• Correctional Services
• Courts
• Crimes and offences

Correctional Services

Correctional systems admission and release

Statistics Canada uses the following correctional systems admission and release data:

• adult and youth admissions
• adult and youth releases.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Canadian Correctional Services Survey
• Adult Correctional Services Survey
• Youth Custody and Community Services Survey
• Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth
• Integrated Correctional Services Survey

Courts

Civil court events and cases

Statistics Canada uses the following civil court events and cases data:

• civil court caseload
• type and length of case
• type of court activity.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Civil Court Survey

Personal information is not included in these data.

Criminal court cases

Statistics Canada uses the following criminal court case data:

• youth and adult criminal court
• cases and charges
• sentencing information.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Integrated Criminal Court Survey

Maintenance Enforcement Programs

Statistics Canada uses the following maintenance enforcement program data:

• child and spousal support payments
• types of cases enrolled
• enforcement action taken.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Survey of Maintenance Enforcement Programs

Personal information is not included in these data.

Crimes and offences

Uniform crime reports

Statistics Canada uses the following uniform crime reporting data:

• reported crime that has been substantiated by police, including the number of criminal incidents, the clearance status of those incidents and persons-charged information
• starting in 1988, microdata on the characteristics of incidents, victims and the accused.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Uniform Crime Reporting Survey

• Property values

Property values

Land registries and property assessment

Statistics Canada uses the following land registry and property assessment data:

• assessment values and transaction prices
• address/location
• characteristics (structure/property type, period of construction, living area, tenure, number of owners, owner characteristics)
• property identification.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• New House Price Index
• New Condominium Apartment Price Index
• Canadian Housing Statistics Program
• Residential and Non-Residential Property Assessment Values
• Address Register (AR)
• Census Program Transformation Project

• Crop production
• Farm business
• Animal production
• Agri-food

Crop production

Agriculture Producer Information

Statistics Canada uses the following agriculture producer data:

• contact information for registered agriculture producers.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture
• Business Register

Digital Earth Observation Imagery

Statistics Canada uses the following digital earth observation imagery information:

• Satellite Imagery (5 meter resolution)
• Aerial Imagery (7.5cm-30cm resolution).

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Business Register
• Census of Agriculture
• Annual Greenhouse, Sod and Nursery Survey

Personal information is not included in these data.

Grains and field crops

Statistics Canada uses the following grains and field crops data:

• producer deliveries of grains by province
• exports of Canadian grain by country of destination.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Producer Deliveries of Major Grains, Canada and selected provinces
• Supply and Disposition of Grains in Canada

Personal information is not included in these data.

Maple, honey and bees

Statistics Canada uses the following maple, honey and bees data:

• maple production
• honey production
• honey bee enumeration and colonies.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture

Organic Farming

Statistics Canada uses the following organic farming data:

• certified producers
• certified products.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture

Farm business

Agricultural business risk management program

Statistics Canada uses the following agricultural business risk management data:

• insured parties
• business balance sheet as required for the programs
• farm revenues, expenses and inventories.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Business Register
• Agriculture Taxation Data Program
• Census of Agriculture
• Farm Cash Receipts
• Net Farm Income

Agriculture Production Insurance

Statistics Canada uses the following crop, livestock and commodity insurance data:

• producer/insurer
• commodity
• location
• claims.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Business Register

Balance sheet of the agriculture sector

Statistics Canada uses the following balance sheet of the agriculture sector data:

• government administered investment savings accounts
• farm product quota prices and quantities.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Balance sheet of the agricultural sector at December 31
• National Balance Sheet Accounts (NBSA)

Personal information is not included in these data.

Direct payments to agriculture producers

Statistics Canada uses the following direct payments to agriculture producers data:

• aggregate government payments made by provincial and federal agriculture agencies and private insurance companies to eligible producers, including any premiums paid.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Direct Payments to Agriculture Producers
• Farm cash receipts
• Net farm income
• Agriculture Value Added Account
• Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm capital value

Statistics Canada uses the following farm capital value data:

• value of farmland and buildings
• value of farm machinery.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Value of farm capital
• Balance sheet of the agricultural sector at December 31st
• Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm debt outstanding

Statistics Canada uses the following farm debt outstanding data:

• type of loan (mortgage, non-mortgage)
• direct loans outstanding
• average interest rates on loans
• interest charged gross of rebates.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm Debt Outstanding
• Balance sheet of the agricultural sector at December 31st
• Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm operating expense rebate data

Statistics Canada uses the following farm operating expense rebate data:

• direct payments made to agriculture producers reducing operating expenses.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm operating expenses

Statistics Canada uses the following farm operating expenses data:

• farm input prices
• hatchery chicks and hatching eggs inter-provincial movements
• irrigation water rates and areas irrigated.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm product prices

Statistics Canada uses the following farm product prices data:

• prices and marketing of grains and oilseeds
• prices, number of head and weights of livestock and poultry.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm Cash Receipts (FCR)
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Farm revenue and expenses

Statistics Canada uses the following farm revenue and expenses data:

• provincial data on quantity/marketings, price and weight of selected livestock and crops
• federally and provincially inspected slaughter data for major livestock (cattle, calves, hogs, sheep, lambs and horses)
• deferments and liquidations for crops
• select interprovincial export values for specific livestock types
• storage silo capacity as well as seeded and harvested areas for specific crops
• industry forecasts for upcoming annual production (prices, marketings, revenues and expenses).

