About the Centre for Municipal and Local Data
Background
In October 2020, Statistics Canada (STC) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) launched a collaboration to improve access, use and reliability of local level data. This partnership aims to:
- Improve local governments' awareness and use of Statistics Canada's data;
- Expand the agency's understanding of local issues and priorities to identify potential new data-related opportunities;
- Fill data gaps at the municipal level and more.
This partnership's role was of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the need for governments to have access to timely and accurate data was paramount. This is central to addressing the needs of diverse communities – from large, urbanized cities to smaller, rural, northern or remote communities.
Partnerships and collaboration
Together, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Statistics Canada have broadened the discussion of data needs from an original data sharing pilot project with the City of Vancouver and are encouraging the development of a digital platform of statistical products, services, discussion forums and analyses related to relevant topics of municipalities, in order to:
- Integrate existing Statistics Canada data and services that are of particular value to cities and other municipalities;
- Gradually move toward a one-stop shop for new key performance indicators and analysis, through close collaboration with municipalities, provinces and territories and other key municipal stakeholders who produce data and data services;
- Expand coverage of these functions to rural & Northern municipalities and to Indigenous communities, by aligning to those of objectives of both the Rural Data Strategy and the Northern Data Strategy.
Engagement
Statistics Canada has engaged in data consultations with municipalities of all sizes and from all parts of the country about data priorities and ways to improve accessibility to municipal level data.
User centric
Statistics Canada delivered data output to selected cities allowing them to address specific priorities related to housing, employment, income, business conditions and infrastructure.
Capacity building
- Statistics Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities created two technical working groups focused on the needs of large urban centres rural, Northern and remote municipalities.
- Statistics Canada hosted data literacy bootcamps and webinars for municipal civil servants and analysts.
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