Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Statistical publication on Canada’s North ("Canada's North, A Portrait")  

Outline
This "coffee table" book would include what is currently known about the society, environment and economy of the north. Its development would be an opportunity to expand our understanding of the north in our official statistics. Statistics Canada's "Canada: a portrait", "Human Activity and the Environment" and other popular publications show what is possible to use statistics to highlight what is know about our country. As with many other Statistics Canada publications aimed at the general public and academic communities, this publication would be accompanied by a CD with data and maps. It is also proposed to develop a teaching module that would support teachers in using the material in the classroom.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) There is no single statistical definition of "Canada’s North". This book would apply a consistent concept. 2) This would be an opportunity to develop some new indicators of the conditions in the North as compared to the rest of the country. 3) The lead division has a focus on science, technology and connectedness. This would be an important theme of the book. 4) The new indicators developed as a part of this project would be published in future years.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The topic has been presented at the OECD working party of National Experts on Science and Technology Indicators (NESTI). There is some opportunity to work with other circumpolar countries to develop and publish comparable indicators. It would be possible to include summary statistics from other circumpolar nations.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No scientific field work is required. Any additional data collection would use existing statistical infrastructure (e.g., territorial and federal statistical offices).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No physical infrastructure is required. In terms of statistical infrastructure, we will develop classification systems, possibly new questions and analytical procedures. Territorial statistical offices will be invited to participate.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will develop new statistics that will be available in the future. Territorial and federal statistical offices will have new definitions of the North and will be trained in new data collection activities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Statistics Canada’s regional offices, provincial and territorial focal points will be involved in the development and planning of the project.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No -The project has been discussed with David Hik and Peter Harrison. Both strongly support the activity. The pre-proposal was received to late for national endorsement.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

The project would require mobilizing a unique team within Statistics Canada and possibly across the government and include other stakeholders.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized as a special project within Statistics Canada with other federal department and international partners. Contents of the publication would be reviewed with interdepartmental and international steering groups.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The publication itself can be used for education and communication. In addition, specific teaching tools will be developed. Statistics Canada produces subject-specific Teaching Guides (e.g., for the Census) and a guide would also be developed for Canada’s North.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Statistics Canada can make new some data publicly available. Other data will be confidential and available to Statistics Canada employees only.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Government of Canada has allocated $150M for IPY activities. This project would request approximately $1.5M from that fund.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental and international publication on Canada's North. We would be building on our experience and credibility with the Canada Year Book, Canada: a portrait, Human activity and the environment to portray Canada's North, its people, its environment and its economy in an objective manner. The publication (book, teaching materials, CD-ROM, Internet site) would contain analytical highlights of data from Statistics Canada and other participating departments. It could also contain brief situational articles by experts from inside and outside the government. New data collection activities would possibly be continued into the future.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Chief Michael Bordt
Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division, Statistics
7A RH Coats Building
Tunney’s Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6
Canada

Tel: (613) 951-8585
Mobile: no
Fax: (613) 951-9920
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation