The SPCO hosts the Ottawa and Region chapter of a national Community Data Program (CDP) created by the Canadian Council for Social Development and run by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet).  Established in 1990s to track poverty, CDP now offers a wide range of web-based data products, analytical tools, and services. This unique initiative enables organizations with a social or public service mandate to identify and better understand the social and economic trends within their individual communities.

The local chapter, called the Ottawa and Region Data Consortium, is a membership initiative operating on a cost-recovery basis.  Member organizations receive the following:

• Access to over $1 million worth of data from Statistics Canada and other reliable data providers.
• Customized training sessions on Community Data Program and catalog, Beyond 2020, Excel, Power BI and Tableau.
• Help to more effectively use the data for research and to gain new understanding of communities or areas they serve.

Download our summary of FAQs on the Data Consortium FAQ 2022.

To find out more, or to request membership, please contact Stefka at Stefkap@spcottawa.on.ca

2021 Census Highlights is an open data initiative of the Data Consortium. The website is updated with data, maps, dashboards and data summaries for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario following the release of new statistics from 2021 Census of Canadian population.  Visit the open data portal: https://2021-census-highlights-for-ottawa-and-region-spc-ottawa.hub.arcgis.com/

Data in Action aims to empower communities and organizations in their path to progressive transformation through data and research.  The website provides access to reliable data prodeucs tht raise awareness of inequity, help identify local gaps and challenges, and focus efforts for building a fair and equitable society.

Visit Data in Action at https://dataforpurpose.ca/

The Neighbourhood Equity Index

The Ottawa Neighbourhood Equity Index is a tool to assess and compare unnecessary and unfair differences factors impacting wellbeing. The Index measures how each neighbourhood is doing in five domains of wellbeing supported by 28 indicators. The NEI website offers a variety of data products, research and visualizations.  You can also explore the following themes by neighbourhood:

• Anti-racism
• Hate Crimes
• COVID-19
• Digital Inclusion
• Food Security, and
• Profiles of Families & Children, Youth, Immigrants & Racialized Groups, Seniors.

Visit the NEI:  http://www.neighbourhoodequity.ca/

GIS Mapping

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) apply location-based analytics to transform, visually explore and gain greater insights of data. Maps reveal spatial patterns that might not be apparent from tables and charts. Maps also break down barriers, facilitate collaboration and communication and raise questions about human relations.  Our maps and dashboards have been used as valuable decision-making tools by experts, policymakers, and community organizations. We offer:

• Analysis and visualization of socio-demographic trends using census data or community infrastructure and services information.
• Analysis of neighbourhood level data to identify issues, strengths, proposed solutions & to develop community action plans.
• Creating story maps and participatory community maps: Using community or agency data to tell a story”.

View the SPCO’s recent and ongoing data mapping projects: https://spc-ottawa.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html