Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Revised Bootstrap weights files for the CTADS 2015 PUMF

Updated bootstrap weights are now available for the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) – 2015 PUMF.

Eft: /MAD_PUMF_FMDG_DAM/Root/4440_CTADS_ECTAD/2015

As of 2015, new content, covering alcohol use as well as prescription and non-prescription drug use, was added to the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey. Therefore, the survey is now entitled Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS).

The overall objective of CTADS is to provide regular and reliable data on tobacco, alcohol and drug use and related issues, with the primary focus on 15- to 24-year-olds.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4440.

The Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) is a biennial general population survey of tobacco, alcohol and drug use among Canadians aged 15 years and older. It replaces the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS), which was conducted from 1999 to 2012, and the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS), which was conducted from 2008 to 2012. The CTADS merged the core tobacco content from CTUMS and the core drug and alcohol content from CADUMS, resulting in more efficient data collection and providing a tool to monitor and compare the use of multiple products and substances with addictive properties. The CTADS is conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of Health Canada.

Understanding Canadian trends in tobacco, alcohol and drug use is vital to the effective development, implementation and evaluation of national and provincial health strategies, policies and programs.

Monday, February 27, 2017

2001 Census - Immigrants from Pakistan

Question
I’m helping someone researching the Pakistani Christian community in Toronto. Looking at the 2001 Census PUMF Individuals, I’m able to find data for Born outside Canada: Southern Asia: Other Southern Asia. Is it possible to disaggregate that category for Pakistan, specifically?

The other variables of interest are

  • Sex
  • Immigration status
  • Religion (variable RELIGRPA)

For the Toronto CMA only.

Answer

I received the following response from subject matter: “Unfortunately, there is no way to disaggregate the variable, however, the following standard table does break Place of Birth down. It is cross referenced with Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration”:
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=62124&PRID=0&PTYPE=55430,53293,55440,55496,71090&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2001&THEME=43&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF
“The PUMF would not be able to provide this information. I did take a look in CANSIM and could not find a match to their requirements, however these are not our products so they may want to contact them directly. It is possible to request a custom table via the regional office.”

Friday, February 24, 2017

Inquiry on Sexual Orientation and CCHS

Question
I have two queries that I would like assistance with.

1. I have a student wanting to know the number of self-identified gay or lesbian people in Canada.

From what I can see, the Census doesn't ask the question. There is information about same sex couples, but nothing about individuals.

2. We have a patron who is looking for Canadian health stats on the following population:

People who:
  1. have had a lower limb amputation, also called lower extremity amputation and
  2. are 65 years of age and older and
  3. live in Edmonton, if not then the region or the province.
She's interested in finding information on prevalence or rate within this population for:
  • co-morbidity
  • mortality
  • diabetics
  • smokers
I am thinking that I may be able to find some information about this in CIHI.

Answer (1) 
This is a link Ryerson University has on its LGBTQ+ Studies Research Guide:
http://learn.library.ryerson.ca/lgbtq/stats
Answer (2) 
I received one response already form CCHS group. There is a variable that pertains to sexual orientation, but as per subject matter, it only exists on the Masterfile:

“We do ask the following question on CCHS but the answers are not available on the PUMF, only in the master file.

SDC_Q7B

Do you consider yourself to be...?
1: heterosexual (sexual relations with people of the opposite sex)
2: homosexual, that is lesbian or gay (sexual relations with people of your own sex)
3: bisexual (sexual relations with people of both sexes)
8: RF
9: DK”
Answer (3) 
I received word from CIHI’s subject matter group. They had the following to say:

1. Regarding self-identified gay or lesbian people in Canada – we don’t collect this data.
2. Regarding the specific population specified in your earlier email:

We most likely have hospitalization data for this population. For instance if a patient went to the ED with a traumatic limb amputation, or had to be admitted to an acute inpatient setting for something related to the amputation (ex/ infection).

Regarding co-morbidity, mortality, diabetic, smoker rates and prevalence for the above population:

In terms of data, we are restricted to what ICD-10-CA diagnosis codes are provided on the hospitalization abstracts.

With regards to smokers, co-morbidities (inc. diabetes), I don’t think its mandatory to code all of these on the hospitalization – unless it is immediately relevant to the visit. For instance, a comorbid diagnosis of diabetes would only show up if the patient was treated for this co-morbidity during the visit. Similarly, a smoking diagnosis code would only show up if the hospitalization would also contain another diagnosis directly linked to it (ex/ could occur with COPD).

