The Vital Statistics Council for Canada is an inter-jurisdictional advisory group composed of the heads of the vital statistics divisions/agencies from all of the provincial and territorial governments and the Health Statistics Division of Statistics Canada. The Council provides a forum for developing common approaches for collecting vital statistics, sharing information with external parties (e.g., social services departments, law enforcement agencies, individuals) and for facilitating problem solving by sharing experiences, research findings and expertise among the jurisdictions. The Council meets in person once a year at a formal meeting and conducts business throughout the year via regular teleconferences.

The Key Business Functions of the Vital Statistics Council of Canada are:

• Exists as a forum to discuss issues around registration and certification of births, deaths, marriages, stillbirths and changes of name
• Facilitate sharing, exchange and retention of information, data and research between jurisdictions
• Facilitates discussion with a view to creating a uniform approach with regard to governing legislation, data collection and certification of vital events. The group also facilitates the transfer and receipt of national and provincial/territorial data from Statistics Canada
• Liaises with service providers groups (e.g., physicians, coroners, funeral directors, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, notaries, etc.)
• Liaises with federal and provincial government departments, including Passport Office, Family Allowance, and Social Services
• Liaise with US counterparts