As the national statistical office, Statistics Canada ensures that Canadians have the key information they need to make evidence-based decisions about the economy, society and the environment. The agency provides governments with the timely, high-quality data and insights they need to promote economic growth, plan roads and cities, adjust pensions, and develop employment and social programs that benefit Canadians.
Statistics Canada recognizes the important role that data play in the country's pandemic response and recovery. The agency continues to find innovative ways to bring new data and insights to Canadians, and to enable researchers and decision makers to gain a better understanding of where the country is heading in response to the pandemic, for a more resilient economy and a healthier future for all.
Statistics Canada's priorities and activities for 2022–23 support agency modernization efforts and also include ongoing recommendations from world-class statistical advisory bodies, such as the Advisory Council on Ethics and Modernization of Microdata Access and the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council. As the agency is operating in a rapidly shifting environment, emerging opportunities and challenges will be leveraged and addressed throughout the year, where required.
A major focus over the coming year will be disseminating the results of the 2021 Census of Population and Census of Agriculture. The census, conducted every five years, is the most accurate snapshot of the people in Canada. It provides comprehensive data that reflect all the ways in which this diverse country—and the people who live in it—continues to evolve.
Statistics Canada's core modernization principles will continue to guide the agency's ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships, build trust, increase data integration, and provide Canadians with the data-driven insights they will need to inform a greener and more inclusive recovery.
The Census of Population is the most important data source for the Disaggregated Data Action Plan, which is another priority for 2022–23. This multi-year plan will provide Canadians with the detailed data required to address gender gaps, racism and other systemic barriers, to apply fairness and inclusion to decisions that affect the entire population.
Providing user-centric services
Statistics Canada will continue to develop new ways to ensure that data are easier for Canadians to find, share and use. Leaders will be provided with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions related to women, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, groups designated as visible minorities, Canadians living with disabilities, and more. To that end, the agency will
- focus on disaggregating as much data as possible to enable a more detailed understanding of the characteristics of Canada's diverse population groups, as part of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan
- respond to how Canadians want to access Government of Canada information by deploying new methods, such as a mobile app and podcasts, to keep them informed, and by making its insights accessible to even more people through greater use of plain language, data storytelling and new technologies such as text-to-speech software.
Using leading-edge methods
Statistics Canada will continue to focus on building knowledge, skills and data literacy across the Government of Canada. That includes adapting the agency's programs and services to Canadians; implementing new digital initiatives; and adopting leading-edge approaches to collection, research and analysis that will increase service speed and flexibility. Additionally, the agency will
- lead the development of the first-ever Census of the Environment, which will improve Canadians' knowledge of the country's ecosystems, monitor environmental trends and promote better decision making to improve Canada's response to global environmental challenges
- use new and experimental modelling approaches for research and development to produce new data insights and small area estimation, and to strengthen the timeliness of statistics
- use administrative data to reduce the number of survey questions that businesses and individuals are asked to answer, while continuing to provide high-quality, timely data in a cost-effective manner and maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of Canadians.
Building statistical capacity and fostering data literacy
Statistics Canada will continue to enhance the capacity of Canadians to access and understand data for informed decision making. Key priorities include
- developing the Quality of Life Framework for Canada to align government priorities with long-term outcomes that benefit Canadians
- developing and releasing comprehensive online training products through the Data Literacy Training Initiative to build data and analytical capacity within the agency and among external stakeholders, to help them better use data
- providing data science learning resources and creating opportunities for collaboration among departments through the Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service so that policy makers can mobilize data as a strategic asset to better serve Canadians.
Collaborating and engaging with partners
To better respond to evolving information needs and remain relevant, Statistics Canada will continue collaborating with federal departments; provincial and territorial governments; international partners; and other organizations, such as businesses and non-governmental organizations. This ongoing engagement will include dialogue with national Indigenous organizations, based on the recognition of rights, respect, collaboration and partnership, to better understand their information needs. Collaboration is also ongoing with other departments and organizations to identify their evolving data needs as they evaluate policy and program options to help Canada respond to and recover from the pandemic.
Building an agile workforce and culture
Statistics Canada recognizes the need to strengthen its existing workforce, as well as attract and retain talent. The agency will
- transition to a virtual-by-design workplace, providing the flexibility to hire a workforce that better represents Canada's geographical and cultural diversity, while building a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity
- implement its integrated Beyond2020 strategy to strengthen a culture of innovation and continuous learning, to ensure that employees are agile and equipped to deliver greater value to Canadians
- continue to support the wellness and mental health of employees by ensuring that their evolving needs are addressed and by adjusting corporate strategies accordingly
- expand the current plan for learning and development to ensure a continuous learning culture, and build a leadership framework with an increased focus on diverse and inclusive leadership.
For more information on Statistics Canada's plans, see the "Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks" section of this plan.