Regarding mortality – we do collect the visit/discharge disposition, and it includes things like ‘Died’ ‘DOA’ etc.

Note that although we can provide this kind of data through a custom data request, we don’t actually do rates or prevalence calculations on our end.

Postal CodeOM Conversion File Plus (PCCF+) version 6C: Revised SAS Program

Postal CodeOM Conversion File Plus (PCCF+) version 6C: Revised SAS Program
An error in the PCCF+ 6C SAS code was identified which resulted in the overwriting of 2011 Census dissemination areas (DAs) with 2006 Census DAs. This error was introduced during our process of standardizing the coding for the input data files for version 6C of PCCF+. This error does not impact the majority of dissemination areas since 92% of DAs have a one-to-one match between 2006 and 2011 censuses (Statistics Canada, Correspondence Files, Reference Guide – Census year 2011; Catalogue no. 92-156-G). For the remaining 8% of DAs, users may find their data are assigned to a decommissioned 2006 Census DA unique identifier code.

An error in the processing of the institutional routine which resulted in rural postal codes erroneously being assigned via population weighted random allocation instead of the rural post office (RPO) has been corrected in the PCCF+ SAS program.
Since the SAS input data files in PCCF+ version 6C were not affected by these errors, a new version of the full product was not created. Instead, the SAS program has been revised to correct this error. Users should replace PCCFplus_6C_revised.sas with the attached version (PCCFplus_6C_revised2.sas) in order to resolve these errors.

Please contact Health Analysis Division by e-mail (HAD-DAS@canada.ca) should you have any questions.

EFT: /MAD_PCCF_FCCP_DAM/root/2011/pccf-fccp-plus/pccf6c-fccp6c/doc/PCCFplus_6C_revised2_SAS/

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Percentage of Aboriginal social workers in Canada

Question
I have a researcher wanting to access data related to the percentage of Social Workers in Canada who are Aboriginal (according to this report http://casw-acts.ca/en/critical-demand-social-work-canada-volume-1-final-report-2000 it is 4.6% from the 1996 census). The researcher wants to access the data to confirm this number, as well as to cite the original source in her journal article. I can’t find anything that gives me both occupation to the NOC level combined with Aboriginal identity (I’m assuming that that combination could only come from a custom tab or working with the master file?).

Answer
I received a reply from Census group indicating that the 1996 Census does not provide the information you are seeking. I have been instructed to follow up with another group. I will let you know their response to your questions.

I received a response from the group responsible for the Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS):

"The 1991 Aboriginal Peoples Survey could be a source, as it has both NOC(SOC91: http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=143375 ) and aboriginal identity.

Having said that, I was able to find the variables in the 1996 Census in e-DICT:

Occupation variable (depending on the table):
Soc91 for 1991 Standard Occupational Classification
Nochrd for 1990 National Occupational Classification

Aboriginal Identity variable: AsRr
Both sources are possible, so it would really depend what is listed in the article as the source information for the data they wish to re-create. If the client is unsure of the source, they may need to contact the author(s) of the report, as it is not a Statistics Canada publication."

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Post-Secondary Student Information System (PSIS) International Student Data

Question
I have a request from a faculty member regarding international students enrollment (Immigration status). The PSIS data I have found at https://dli-idd.statcan.gc.ca/wds/ReportFolders/ReportFolders.aspx?IF_ActivePath=P,17351,20239&IF_Language=eng covers the time period 1993 – 2010. Is the 2011 – 2016 data available?

The researcher would like to have data that describes the number of international students who are enrolled in ESL programs in Canada.

A breakdown by province and type of school (private vs. public) would also be desirable if available.

Answer
We would like to suggest to the client to look at “Languages Canada website or contact them for that research purposes. They have private language school as well as some public institutions offering English as a second language as well as French as a second language.

We have also found some information on the ESL programs in our PSIS User guide. Please see extract below.

English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as an Additional Language (EAL)/French as a Second Language (FSL)

Most postsecondary institutions in the country have ESL, EAL or FSL activities. However, how this information is stored within each institution varies: some may include these activities as part of another program within their student registration system, while others may store this activity separately (i.e. with a distinct Program code). Alternately, information on ESL, EAL or FSL may be in a registration system that is separate from the centralized system and the information may not be available for reporting to the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) at this time.

For ESL, EAL or FSL activities that are stored separately from other educational activities and are available for reporting to PSIS, they are coded to Program type “01 – Basic education and skills programs” and coded to the Credential type that best describes the type of formal qualification awarded for successful completion of the program. Where no qualification is awarded, the program was coded to Credential type “98 – Not applicable”.

