The use of Administrative Data at Statistics Canada

It is well known that administrative data have many advantages including, but not limited to, supporting surveys in producing better quality results, reducing respondent burden and collection costs and possibly filling data gaps. Administrative data can be integrated into survey programs in many different places in the survey process. For example, administrative data can be used to improve sampling frames, validate responses at the editing stage or be used as auxiliary data at estimation. Statistics Canada, like many other national statistical agencies, has recognized the advantages of administrative data and has integrated it into many of its statistical programs. In this paper, an overview of the use of administrative data at Statistics Canada will be given covering both economic and social statistical programs. The integration of administrative data into several of these programs will be described in some depth. In addition, some of the challenges and potential risks of incorporating administrative data into survey programs will be discussed