Page 99 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 1

STS407 Étienne Saint-Pierre
Statistics Canada is implementing the ambitious AG-Zero initiative to integrate
information from alternate sources that will provide the data quality and
details the agriculture sector needs with minimal contact with farmers.
The integration and the harmonization of the Census of Agriculture
Program with the IBSP is an essential first step to position the Census of
Agriculture strategically for the future. The use of common frame, concepts,
methods and tools will improve the capacity to integrate alternative sources
of data and the efficiency to produce outputs and analysis that extends
beyond the primary sector. As well, the Census Program will benefit directly
from the investments done at the corporate level in the development and
implementation of leading-edge infrastructures, methods and tools, a non-
negligible source of efficiency for the program.
The new harmonized processing framework introduced with the IBSP is
anchored on the use of multiple standardized Corporate Services. The large
number of actors involved in the multiple CEAG processes under the IBSP
makes the coordination of all activities and the decisions making process
slightly more complex than when all CEAG processes were managed locally. A
strong governance enforcing the promotion of corporate goals over local
preferences, well- defined service level agreements, performance and quality
metrics for the various service centers are key to success.

References
1. Lee, J., Martineau, S. (2015). Developing Metadata Standards in an
Integration Projects at Statistics Canada. Paper presented at the UNECE
Workshop International Collaboration for Standard-Based Modernization.
Geneva, Switzerland (5-7 May 2015).
2. Saint-Pierre, E. (2015). Redefining roles and responsibilities in a new
harmonized statistical production process: opportunities and challenges.
Paper presented at the UNECE Work Session on Statistical Data Editing.
Budapest, Hungary (14-16 September 2015).
3. Statistics Canada. (2017). Farm and Farm Operator Data. Statistics Canada
Catalogue no. 95-640-X. Ottawa.
4. Statistics Canada. (2015). Integrated Business Statistics Program Overview.
Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 68-515-X. Ottawa.
5. Statistics Canada. (2019), Quick Click Reference Guide for the IBSP
Metadata. Internal Document. Ottawa.
6. Thomassin, M. (2018). The Migration of the Canadian Census of
Agriculture to an Integrated Business Program Without Contact with
Respondents. Paper presented at the Fifth International Workshop on
Business Data Collection Methodology. Lisbon, Portugal (19-21
September 2018).

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