DAD files - location information

Question
I have a researcher that is interested in the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) files. Looking at the files on the EFT, there does not appear to be facility location information or number of beds for each facility or if the facility is located in a rural or urban area. The researcher would like access this information. It is possible to get access to this information?

Answer
I received a response from CIHI:

“In short, this kind of information is not available in the DAD-DLI files. The DAD DLI files are a heavily de-identified, randomized 10% sample of the original DAD dataset. During the de-identification process we remove any data elements that may be potentially used to re-identify patients or facilities. This would include things like facility location, number of beds, urban/rural etc.

However, we do have information on the facility location and urban/rural status in the original DAD datasets. The number of beds is also available, but this may have to be brought in via another CIHI data holding.

If the researcher is interested in obtaining this kind of data through CIHI, I would suggest they fill out a data inquiry form, here:

https://forums.cihi.ca/Forms/DataInquiry/data_inquiry_e.asp

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Long-Term Care Facilities Survey 2013 and Residential Care Facilities Survey

Question
I have a student looking for these surveys.
Long-Term Care Facilities Survey 2013 and Residential Care Facilities Survey

I can find them on the list of surveys but cannot find out if there is a PUMF for either one of them.
And if there is no PUMF, is there any info from them that the student can access.

Answer

The Long-Term Care Facilities Survey (sponsored by the Canadian Institute for Health Information) collects data on non-acute health care facilities with four or more beds that provide medical or professional nursing supervision or some higher level of care to residents but are not part of a hospital.

I received a response from subject matter in regards to both the Long-Term Care Facilities Survey 2013 and Residential Care Facilities Survey. I am attaching pdf’s to this email that were supplied along with this response:

“Below you will find the questionnaire and the guide to the respondents that will explain what is available in the survey. The questionnaire was the same for RCF and LTCFS.“

LTCFS
http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV_f.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5203

RCF
http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV_f.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=3210


Please note subject matter has no plans for the creation of a PUMF for either survey.

Friday, February 17, 2017

New files on Statistics Canada Nesstar

We are pleased to inform you that the following are now available on the Statistics Canada Nesstar WebView site (http://dli-idd-nesstar.statcan.gc.ca/webview).

PUMFs

Employment Insurance Coverage Survey (EICS), 2015
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2005 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2006 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2007 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2008 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2009 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2010 – January to December (Rebased, 2011 Census of Population)
Travel Survey of Residents of Canada (TSRC), 2012
Travel Survey of Residents of Canada (TSRC), 2015

And more to come!

To access the microdata housed in the Research Data Centres (RDCs), researchers must submit a project proposal to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Statistics Canada.
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Portage Releases White Paper on Research Data Management Training in Canada

The Portage Network has just released a white paper entitled Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada, written by members of the Portage Research Data Management (RDM) Training Expert Group: James Doiron (University of Alberta), Jane Fry (Carleton University), Danny Létourneau (Université de Montréal), Laure Perrier (University of Toronto), Carol Perry (University of Guelph), and Wendy Watkins (Carleton University, retired).

The Portage RDM Training Expert Group (TEG) was created to oversee the creation of online training materials relating to research data management.

Through this paper, the TEG investigates strategic directions for RDM professional development that will address part of the academic library community’s response to Tri-Agency expectations as expressed in The Tri-Agency Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management. In providing a national outlook, the TEG's central focus is to integrate the expertise of the research data management community with other research stakeholders and to collaborate in training initiatives within the broader RDM community.

This white paper aims to provide a high-level perspective on RDM training by answering three fundamental questions.

1. What is the current RDM expertise landscape in Canada?
2. Does Canada have the capacity to meet the demand for training?
3. How can Portage help increase Canadian RDM expertise through training and other means?

The full white paper is available in both official languages from the Portage website:
Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada (PDF)
Portrait de la formation sur la gestion des données de recherche au Canada (PDF)

About Portage:
Portage is a national research data management initiative to assist researchers and other research data management stakeholders through a library-based network of expertise on RDM and national platforms for planning, preserving, and discovering research data. Portage is managed by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL).

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Intergenerational Income Database (IID)

Question
A student is interested in using this dataset for his 4th year thesis to look at intergenerational income elasticity – is it available in any form? (see, for example, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-626-x/11-626-x2016059-eng.htm)

Answer
I received a response from subject matter. It appears the data in question is only available through the FRDC here in Ottawa:

“the IID is available through the Federal Research Data Centre (FRDC). There is a standard FRDC data access application process, which normally requires a reasonably detailed project proposal. Once the proposal is submitted, it will be assessed for feasibility and overall contribution. If it is approved, the researcher will have to come to Ottawa to work on the project at the FRDC. There is also a cost associated with access to the data.”


