Canadian Research Data Centre Network

b) the infrastructure needed to exploit these data - fully-equipped workstations, statistical analysis packages and technical support.

 

Each centre has an Academic Director, and at least one Statistics Canada Analyst on site to assist researchers at every phase of their research and ensure the data confidentiality. RDCs also offer a range of training and dissemination activities (workshops, summer schools, fellowships, seminars).

 

To access the microdata, researchers submit a project proposal to an adjudicating committee operating under the auspices of the SSHRC and Statistics Canada. Once approved, a number of security procedures in line with the Statistics Act are followed to ensure confidentiality. A contract between the researcher and Statistics Canada is drawn up; researchers are required to submit a “deliverable” – usually a copy of the academic paper - to Statistics Canada at the end of their project.

 

Data access is free of charge for researchers and students at universities affiliated with the Network. Access to government researchers who are from departments which have not contributed to the Network’s establishment or operation is available on a cost recovery basis.