Canadian Research Data Centre Network

Statistics Canada and the CRDCN are constanly working together to bring new types of data into the RDCs. They are first introduced into the RDCs on a pilot basis, in order to a) establish the procedures to ensure data confidentiality and b) develop the documentation researchers need to properly analyse these data. Some exciting projects aiming to make various types of administrative data accessible to researchers are among the current pilots.

• Canadian Cancer Registry Data

Phase two of the pilot has started. Researchers are welcome to submit proposals to use these data, so that disclosure rules, developed during phase one (at BCIRDC, Vancouver) can be tested further.

• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) data

A preliminary set of disclosure rules for unlinked data has been developed, and further testing is underway. Eight projects using these data have been approved, five using linked administrative and health survey data.

• Record of Employment and Status Vector

The first data files from these two administrative sources should be in the RDCs by Fall 2010, and disclosure rules developed by Spring 2011.

• Living in Canada Pilot Survey (LCS) data

For the past year, eight teams of academics have been evaluating these data from the first wave of a general household panel survey. They are now ready for analysis by all RDC researchers with an approved project.   

• Vital Statistics

A pilot using data linked birth and mortality files has recently been approved.

• Longitudinal Health Administrative (LHAD) data

A first of its kind, this project aims to link personal health information collected through provincial and territorial health systems with national population health survey data, vital events and cancer data. These data should be available in the RDCs by early 2012.

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability data

A feasibility study should be completed in the coming months.