Update: Feb. 22, 2017
I’ve been informed there is no FRDC application form.

Instead, I’d respectfully direct you to this portion of the MAD website (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/rdc/researchfed) where all pertinent information about applying to access the FRDC can be found.

Friday, February 10, 2017

UPDATE: Today's Release - LFS January 2017

Errors were detected in the survey and weights of the January 2017 PUMF files that were released on February 10th 2017. We have notified subject matter of the errors and are awaiting their response. Please note we have removed the January LFS files from the FTP site. We will upload replacement files when they are provided by subject matter.

Pertains to the following:

Labour Force Survey (LFS) – January 2017

LFS data for January 2017 are now available on the EFT site.

This public use microdata file contains non-aggregated data for a wide variety of variables collected from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS collects monthly information on the labour market activities of Canada's working age population. This product is for users who prefer to do their own analysis by focusing on specific subgroups in the population or by cross-classifying variables that are not in our catalogued products

The Labour Force Survey estimates are based on a sample, and are therefore subject to sampling variability. Estimates for smaller geographic areas, industries, occupations or cross tabulations will have more variability. For an explanation of sampling variability of estimates, and how to use standard errors to assess this variability, consult the Data Quality section in the Guide to the Labour Force Survey.

Eft: /MAD_PUMF_FMDG_DAM/Root/3107_LFS_EPA/1976-2017/data/micro2017-01.zip

Today's Release - LFS January 2017

Labour Force Survey (LFS) – January 2017
LFS data for January 2017 are now available on the EFT site.

This public use microdata file contains non-aggregated data for a wide variety of variables collected from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS collects monthly information on the labour market activities of Canada's working age population. This product is for users who prefer to do their own analysis by focusing on specific subgroups in the population or by cross-classifying variables that are not in our catalogued products

The Labour Force Survey estimates are based on a sample, and are therefore subject to sampling variability. Estimates for smaller geographic areas, industries, occupations or cross tabulations will have more variability. For an explanation of sampling variability of estimates, and how to use standard errors to assess this variability, consult the Data Quality section in the Guide to the Labour Force Survey.

Eft: /MAD_PUMF_FMDG_DAM/Root/3107_LFS_EPA/1976-2017/data/micro2017-01.zip

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Visible Minority Teachers

Question
I’m trying to help a student in the College of Education here locate stats on visible minority / immigrant teachers or educators in SK.
I’ve already contacted the Ministry of Education, the SK Teachers Federation, and the SK Professional Teachers Regulatory Board to no avail.
Are there any StatCan products that might contain this information?

Answer 
I’ve located the following CANSIM tables pertaining to teachers and educators. 7 of them filter by province, but they do not account for minority or ethnicity: http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a33?RT=TABLE&themeID=1831&spMode=tables&lang=eng

We have few CANSIM tables (477-0109, 477-0108, 477-0107) with the number of full-time or part-time public elementary and secondary educators by provinces (the client can go in Add/Remove data tab to select the province) but we do not have the immigration status variable in that survey.

We also have a CANSIM table 477-0017 with the number of full-time teaching staff at Canadian universities by rank, sex, Canada and Provinces (the client can go in Add/Remove data tab to select the province) up-to 2010-2011 but again we do not have the immigration status. 2010-11 is the last year we have although the UCASS survey is back and some data will be disseminate this year.

For this survey (UCASS: University and Colleges academic staff survey) you may be interested by the variable “Country of Citizenship at Time of Appointment.

Please follow the link to get more information about ESES (Elementary-Secondary Education survey) and this other link to UCASS (University and Colleges academic staff survey).”

Timeline Software

Question
A researcher is looking for a Timeline software; previously BeeDocs was used but it no longer workable.

Can someone suggest a product that is relatively easy to use and allows some flexibility to allow for illustrations, brief write-ups and links to further information?

Answer
Timeline.JS (https://timeline.knightlab.com/) has been used without complaint. It’s pretty user friendly.

