Under the authority of the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada is hereby requesting the following information, which will be used solely for statistical and research purposes and will be protected in accordance with the provisions of the Statistics Act and any other applicable law. This is a mandatory request for data.
Census counts
Alberta Driver's Licence information
What information is being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting selected variables from the complete listing of driver's licences in Alberta for the purposes of improving Census addresses in its statistical registers, and for other statistical linkage functions.
This request will be limited to variables from the Alberta Driver's Licence file that are relevant for statistical purposes. These variables include:
- Driver's licence number (Operator number)
- Full name (First, Middle, Last names)
- Sex (M/F)
- Date of birth
- Residential, civic, or service address
- Mailing address
- Phone number (Home phone and/or Business phone)
- Licence issue/renewal date
- Licence expiry date
- Close-out indicator (cancellation due to registration in another province)
What personal information is included in this request?
This request contains personal information such as: Name, Address, Demographics, and Contact information. Personal identifiers (Name, Driver's licence number) are required to perform data linkages for statistical purposes only. Once the data are linked, the personal identifiers will be deleted, and only an anonymous ID number will be retained.
What years of data will be requested?
The requested data would begin in May 2016 or the earliest available, and monthly thereafter.
From whom will the information be requested?
This information is being requested from the Ministry of Service Alberta.
Why is this information being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting this information to update the address databases with addresses from Alberta. Obtaining an accurate and comprehensive list of all dwellings is necessary for achieving full Census coverage, especially in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. A key COVID-19 adaptation of the 2021 census is to limit the amount of door-to-door census visits, and therefore addresses become more important in order to mail census invitation letters. Historically, the address databases have not adequately covered rural areas in the Western provinces. The updated addresses databases, with information supplied by administrative data from Alberta Driver's Licence files, will ensure these areas are adequately covered by the 2021 Census. To support the 2021 Census, admin data such as the Driver's Licence files could be used, after collection, if enumeration is not possible (or is severely impacted) in a given area due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other natural disaster, and only where the quality of the available administrative data is deemed acceptable.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
The Ministry of Service Alberta manages the Alberta Driver's Licence registration system. This Provincial Government Department collects and maintains up-to-date information on Driver's Licence holders in Alberta.
When will this information be requested?
This request for information to the Province of Alberta will be sent by May 01, 2021. The request will be for monthly data on an ongoing basis.
What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?
- Census of Population
- Statistical Building Register (SBgR), a product of the Data Integration Infrastructure Division (DIID)
When was this request published?
April 14, 2021
Québec Driver’s Licence information
What information is being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting essential variables from the complete listing of driver’s licences in Québec for the purposes of improving Census coverage in its statistical registers, and for other statistical linkage functions.
This request will be limited to variables that are relevant for statistical purposes. These variables include:
- Driver’s licence number
- Full name (First, Middle, Last names)
- Date of birth
- Residential, civic, or service address
- Phone number
- Licence issue date
- Licence expiry date
- Date last updated
- Close-out / cancellation indicator
- Sex and/or Gender
What personal information is included in this request?
This request contains personal information such as name, address, demographics, and contact information. Personal identifiers (name, driver’s licence number) are required to perform data linkages, for statistical purposes only. Once the data are linked, the personal identifiers will be replaced by an anonymized key.
What years of data will be requested?
The requested data would begin in 2025 (September) or the earliest available, and monthly thereafter.
From whom will the information be requested?
This information is being requested from the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
Why is this information being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting this information to update the address databases with addresses from Québec. The updated information will help improve the coverage of addresses and geographies/areas, including rural population groups, within Québec. Obtaining an accurate and comprehensive list of all dwellings is necessary for achieving full Census coverage. Driver’s licence data from other provinces and territories was found to be highly accurate in placing individuals at the correct address, as well as enumerating individuals not found on other sources.
The data will also be used to update the Agency’s Census contingency plans and in future Census research.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec is the only organization capable of providing the requested attributes for the province of Québec.
When will this information be requested?
September 2025
What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?
When was this request published?
April 9, 2025
Veterans Affairs Canada administrative data file (additional variables)
What information is being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting to receive four additional variables as part of the annual Veterans Affairs Canada administrative data file that is routinely provided by Veterans Affairs Canada to Statistics Canada under the existing data acquisition agreement between the two departments. These variables are:
- gender
- Veterans Affairs Canada program participation indicator
- preferred language of correspondence
- Indigenous identity (when collected in future by Veterans Affairs Canada)
What personal information is included in this request?
This request contains personal information such as gender and Indigenous identity. Personal identifiers (gender and Indigenous identity) are required to perform data linkages, for statistical purposes only. Once the data are linked, the personal identifiers will be replaced by an anonymized person key.
What years of data will be requested?
Annual data as of 2023 (ongoing)
From whom will the information be requested?
Veterans Affairs Canada
Why is this information being requested?
Statistics Canada requires this information to create and publish statistics on Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) client reported gender or gender identity, the VAC program(s) in which VAC clients have participated, preferred language of correspondence of VAC clients, and Indigenous identity (as applicable) of VAC clients.
