Concepts and Methods Guide
9. Data dissemination

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9.1 An overview of 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey dissemination

Data for the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) were released on November 26, 2018. A set of data tables designed to accompany the analytical article has been made available on the Statistics Canada website. An APS analytical file is also available through Research Data Centres (RDCs). Additional custom data tables are also available on a cost-recovery basis.

Later releases of APS data, mostly in 2019, will include data tables, other analytical papers and a public use microdata file (PUMF).

Statistics Canada also delivers special APS presentations to national Aboriginal Organizations, researchers working out of RDCs, other key stakeholders and at various conferences. In addition, Statistics Canada’s network of Aboriginal Liaison Program Advisors across Canada will be distributing APS-focused newsletters and responding to APS data needs in their regions.

9.2 Data products and services

Three booklets, three infographics and eight data tables on the theme of economic participation have been made available with the first 2017 APS release on November 26, 2018, providing data at the national and regional levels for First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit. An interactive map, which is an online data visualization tool, serves as another means for the public to access APS data.

In 2019, a more extensive set of APS indicators will be available on the Statistics Canada website. These data tables will be available online to the public free of charge. 

An analytical file for the 2017 APS has been made available in Statistics Canada’s RDCs across the country. In order to access the file, researchers must undergo a research and ethics committee review for approval. Their use of the data must be conducted according to Statistics Canada policies, guidelines and standards (for instance, only aggregate statistical estimates that conform to the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act may be released outside of Statistics Canada). For more information on the RDCs Program, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

Accompanying the analytical file is the record layout, SAS, SPSS and Stata syntax to load the file, as well as metadata in the form of a data dictionary that describes each variable and provides weighted and unweighted frequency counts. In addition, a detailed User’s Guide provides researchers with guidelines they need for conducting statistical analysis of 2017 APS data.

A PUMF will also be disseminated in 2020, allowing for wider and direct use of the data by researchers. In order to provide extra assurance with respect to the non-disclosure of confidential information, the level of detail of the PUMF is not as fine as that of the analytical file kept by Statistics Canada.

Statistics Canada plans to have four data sharing agreements for the 2017 APS with each of the Inuit regions of Canada: Nunatsiavut (Northern coastal Labrador), Nunavik (Northern Quebec), the territory of Nunavut and the Inuvialuit region of the Northwest Territories. These data sharing agreements are an excellent method to increase data use and make the data more accessible. Only those respondents who are Inuit and have agreed to share their information with their respective region will be part of the data sharing file.

Statistics Canada is developing an Indigenous Statistical Capacity Building Initiative.  This Initiative is aimed at providing expanded services and building statistical capacity, grounded in the needs of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.  The Initiative will offer statistical training, engagement and outreach, enabling Indigenous organizations to develop and sustain statistical capacity. 

Another means of access to the data file is the Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) tool at Statistics Canada. This is a subscription service provided for a fee to clients associated with an academic institution, a government department or a non-profit organization. RTRA is an online remote access tool allowing users to run SAS software programs, in real-time, against microdata sets located in a central and secure location. Researchers using the RTRA system do not gain direct access to the microdata and cannot view the content of the microdata file. Using a secure username and password, the RTRA provides around the clock access to survey results from any computer with internet access. Confidentiality rules and reliability guidelines are applied to all requests in an automated way by the RTRA system, eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing for rapid access to results. An RTRA agent can be reached at: statcan.madrtrasupport-damadtrsupport.statcan@canada.ca or please visit The Real Time Remove Access (RTRA) system for more information on how to obtain a user account.

In addition to these data products and services, clients can request custom data tables from Statistics Canada’s Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division Client Services by email at sasdclientservices-dsseaserviceaclientele.statcan@canada.ca. All custom requests are screened for confidentiality and aggregate data are rounded before being released to clients.

9.3 Analytical products

A detailed analytical report is planned for spring 2019.  This report uses data from the nationally representative 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey to broadly examine self-reported (1) reasons for economic participation such as part-time employment, self-employment, and not being in the labour-force despite wanting to work, (2) characteristics associated with employment, unemployment, and being not in the labour force, such as methods of looking for work among unemployed, and prevalence of doing cultural activities for income or supplementing income, and job dissatisfaction among others, (3) barriers experienced by employed, unemployed, and those not in the labour force, and (4) perceived enablers of finding work among those unemployed or not in the labour force.

9.4 Reference products

Information about the APS is available on Statistics Canada’s website. Statistics Canada provides an Integrated Metadata Base (IMDB) online for all surveys that it conducts, including the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey. The purpose of the IMDB is to provide information that will assist the public in interpreting Statistics Canada’s published data. The information (also known as metadata) is provided to ensure an understanding of the basic concepts that define the data, including variables and classifications; the underlying statistical methods and surveys; and key aspects of the data quality. Direct access to the 2017 APS questionnaire is also provided.

As well, this Concepts and Methods Guide is provided online for a detailed discussion of survey content, sampling design, data collection and processing, weighting of the data, data quality, differences between the 2017 APS and other data sources, including the 2016 Census of Population, and dissemination products for the APS.

For researchers using the Analytical File in Statistics Canada’s RDCs, the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2017: User’s Guide to the Analytical File is available which details the concepts and methods of the survey along with detailed step-by-step instructions for using the data file. It also provides detailed guidelines for tabulation and statistical analysis, how to apply the necessary weights to the data, information of software packages available and guidelines for the release of data, such as rounding rules. The process of estimating the reliability of estimates, both quantitative and qualitative, is covered in detail. The RDC User’s Guide describes the structure of the data file in detail, including all core variables, derived variables and linkages to the census. A detailed Data Dictionary provides information for all variables available.

Finally, a separate PUMF User Guide will be created for users of the public use microdata file for APS. This will cover variables available, a Data Dictionary (codebook), the process of estimation, use of weights and guidelines for tabulation, statistical analysis and dissemination of data.

9.5 Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

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