Projects using the Data Innovation Program

The following projects have been approved for access to data within the Data Innovation Program. To be approved, projects must meet the strict conditions detailed in the program’s privacy and security framework. All projects are using de-identified, population-level data.

Government projects are sorted by sponsoring ministry. Academic projects are sorted by academic institution. 

Last updated: March 7, 2023

Page Navigation: Government projects | Academic projects | Closed projects 

Government projects (open)

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Ministry of Children and Family Development

In Care Network for Children and Youth in Care

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Children and Family Development is undertaking an integrated data project to better understand the needs of children and youth under the guardianship of the ministry, now and in the future. Descriptive statistics derived from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education data will be used to provide insight on children and youth’s needs. This insight will subsequently be used to better support populations of children and youth while they are in care by providing better informed services and supports, as well as improving access to appropriate services, where and when they are needed.

Project main contact: Steven Yong, Executive Director, Modelling, Analysis & Information Management, Ministry of Children and Family Development

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health

Agreements with Young Adults Outcome Evaluation Project

Status: In progress

The project will evaluate the outcomes associated with the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Agreements with Young Adults program. The project team is aiming to use the findings from this project to support evidence-based decision making to better meet the needs of youth transitioning into adulthood. In addition, the findings will enable the ministry to assess the impact of AYA program and adjust it as necessary. Descriptive statistics derived from health, social and education characteristics will be used to assist in the evaluation of outcomes of Agreements with Young Adults program.

Project main contact: France Cormier, Director of Analytics, Ministry of Children and Family Development

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • BC Housing
 

Ministry of Citizens' Services

Increasing knowledge of DI Program datasets and developing tools for analyses

Status: In progress

Through this project, the ministry’s data scientists and data science fellows aim to learn more about the de-identified data collected and used under the Data Innovation Program so they can improve the program’s analytic concepts, policies, services and technology. The program supports government in understanding B.C.’s complex issues, helping to generate an evidence base for decision-making, which can ultimately lead to better programs and services for citizens. This project aligns with the ministry’s 2019/20 service plan: the strategy to establish and promote data-driven partnerships across government.

Project main contact: Lindsay Forestell, Senior Data Scientist, BC Stats, Ministry of Citizens’ Services

Linked datasets:

  • BC Housing
  • Community Living BC
  • Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Attorney General
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Municipal Affairs
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • Statistics Canada

Impacts of Significant Climate-Related Events on Use of Government Services – A Feasibility Project

Status: In progress

The Province of British Columbia is developing a Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy to ensure that communities have the support they need to be prepared and adapt to climate change. Similar to other jurisdictions, there is currently a lack of region-specific data or information on the physical and mental health or economic impacts of climate change for different populations within British Columbia. This feasibility project will explore the development of an analytical method using integrated British Columbia administrative data to characterize the impact of a significant climate-related event on the use of government services related to health and well-being. The project will fill identified data gaps in understanding the needs of all populations within British Columbia (youth, women, elders) with the goal of supporting new or improved policy development aimed at ensuring all people in British Columbia are supported in preparing for and adapting to B.C.’s changing climate.

Project main contact: Bonnie Robert, Senior Data Scientist, Data Science Partnership, Ministry of Citizens’ Services.

Linked datasets:

  • BC Housing
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada
 

Ministry of Education and Child Care

B.C. Kindergarten Index

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Education is undertaking a research project using administrative data to help in developing a census-based indicator of the current well-being and vulnerabilities of B.C.’s kindergarten student cohorts year by year. The ministry has been using data available through its Education Data Warehouse to build a baseline kindergarten index. Measures such as student demographic information, neighbourhood-level census data, as well as student EDI scores, Early Learning/Strong Start data, and student report card information have been integrated as predictors of various outcomes. Through the Data Innovation Program, external data sources will be linked to this data to see if the predictive accuracy of these indices can be improved upon.

Project main contact: Brett Wilmer, Director, Education Economics Branch, Ministry of Education and Child Care

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Attorney General
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada

Assessing the effect of COVID-19 on mental health disorders in B.C.’s K-12 student population

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with Simon Fraser University, is looking to improve our understanding of the relationship between students in the K-12 sector, their families, and mental health. This is to be done specifically within the context of COVID-19. In particular, we wish to address whether the pandemic has increased the prevalence or severity of serious and persistent mental health problems among vulnerable children and their families in British Columbia. We also wish to use this current pandemic experience as an opportunity to learn about how best the education system can support mental health during future pandemics. Through the Data Innovation Program, we will be able to look at data linkages between the B.C. student population, their families, and related mental health health services to see if we can identify the extent to which COVID-19 impacted student health.

Project main contact: Brett Wilmer, Director, Education Economics Branch, Ministry of Education and Child Care

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Statistics Canada

Identification of students with special needs by schools and healthcare data

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Education and Child Care is undertaking an integrated data project to investigate the relationship between a school district's special needs diagnosis and students’ administrative health records. Insights from this study will benefit the public by informing whether predictive insight into the incidence of new students coming into the education system with special needs is available through using administrative data from the health system.

Project main contact: Brett Wilmer, Director, Education Economics Branch, Ministry of Education and Child Care

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
 

Ministry of Health

Improving health outcomes through attachment to a primary care provider

Status: In progress

This project will link Ministry of Health data with socio-economic data from other ministries in order to learn more about the characteristics of people who do not have a primary care provider (“unattached”). This analysis will guide the development of processes and policies that support and encourage primary care relationships – helping to improve health outcomes for British Columbians. This project aligns with the ministry’s commitment to advancing B.C.’s health services to ensure British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and improve their health. The project also helps deliver a current government initiative to implement primary care networks to improve access to and the delivery of primary care across the province.

Project main contact: Eric Larson, Executive Director, Integrated Analytics: Primary Care, Acute Care and Workforce, Health Sector Information Analysis and Reporting, Ministry of Health

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada

Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Study (PCSS)

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Health is undertaking this study to better understand the circumstances surrounding injuries and deaths to pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users who are outside of a motor vehicle such as persons who use e-scooters, mobility devices, are employed as flag persons and others. By utilizing a large number of linked datasets across government, this study involves an unprecedented type of investigation into the safety of the most vulnerable road users. The project team intends to use detailed information across a number of datasets to identify road infrastructure, road types, speed limits, road rules, driver errors, vehicle types and other elements that create either protective or risk factors in terms of these collisions. At the same time, information about income, education and other available equity-related indicators will be used to help quantify the extent to which sub-populations are disproportionately impacted by traffic accidents and trauma outcomes.

Project main contact: Andrea Godfreyson, A/Director, Injury Prevention & Healthy Settings, Ministry of Health

Linked datasets:

  • Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada
 

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Preventing and reducing homelessness

Status: In progress

This project will link data from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and BC Housing to identify the cohort of people who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless in B.C. This includes demographic information, pathways into homelessness, and the cross-government interventions that helped them exit homelessness. Establishing this integrated data set supports government’s actions on homelessness and poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC. Insights from this project could help government evaluate the effectiveness of its policy and program decisions and improve services for British Columbians.

Project main contact: Steve Forland, Manager, Analytics and Business Intelligence, Office of Homelessness Coordination, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Linked datasets:

  • BC Housing
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry Public Safety and Solicitor General and Emergency B.C.
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada

Recent publications:

 

Government projects (closed)

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Ministry of Citizens' Services

Insights for enhancing policy and services for children and youth who experience mental health problems

Status: Closed

The Ministry of Citizens’ Service and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions are undertaking a cross-government partnership to use integrated data to understand population-level patterns in how children and youth who experience mental health challenges access services across government and how those services affect them into adulthood.

Project main contact: Dan MacKenzie, Director of Data Insights, Digital Platforms and Division, Ministry of Citizens' Services

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
 

Ministry of Education and Child Care

Linking K-12 education to adult outcomes

Status: Closed

The Ministry of Education is undertaking a series of research projects to understand how a student’s experience in school (kindergarten to Grade 12) impacts their life afterwards, such as interacting with labour market programming or apprenticeship training. At a glance, the path looks different for everybody. But can a pattern be found in how students experience K-12 and their outcomes as adults? In this project, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General seek to understand population-level patterns between students’ demographics and educational experience (including academic performance and attendance) and their later-in-life outcomes, starting with time spent in the corrections system. If a pattern does emerge from the data, it may be possible for educators and policy-makers to put supports, resources and services in place to better help direct students/children to a healthier path in life, away from the criminal justice system.

The project team includes staff from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Project main contact: Brett Wilmer, Director, Education Economics Branch, Ministry of Education

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
 

Ministry of Health

Health trajectories

Status: Closed

The Ministry of Health is undertaking an integrated data project that examines the relationship between citizens’ characteristics at birth and educational attainment. The findings of this work will help inform decisions on health intervention policies to better support at-risk children and youth.

Project main contact: William Warburton, contractor, Ministry of Health

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Health
 

Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

Investing in programs that expand youth mental health care and addictions services

Status: Closed

As part of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ “A Pathway to Hope,” this project will help us learn more about the need for mental health and addictions services across the province. The impact that Foundry has on a community will be the main focus of this project. Foundry provides young adults ages 12-to 24 with access to health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through their integrated service centers. This project will help us learn more about how access to a Foundry centre can meet the needs of youth who use mental health care and social services. Analysis will be restricted to communities where Foundry services are available – Campbell River, North and West Vancouver, Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria, Penticton and Abbotsford. This work will help will guide the expansion of Foundry services across the province.

Project main contact: Dr. Ashley Pullman, Mitacs Science Policy Fellow, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Child and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Health
  • Statistics Canada
 

Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Vulnerable target populations under the Workforce Development Agreement Programs (WDA)

Status: Closed

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training is developing a performance measurement and evaluation framework to create skills training programs that meet the needs British Columbians. This project will help create accessible, affordable and equitable education and skills training opportunities. Specifically, this project will help us learn how to improve education and training services for youth, including youth at risk and victims of target populations. This work will look at the factors that may play a part in how vulnerable youth experience the workforce such as level of education, health and wellness (including mental health), and their involvement with government-funded services and programs.

