Established as Canada's central statistical office by the Statistics Act of 1985, Statistics Canada is required to "collect, compile, analyse, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic and general activities and conditions of the people of Canada." Its main objectives are to provide statistical information and analysis about Canada’s economic and social structure and to promote sound statistical standards and practices.

Reports statistics on Canadian agriculture, covering the topics of crops and horticulture, farm finances, farms and farm operators, food and nutrition, land use and environmental practices, and livestock and aquaculture.

The datasets available in Data Planet represent the data tables released by Statistics Canada. These tables provide aggregate statistics on the Canadian population, and the nation’s resources, economy, society, and culture. In addition to conducting a Census every five years, approximately 350 active surveys are conducted on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Statistics are provided for the nation as a whole, provinces, and other subnational geographies where available. Note that unclassified areas of provinces and territories that include a province or territory name will be found in the "Province" geographic type in Data Planet. For information on the statistical surveys and programs conducted by Statistics Canada, visit https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb-bmdi/pub/indexth-eng.htm. The data tables replace the summary tables previously released by Statistics Canada via the CANSIM database. For FAQs on this transition, please visit https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/about/website-faq#a0 .