1971 Census CSD placenames

Question
In the data file of the 1971 CSDs, we have geographic information like this, for St Catharines:
PROVINCE 35
ED 0
EA 0
COUNTY 28
MUNIC 5

We knew 35=Ontario and 28=Niagara (in 1971), but identifying 5 as St Catharines required matching population numbers in this file with the CSD volumes that only have place names, no codes. We can manage that for 12 municipalities in Niagara, but it’s a bit cumbersome for Ontario or Canada…

What I haven’t been able to find is a comprehensive list of CSD place names with their corresponding codes. Appendix 1 in this document has a partial list that shows the sort of reference I’m looking for:
http://data.library.utoronto.ca/datapub/codebooks/c/cc71/geog/gtf71cbk.pdf

We don’t have anything like this in our print holdings, and my attempts to figure out which census volume it might be based on the volume summaries has failed. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Answer
You can find the documents on the DLI FTP at /MAD_DLI_IDD_DAM/Root/census_pop_recens/1971/Doc

There is a series of digitized booklets with names like cen71-official-list-03-ontario.pdf (one each for Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and West). The notes at the beginning will tell you how to derive the CSD from the BST variables.

"Statistics Canada Data Viewer"

Question
At the Ontario DLI meeting in December, representatives from STC mentioned the ongoing vendor-driven development of a Statistics Canada Data Viewer. Do you have an idea of what the timelines for this product look like? I imagine a lot of it will be dependent on the release of the data products through 2017, of course, but even a season/year (e.g., Fall/2017) would be good to know.

Answer
We are working closely with a contractor now and hope to have something available in the late summer/early fall of 2017. I will be able to provide an more accurate schedule in a couple of months.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

2016 Census geographic products

In preparation for the release of the 2016 Census results and coinciding with Geographic Information Systems Day, the first suite of geographic products released from the 2016 Census is available.
The products include maps and boundary files for the newly created aggregate dissemination areas, Boundary Files, Road Network File, Correspondence Files and the Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status, and Names.

All are accessible from the Census webpage and on the DLI FTP site: /MAD_DLI_IDD_DAM/root/geo/2016/

Boundary Files are based on standard geographic areas in effect on January 1, 2016, and provide geographic limits used for census dissemination and a framework for mapping and spatial analysis. Digital files depict the full extent of the geographic areas, including the coastal water area. Cartographic files depict the geographic areas using only the major land mass of Canada and its islands.

Digital and cartographic boundary files, in Lambert projection, are available for provinces and territories, aggregate dissemination areas, census divisions, economic regions, federal electoral districts (2013 Representation Order), census consolidated subdivisions, census subdivisions, census metropolitan areas/census agglomerations, census tracts, dissemination areas and dissemination blocks.

The Road Network File is a digital representation of Canada's national road network. Applications may include mapping, geocoding, geographic searching and area delineation. The file contains information such as street names, types, directions and address ranges. In addition, on each side of every street arc there are unique identifiers and names for the following levels of geography: province/territory, census metropolitan area/census agglomeration and census subdivision. Roads are ranked according to five levels of detail, suitable for mapping at various scales.

Correspondence Files (three in total) provide tabular data showing the correspondence between two vintages of geographic areas. Each correspondence file contains a unique identifier for the 2016 Census geographic area and the corresponding unique identifier for the 2011 Census geographic area. In addition, a relationship flag indicates the degree of correspondence between the geographic areas, facilitating a comparison between 2016 and 2011 census years.

The Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status and Names summarizes changes to municipal boundaries, status and names that occurred between January 2, 2011, and January 1, 2016. Municipal changes are based on information received through provincial and territorial gazettes, letters patent and orders-in-council.

Products
Boundary Files are available in three formats: ArcGIS® Shapefile (.shp), Geography Markup Language (.gml) and MapInfo® (.tab). The 2016 Census Boundary Files (Catalogue number92-160-X, Catalogue number92-163-X, Catalogue number92-168-X, Catalogue number92-169-X, Catalogue number92-171-X), and Boundary Files, Reference Guide (Catalogue number92-160-G) are now available.

The Road Network File is available in three formats: ArcGIS® Shapefile (.shp), Geography Markup Language (.gml) and MapInfo® (.tab). The 2016 Census Road Network File (Catalogue number92-500-X), and Road Network File, Reference Guide (Catalogue number92-500-G) are now available.

The Aggregate Dissemination Area Reference Maps (Catalogue number92-640-X) are now available in HTML format. The Reference Maps and Thematic Maps, Reference Guide (Catalogue number92-143-G) is now available in HTML and PDF format.|

Correspondence Files are available in two formats: Comma Separated Variable (.csv) and text (.txt). The 2016 Census Correspondence Files (Catalogue number92-156-X), and Correspondence Files, Reference Guide (Catalogue number92-156-G) are now available.

