Last updated 2022.03.16
Researchers sometimes find that the public-use microdata files made available via the DLI are insufficiently detailed for their needs.
The Research Data Centres (RDCs) offer secure access to detailed microdata from population and household surveys, censuses and administrative files in universities across the country. Staffed by Statistics Canada analysts, RDCs operate in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act and are accessible only to researchers with approved projects and security clearance.
A source of metadata for Statistics Canada survey microdata (both PUMFs and master files). Users can search and identify variables of interest on the microdata files and determine whether a PUMF or a master file would best fit their research needs. Please note: the metadata in this tool does not represent the complete collection of PUMFs and RDC master files because it takes time to mark up a file using Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) metadata standard and have it placed in the tool.
A web-based data exploration, extraction and analysis tool. It provides researchers the ability to search for survey questions (variables) across hundreds of datasets, including Statistics Canada master and public-use microdata files.
To access the microdata housed in the RDCs, researchers submit a project proposal to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Statistics Canada.
RDCs are located throughout the country; the two closest to York are:
