LibGuides: Data and Statistics: DLI and RDC

Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)

The Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) is a subscription plan providing unlimited access to Statistics Canada Public Use Microdata files (PUMFs), databases and geographic files to students and faculty at participating institutions in accordance with their Conditions of Use. Easy access to the DLI files for Dalhousie researchers is provided through the SDA@CHASS interface. Access to the PCCF or PCCF+ products is available to the Dalhousie community on request, email Sai.Chua@Dal.Ca.

Canadian Census Analyser This link opens in a new window
The Canadian Census Analyzer allows users to download data from the Canadian census at many different levels of geography.
CANSIM via CHASS This link opens in a new window
A Statistics Canada computerized database which contains over 720,000 time series covering a wide variety of social and economic aspects of Canadian life. Scroll down to select CANSIM (@CHASS)

Odesi (search only)
Dalhousie does not subscribe to Odesi, but you can use it to do a variable search for Statistics Canada microdata available in the DLI collection. One important exception: microdata from many CORA opinion polls are available for download in Odesi.

PCCF and PCCF+
Linkages between postal codes and Stat Can's geography available on request.

PCCF+ guide from Queens University
Guide to using the PCCF+, includes video.

SDA@CHASS This link opens in a new window
SDA is a data delivery and analysis system. SDA@CHASS provides access to: Canadian microdata (mainly survey data available from Statistics Canada DLI); aggregate census data; plus a few other collections of data. Users can analyze datasets online, download data, or consult relevant documentation.
Trade Analyser This link opens in a new window
This database includes tables for world trade, and separate extensive tables for Canadian imports and exports. Scroll down at select Trade Analyser.
StatCan Rich Data Services (RDS) This link opens in a new window
Statistics Canada’s Rich Data Services is "Statistics Canada’s analytical platform for Public Use Microdata files (PUMFs) and their metadata. The RDS Explorer and Tabulation Engine's user-friendly interfaces allow users to browse, interact, and download data and metadata for online or offline analysis."

Exercises and Tutorials

Canadian Census Analyser

The Canadian Census Analyser allows you to quickly extract data from census profiles, from 1961 to 2016, as well as access microdata from the census not available on Statistic Canada's website. Find the census profile section or the "data to map" series of slides and screen recordings on this page for information about accessing and downloading 2021 census data.

Canadian Census Analyser This link opens in a new window
Access the interface.

Canadian Census Analyser - 2011 CD version (Slides and screen recordings)
Short demonstration (with no audio) of how to access the Canadian Census Analyser and how to download data by census division.

Canadian Census Analyser - Data by Dissemination Area
Explains how to use the CHASS Canadian Census Analyzer to obtain census or NHS data for a specific dissemination area (when you know its code or location).
Census Analyser Exercise
Use the Canadian Census Analyser to look at levels of higher education achieved across Nova Scotia by Census Division.

Using Excel with the Canadian Census Analyser (Slides and screen recordings)
Short demonstration (with no audio) on how to use Excel to work with files generated from the Canadian Census Analyzer.

Census Analyser Excel Exercise
Format the file obtained in the Canadian Analyser Exercise in Excel.

Odesi

Dalhousie does not subscribe to Odesi, but you can use it to do a variable search for Statistics Canada microdata available in the DLI collection. One important exception: microdata from many CORA opinion polls are available for download in Odesi.

Odesi (search only)
Access the interface.

Odesi (PDF Presentation)
How to search metadata of Public Use Microdata Files (PUMFs) in Odesi.
Odesi exercise - Smoking version
Locate microdata surveys with a variable about smoking in Odesi.
Odesi Exercise - Unemployment version
Locate microdata surveys about unemployment in Odesi.

SDA

SDA allows you to download microdata from Statistics Canada's surveys, and also to create online cross-tabs.

SDA@CHASS This link opens in a new window
Access the interface.

SDA (PDF Presentation)
Quick summary of how to access SDA and available instructional material.

Accessing SDA@CHASS (video)
Video showing how to download a microdata dataset from Statistics Canada in the SDA interface.
Using SDA@CHASS to View Data (video)
How to create online cross-tabs from Statistics Canada microdata using SDA@CHASS.

SDA Exercise - CCHS
Create online cross-tab tables and download the Canadian Community Health Survey in SDA.
SDA Exercise - CCHS - Answers
SDA Exercise - SLID
Create online cross-tab tables and download the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics in SDA

Research Data Centres (RDC)

When the DLI does not meet your data needs, you may need to apply to use microdata files inside a Statistics Canada Research Data Centre.

ARDC
The Atlantic Research Data Centre is located within the South Learning Commons, inside the Killam Library.
The RDC Program
Provides access to Statistics Canada’s confidential microdata files (which are used when the PUMFs do not meet a researcher’s needs).
Application Process
Access to an RDC is available only to researchers with approved projects.
Datasets available in the RDCs
List of datasets along with some documentation.

Data and Statistics

Librarian

Library Events

Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)

Exercises and Tutorials

Research Data Centres (RDC)