The geography universe of the Census Dictionary (Catalogue number98-301-X) is now available in HTML format.|

The Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status and Names, 2011-2016 (Catalogue number92F0009X) is now available in HTML format.

Recommendation for a Good DLI Dataset that Can be used in a Computer Science Data Mining Course

Question
I have a Computer Science professor who is looking for DLI dataset that can be used by his students in their data warehousing/data mining courses. He is looking for a large dataset that comes with all the fixings (data dictionaries, documentation, analytics, etc.). The students are at a third-year and fourth-year programmer level. The purpose of the courses is to teach data ware housing and data mining techniques and skills.

Anyone have a favorite DLI dataset they can recommend?

Answer
My recommendation would be either the one of the General Social Surveys (GSS) or one of the Cdn Community Health Surveys (CCHS). They have all the associated documentation with them and are relatively large datasets.

FEBRUARY 8, 2017 RELEASE: 2016 Census population and dwelling counts

FEBRUARY 8, 2017 RELEASE: 2016 Census population and dwelling counts
The 2016 Census Dissemination Project is pleased to announce the official release of the 2016 Census population and dwelling counts.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 8:30 a.m. (Ottawa time), sees the official release, via the Internet, of the first data from the 2016 Census, covering the population and dwelling counts. This release presents the population counts, counts for total private dwellings and counts for private dwellings occupied by usual residents. The levels of geography vary amongst the expansive list of products being released. Coverage ranges from Canada, provinces and territories down to the dissemination block. Information is also available for land area, population density; population rank and population percentage change from 2011.

These data can be accessed through:
The Daily. The Census Program web module. Users can click on the Census Program link within the ‘Features’ section of the Statistics Canada website home page. From the census web module, users can access release-specific information through the rotating ‘spotlight’ or directly from the variety of release-related and/or product specific links.

Information within the census web module is organized into broad categories, as follows:

Topics offers links to the comprehensive suite of 2016 Census standard products associated with each of the 2016 Census releases, beginning with the population and dwelling counts.

Information and services
Data products offer population and dwelling counts for a wide range of standard geographic areas, available either in the Census Profile, Highlight tables, or in the Focus on Geography Series. This page also presents links to data products to be released later in the census release cycle along with access to historical census information, and release-related features.

Analytical products offer links to two Census in Brief articles (Municipalities in Canada with the largest and fastest-growing populations between 2011 and 2016 and Municipalities in Canada with population decreases between 2011 and 2016). This page also presents links to the population and dwelling count thematic maps, an infographic (Population growth in Canada), two videos (150 years of population growth in Canada and 150 years of urbanization in Canada) and release-related features.

Reference materials cover various aspects of the census and are intended to support the use of census data. Specifically, reference products include: Census Dictionary, Guide to the Census of Population and the Release and Concepts Overview. This page also presents links to other key reference material and supporting information along with release-related features.

Geography offers links to the 2016 Census geography products: Maps (GeoSearch, thematic maps, reference maps); Reference documents (Geography Catalogue, Reference guides, Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status and Names, Working papers); Spatial information products (Road network files, Boundary files) and Attribute information products (GeoSuite – downloadable version and the NEW web version, Geographic Attribute File, Correspondence files).

Video centre contains the latest videos from the 2016 Census population and dwelling count release plus a link to previously released census videos.

Link to information on custom services.

The 2016 Census web module home page also promotes/presents:
Direct access to the 2016 Census Profile
Links to the Census of Agriculture and the Census datasets application
Key population and dwelling count indicators for Canada, provinces and territories
Related links: previous censuses; census consultation; accessing my census information.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Canadian Income Survey 2012-2014

Question
One of our researchers is writing a paper which would benefit from the Canadian Income Survey (CIS). The releases page (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dli/prod_date) suggests that the surveys should be out relatively soon, but I was hoping there was a more firm release date you could share.

Answer
Per notice on February 3rd, 2017 from subject matter regarding the CIS PUMF release: "There is no plan yet for the release of the CIS PUMF."

Monday, February 6, 2017

CTADS 2015

As you may know, errors were detected in the survey and bootstrap weights of the 2015 CTADS Master and PUMF files that were released on November 9, 2016. Statistics Canada has completed their investigation of the errors and is currently working on preparing the final revised files.

