Canadian Govt Launches Statistics Advisory Council

In Canada, the government has created the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council, which will provide its Chief Statistician and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development with advice on matters concerning the overall quality of the country's national statistical system.

The new council will be chaired by Teresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy at the University of Ottawa. Members will advise on a variety of matters and produce an annual report on the state of the national statistical system. Council members were chosen for their relevant expertise in various fields, including data privacy, data user perspectives, digital technology and general knowledge on statistical agencies.

The Council aligns with Canada's new Digital Charter, which states that the government will ensure the ethical use of data to create value, promote openness and improve the lives of people. Anil Arora (pictured), Chief Statistician of Canada, comments: 'I look forward to working with the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council to further advance the relevance of our world-class national statistical agency, and maintain the trust that Canadians have given us for over a century'.

Web site: www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/about/relevant#csac .