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Organizational profile

Appropriate minister(s): The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.

Institutional head: Anil Arora

Ministerial portfolio: Innovation, Science and Economic Development

Enabling instrument(s):

Year of incorporation / commencement: The Dominion Bureau of Statistics was established in 1918. In 1971, with the revision of the Statistics Act, the agency became Statistics Canada.

Other: Under the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada is required to collect, compile, analyze, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic and general activities and condition of the people of Canada.

Statistics Canada has two primary objectives:

  • to provide statistical information and analysis of the economic and social structure and functioning of Canadian society, as a basis for developing, operating and evaluating public policies and programs; for public and private decision-making; and for the general benefit of all Canadians
  • to promote the quality, coherence and international comparability of Canada’s statistics through collaboration with other federal departments and agencies, with the provinces and territories, and in accordance with sound scientific standards and practices.

Statistics Canada’s head office is located in Ottawa. There are regional offices across the country in Halifax, Sherbrooke, Montréal, Toronto, Sturgeon Falls, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. There are also 33 research data centres located throughout the country. These centres provide researchers with access to microdata from population and household survey programs in a secure university setting. Canadians can follow the agency on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, feeds and YouTube.

Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on the Statistics Canada website.

or more information on the agency’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister’s mandate letter.

Operating context

A developed, democratic country such as Canada requires vast amounts of information to function effectively. Statistics provide Canadians with vital information to help monitor inflation, promote economic growth, plan cities and roads, adjust pensions, and develop employment and social programs. They help governments, businesses and individuals make informed decisions.

The value placed on data by every segment of society is growing at an exponential pace. At the same time, new tools and new computing power are emerging and multiplying the volume and types of information available.

As the demand for information increases along with its importance and availability, privacy concerns, call-screening technology and the busy lives of Canadians are making it harder to reach and obtain information from households. As a result, the agency is continually seeking out new and innovative approaches to meet emerging data needs.

As it innovates and modernizes, the agency will be well positioned to play a more active role in guiding and shaping this information age.

Reporting framework

The Statistics Canada approved Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory for 2020–21 are as follows.

  • Core Responsibility: Statistical Information
    Statistics Canada produces objective high-quality statistical information for the whole of Canada. The statistical information produced relates to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities and conditions of the people of Canada.
    • Result 1: High quality statistical information is available to all Canadians.
      • Indicator 1: Number of post-release corrections due to accuracy.
      • Indicator 2: Percentage of international standards with which Statistics Canada conforms.
      • Indicator 3: Number of statistical products available on the website.
      • Indicator 4: Number of Statistics Canada data tables available on the Open Data Portal.
    • Result 2: High quality statistical information is accessed by Canadians.
      • Indicator 1: Number of visits to Statistics Canada website.
      • Indicator 2: Number of interactions on social media.
      • Indicator 3: Percentage of website visitors that found what they were looking for.
    • Result 3: High quality statistical information is relevant to Canadians.
      • Indicator 1: Percentage of users satisfied with statistical information.
      • Indicator 2: Number of media citations on Statistics Canada data.
      • Indicator 3: Number of journal citations.
  • Internal Services

Program Inventory

  • Economic and Environmental Statistics
  • Socio-economic Statistics
  • Censuses
  • Cost-Recovered Statistical Services
  • Centres of Expertise
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