Page 274 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS493 Stéphane D. et al.

Modernizing data collection in Canada
Stéphane Dufour, Geoff Bowlby, François Laflamme, Sylvie Bonhomme, Holly
Mullin, Etienne Saint-Pierre, Fred Barzyk, Sevgui Erman
Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract
As traditional methods to collect data from households are becoming less
effective and more costly, new innovative approaches are emerging and must
be considered. Around the world, traditional primary data collection methods
are becoming less effective and require more effort to achieve satisfactory
results for household surveys. Technological and cultural changes have
increased collection costs, as establishing contact with respondents and
gaining their co-operation now require more effort. As a result, response rates
for many surveys are trending downward. Finding new innovative ways of
collecting the data necessary to create insights is very important for national
statistical offices if they want to remain relevant. Statistics Canada has recently
increased its emphasis on researching and introducing such innovative
collection methods for household surveys. As a result, response rates have
stabilized and costs have been managed effectively over the last few years.
The first part of the paper will describe the initiatives that successfully
contributed to alleviating the downward trend in response rates. However,
continued research is required on new data collection methods and
techniques, as the downward trend in response rates could return, along with
resulting cost increases to limit it. As a result, Statistics Canada is researching
more advanced approaches, which might change its primary data collection
more dramatically by complementing or replacing traditional collection. The
next steps are thought to lead towards completely new data collection
techniques, such as sensor and scanner use, crowdsourcing, web scraping,
automated voice interface use, and other innovative methods. The second part
of the paper will describe some of the experiments, risks and opportunities
that are being considered at Statistics Canada. It will also provide suggestions
to identify and consider even more innovative and modern approaches.

Keywords
Costs; innovative; experiments; timeliness; relevance

1. Introduction
Statistics Canada, like many statistical organizations throughout the world,
has observed a downward trend in household survey response rates. Changes

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