in Canada presently occupied by one or more members of your family?

      • Yes
        • What is the address of your permanent place of residence?
          • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
            (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
          • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
          • Apartment/unit
          • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
          • Province/territory
          • Postal code
          • Telephone number
          • Enter the name of an adult living at this address.
            • Family name(s)
            • Given names(s)
      • No
        • What is the address you give for election purposes?
          If you have no such address, enter your last permanent address in Canada.
          • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
            (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
          • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
          • Apartment/unit
          • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
          • Province/territory
          • Postal code
          • Telephone number

      2. Enter the name and address of the military or government establishment outside Canada to which you are presently attached or, if none, the city or town and the country in which you reside.

      • Name of establishment
      • Location — City or town
      • Country

      Step B

      1. Including yourself, how many persons usually live at your address (outside Canada) as of May 11, 2021?

      Include: all persons who have their main residence at this address, even if they are temporarily away, provided they are:

      • Canadian government employees (federal, provincial and territorial) or a member of their family OR members of the Canadian Armed Forces or a member of their family who are stationed outside Canada,
      • other Canadian citizens OR persons with Canadian landed immigrant status who are outside Canada on Census Day, but whose permanent residence is in Canada.
      • Number of persons

      2. Including yourself, list all persons who usually live at your address (outside Canada).

      Important: Begin the list with an adult followed, if applicable, by that person's spouse or common-law partner and by their children. Continue with all other persons who usually live at this address.

      • Person 1: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 2: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 3: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 4: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 5: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 6: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 7: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 8: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 9: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 10: Family name(s), Given name(s)

      Step C

      Copy the names in Step B to question 1, at the top of page 4.

      Keep the same order.

      If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

      1. Name

      In the spaces provided, copy the names in the same order as in Step B. Then answer the following questions for each person.

      Person 1

      • Family name
      • Given name

      The following questions refer to each person's situation on May 11, 2021, unless otherwise specified.

      2. What was this person's sex at birth?

      Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

      • Male
      • Female

      3. What is this person's gender?

      Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

      • Male
      • Female
      • Or please specify this person's gender:

      4. What are this person's date of birth and age?

      If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

      • Day
      • Month
      • Year
      • Age

      5. What is this person's marital status?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Never legally married
      • Legally married (and not separated)
      • Separated, but still legally married
      • Divorced
      • Widowed

      6. Is this person living with a common-law partner?

      Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

      • Yes
      • No

      7. What is the relationship of this person to Person 1?

      If none of the responses in the list describes this person's relationship to Person 1, then specify a response under "Other relationship".

      Person 1

      • Person 1

      Person 2

      • Husband or wife of Person 1
      • Common-law partner of Person 1
      • Son or daughter of Person 1 only
      • Grandchild of Person 1
      • Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
      • Father or mother of Person 1
      • Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
      • Brother or sister of Person 1
      • Foster child
      • Roommate, lodger or boarder
      • Other relationship — specify:

      Persons 3-6

      • Son or daughter of both Persons 1 and 2
      • Son or daughter of Person 1 only
      • Son or daughter of Person 2 only
      • Grandchild of Person 1
      • Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
      • Father or mother of Person 1
      • Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
      • Brother or sister of Person 1
      • Foster child
      • Roommate, lodger or boarder
      • Other relationship — specify:

      8. Can this person speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • English only
      • French only
      • Both English and French
      • Neither English nor French

      9. a) What language(s) does this person speak on a regular basis at home?

      • English
      • French
      • Other language(s) — specify:

      If this person indicates only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

      9. b) Of these languages, which one does this person speak most often at home?

      Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

      • English
      • French
      • Other language — specify:

      10. What is the language that this person first learned at home in childhood and still understands?

      If this person no longer understands the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

      • English
      • French
      • Other language — specify:

      11. Has this person ever served in the Canadian military?

      Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
      • Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
      • No

      The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

      12. Is the address in Canada you provided in Step A, question 1, located in Quebec?

      • No
        • Continue with question 13.
      • Yes
        • Go to question 16.

      13. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes (previously or currently attending)
      • No
        • Go to Step D

      14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

      • A regular French program in a French-language school
      • A French immersion program in an English-language school
        • Go to Step D
      • Both types of programs
      • Other program — specify:

      15. For how many years did this person attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

      • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
        • Number of years
          • Go to Step D
      • Number of years in secondary schooling
        • Number of years
          • Go to Step D

      16. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes (previously or currently attending)
      • No
        • Go to Step D

      17. For how many years did this person do their schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

      • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
        • Number of years
      • Number of years in secondary schooling
        • Number of years

      Step D

      Comments

      Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

      • the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
      • the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

      Step E

      If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

      You have now completed your questionnaire. Please return it in accordance with instructions from your unit or department.

      Thank you for your cooperation.