The revised files will be available by mid-March, 2017. Users who had access to the original PUMF are advised to wait for the new files before using or publishing any results.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Non-wage benefits and type of job

Question
We have a group of researchers looking for data about who has access to non-wage benefits (e.g., prescription medication, vision care, dental, pensions) at work; in addition, they would like to crosstabulate this with type of job (i.e. permanent or temporary, full-time or part-time).

Only the CCHS has full-time or part-time and the benefits, but I can't find the perm/temp available with benefits anywhere.

Answer
CCHS only has information on full-time and part-time status (based on hours worked per week).

We also inquired with LSD -
The Labour Statistics Division does have data pertaining to permanent/temp employees.
We do not however have any relating to benefits.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Question
Is a record layout file available for the export and import files in the Canadian International Merchandise Trade database? For example for the year 2014, I can't find the record layout for the export file (ex201412.dat) or the import file (im201412.dat) in the EFT. But, after some searching online I found this record layout (this is for the export data, can't find one for the import data). It seems to cover all the years and is very helpful with figuring out the structure of the export and import files. Here are some other ones online as well for exports and imports.

Is it possible to add this record layout file for both exports and imports for each year? Or is it somewhere else?

Answer
If I understand correct, you are asking us to add a record layout to the EFT?

In the DLI we have up to 2014 data.  The Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database is now maintained online. Data on Canadian international merchandise trade for December 2015 will be released on February 5, 2016.

[Here are] other release dates.

You have the concepts of the elements in the database here.

Followup Question
Yes, I am asking to have the record layout file added to the EFT. The online version of the Canadian International Trade Database is a great resource when smaller amounts of data are needed. But, the files on the EFT are helpful when researchers need a larger part of the data. 

Followup Answer
I inquired with subject matter regarding record layout of CIMT and this is their response:
“Unfortunately, there is no record layout available for the Canadian International Merchandise Trade database since there is no data extraction possible. We have a record layout for the clients that are asking/buying us data which refers to their order.”
They informed me that they were unaware were that text file on the IMDB was generated.

Upon further investigation, I went digging into the EFT to ensure that we were not missing anything regarding the International Merchandise Trade Data. I noted in the doc folder for 2014 as you referenced an .xls file that provides the record layouts under various tabs.
/MAD_DLI_IDD_DAM/Root/trade_commerce/international-merchandise-data-by-commodity-classification/2014/doc

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Employment Figures for all Manufacturing Plants Over Time

Question
Does anyone know of a resource that would allow someone to track employment figures for all manufacturing plants over time (including plant opening/closures, etc.)? The student would want to be able to merge these data with data from other sources (particularly Compustat), so would need geographic and SIC characteristics, etc.

I doubt that this would be available through Statistics Canada due to confidentiality restrictions, but would be delighted to hear otherwise!

Would CDER be able to assist with this request?

Answer
I will look into it here to confirm if the data would be available or not. I am not sure CDER would be the best option regardless as access is rather restrictive:

The CDER operates entirely on a cost-recovery basis. Researchers wishing to access data must submit a research proposal and be able to cover all project costs, including a peer review of their project proposal and a review to ensure that the project falls under Statistics Canada's mandate.

All microdata files used for approved projects are only accessible at Statistics Canada's head office, located at Tunney's Pasture in Ottawa, Ontario. Once a project is approved, researchers will have to complete the security screening process and take the Statistics Canada Oath of office in Section 6(1) of the Statistics Act.

From Manufacturing and wholesale trade division:
The ASML principal statistics are available in CANSIM table 301-0008. As for the commodities produced, we have an internal database from which we extract the codes the client needs. We ask that the client sends us the list of codes, geographical areas and reference periods he needs and we can provide him with a cost estimate and a sample of what is available. Therefore, he can see in advance if there will be any confidential cells in the set of data he asked for.

Employment figures are available in CANSIM except for reference years 2013 and 2014 where they were not collected. Please note that there will be breaks in the series throughout those years.

CANSIM tables:
[Geography seems to be at the provincial level only]
301-0008 RY 2012 to 2015
301-0006 RY 2004 to 2012
301-0003 RY 1990 to 2003
301-0001 RY 1981 to 1997

From Labour Statistics Division:
SEPH and LFS does not produce detailed data for manufacturing plants per say and could not provide any information pertaining to ‘’plant opening/closures’’.

We can however provide monthly or annual employment estimates by industry i.e. 31-33 Manufacturing.

Data of employment for all employees is available at a 4 digit level on CANSIM with the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH).

For monthly seasonally adjusted data the client can access CANSIM table: 281-0063 from jan. 2001 to nov. 2016

The annual data can be accessed on CANSIM table: 281-0024 from 2001 to 2015; 2016 data will be available March 31st 2017.