Project main contact: Tatiana Kim, Performance Evaluation Analyst, Workforce Innovation and Skills Training, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Linked datasets:

  • Community Living BC
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Services
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada
 

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Basic Income Study

Status: Closed

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is undertaking an integrated data project to characterize the income, health and other outcomes for groups in or near poverty. The data will also be used to examine the effectiveness of previous policies in B.C. that share elements of a basic income.

Project main contact: Robert Bruce, Executive Director, Research Branch, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Linked datasets:

  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Recent publications:

Historical profile of government service utilization related to poverty and homelessness in Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

Status: Closed

Through this project, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction will learn more about the homeless and low-income populations in Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. Specifically, data will be collected to understand how the homeless and low-income populations use government services and how their service use has changed over time. This work will help the Province improve service delivery in the Downtown Eastside, guide effective social policy development, and promote evidence-based decision-making to reduce poverty and revitalize the Downtown Eastside. This project aligns with the numerous ministry priorities by addressing housing, mental health and addictions.

Project main contact: Dr. Craig Hutton, Data Science Fellow, Data Science and Analytics branch, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Linked datasets:

  • BC Housing
  • Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Statistics Canada

 

Academic projects (open)

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University of British Columbia

Every maternal death counts: driving safety in pregnant and post-partum women

Status: In progress

Motor vehicle crashes are a common reason why Canadian women die in pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Yet, these deaths aren't counted in most efforts to track and prevent maternal deaths, because the conventional definition of "maternal death" excludes deaths due to accidents. There is growing recognition, however, that we should try to monitor and prevent all deaths to new mothers, not just those that fit into the conventional definition of a maternal death.

The first step towards preventing maternal deaths from motor vehicle crashes is to understand if, when, and which women are at increased risk of motor vehicle accidents in pregnancy or shortly after delivery. We will do this by linking British Columbia motor vehicle collision claims records with the province's population health databases, including the British Columbia Perinatal Data Registry, which will provide us with pregnancy-related information. We will compare a woman's risk of being in a motor vehicle crash during pregnancy compared with other women in the province who weren't pregnant, and to the same woman a year prior to her pregnancy to determine if women are more likely to have a motor vehicle accident when pregnant. We will examine if certain pregnancy-related conditions, such as twin pregnancies or anemia (both of which could make a woman more fatigued) increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash.

Project Main Contact:
Dr. Jennifer Hutcheon
Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Population Health
Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Linked Datasets:

  • ICBC
  • Ministry of Attorney General
  • Ministry of Health
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • Statistics Canada

Family and Intergenerational Impacts of Poverty and Income Assistance

Status: In progress

Preventing and mitigating the consequences of poverty is of central interest in policy-making focused on social supports, health, and education. Our research proposal comprises numerous questions related to poverty and policies that may alleviate it. In particular, many of our research questions focus on the role of Income Assistance (IA) in influencing adult and child well-being. IA is the main cash transfer program in BC, as well as being a portal through which other supports such as extended health benefits are accessed. The other set of questions relates to how educational attainment and health policies can prevent the next generation from entering poverty. Our goal is to provide concrete evidence on policy domains that may help policymakers in decision-making that could affect poverty for both the current and future generations.

Project Main Contact:
David Green
University of British Columbia
Professor

Linked Datasets:

  • British Columbia Family Maintenance Agency
  • Community Living BC
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • Statistics Canada
 

University of Calgary

ACCESS: Assessing the Continuum of Care and Eligibility for Services and Supports for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and their Families

Status: In progress

Persons with a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) are a vulnerable population who experience more mental health problems and poorer health outcomes relative to those without disability. For the 1 in 11 youth in Canada with NDD, a multitude of services are provided (primarily by provincial governments) to address activity limitations, improve health outcomes and facilitate full participation in society. Unfortunately, many youth and families struggle to access needed services. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlighted that realized access (actual use of services provided) is particularly low in Canada -- 20-30 percent utilization by those eligible. Project ACCESS: Assessing the Continuum of Care and Eligibility for Services and Supports for Children with  Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and their Families aims to co-design policy recommendations to improve realized access to services for youth with NDD, by measuring realized access and describing experiences of youth and caregivers applying to services, across ministries and the life course. We have partnered with youth and family advisors to identify challenges to realized access to services. We aim to evaluate different cross-ministry priorities and mandates, inconsistent policies and a lack of data on service use provided across the continuum of care.

Project Main Contact:
Jennifer Zwicker, PhD, MPP
Director, Health Policy
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology
Canada Research Chair (II) Disability Policy for Children and Youth

Linked Datasets:

  • Community Living BC
  • Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
  • Ministry of Attorney General
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Ministry of Education and Child Care
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • Statistics Canada


 

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