What is it?

The Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) and Statistics Canada have been working with our university partners across the Network and at our host institution McMaster University to build the virtual Research Data Centre (vRDC) – a new, networked platform that will provide significantly improved access to Statistics Canada microdata and other linked data to researchers across Canada.

The virtual platform modernizes the IT infrastructure that supports 2,200+ CRDCN researchers across the country, through an overhaul of storage, computing and networking capacities. This enhancement will optimize technical efficiencies across the network and provide advanced computing capabilities to facilitate analysis and manipulation of large datasets. Importantly, it will also for the first time provide remote access for Research Data Centre (RDC) researchers from authorized workspaces (e.g. office or home) to approximately 80% of microdata sets . The advent of the vRDC is meant to free up space in the existing physical Research Data Centres (RDCs) for those who need it most and enable enhanced or more flexible hours at the RDCs.

Who is responsible for the vRDC?

The Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) and Statistics Canada have been working with our university partners across the Network and at our host institution McMaster University to build the vRDC.

About access to microdata through CRDCN

Statistics Canada data offerings are collected by survey, census or through an administrative database and continue to grow, thanks in part to a strong partnership with CRDCN and collaborating institutions that can make this rich data more accessible for research. Currently there are over 200 datasets available for researcher access through the RDCs.

Access to Statistics Canada confidential microdata is restricted to researchers and research projects that have submitted proposals to Statistics Canada through the microdata access platform and been approved. This process has been in place throughout the history of the RDC program to ensure the confidentiality and security of the microdata.

See below for how to access the microdata.

Accessing the “v” in the vRDC

Researchers with projects eligible for remote access to the virtual network will be able to access their project through their own computer in an authorised workspace using a secure authentication process.

Projects that are not eligible for remote access, or researchers accessing highly sensitive data as part of their microdata research project will continue to do so through a physical RDC. Currently 20% of the data holdings are considered highly sensitive data, by Statistics Canada. Data is classified as highly sensitive based on its disclosure risk and the sensitivity of the content of the data file.

Please visit this site regularly and look for announcements on the rollout of the vRDC to your institution.