      Reasons why we ask the questions

      Steps A and B and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

      Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

      Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

      Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

      Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

        The law protects what you tell us

        The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

        Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS) - Privacy impact assessment summary

        Introduction

        Statistics Canada is conducting the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS) from November 2020 to March 2021. This survey collects health data on the current COVID-19 pandemic by asking selected participants to complete an electronic questionnaire and provide a blood sample from a self-administered finger prick (dried blood spot sample). This voluntary survey will be sent to approximately 48,000 Canadians, aged 1 and over, across the provinces and territories. It is expected that approximately 20,000 respondents will complete the entire survey (questionnaire and blood sample).

        All processes of the CCAHS have been reviewed and approved by the Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board to ensure that internationally recognized ethical standards for human research are met and maintained.

        Objective

        A privacy impact assessment for the CCAHS was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality or security issues with this survey and to make recommendations to resolve or mitigate any issues.

        Description

        This survey was developed in consultation with the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF). The CITF is funded by the Government of Canada and is composed of members from various domains, including universities, hospitals and the public health sector. The CITF was created to support the development and implementation of population-based serological studies (using blood tests) on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to better understand the impact of the pandemic in Canada.

        Results from this survey will provide important information on the health status of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an estimate of the prevalence of infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This survey will also provide a platform to explore new measurement techniques, as this is the first time that self-administered blood samples are being collected from a nationally-representative sample of Canadians.

        Risk Area Identification and Categorization

        The PIA identifies the level of potential risk (level 1 is the lowest level of potential risk and level 4 is the highest) associated with the following risk areas:

        Risk Area Identification and Categorization
          Risk scale

        a) Type of program or activity

        Program or activity that does not involve a decision about an identifiable individual.

        		 1

        b) Type of personal information involved and context

        Sensitive personal information, including detailed profiles, allegations or suspicions and bodily samples, or the context surrounding the personal information is particularly sensitive.

        		 4

        c) Program or activity partners and private sector involvement

        Private sector organizations, international organizations or foreign governments

        		 4

        d) Duration of the program or activity

        One-time program or activity

        		 1

        e) Program population

        The program's use of personal information is not for administrative purposes. Information is collected for statistical purposes, under the authority of the Statistics Act.

        		 N/A

        f) Personal information transmission

        The personal information is transmitted using wireless technologies.

        		 4

        g) Technology and privacy

        The CCAHS does not require the implementation of new technology or modifications to legacy systems to support the creation, collection or handling of personal information.

        h) Potential risk that in the event of a privacy breach, there will be an impact on the individual or employee.

        There is a very low risk for a breach of any personal information being disclosed without proper authorization. The impact on the individual would be high, as it could negatively affect their reputation because of the stigmatization related to certain health conditions or illnesses.

        Conclusion

        This assessment of the CCAHS did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using existing Statistics Canada safeguards and procedures, as well as those in place at the various laboratories being used. Any remaining risks are either negligible or are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage.

        CVs for operating revenue - Food services and drinking places - 2019

        CVs for operating revenue - Food services and drinking places - 2019
        Geography CVs for operating revenue
        percent
        Canada 0.32
        Newfoundland and Labrador 1.43
        Prince Edward Island 0.45
        Nova Scotia 0.26
        New Brunswick 1.14
        Quebec 0.80
        Ontario 0.45
        Manitoba 1.16
        Saskatchewan 0.79
        Alberta 0.62
        British Columbia 0.63
        Yukon 0.88
        Northwest Territories 0.00
        Nunavut 0.00

        Employment services - CVs for operating revenue - 2019

        CVs for operating revenue - Employment services - 2019
        Geography CVs for operating revenue
        percent
        Canada 0.00
        Newfoundland and Labrador 0.00
        Prince Edward Island 0.00
        Nova Scotia 0.00
        New Brunswick 0.00
        Quebec 0.01
        Ontario 0.00
        Manitoba 0.00
        Saskatchewan 0.00
        Alberta 0.01
        British Columbia 0.00
        Yukon 0.00
        Northwest Territories 0.06
        Nunavut 0.00

        Table of contents

        Copyright information

        © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, 2020
        Catalogue no. 892600072020001
        ISSN 2818-503X

        Introduction

        The Access to Information Act establishes the principle that the general public has the right to access information controlled by federal government institutions, and that exceptions should be limited and specific.

        The Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information Act is prepared and submitted, in accordance with section 72 of the Act, and covers the period from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020. The report is tabled in Parliament.

        Due to the exceptional measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to protect federal employees, Statistics Canada employees have been operating with significantly-reduced on-site workforces since March 16, 2020.

        Administration of the Access to Information Act

        By virtue of section 24 of the Access to Information Act, which is a mandatory provision, information collected under the Statistics Act, and protected by section 17 of that Act, cannot be made available to anyone attempting to obtain it using the Access to Information Act. This exception enables the Agency to continue giving a clear and unqualified assurance to its respondents that the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act are preserved by the Access to Information Act.

