Statistics Canada Biobank

Statistics Canada's biobank stores biospecimens from the Canadian Health Measures Survey for approved genetic health research.

statcan.gc.ca/en/microdata/biobank
Statistics Canada Biobank homepage screenshot

About Statistics Canada Biobank

The Statistics Canada Biobank stores whole blood, plasma, serum, buffy coat, urine, DNA, dried blood spots, and saliva from consenting Canadians ages 3 to 79 who took part in the Canadian Health Measures Survey and the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey. Samples are stored anonymously at the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for future biomedical and genetic health studies.

Access is limited to Canadian researchers who meet eligibility requirements and complete scientific, ethical, and security review, including research ethics board approval. Approved researchers access resulting data through Statistics Canada Research Data Centres and can combine biospecimen data with survey content such as nutrition, cardiovascular health, immunology, and environmental chemical exposure.

Key features

  • Stores whole blood, plasma, serum, buffy coat, urine, and DNA
  • Receives dried blood spot, blood, urine, and saliva samples
  • Merges biospecimen data with CHMS health and exposure content
  • Provides researcher data access through Research Data Centres
  • Lists ongoing and recent biobank research projects
  • Allows participants to request sample removal and destruction
Best for: Canadian researchers conducting approved studies that need nationally representative biospecimens linked to health survey data.
Good for
  • Nationally representative sample from Canadians ages 3 to 79
  • Samples stored anonymously under Statistics Canada confidentiality requirements
  • Ready availability avoids collecting new samples for each project
Watch out for
  • Limited to Canadian researchers meeting eligibility requirements
  • Requires scientific review, ethics board approval, and confidentiality oath
  • Covers only consenting participants ages 3 to 79

Statistics Canada Biobank at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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Statistics Canada Biobank FAQ

Where are the samples being stored?
All blood, dried blood spot, urine, and saliva samples are stored anonymously at the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg under Statistics Canada confidentiality requirements.
Can participants withdraw consent to storage of biospecimens?
Yes. Participants can ask at any time to have samples removed from storage and destroyed by calling 1-888-253-1087 or emailing [email protected].
Under which conditions will researchers have access to samples?
Researchers must be Canadian, meet access policy eligibility, conduct analyses of national interest, follow security guidelines, have scientific review support and ethics board approval, take a confidentiality oath, and post a project summary on the survey webpage.
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