Celebrating 25 Years of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network - Video transcript
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Partnership between Statistics Canada and the Canadian Research Data Centre Network.
Onscreen: “25th anniversary, Statistics Canada, Canadian Research Data Centre Network.”
Through this partnership, what began as 8 Research Data Centres,
Onscreen: “8 research data centres, RDCs.”
known as RDCs, accessing 6 surveys has developed into a major initiative
Onscreen: “6 surveys.”
to democratize researcher access to Statistics Canada microdata in Canada.
Onscreen: “major initiative, democratize, researcher access, Statistics Canada, microdata.”
Let us tell you where our journey began.
Circa 1990, Statistics Canada embarked on a series of longitudinal surveys to better understand child development, education, and health outcomes.
Onscreen: “1990, Statistics Canada embarked on a series of longitudinal surveys.”
These surveys had tremendous analytical potential, but the possibility of what we could learn from these files exceeded the capacity of Statistics Canada.
It was recognized that the university community could be leveraged to enhance knowledge.
In the 1990s Statistics Canada had a few dozen academic researchers working as deemed employees.
Onscreen: “1999, Statistics Canada had a few dozen academic researchers working as deemed employees.”
What if we could bring the data closer to researchers?
Onscreen: “What if we could bring the data closer to researchers?”
Starting at McMaster University in 2000, Statistics Canada worked collaboratively with universities to create secure and accessible research data centres to access our confidential microdata.
Onscreen: “2000, McMaster University.”
Here begins a partnership with Canadian universities and the creation of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network, the CRDCN, that has guided the growth of RDCs across Canada.
Onscreen: “Canadian Research Data Centre Network, CRDCN.”
Over the next few years, RDCs opened across the country. As of 2025, we are proud to say that we have more than 30 Centres and satellites and over 45 universities in the network!
Onscreen: “2025, 30+ centres, 45 universities.”
Our partnership flourished.
Onscreen: “Our partnership flourished.”
We've grown to more than 2,500 active researchers in 2025, marking
Onscreen: “Our partnership flourished.”
a great achievement in the democratization of data access in Canada.
The McMaster RDC started with 14 projects – and we are now approaching 1,500 projects across Canada,
Onscreen: “14 projects, 1,500 projects.”
thanks in large part to Statistics Canada's partnership with the CRDCN and its collaborating institutions, and funding from the Social Sciences
Onscreen: “Statistics Canada, CRDCN.”
and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, provincial governments and University partners, academic researchers in Canada can access data resources in our RDCs.
Onscreen: “Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, provincial governments, university partners.”
Recognizing the potential of leveraging administrative data, in 2007 we introduced new data on topics
Onscreen: “2007, new data!”
such as justice, cancer, employment, immigration, vital statistics, hospitalization, and ambulatory care into the RDCs.
This was followed by economic data in the 2020's.
Onscreen: “2020.”
This partnership has enabled researchers to access more Statistics Canada data, to ensure we make the most of information collected from Canadians.
Leveraging the emergence of new technologies, in 2025, our partnership is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary with the modernization of the RDC IT infrastructure.
Onscreen: “2025, 25th anniversary.”
While ensuring the protection of the data, the new IT platform, called the virtual Research Data Centre, or vRDC,
Onscreen: “Virtual Research Data Centre, vRDC.”
will provide new and improved secure options for researchers accessing microdata across Canada, including remote access.
With the possibility of remote access, the vRDC will enable accredited researchers from coast to coast to coast securely access microdata; geography will not be a barrier to access.
We would like to recognize RDC and CRDCN staff past and present for their hard work and dedication. Thank you to our funders and our university partners for supporting the network. Our partnerships are strong, and our future is bright.
Onscreen: “Thank you all.”
Onscreen: “Celebrating 25 years of partnership, Statistics Canada, Canadian Research Data Centre Network.”