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm cash receipts (FCR)
• Farm income in kind, by Item
• Value of farm capital
• Value of inventory change (VIC)
• Net farm income

Personal information is not included in these data.

Non-commercial farm production

Statistics Canada uses the following non-commercial farm production data:

• non-commercial farm product prices
• feed waste value for major grains.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Gross Domestic Product by Industry - Provincial and Territorial (Annual)
• Gross Domestic Product by Industry - Annual

Personal information is not included in these data.

Supply and disposition for grains and oilseeds

Statistics Canada uses the following other content related to supply and disposition for grains and oilseeds data:

• farm-level provincial supply and disposition tables for grains and oilseeds
• estimations of ending inventory, marketings and seed use.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Farm Cash Receipts

Personal information is not included in these data.

Animal production

Alternative livestock

Statistics Canada uses the following alternative livestock production data:

• registered agriculture producers of dairy goats.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture
• Business Register

Cattle, pigs and sheep

Statistics Canada uses the following cattle, pigs and sheep data:

• livestock supply and disposition
• livestock slaughter
• livestock trade
• red meat food availability statistics.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Biannual Livestock Survey
• Food Availability (per person)

Personal information is not included in these data.

Cash receipts data for dairy products

Statistics Canada uses the following cash receipts data for dairy products data:

• off-farm sales of milk and cream
• cash receipts from the sale of milk products.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Milk Sold Off Farms and Cash Receipts from the Sale of Milk

Personal information is not included in these data.

Commercial sales data for dairy products

Statistics Canada uses the following commercial sales data for dairy products data:

• sales of fluid milk and cream – monthly purchases and end use of milk processors.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Monthly Dairy Factory Production and Stocks Survey (DAIR)

Personal information is not included in these data.

Dairy production data

Statistics Canada uses the following dairy production data:

• registered agriculture producers
• production quantity and livestock proxies.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture
• Business Register

Poultry and egg production

Statistics Canada uses the following poultry and egg production data:

• egg production data
• egg and mature chicken prices
• poultry placements
• poultry and egg storage stocks
• poultry interprovincial movements and international imports
• poultry slaughter.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Production of Poultry and Eggs
• Inventory Statement of Frozen Eggs, Poultry and Edible Dried Egg Products (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Data)

Personal information is not included in these data.

Poultry production data

Statistics Canada uses the following poultry production data:

• registered agriculture producers
• production quantity & quantity proxies for chicken and turkey.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Census of Agriculture
• Business Register

Fur, pelt and wool products

Statistics Canada uses the following fur, pelt and wool products data:

• quantity and average price of mink and fox pelts sold at auction
• number of mink and fox on farms
• number of mink and fox farms.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Annual Fur Farm Survey - Mink and Fox

Personal information is not included in these data.

Production and value of aquaculture products

Statistics Canada uses the following production and value of aquaculture products data:

• production and value by species and province.

Statistical programs using these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Aquaculture, production and value, Annual
• Annual Survey of the Aquaculture Industry (AQUA)

Personal information is not included in these data.

Agri-food

Food production and sales

Statistics Canada uses the following food supply and disposition data:

• sugar supply and disposition
• sugar trade
• tree nut production data
• food availability and food availability adjusted for losses for specific commodities.

The following statistical program uses these data for statistical and research purposes only:

• Food Availability (per person)

Personal information is not included in these data.

For a century, Statistics Canada has been using data from public and private sector sources responsibly. We are entrusted to ensure that Canadians have key information on Canada's economy, society and environment.

Statistics Canada uses administrative data to complement or to replace survey data. Using this data responsibly ensures that we meet Canada's new and ongoing information needs, and reduce response burden. Administrative data are especially helpful to measure social and economic phenomena pertaining to populations or topics that may be difficult to obtain through surveys. Learn more about the use of administrative data sources in the production of official statistics.

How we protect your privacy and confidentiality

Statistics Canada has the obligation to keep administrative data, such as vital statistics or tax data; private, secure, and confidential. The confidentiality of data is governed by the Statistics Act, the Access to Information Act, and the Privacy Act, and by departmental policies and directives.