        The administration of the access to information legislation within Statistics Canada and the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator for the Agency is the responsibility of the Director of the Office of Privacy Management and Information Coordination who is also the ATIP Coordinator.

        Organization and mandate of Statistics Canada

        Statistics Canada's mandate derives primarily from the Statistics Act. The Act requires that the Agency collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information on the economic, social, and general conditions of the country and its citizens. The Act also requires that Statistics Canada co-ordinate the national statistical system, specifically to avoid duplication in the information collected by government. To this end, the Chief Statistician may enter into joint data-collection or data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies, as well as with federal, provincial, and territorial government departments pursuant to provisions of the Act.

        The Statistics Act specifically requires Statistics Canada to conduct a Census of Population and a Census of Agriculture every five years. The Act also gives the Agency substantial powers to request information for statistical purposes through surveys of Canadian businesses and households. Under the Act, the Chief Statistician determines whether a survey will be mandatory or voluntary. Statistics Canada has generally made voluntary household data collection other than the Census of Population and the Labour Force Survey, as the latter produces key economic data. The Census of Agriculture and most other business surveys are mandatory. Refusal to participate in a mandatory survey is subject to legal penalties.

        By law, Statistics Canada can also access administrative records, including personal and business tax data, credit information, customs declarations, and birth and death records. Such records are critical sources of statistical information that enable the Agency to reduce reporting burden on businesses and individual respondents. Statistics Canada is considered a leader among the world's statistical agencies in reducing reporting burden by using administrative data.

        These mechanisms help Statistics Canada fulfill its commitment to ensuring that Canadians have all the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers in a rapidly evolving world.

        Delegation Order

        The delegation order exercises the powers and functions of the Minister as the head of a government institution, pursuant to section 73 of the Access to Information Act. The current detailed list of authorities under the Access to Information Act was formally delegated by the Minister of Industry (Appendix A) as of November 2017 and provides full delegated authority to the Director of the Office of Privacy Management and Information Coordination and the Chief, Statistical Agreements, Licensing and Legislation Section.

        Resources

        The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office operates within an allocation of 2.08 persons/year. The Director of Office of Privacy Management and Information Coordination has been delegated all the responsibilities. An Access to Information and Privacy Project Manager and a Senior Access to Information and Privacy analyst are assigned on a full-time basis to this responsibility. Two additional analysts were hired to join the Access to Information and Privacy Office, during the reporting period.

        Statistical report

        The statistical report provides aggregate data on the application of the Access to Information Act (Appendix B). This information is made public annually in an Information about Programs and Information Holdings (formerly Info Source) Bulletin and is included with the annual report.

        Implementation: Access to Information

        Disposition of requests completed during reporting period

        • Fully disclosed: 24
        • Partially disclosed: 43
        • Nothing disclosed: 21
        • No records exist: 38
        • Abandoned: 7
        • Transferred: 1
        • Total: 134

        Access to Information requests

        During the reporting period, from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, Statistics Canada received 141 new access to information requests. In addition, 42 requests were carried forward from the previous reporting period, for a total of 183 requests. Of the total, 134 requests were completed; leaving 49 to be carried forward to the next reporting period.

        Media and the public were the largest client groups, as they represented 94 of the 141 requests that were received during the reporting period.

        For the completed requests, all records were either disclosed in full or in part for 67 requests, the information was fully exempted/excluded for 21 requests, no records existed for 38 requests, 7 requests were abandoned by the requestors.

        In responding to the formal access to information requests, approximately 5,000 pages were reviewed and more than 3,700 pages were released. A total of 42 requestors received information electronically on CD-ROM, and the rest were provided in paper format.

        The following table shows the latest five-year trend of the Agency's processing of access to information requests.

        Statistics Canada processing of access to information requests, 2012/2013 - 2018/2018
        Fiscal Year Requests Received Requests Completed Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Released
        2019/2020 141 134 5,031 3,748
        2018/2019 154 128 6,020 5,467
        2017/2018 115 116 10,254 7,222
        2016/2017 222 212 12,571 10,026
        2015/2016 146 144 11,365 4,542

        Types of records requested

        The substance of the requests covered the entire range of matters pertaining to Statistics Canada's role and included:

        • data from statistical programs or background information relating to statistical programs and information on the availability of data from standard dissemination tables;
        • records related to the administration of the Agency (most records were released with minimal exemptions);
        • census information;
        • IT security policies, procedures and techniques;
        • clients wishing to access their personal information;
        • requests from trustees or estate administrators.

        In this last case, the regulations permit duly authorized representatives to act on behalf of a minor or an incompetent person to administer their affairs or estate. To do so, the trustees and estate administrators seek personal information from the census or from 1940 national registration records of deceased individuals, minors, or dependent adults. In the case of the deceased, the administrator of the estate may exercise these rights, but only for the purposes of estate administration.

