Child maltreatment is a significant Canadian and global problem that can have serious physical, psychological and emotional impacts lasting long beyond childhood. To prevent and address child maltreatment, the ongoing, systematic collection of data on child abuse and neglect reported to child welfare is essential. The federal, provincial, and territorial governments recognize the importance of surveillance in providing evidence about the contexts, risk factors and types of child maltreatment to inform policy, program, service and awareness interventions. Through their child welfare ministries, the provincial and territorial governments are responsible for assisting children in need of protection; they are also the primary source of administrative data and information related to reported child maltreatment. Each jurisdiction has its own child protection legislation and regulations; policies and practices may differ.