Data Innovation Program
Last updated on March 5, 2024The Data Innovation Program is a data integration and analytics program for government analysts and academic researchers. While every B.C. ministry collects and manages its own data, the Data Innovation Program securely links and de-identifies data from multiple ministries and organizations for better understanding of B.C.'s complex issues.
The Data Innovation Program supports population-level analysis (not individual- or case-level analysis), unlocking the potential for new insights that can lead to better programs and services for British Columbians.
Through the Data Innovation Program, existing datasets from various ministries or agencies are linked and de-identified in a secure platform (known as a secure analytics environment) to support specific population-level research projects. These projects aim to better understand trends and complex issues in B.C.
Since launching, the Data Innovation Program has been supported by Population Data BC, an internationally recognized academic organization that has facilitated population-based research for over 20 years. Population Data BC works in partnership with the Data Innovation Program, providing services related to data linkage, secure data storage and project and data management.
Better insights, better government
Government’s programs and services span all aspects of life in B.C., such as education, health care, public safety, social services, the economy and the environment. By safely integrating and de-identifying data from these programs and services, government can gain new insights about population-level trends and complex issues. These insights can lead to better programs, policies and services for British Columbians.
Linked data does not identify individuals
Data available through the Data Innovation Program is always de-identified to protect privacy. This means identifiers such as names, driver’s licence numbers and personal health numbers are removed before the data can be used for research.
Data is kept safe and secure
Data is stored on a central server in a secure facility. It is only accessible through a secure platform (known as a secure analytics environment), and it is only available for approved projects that meet strict conditions to protect individual privacy.
B.C.’s approach to protecting privacy is guided by provincial legislation (the Statistics Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act), an overarching Privacy Impact Assessment, and a privacy and security framework based on the internationally recognized Five Safes model.
Find a detailed listing of all the data files and accompanying metadata records available in the Data Innovation Program.
This is a helpful tool to explore the metadata for all datasets available through the Data Innovation Program.