        Other requests

        From April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, Statistics Canada also received 103 Access to Information Act consultation requests from other departments. The Agency was asked to review 2,592 pages of information. The Access to Information and Privacy Office processed 103 of the consultation requests this fiscal year.  Forty-eight (48) consultations were completed within 1-15 days, seventeen (17) consultations were completed within 16-30 days, twenty-nine (29) consultations were completed within 31-60 days, seven (7) were completed within 61-120 days and two (2) were completed within 121-180 days. Five (5) consultations have been carried forward to the next reporting period.

        Summaries of completed Access to Information Act requests are available on the “Open Government Portal”. Requests for copies of these completed requests, as well as requests not processed under the Act, are classified as informal requests. This past fiscal year, 13 requests were processed informally, totalling approximately 764 documents.

        The ATIP Office acted as a resource for Statistics Canada officials, offering advice and guidance on the provisions under the legislation. The office was consulted on the disclosure and collection of data on a wide range of matters, including:

        • publications to be posted on the open government portal;
        • proactive disclosure on travel and hospitality;
        • Management Accountability Framework assessments;
        • security of information;
        • reviews of audits to be posted on the Internet;
        • reviews of parliamentary questions and responses;
        • updates to the ATIP internet and intranet sites;
        • reviews of and updates to ATIP business practices and procedures.

        Trends in the disposition of completed requests

        The disposition of the 134 requests completed in 2019/2020 was as follows:

        • 24 were fully disclosed (18%)
        • 43 were partially disclosed (32%)
        • 21 were exempt/excluded in entirety (16%)
        • 7 were abandoned by applicants (5%)
        • 38 information did not exist (29%)

        In 2019/2020 the number of requests completed has increased to 134 for an average of about 147 over the last five years.

        Completion time and extensions

        All completed requests in 2019/20 were processed as prescribed by the Act and within the time required for all of them. Several factors contributed to Statistics Canada's timely response rate over the past year, information sessions with officials, and a streamlined delegation order.

        The requests were completed as follows:

        • 62 within 1 to 15 days (46%)
        • 28 within 16 to 30 days (21%)
        • 11 within 31 to 60 days (8%)
        • 9 within 61 to 120 days (7%)
        • 19 within 121 to 180 days (14%)
        • 5 within 181 to 365 days (4%)

        Out of the 134 requests processed, an extension was taken in 37 cases either for interference with operations of the department, to consult with other federal institutions, and/or to consult with Legal Services for Cabinet confidences.

        Exemptions and exclusions invoked

        The Access to Information Act allows and in some case requires certain data to not be released. In 2019/2020 the following sections of the Act were invoked:

        • Section 15(1) – International Affairs (1)
        • Section 16(1)(c) – Records containing information pertaining to ongoing investigations (2)
        • Section 16(2)(a) – Records containing information pertaining to criminal methods or techniques (1)
        • Section 16(2)(c) – Records containing information on vulnerability of systems, including computer or communications systems (11)
        • Section 18(a) – Financial information that belongs to the Government of Canada (1)
        • Section 18(b) – Information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to prejudice the competitive position of a government institution or to interfere with contractual or other negotiations of a government institution (1)
        • Section 19 – Records containing personal information (23)
        • Section 20 – Records containing third-party business information (29)
        • Section 21 – Records containing information relating to internal decision-making (20)
        • Section 22 – Records containing information relating to testing procedures, tests and audits (2)
        • Section 24 – Records that have a statutory prohibition against disclosure (1)
        • Section 69 – Cabinet Confidences (12)

        Fees

        Application fees are applied as described in the Access to Information Act. During the reporting period, $590 was collected in application fees. There were no search fees and no fees were collected for reproduction and preparation time. The Agency waived $115 worth of fees, specifically application fees in cases where the requested information was, or was to be, published or could have been obtained through a custom data request where fees apply. Fees were also waived for those individuals who were making a request for their own personal information.

        Costs

        During 2019/2020, the ATIP Office incurred an estimated $181,430 in salary costs and $3,539 in administrative costs to administer the Access to Information Act.

        Training initiatives for Access to Information

        In 2019/2020, the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office began developing a formal training program for all staff across the Agency, which was expected to begin April 2020.  Informal one-on-one training was made available to all staff within the Agency, until such time as the formal training is implemented.  The informal training assists staff in understanding their obligations under the Act, as well as informing them about policies and directives related to information at Statistics Canada.

        Policies, guidelines and procedures

        The ATIP Office has a variety of tools in place to ensure that ATIP contacts are well informed about their roles and responsibilities for coordinating ATIP requests. These tools include checklists on the steps to follow when providing records for access to information requests and on the availability of the ATIP team throughout the process.

