Data Challenges and a Response

Data, a word we usually do not think of as being sexy. However, data, or the lack thereof in our case, is at the heart of some of the challenges we are having as we work with other levels of government, government agencies, and others.

The data issue creates a lag for the Town when it comes to receiving transfer payments from the province, the delivery of health care, market analysis, credit analysis and more. Last fall I was challenged by a provincial Minister of the Crown to develop an alternative. What follows is part of an email I sent to the Minister.


My suggestion is cost effective and comparatively easy to implement. It will give the province accurate population counts on a yearly basis with which to make sound decisions based on timely and relevant data. As a result transfer payments from the federal government to the province will be more in line with population totals. Likewise, provincial transfers to municipalities, such as through the PST, will be timely and relevant. No longer will transfers be based on data that is 4 or 5 years old but based on data that is at most months hold.

The solution is to add a field to the database holding Health card data. The extra field would be the physical address of the holder. With this additional field, to be filled by clerks at health facilities across the province or through a mail out update form, the government will have accurate data that can be trusted.
Here is a brief look at the problem and solution along with strengths and weaknesses.

PROBLEM:

• Municipalities and the provincial government lack accurate demographic and population data at the municipal level to make informed decision.

SOLUTION:

• Using health cards, add an extra field in the database to include the holder’s physical address.
• Consider the Health card I carry would show both my postal address and now my physical address.

STRENGTHS:

• Comparatively inexpensive.
• It is about adjustments to existing database(s) and collation rather than rolling out a new program.
• A variety of methods are available to implement the collection of the data.
• Once updated the information can be collated on a yearly basis.
• Decision making involving population counts and demographics, such as policy making, formulas for transfer calculations and physician recruitment, can be based on data that is months old rather than years old.
• Greater confidence in the integrity of the data.
• Based on SK residency.

WEAKNESSES:

• Privacy(?).
• Change in application forms and the database to add the extra field.
• Does not address out of province residents who move to a municipality, and because of housing problems, may not have a physical address.