April 9, 2013
OTTAWA — News reports this week are indicating that Statistics Canada is facing a 35% staff reduction from 2012 to 2016. This information, as reported, is misleading. More than three-quarters of the decrease can be attributed to the regular census cycle. The number of full-time employees peak in Census collection years, then decreases until the next Census.
Total full-time employees (FTEs) at Statistics Canada in 2011-12, a census collection year, were 6,461. Of these, over 1,700 worked for the Census, accounting for 77% of the overall decrease.
Staff reductions at Statistics Canada amount to 11%—which is in line with those in other government department and agencies. They are attributed to two sources. First, a reduction of approximately 400 FTEs in 2012-2013 resulted from savings that were announced in Budget 2012. Second, the reassignment of Statistics Canada employees to Shared Services Canada accounts for much of the rest of the decrease. Both measures have been announced and implemented in 2012-2013.
For more information, contact Media Relations at 613-951-4636 or statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@canada.ca.
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