        In 2019/2020, no new or revised governing instruments related to ATI were implemented at Statistics Canada.

        Complaints and investigations

        There were three complaints lodged against Statistics Canada with the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada during the current reporting period.  Two complaints pertained to the existence of records, and one complaint pertained to an extension.  The Office of the Information Commissioner deemed the complaint pertaining to the extension as well-founded.  One complaint was settled by agreement between parties, and the other has not yet been resolved.

        Monitoring of the requests

        At Statistics Canada, the ATIP Office processes and monitors requests by registering them in a comprehensive system known as Privasoft – Case Management. An acknowledgment of the request and of the application fee of $5.00 is sent to the client and a retrieval form is forwarded to the relevant program area (Office of Primary Interest (OPI)). If the OPI and/or the ATIP Office need to clarify the request, only the ATIP Office contacts the client, unless prior approval is provided by the client. Client names are always kept confidential.

        The retrieval form provided to the OPI was created by the ATIP Office at Statistics Canada and is based upon the Policy on Access to Information and the Directive on the Administration of Access to Information from the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada. The form includes the text of the request, the name of the ATIP Officer and his/her phone number, and the date by which records are required (normally 5 to 10 days). It is noted on the form that the ATIP Office is required to report annually on the administrative costs related to requests and thus information is needed on the level(s) and group(s) of those involved in the retrieval, the amount of time spent working on the request (this includes time for search, retrieval, internal review (relevant or not to the request) and photocopying). The individuals providing the records are asked to identify any records which may be sensitive in nature (e.g., legal issues, Cabinet confidences, personal information, company information, advice to the Minister), which may require consultations, and/or which may generate media interest. The Director or Director General of the program area sign-off the form.

        The ATIP Office assists the program areas with the retrieval of records from day one. As 5 to 10 days are allowed for the retrieval, a follow-up is made on the fifth day. If additional time is required for the retrieval, this is when the program area is to notify the ATIP Office. An additional 1 to 5 days may be granted depending on the amount of work remaining. Once the documents are received from the OPI, the ATIP Office ensures the form is duly completed and that it has been signed by the appropriate manager. The ATIP Office then takes 5 to 10 days to review and process the records. If sensitive issues are identified in the submitted materials, 1-3 days prior to the release of the final version to the client, an e-mail is sent to Strategic Communications and Outreach Branchand to any other relevant programs to inform them of the release. The OPI and management are very aware of the importance of ATIP requests.

        Appendix A: Delegation Instrument

        Access to Information and Privacy Acts Delegation Order

        The Minister of Industry, pursuant to section 73 of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, hereby designates the persons holding the positions set out in the schedule hereto, or the persons occupying on an acting basis those positions, to exercise the powers and functions of the Minister as the head of Statistics Canada, under the section of the Act set out in the schedule opposite each position. This designation replaces all previous delegation Orders.

        Schedule

        Schedule
        Position Access to Information Act and Regulations Privacy Act and Regulations
        Chief Statistician of Canada Full authority Full authority
        Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Statistician Full authority Full authority
        Director, Information Management Division Full authority Full authority
        Chief, Statistical Agreements, Legislation and Licensing Section Full authority Full authority
        Senior Statistical and Legal Analyst, Statistical Agreements, Legislation and Licensing Section Sections 7(a), 8(1), 9, 11(2), 11(3), 11(4), 11(5), 11(6), 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27(1), 27(4), 28(1)(b), 28(2), 28(4), 68, 69, 71(1)
        Regulations:
        6(1), 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 8, 8.1        		 Sections 8(2)(j), 8(2)(m), 10, 14, 15, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 19(1), 19(2), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 70
        Regulations:
        Sections 9, 11(2), 11(4), 13(1), 14
        Senior Access to Information and Privacy Project Manager Sections 7(a), 8(1), 9, 11(2), 11(3), 11(4), 11(5), 11(6), 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27(1), 27(4), 28(1)(b), 28(2), 28(4), 68, 69, 71(1)
        Regulations:
        Sections 6(1), 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 8, 8.1        		 Sections 8(2)(j), 8(2)(m), 10, 14, 15, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 19(1), 19(2), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 70
        Regulations:
        9, 11(2), 11(4), 13(1), 14
        Senior Access to Information and Privacy Project Officer Sections 7(a), 8(1), 9, 11(2), 11(3), 11(4), 11(5), 11(6), 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27(1), 27(4), 28(1)(b), 28(2), 28(4), 68, 69, 71(1)
        Regulations:
        Sections 6(1), 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 8, 8.1        		 Sections 8(2)(j), 8(2)(m), 10, 14, 15, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 19(1), 19(2), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 70
        Regulations:
        9, 11(2), 11(4), 13(1), 14

        The original version was signed by
        The Honourable Navdeep Banes
        Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
        Dated, at the City of Ottawa
        November 1, 2017

