Stage 3: Data Steward Review

Each body with data available through Population Data BC (PopData) and the Health Data Platform BC (HDPBC), retains the right to approve all uses of their data. Each body appoints a designated Data Steward, who is responsible for reviewing and approving every Data Access Request (DAR).

Data Access Requests are assessed on their individual merits.

Among the criteria considered by public bodies when reviewing a Data Access Request are those established under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, such as:

• Demonstrated reasonable need for the requested data to answer the specified research question(s)
• The record linkage and/or use of data is not harmful to the individuals that the information is about
• The proposed research and the benefits of record linkage are clearly in the public interest
• Scientific merit (peer- or merit-reviewed)
• Ethical considerations
• The suitability of any consent documents

DAR approval

Once a DAR is approved, the Data Steward(s)/HDPBC will notify the Data Access Unit at PopData who will, in turn, notify the Researcher that the application has been successful.

Note: A DAR may be conditionally approved pending, for example, notification of an ethics review. Any conditions must be met before data provisioning can begin.

A Data Access Unit staff member will alert Researchers to any conditions that must be met.

Approval from ALL Data Stewards involved in the application must be received and all conditions met before data provisioning can begin.