| Total actual spending for 2021–22 | Total actual full-time equivalents for 2021–22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total gross expenditures | 1,010,966,948 | 7,899 |
| Respendable revenues | -127,583,773 | -1,542 |
| Total net expenditures | 883,383,175 | 6,357 |
In 2021‒22, Statistics Canada accelerated its delivery of data-driven insights to Canadians in response to changing needs and to inform an inclusive and sustainable recovery.
The agency played a leading role in the government's efforts to deliver high-quality, disaggregated data to inform evidence-based decision making and to provide timely data and real-time analysis on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the agency conducted one of the most successful census programs in history to paint a timely and detailed portrait of Canada. Thanks to Canadians' support, cooperation and understanding of the value of the census, the 2021 Census of Population achieved a 98% participation rate. In fact, 84% of Canadians completed their questionnaire online—a record-high achievement. The 2021 Census of Agriculture achieved a completion rate of 86% and an online response rate of 86% overall.
The initiatives and projects featured in this report demonstrate the impact that the agency has had on the lives of Canadians.
"Members of our agency have responded to the challenges brought about by the pandemic and delivered more valuable products and services than ever. We remain leaders in all steps of the data value chain and are using modern methods to deliver actionable insights from these data that make a real difference in the lives of Canadians."
Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada
Delivering user-centric products and services
True to its client-focused commitment, Statistics Canada developed digital solutions to increase Canadians' on-demand access to high-quality data in user-friendly formats. The agency also continued to deliver clearer and more accessible communications to all Canadians and found innovative ways to present and share data, thus making them easier to access and use. Examples of these innovations include
- a user-friendly mobile application that provides more frequent releases of information
- novel data story telling, such as a new podcast series and increased social media content, to connect more data to more people
- text-to-speech and sign language videos to make information more accessible
- learning modules for those who want to increase their data knowledge and literacy
- more self-serve tools, online data hubs and data visualization products to improve the user experience.
Using leading-edge methods
This past year, Statistics Canada implemented world-leading methods and tools for integrating data from multiple sources, such as administrative data and other non-traditional data. The agency leveraged its expertise to meet Canadians' and businesses' increasing needs for detailed, high-quality and more timely statistical information.
- Statistics Canada provided more timely data and analysis of trends, including more disaggregated data on socioeconomic factors.
- Statistics Canada used innovative approaches, such as crowdsourcing, omnibus and web panel surveys, and integrated more administrative data (non-survey-based information from a variety of sources) with data science approaches—while strictly preserving data confidentiality and security.
- Statistics Canada made considerable progress on its Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP) to enhance statistics on diverse populations and support efforts by the government and society to address systemic racism and gender gaps and to bring fairness and inclusion considerations into decision making and policy development.
- Statistics Canada led the Census of Environment, which will help inform sustainable solutions and help track Canada's performance toward becoming a world leader in sustainable economic growth.
- The agency launched the Virtual Data Lab to allow researchers from federal departments to remotely access the information they need within a secure environment.
Collaborating and engaging with partners
In 2021‒22, the agency identified further opportunities to collaborate with new and existing partners to ensure that additional data are integrated from a variety of sources and that more end users have the information they need to make evidence-based decisions.
- The agency strengthened its partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to improve the level of data available to cities and municipalities and to better understand the data needs of communities of all sizes.
- In collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the agency leveraged the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions and established a Business Data Lab to provide critical data and insights for companies of all sizes and for sectors and regions of the country to help them make better decisions and improve their performance.
- The agency expanded its services to research communities through its close partnerships with the Canadian Research Data Centres Network, member universities and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada.
- The agency continued its engagement with Indigenous partners to support Indigenous organizations and communities as they develop the skills and infrastructure to build and maintain statistical programs.
- The agency continued to be a data stewardship leader, thus ensuring that the federal public service can effectively govern and manage its data assets to better serve Canadians.
Building statistical capacity and fostering data literacy
In its commitment to building statistical capacity with its partners and fostering data literacy among Canadians, the agency maintained a proactive approach to drive the use of data as a strategic asset, with a focus on increasing users' capacity and ability to make data-driven decisions, while providing national and international leadership.
- The agency is leading the development of the indicators for the national Quality of Life Framework to help the Government of Canada consider all aspects of Canadians' quality of life in its decisions.
- The agency supported data literacy among its many stakeholders through the Data Literacy Training Initiative and partnered with Apolitical to launch a data literacy boot camp to support the work of public servants at the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels.
- In partnership with the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation, and other national statistical offices, Statistics Canada continued to provide technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of developing countries so they can build and maintain statistical programs.
Building an agile workforce and culture
Before the pandemic, Statistics Canada had begun a significant transformation to modernize the agency to improve its data services to Canadians. This included leveraging tools, such as the cloud, data visualizations and analytical tools, to improve the quality and usability of data and equipment to support an agile and mobile workforce. This enabled the agency to mobilize its labour force in March 2020 so it could continue providing Canadians with critical data to inform decisions during a national crisis. As the country shifts into the next phase of the pandemic response and recovery, Statistics Canada remains committed to continuing its modernization journey by investing in modern data tools and a hybrid work environment to improve employee experience, operations, business processes and productivity.
Furthermore, the agency made significant progress on its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to help ensure that Statistics Canada truly reflects the diverse populations it serves.
For more information on Statistics Canada's plans, priorities and results achieved, see the Results: what we achieved section of this report.