        Appendix B: Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

        Name of institution: Statistics Canada

        Reporting period: 2019-04-01 to 2020-03-31

        Part 1: Requests Under the Access to Information Act

        1.1 Number of requests

        Number of requests
          Number of Requests
        Received during reporting period 141
        Outstanding from previous reporting period 42
        Total 183
        Closed during reporting period 134
        Carried over to next reporting period 49

        1.2 Sources of requests

        Sources of requests
        Source Number of Requests
        Media 40
        Academia 18
        Business (private sector) 26
        Organization 3
        Public 54
        Decline to Identify 0
        Total 141

        1.3 Informal requests

        Informal requests
          Completion Time
        1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
        Informal requests 11 2 0 0 0 0 0 13
        Note: All requests previously recorded as "treated informally" will now be accounted for in this section only.
        TBS/SCT 350-63 (Rev. 2011/03)

        Part 2: Decline to act on vexatious, made in bad faith or abuse of right requests

        Decline to act on vexatious, made in bad faith or abuse of right requests
        Types Number of Requests
        Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
        Sent during reporting period 0
        Total 0
        Approved by the Information Commissioner during reporting period  0
        Declined by the Information Commissioner during reporting period  0
        Carried over to next reporting period 0

        Part 3: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

        3.1 Disposition and completion time

        Disposition and completion time
        Disposition of Requests Completion Time
        1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
        All disclosed 8 10 2 3 1 0 0 24
        Disclosed in part 7 5 4 4 18 5 0 43
        All exempted 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
        All excluded 13 5 0 1 0 0 0 19
        No records exist 27 6 5 0 0 0 0 38
        Request transferred 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
        Request abandoned 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 7
        Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Decline to act with the approval of the Information Commisioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 62 28 11 9 19 5 0 134

        3.2 Exemptions

        Exemptions
        Section Number of Requests
        13(1)(a) 0
        13(1)(b) 0
        13(1)(c) 0
        13(1)(d) 0
        13(1)(e) 0
        14 0
        14(a) 0
        14(b) 0
        15(1) 1
        15(1) - I.A. 0
        15(1) - Def. 0
        15(1) - S.A. 0
        16(1)(a)(i) 0
        16(1)(a)(ii) 0
        16(1)(a)(iii) 0
        16(1)(b) 1
        16(1)(c) 0
        16(1)(d) 0
        16(2) 0
        16(2)(a) 0
        16(2)(b) 0
        16(2)(c) 11
        16(3) 0
        16.1(1)(a) 0
        16.1(1)(b) 0
        16.1(1)(c) 0
        16.1(1)(d) 0
        16.2(1) 0
        16.3 0
        16.4(1)(a) 0
        16.4(1)(b) 0
        16.5 0
        17 0
        18(a) 1
        18(b) 1
        18(c) 0
        18(d) 0
        18.1(1)(a) 0
        18.1(1)(b) 0
        18.1(1)(c) 0
        18.1(1)(d) 0
        19(1) 23
        20(1)(a) 7
        20(1)(b) 13
        20(1)(b.1) 0
        20(1)(c) 8
        20(1)(d) 1
        20.1 0
        20.2 0
        20.4 0
        21(1)(a) 9
        21(1)(b) 10
        21(1)(c) 1
        21(1)(d) 0
        22 2
        22.1(1) 0
        23 0
        23.1 0
        24(1) 1
        26 0
        I.A.: International Affairs
        Def.: Defence of Canada
        S.A.: Subversive Activities

        3.3 Exclusions

        Exclusions
        Section Number of Requests
        68(a) 9
        68(b) 0
        68(c) 0
        68.1 0
        68.2(a) 0
        68.2(b) 0
        69(1) 0
        69(1)(a) 0
        69(1)(b) 0
        69(1)(c) 1
        69(1)(d) 0
        69(1)(e) 3
        69(1)(f) 0
        69(1)(g) re (a) 3
        69(1)(g) re (b) 0
        69(1)(g) re (c) 2
        69(1)(g) re (d) 0
        69(1)(g) re (e) 3
        69(1)(g) re (f) 0
        69.1(1) 0

        3.4 Format of information released

        Format of information released
        Format Number of requests
        Paper 24
        Electronic 42
        Other 1

        3.5 Complexity

        3.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed
        Relevant pages processed and disclosed
        Disposition of Requests Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
        All disclosed 5031 3748 95
        3.5.2 Relevant pages processed and disclosed by size of requests
        Relevant pages processed and disclosed by size of requests
        Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
        Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
        All disclosed 23 504 5 973 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Disclosed in part 26 636 15 1919 2 540 0 0 0 0
        All exempted 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        All excluded 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Request abandoned 7 72 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 77 1212 16 1996 2 540 0 0 0 0
        3.5.3 Other complexities
        Other complexities
        Disposition Consultation Required Assessment of Fees Legal Advice Sought Other Total
        All disclosed 20 0 0 0 20
        Disclosed in part 33 0 8 0 41
        All exempted 2 0 0 0 2
        All excluded 14 0 0 0 14
        Request abandoned 2 0 0 0 2
        Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 71 0 8 0 79

