1990:

The Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association holds its 25th anniversary conference, discussing the lack of engagement in social policy research.

 

1993:

The Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) is proposed to provide better access to public-use microdata files (PUMFs).

 

1996:

Treasury Board funds the DLI, improving data accessibility at universities.

 

1998:

The Bernard Joint Working Group releases a report stating Canada’s limited capacity for social policy research and recommends the creation of a Social Statistics Research System, including Research Data Centres (RDCs). 

1999:

SSHRC and Statistics Canada establish a formal partnership—the Canadian Initiative on Social Statistics—to promote research and training in social statistics.

2000:

A proposal for funding is submitted to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). CFI awards $13 million for the creation of RDCs; the first Research Data Centre (RDC) opens at McMaster University in December.

 

2001:

The first nine RDCs are fully operational across Canada.

 

2002: 

Paul Bernard steps down as Chair of the RDC National Steering Committee; Raymond Currie becomes the new Executive Director.

 

2003:

The National Steering Committee formalizes governance procedures.
The Network begins discussing stable funding sources.

The first annual CRDCN conference takes place, focusing on Transitions in Employment, Income, and Well-being, hosted by the McMaster RDC in Hamilton.

2004:
CRDCN distinguishes between RDCs, branches, and partners to facilitate network expansion.

 

The University of Manitoba opens its RDC in August; The Western University and Queen’s University establish RDCs.

2005:  

The Quebec Interuniversity Centre for Social Statistics (QICSS) hosts the annual CRDCN conference, themed Canadian Families Under Pressure?

SSHRC and CIHR provide multi-year funding.

 

The COOL RDC (Carleton, Ottawa, Outaouais Local) opens at the University of Ottawa; the first Federal RDC is established for government researchers; the first branches open at Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke (connected to   QICSS); UQAM-INRS RDC is established.

 

2006: 

An international Expert Committee evaluates the network, calling it an outstanding success.

 

The first branches outside Quebec open at University of Victoria and Laurentian University; McGill-Concordia RDC is established.

 

The CRDCN training program is launched, including summer schools.

 

2007:

The network expands, attracting a larger pool of researchers.  

 

2008:  

The CRDCN website project begins, with the official launch scheduled for 2009.  

 

Simon Fraser RDC is launched. 

 

 

2009:

CRDCN secures $5.75 million each from SSHRC and CIHR for the next five years.

 

York RDC is established.

 

 

2010:  

The CRDCN headquarters moves from the University of Manitoba to McMaster University. 

 

University of Windsor opens its RDC. 

 

Byron Spencer becomes Academic Director.

 

2011:  

The National Data Summit is organized in collaboration with Statistics Canada and other partners, attracting 160 experts. 

Lethbridge RDC is established.

 

2012:  

The Research Data Strategy Working Group transitions into Research Data Canada.

 

Université de Moncton opens its RDC. 

 

2013:  

The Dataset Builder is completed, facilitating data access and improving metadata documentation; Memorial University RDC opens. 

 

By this year, the network has grown to 27 RDCs, supporting over 4,000 researchers.

 

2014:

A central repository for research data is established for all RDCs. 

 

2015: 

First formal research partnership with a federal department with Indigenous Services Canada/Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (ISC/CIRNAC).

2016:  

CRDCN becomes a CFI Major Science Initiative; Martin Taylor assumes the role of Executive Director; Byron Spencer becomes the Inaugural Research Program Director. 

 

2017: 

University of Northern British Columbia RDC is established. 

 

2018:  

Statistics Canada 100th anniversary; CRDCN launches Emerging Scholars Awards program. 

 

2019:  

University of Regina launches its RDC. 

 

 

2020: 

A second formal research partnership is made with Indigenous Services Canada/Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (ISC/CIRNAC); Formal research partnership made with Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). 

2021:  

A new website is launched in September. 

 

CRDCN shares its Strategic Research Roadmap 2021-2024. 

 

UBC Okanagan RDC is launched. 

 

2022:  

CRDCN Renewed as a CFI Major Science Initiative and SSHRC-CIHR invest $17.4 million over six years. 

 

Natalie Harrower replaces Martin Taylor as Executive Director. 

 

Research collaboration with Global Risk Institute begins; launch of the Statistics Canada / CRDCN Data Analytics Internship Pilot. 

 

2023: 

CRDCN Conference returns to in-person format. 

 

Formal research collaboration with Department of Justice. 

 

2024:  

CRDCN launches new 5-year Strategic plan. 

 

2025:  

CRDCN celebrates the 25th anniversary of partnership with Statistics Canada and Collaborating Institutions; the virtual research Data centre (vRDC) launches with rollout across the country.

 

Windsor becomes the first RDC to connect to vRDC online.