Strict measures are in place to ensure the protection of information at all times:

• Direct identifiers are removed as soon as possible; they are deleted if there is no further need for them, or stored separately if there is a reasonable probability that there will be a future need.
• Data is aggregated, compiled and anonymized to ensure your privacy is protected.
• Statistics Canada uses state-of-the-art tools, software and processes that prevent disclosure and ensure the confidentiality and privacy of individual data.
• Statistics Canada employees are sworn to secrecy, and subject to fines and/or imprisonment, should they reveal confidential information.

Administrative data sources in the production of official statistics

Statistics Canada is committed to openness and transparency. We continue to evaluate administrative data sources responsibly to address known data gaps. Learn more about Statistics Canada's use of administrative data in the production of official statistics in the examples outlined below.

• Agriculture
• Business and consumer services and culture
• Business performance and ownership
• Children and youth
• Construction
• Credit Data
• Crime and justice
• Economic accounts
• Education, training and learning
• Energy
• Environment
• Families and households
• Government
• Health
• Housing
• Income, pensions, spending and wealth
• Indigenous peoples
• International trade
• Labour
• Population and demography
• Prices and price indexes
• Reference
• Retail and wholesale
• Science and technology
• Society and community
• Transportation
• Travel and tourism

Introduction

Statistics Canada is modernizing its methods of providing access to data under federal legislation and Government of Canada security protocols to improve its service. As part of this initiative, Statistics Canada will introduce the use of authorized workspaces, in addition to designated certified rooms where the virtual data lab may be accessed, to allow federal government employees access to anonymized data (direct personal identifiers removed) Statistics Canada's household and business survey and administrative data holdings.

Objective

This privacy impact assessment explores privacy and security risks associated with accessing anonymized data in authorized workspaces outside of the designated certified room at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) virtual Federal Research Data Centre (vFRDC) and makes recommendations for issue resolution or mitigation. Statistics Canada is piloting modern data access methods to increase collaboration with trusted partners and to fully realize the potential of the data holdings created for the public good while ensuring that all data assets are protected against unauthorized use and disclosure.

Description

Building on the first prototype, where secure data access to anonymized data for statistical research projects is provided through the Virtual Federal Research Data Centre (vFRDC) located at CMHC headquarters in Ottawa, Statistics Canada and CMHC have entered into agreement to regulate access for approved CMHC employees to use anonymized research files in authorized workspaces outside of the designated certified room. CMHC will benefit from this access by being able to create statistical information to improve policy decision-making, specifically, the Federal Government's National Housing Strategy.

The anonymized data are housed only on secure servers at Statistics Canada headquarters and authorized researchers will be required to use Statistics Canada secure encrypted devices in the workspaces to connect to these central servers through Virtual Desktop Image (VDI). Statistics Canada's Confidentiality Classification Tool (CCT) is used to determine the level of sensitivity of the content of the data files and to determine which anonymized data files have a moderate to low risk of re-identification. Anonymized data accessed in authorized workspaces are less sensitive than the data accessed in the designated certified room in that the anonymized data include one or more of the following to reduce identifiability: the data are based on an inherently less sensitive topic, have been perturbed to increase disclosure protection, have sensitive variables removed from the file or contain additional aggregation for sensitive variables. Statistics Canada most sensitive anonymized data will only be accessed from the designated certified room.

Statistics Canada will continue to evaluate this prototype for its security, privacy and user-centric improvements to data access. Statistics Canada will analyze any incidents related to violations of security protocols and implement additional mitigation factors if necessary.

Risk Area Identification and Categorization

The PIA also identifies the risk areas and categorizes the level of potential risk (level 1 representing the lowest level of potential risk and level 4, the highest) associated with the collection and use of personal information of employees.

• Type of program or activity – Level 1: Program does NOT involve a decision about an identifiable individual
• Type of personal information involved and context – N/A: Only anonymized data held by Statistics Canada are accessed and used by authorized researchers in this pilot.
• Program or activity partners and private sector involvement – Level 2: With other government institutions.
• Duration of the program or activity – Level 3: Long-term (ongoing) program.
• Program population – N/A: The program's use of personal information is not for administrative purposes. Information is accessed for statistical purposes, under the authority of the Statistics Act.
• Personal information transmission – Level 2: The personal information is used in a system that has connections to at least one other system.
• Technology and privacy: The pilot does not involve the implementation of new technologies.
• Privacy breach: There is a very low risk of a breach of some of the personal information being disclosed:
  1. The impact on the individual would be minimal as the information is not linked to an individual's name, address or any other personal identifiers.
  2. The impact on the institution would be moderate, resulting in possible loss of trust and a small impact on the reputation of Statistics Canada.

Conclusion

Access to Statistics Canada’s anonymized data in an authorized workspace will improve user experience of data access while maintaining secure disclosure control.

Statistics Canada has ensured that there are measures in place that meet central agency and Statistics Canada security standards for the protection of personal information.

This assessment concludes that, with the existing safeguards and ongoing monitoring, any remaining risks are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage the risk.