The University of Guelph Branch Research Data Centre (BRDC) is a member of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN). Opened in 2011, we are a branch of the Southwestern Ontario Research Data Centre (SWORDC), University of Waterloo. These networked centres provide Canadian researchers with secure access to detailed microdata in universities across the country and operate as part of Statistics Canada’s Research Data Centres (RDCs) Program.

Staffed by Statistics Canada analysts and statistical assistants, RDCs operate in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act and are accessible only to researchers with approved projects and security clearance.

What type of data is available?

Research Data Centres offer secure access to detailed microdata from Statistics Canada's surveys and Canadian censuses, as well as to an increasing number of administrative data sets. Researchers use RDC data to investigate a wide range of social, economic and health-related issues, from child poverty to eldercare, from school success to workplace stress, from Aboriginal health to immigrant integration, from family-life balance to health service and policy

Who can access BRDC data?

Academic staff and students from Canadian post-secondary institutions may apply for access to specific files within the BRDC.

How do I become an approved researcher?

To learn more about applying for access to Statistics Canada detailed microdata files, please view the Access Requirements.

BRDC Operations

Oversight for the BRDC is managed by the Academic Director with support from the BRDC Advisory Committee.

Current members include:

Academic Director & Chair

Kris Inwood
Professor, Department of Economics & Finance; Professor, History

Advisory Committee

Amanda Etches
Associate University Libarian, Research

Ryan Gibson
Libro Professor of Regional Economic Development, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development

David Walters
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology