In the information age, Canada is falling behind

Data Gap

In the information age, Canada is falling behind

On everything from public health to housing, the economy and education, the country does not have the data it needs to make smart decisions. We are tracking the gaps and their effect on your everyday life

By TAVIA GRANT and ERIC ANDREW-GEE

Published January 25, 2019
Updated May 6, 2019

Good government data can illuminate a society and show where the problems lie. Yet, even in this data-driven age, Canada is often flying blind.

The Globe and Mail has uncovered myriad data deficits, culled from dozens of interviews, research reports, government documents, international searches and feedback from our own newsroom.

Many of the gaps are fixable, by making information more accessible, harmonizing provincial standards and adopting best practices from other countries. We are adding to this list and welcome your input on the gaps that matter most to you.

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* By data gap, we mean areas at the national level in which data are not collected or readily accessible. These could be areas where there is no ability to compare across provinces or cities, where the existing information is years out of date, published infrequently or not comparable with prior years.

Is there a data gap you would like filled?

Globe and Mail reporters will continue to collect and report on data gaps that affect Canadians. If you have one in mind, please submit a description of it. Data gaps will be investigated by our reporters before they are published.

Description (mandatory field, 450 word maximum)

If you’d like to help us with our reporting, please include your name and e-mail. A reporter may reach out for more information.

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I understand that a Globe reporter may contact me if I include my name and e-mail address. However, The Globe cannot guarantee that every data gap submitted will be pursued. I understand that all information I provide is subject to The Globe’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and by proceeding I agree to be bound by such terms.

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CREDITS: Reporting and writing by TAVIA GRANT and ERIC ANDREW-GEE; Design and development by JEREMY AGIUS; Editing by RENATA D’ALIESIO; Multimedia editing by LAURA BLENKINSOP;

Thanks to The Globe newsroom for contributing suggestions. The Globe consulted many organizations, subject-matter experts and government officials for this project.

In the information age, Canada is falling behind

Is there a data gap you would like filled?

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