        3.6 Closed requests

        3.6.1 Number of requests closed within legislated timelines
        Motifs du non respect du délai statutaire
          Requests closed within legislated timelines
        Number of requests closed within legislated timelines 112
        Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) 83.6

        3.7 Deemed refusals

        3.7.1 Reasons for not meeting statutory deadline
        Reasons for not meeting statutory deadline
        Number of Requests Closed Past the Statutory Deadline Principal Reason
        Interference with Operations/Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
        22 5 10 0 7
        3.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
        3.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
        Number of Days Past Deadline Number of Requests Past Deadline Where No Extension Was Taken Number of Requests Past Deadline Where An Extension Was Taken Total
        1 to 15 days 6 3 9
        16 to 30 days 0 0 0
        31 to 60 days 4 2 6
        61 to 120 days 1 5 6
        121  to 180 days 1 0 1
        181 to 365 days 0 0 0
        More than 365 days 0 0 0
        Total 12 10 22

        3.8 Requests for translation

        Requests for translation
        Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
        English to French 0 0 0
        French to English 0 0 0
        Total 0 0 0

        Part 4: Extensions

        4.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests

        Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
        Disposition of Requests Where an Extension Was Taken 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
        Section 69 Other
        All disclosed 5 1 0 0
        Disclosed in part 21 7 0 1
        All exempted 0 0 0 0
        All excluded 0 0 0 0
        No records exist 1 0 0 0
        Request abandoned 1 0 0 0
        Total 28 8 0 1

        4.2 Length of extensions

        Length of extensions
        Length of Extensions 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
        Section 69 Other
        30 days or less 2 2 0 0
        31 to 60 days 4 2 0 1
        61 to 120 days 21 4 0 0
        121 to 180 days

        1

        		 0 0 0
        181 to 365 days 0 0 0 0
        365 days or more 0 0 0 0
        Total 28 8 0 1

        Part 5: Fees

        Fees
        Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived or Refunded
        Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount
        Application 118 $590 23 $115
        Other fees 0 $0 0 $0
        Total 118 $590 23 $115

        Part 6: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

        6.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and organizations

        Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and organizations
        Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
        Received during reporting period 103 2465 3 323
        Outstanding from the previous reporting period 8 127 1 3
        Total 111 2592 4 326
        Closed during the reporting period 103 2465 3 42
        Pending at the end of the reporting period 5 151 1 284

        6.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions

        Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
        Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
        1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
        Disclose entirely 42 13 25 7 2 0 0 89
        Disclose in part 4 3 2 0 0 0 0 9
        Exempt entirely 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
        Exclude entirely 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
        Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 48 17 29 7 2 0 0 103

        6.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations

        Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations
        Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
        1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
        Disclose entirely 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 3
        Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 3

        Part 7: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

        7.1 Requests with Legal Services

        Requests with Legal Services
        Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
        Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
        1 to 15 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        16 to 30 4 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        31 to 60 3 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 8 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

        6.2 Requests with Privy Council Office

        Requests with Privy Council Office
        Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101‒500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
        Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
        1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
        Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

        Part 8: Complaints and Investigations

        Complaints and Investigations
          Section 32 Notice of intention to investigate Subsection 30(5) Ceased to  investigate Section 35 Formal representations Section 37 Reports of finding received Section 37 Reports of finding containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Section 37 Reports of finding containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner
        Complaints and Investigations 3 1 0 0 0 0

        Part 9: Court Action

        9.1 Court actions on complaints received before June 21, 2019 and on-going

        Court actions on complaints received before June 21, 2019 and on-going
          Section 41 (before June 21, 2019) Section 42 Section 44 Total
        Court Actions 0 0 0 0

        9.2 Court actions on complaints received after June 21, 2019

        Court actions on complaints received after June 21, 2019
          Complainant (1) Institution (2) Third Party (3) Privacy Commissioner (4) Total
        Court Actions 0 0 0 0 0

        Part 10: Resources Related to the Access to Information Act

        10.1 Costs

        Costs
        Expenditures Amount
        Salaries $181,430
        Overtime $0
        Goods and Services $3,539
        (Professional services contracts) ($0)
        (Other) ($0)
        Total $184,969

        10.2 Human Resources

        Human Resources
        Resources Person Years Dedicated to Access to Information Activities
        Full-time employees 1.73
        Part-time and casual employees 0.00
        Regional staff 0.00
        Consultants and agency personnel 0.00
        Students 0.00
        Total 1.73
        Note: Enter values to two decimal places.

