Abstract

In all its existence, Statistics Canada has produced official statistics. Further, it has been at the center of the National Statistical System of Canada, and it has embraced the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics of the United Nations. However, a formal definition of official statistics has never been developed and operationalized.

In its 2025 annual report, the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council focused its recommendations on the need to develop a framework for official statistics and define the term official statistics. The number of data producers has increased in the last decade and the need to clearly distinguish official statistics from other data outputs is now a must. Considering the production of national indicators in the context of Sustainable Development Goals or the more recent need to combat mis- and disinformation, it is imperative to provide clear information on the nature of statistics to guide decisions and inform well.

This paper presents the development of an official statistics definition, considering the spectrum of statistical outputs (Final, revised, prelim, test, experimental, synthetic, etc.), quality processes and characteristics that define official statistics for Statistics Canada and for the Canadian National Statistical System.