For the monthly table he will have to access the ‘’add/remove data’’ feature tab at the top of the page and then select each individual 4 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) variant under manufacturing sector in step 3 starting at Manufacturing code 31-33

As for the LFS data on CANSIM, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for manufacturing is limited to a 2 digit level.


For annual data, the client can consult table 282-0008
For monthly seasonality adjusted data, he can consult table 282-0088

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

2015 CCHS Data

Question
I have a researcher interested in accessing 2015 CCHS data, most specifically variables from the 2015 rapid response 'Risk Factors for Heart Disease'. She has a colleague that told her those data would be available in March, but I hadn't heard this and know that the 2014 data just recently became available.

In checking the DLI tentative release dates website it indicates that the release data for CCHS 2015-2016 PUMFs is Fall 217. Just want to confirm that this is correct, and also would this release would include the 'Risk Factors for Heart Disease' variables that she is interested in?

Answer
Currently the plan is to release the next CCHS PUMF (2015-2016) in the Fall of 2017. The PUMF will not include questions from the Rapid Response.

I confirmed with Subject Matter that there is nothing going in CANSIM, and there will be no pub. Rapid Response data are only available as custom tabs, or with access through an RDC.

I inquired if there was documentation, such as a zero count codebook that I could share. Their response was the following:

Right now, there is nothing available to us that we can send out to a researcher, but I think there will be. The RDCs should have the data from the RR in the next month or so.

STDs and Relationships - Current Data

Question
A researcher is looking for the most recent survey microdata on STD diagnosis broken down by type of STD, even if only HIV/AIDS together with type of relationship &/or partners data. She is aware she might be using master files.

The researcher has found the first two cycles of the NPHS (Health Component), but requires more recent data. She has explored the CCHS, but its yes/no question on a STD (s) is not detailed enough. I don’t think the Canadian Health Measures Survey covers infection markers much beyond hepatitis? We searched http://www120.statcan.gc.ca/dli/e2/var?fq but so far, we haven’t had much luck. Could you please advise us whether we have missed anything?

Answer
“Below is an article (females) which contains some info on STI’s (table 5).
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/14324-eng.htm

PHAC has a lot of information on Sexually transmitted infections. www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

As well here is a link to CHMS info:
CHMS http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2013004/article/11777-eng.htm

Hope this info is of assistance.”

Statistics on Suicide

Question
I’m trying to help a Ph.D. student who’s working a project to compare suicide rates in the US and Canada, particularly the copycat effect. She’s been able to obtain figures for the U.S., in some cases at the county level, and she’s now trying to get Canadian data.

I’ve found a number of tables in CANSIM listing suicide or self-inflicted injury among the leading causes of death, but few of them are at a low enough level of geography or cover a long enough time period.

Most of those that are geographically detailed enough (102-4313, 102-4314 for example) appear to be based on 3 year averages.

She needs both greater frequency—annual figures at a minimum--and geographic detail--HR / Peer groups or, if possible, CMA-level.

Are there any sources available to us that might satisfy her data requirements short of referring her to the local RDC?

Answer
This would have to be a custom (costs associated) and the results would be rounded to a neighbouring multiple of 5.

February 1, 2017 release: Products and services, 2016 Census of Population (preview)

The 2016 Census Dissemination Project is pleased to provide information describing the 2016 Census of Population products and services that will be disseminated throughout the upcoming release cycle.

This ‘preview-type’ content is currently available through the ‘spotlight’ section of the census landing page and includes information for standard data, analytical, reference and census geography products, along with information on census and geography semi-custom/custom services. As of February 8, 2017, the content will be permanently stored under ‘Reference materials’ and specifically under ‘Other reference materials – Supporting information.’ We plan to update when additional information becomes available.

New Insights on Canadian Society (ICS) Study

Food insecurity among Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat

Insights on Canadian Society (ICS)

Using data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS), this study examines the prevalence of food insecurity among Inuit aged 25 and over living in Inuit Nunangat, and the factors associated with food insecurity among Inuit adults. Food insecurity can refer to situations when the amount of food purchased does not last and there is not enough money to buy more food, balanced meals are unaffordable, or household members cut the size of their meals or skip meals because there is not enough money for sufficient food. This study also discusses some of the health outcomes of Inuit adults who live in a food insecure household.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170201/dq170201a-eng.htm

To access the study released today:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2017001/article/14774-eng.htm