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| Surveys and Analysis: Confidentiality |
For more information
contact Lee Herrin
(250) 356-0025 |
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The Statistics Act, RSBC 1996
sets out the mandate for BC Stats,
and provides it with powers that are critical to effective survey research.
The most important is the ability to protect the confidentiality of survey returns.
This allows businesses to respond in confidence that they will not suffer any
competitive disadvantages, and it allows individuals to reply frankly on matters
of opinion, such as on client satisfaction surveys, without the possibility of
personal identification.
Since the Statistics Act operates notwithstanding most provisions of the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, respondents are
assured of complete protection. This is a guarantee that can not be offered by
other government ministries or agencies.
Another major advantage of the Statistics Act is the access it gives to
confidential information collected by Statistics Canada. Such information can
often serve as a valuable supplement to information collected by direct BC Stats' surveys.
Finally, the Statistics Act sets out the mandate of the agency, including an
explicit responsibility to co-ordinate the statistical activities of the Government
of British Columbia.
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