Past, present and future of Canadian statistics.

This paper presents an overall view of the evolution of Canada's central statistical office since the advent of modern Canada in 1867. It is a history characterized by four periods of significant bureaucratic and scientific developments, each followed by phases of stasis, flux, uncertainty and setbacks. Development can be linked to the conjunction of major turns in government's policy needs, the adoption of technical or managerial innovations and the presence of a strong bureaucratic leadership, while setbacks occur when one of these factors is found wanting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]