        2021 Monthly Renewable Fuel Survey - Reporting Guide

        Reporting instructions

        Purpose

        To obtain information on the supply and demand of energy in Canada. This information serves as an important indicator of Canadian economic performance, is used by all levels of government in establishing informed policies in the energy area. The private sector likewise uses this information in the corporate decision-making process.

        Who must submit

        To be completed by the operators of all ethanol and biodiesel establishments located in Canada.

        When to submit

        The questionnaire must be received by Statistics Canada 10 calendar days following the month in review.

        How to submit

        An email invitation is sent to respondents to download and complete an Excel questionnaire and provide access to a secure portal to upload the data to Statistics Canada.

        • Login to the survey link.
        • Download, complete, and save the questionnaire.
        • Return to the survey link and follow the instructions to attach the completed questionnaire.

        General instructions

        Operations

        Quantities: Report using the following criteria.

        Report all Feedstocks and Co-products quantities to the nearest whole number in Metric Tonnes.

        Report all Renewable Fuel quantities to the nearest whole number in Cubic Metres.

        All values should be positive except for Losses and Adjustments, which can be negative.

        Product rows should balance: Stocks Beginning of Month + Receipts + Production = Inputs + Shipments + Losses and Adjustments + Stocks End of Month.

        Only report data for those rows which are applicable to your operation.

        Stocks (Beginning and End of Month)

        Beginning stocks are quantities held on the 1st day of the reporting month (start of day).

        Ending stocks are quantities held on the last day of the reporting month (end of day).

        Include all stocks held at the establishment regardless of ownership. Reported stock quantities should represent actual measured stocks.

        Exclude stocks held in tanks at facilities not operated by your company. These stocks will be reported by the companies operating those facilities.

        Report all domestic and foreign stocks held at the facility.

        Receipts During the Month

        Report all receipts after the products are physically received at the plant.

        Inputs During Month

        Report the volume of feedstocks used in the production of products.

        Production During the Month

        Report gross production for each product listed on the questionnaire.

        Shipments During the Month

        Report all shipments, including intracompany shipments after the products physically leave the plant.

        Losses and Adjustments During Month

        Report all non-processing losses (e.g., spills, fire losses, contamination, etc.) by product.

        Exclude processing gains and losses as well as stock discrepancies caused by gauging problems.

        Provisions regarding confidentiality of information and data sharing

        Confidentiality

        Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this study for statistical and research purposes.

        Data-sharing agreements

        To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this study with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

        Product Definitions

        Agricultural Biomass Residues. Agricultural biomass includes living and recently dead biological materials from plant or animal.

        Biodiesel Fuel (FAME). It is a liquid fuel that is comprised of at least one mono-alkyl ester produced from one or more renewable fuel feedstocks in reaction with an alcohol reactant and is suitable for use in a diesel engine. It is also known as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and is made from renewable fuel feedstocks.

        Cereal Grains. Cereal Grains are wheat, corn, rye, barley, oats, and triticale.

        Dried Distillers Grains (DDGS). They are nutrient and protein rich co-products from dry-milled ethanol production andcontain primarily unfermented grain residues (protein, fibre, fat) that has been dried to 10-12% moisture.

        Forestry Biomass Residues. Forest biomass residues are used or can be used for energy production. These include firewood, forest residues from thinning and felling, debris accumulated from clearing the forest floor to prevent forest fires, and any other by-products of the lumber industry.

        Fuel Ethanol (denatured). An anhydrous alcohol (ethanol with less than 1% water) intended for gasoline blending that is produced from one or more renewable fuel feedstocks.

        Glycerol/Glycerine. The glycerol backbone is found in many lipids which are known as glycerides and is a by-product of the biodiesel/FAME manufacturing process.

        Industrial Ethanol (including Food Grade). Ethanol that is produced for use in the food industry and other non-food industrial applications.

        Other Biomass Residues Feedstocks. By-products, residues or waste streams from other industrial processes not found within agriculture or forestry.

        Renewable Diesel Fuel (HDRD/HVO). Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) or hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is a diesel substitute that can be derived from renewable fuel feedstocks.

        Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS). Nutrient and protein rich co-products from the fermentation of corn starch to ethanolwhichcontain primarily unfermented grain residues (protein, fibre, fat) and up to 70% moisture.

        Distiller's corn oil. Distiller's corn oil is a co-product of the ethanol production process. It is used as feedstock for biodiesel production."

        Other co-products. Co-products are desirable secondary goods that are generated during the manufacturing process and can be sold or reused profitably. They might also be products that are usually manufactured together or sequentially because of product or process similarities.

        Methanol. The simplest form of alcohol. A light, colorless liquid similar to ethanol however, methanol is much more toxic. It is frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial purposes.

        Municipal solid waste. Municipal Solid Waste refers to recyclables and compostable materials, as well as garbage from homes, businesses, institutions, and construction and demolition sites. It consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries.

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