Our organization

The Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) is the public body responsible for providing reliable, objective, and relevant statistical information about Québec society. 

The ISQ produces statistical information based on survey and administrative data from the public and private sectors, covering many areas related to the social and economic spheres of Québec society.

It also ensures the communication, for research purposes, of information held by public bodies to researchers attached to a public body.

“An efficient statistical organization serving a changing Québec society”

The ISQ is an innovating organization recognized for its expertise and efficiency and the quality of its services. It aims to be the primary source of reliable, objective statistical information about Québec.

The statistical content produced by the ISQ enhances knowledge, informs debates, and supports decision making by various Québec stakeholders. It is therefore essential for the organization to adapt its services and statistical programs to the changing needs of its partners and society at large. As interest in its work keeps growing, the Institut wants to remain a high-performing organization, for the benefit of both its clients and its staff.

The ISQ carries out statutory mandates in the areas of compensation, demography, sustainable development, and the occupancy and vitality of territories.

It maintains long-standing partnerships on economic, social, cultural and health issues.

It carries out surveys of public interest for Québec, produces numerous publications, and disseminates reliable, relevant data on Québec’s reality so that the population is better informed and decision-makers can make informed decisions.

In addition to the five fundamental values of the Québec public service (PDF), the ISQ adheres to its own set of values:

Rigour: Producing official statistics requires the application of standards that ensure the quality, reliability, representativeness, and clarity of the information provided to the public.

Objectivity: This value results in a constant effort to define, measure, describe, report on and explain, as accurately as possible, the phenomena underlying the data produced.

Innovation: In a context where the production and dissemination of information are quickly evolving, the ISQ must keep up with major trends and changes in the field of statistics.

Collaboration: In order to foster innovation and openness, it makes sense to leverage teamwork within the ISQ, nurture relationships and exchanges with external partners, and promote information sharing.

The Institut de la statistique du Québec was established by the Act respecting the Institut de la statistique du Québec, which was passed on June 19, 1998 by the Assemblée nationale du Québec. This Act brought together into one new organization four separate administrative entities/bodies:

• the Bureau de la statistique du Québec;
• the Institut de recherche et d’information sur la rémunération;
• Santé Québec; and
• members of the personnel of the Ministère du Travail who were assigned to carrying out the Total Compensation Survey.