These statistics will help Veterans Affairs Canada and will be used by policy makers, researchers, industry stakeholders to measure the well-being of Veterans and their families, report on the stratified socioeconomic and health outcomes of Veterans as well as compare them to the respective outcomes of the broader Canadian population, to deliver programs that are responsive to identified areas of need, and to enhance the public understanding of Veterans. Moreover, the gender and Indigenous identity variables are important for delivering on the initiatives of equity in service and Indigenous reconciliation.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
Veterans Affairs Canada is responsible for supporting the well-being of Veterans and their families, and to promote recognition and remembrance of the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace. Veterans Affairs Canada collects and maintains up-to-date data on former Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
When will this information be requested?
September 2023 and by January 2024 onward for the next calendar year (annually)
What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?
Canadian Veteran Health Survey (CVHS) (SDDS# 5383)
When was this request published?
August 25, 2023
Migration
Immigrant data (permanent and non-permanent residents)
What information is being requested?
In addition to the data already collected by Statistics Canada on immigrant selection characteristics, sponsorship and citizenship, Statistics Canada is requesting additional variables related to asylum claims and permits.
What personal information is included in this request?
This request covers details on the immigration process such as dates, status and selection results, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. The new data we receive will provide additional information on these sociodemographic characteristics of immigrants.
Immigrant data collected by Statistics Canada contain personal identifiers, including unique client identifiers, name, sex and date of birth.
The requested information is required for record linkage purposes for statistical use only. Once the data have been linked, personal identifiers will be replaced by an anonymized key.
What years of data will be requested?
Statistics Canada holds data dating back to 1996, which are received on an ongoing basis.
The newly requested data will cover the period starting from 2004 and will also be received on a continuous basis.
From whom will the information be requested?
The information is being requested from the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial partners.
Why is this information being requested?
Statistics Canada responds to the data needs of federal, provincial and municipal stakeholders, as well as academics. The Government of Canada and IRCC use this information to better understand the impact of policies and to ensure that IRCC is meeting its integration and demographic objectives.
The requested information will be used to produce and publish accurate and up-to-date statistics on permanent and temporary immigration. It will also be used to evaluate policies on immigrant selection, family reunification and citizenship grants. Statistics Canada requests this information so that these policies can be adjusted to meet the needs of Canadians.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
IRCC is responsible for permanent and temporary immigration services, as well as citizenship. IRCC develops and implements policies, programs and services that facilitate the arrival and integration of individuals in Canada in a way that maximizes their contribution to the country. IRCC is the only department that collects and maintains information on immigrants (permanent residents) and non-permanent residents (temporary residents).
Provincial partners (departments managing immigration) are responsible for selecting immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program and can provide up-to-date data on the immigrants they have selected.
When will this information be requested?
Statistics Canada has been receiving immigration data annually since 2021.
The mailing address file will be received monthly starting in October 2026.
What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?
Surveys and statistical programs - Quarterly Demographic Estimates (QDE)
Surveys and statistical programs - Annual Demographic Estimates: Canada, Provinces and Territories
Surveys and statistical programs - Annual Demographic Estimates: Subprovincial Areas
Surveys and statistical programs - Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB)
When was this request published?
November 4, 2025
Summary of changes
Variables on the characteristics of asylum claims and permits were requested in 2025.
Migration within Canada
What information is being requested?
Statistics Canada is requesting the number of private household moves in Canada from Canada Post's "Mail Forwarding Program." The data includes the month in which the move was made, the province/territory of origin and the province/territory of destination.
What personal information is included in this request?
No personal information is included in this request.
What years of data will be requested?
Data are being requested for the period between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
From whom will the information be requested?
Canada Post
Why is this information being requested?
Statistics Canada must produce monthly population estimates by province and territory. To do so, monthly estimates of interprovincial migration are required.
These monthly population estimates of interprovincial migration are required to calculate demographic control totals used by the Labour Force Survey, a monthly survey that measures the current state of the Canadian labour market and is used, among other things, to calculate the national, provincial, territorial and regional unemployment rates.
These monthly population estimates also help produce the Population Certificates that Statistics Canada must provide annually to Finance Canada to fulfill its mandate under the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act.
The requested data will help determine if the current estimation model reflects changes in migration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
Canada Post is the only organization that maintains timely nation-wide data on interprovincial moves by Canadian private households.
When will this information be requested?
July 2020
When was this request published?
July 14, 2020
Population estimates
Sub-provincial population data
What information is being requested?
The annual aggregated number of British Columbia residents by age, sex and postal code is being requested.
What personal information is included in this request?
This request does not contain any personal information.
What years of data will be requested?
Annual data as of July 1, 2001 and onward. (ongoing)
From whom will the information be requested?
This information is being requested from the British Columbia Ministry of Health.
Why is this information being requested?
This information is required to ensure robust population estimates and will be used to evaluate the accuracy of population estimates at the census subdivisions level (municipality) in British Columbia. These estimates are currently derived from Canada Revenue Agency data.
This information will be used for an evaluation of municipality population estimates in British Columbia.
Statistics Canada may consider using this information for the population estimates calculation at the municipality level.
Statistics Canada may also use the information for other statistical and research purposes.
Why were these organizations selected as data providers?
The British Columbia Ministry of Health collects and maintains timely data on its population at the sub-provincial level.
When will this information be requested?
This information will be requested in January 2021 and onward (yearly).
What Statistics Canada programs will primarily use these data?
When was this request published?
December 22, 2020