Consultative engagement objectives
The Census of Environment (CoE) provides a comprehensive picture of the complex relationships between ecosystems, the economy, society, and human well-being. This information helps Canadians make informed decisions about ecosystems and natural capital.
The Census of Environment data portal aims to make all CoE products and information available in a single, easily accessible location. Data tables, infographics, analytical articles, spatial information products, and other resources are made available on the portal shortly after their release.
Prior to the launch of the data portal in March 2024, usability testing of the initial version was completed.
The primary objectives of this consultative engagement activity were to:
- ensure the portal met the needs of stakeholders;
- ensure the portal was user-friendly and intuitive; and
- gather feedback on the CoE portal's features to inform improvements to its layout and content.
Consultative engagement methods
The engagement team conducted virtual one-on-one sessions with 12 individuals between October 23, 2023, and November 10, 2023. Participants were asked about their overall impressions, ease of navigation, visual appeal, and the layout and content of each portal section (About, Topics, Data, Reference, and Main Page). Feedback on what users liked, disliked, and recommended changes—including additions or deletions—was collected.
Participants were also asked to complete specific tasks, such as locating a particular data point, finding and downloading a spatial file, or identifying a specific article. These exercises helped assess the portal's usability and navigability.
Results
Five key takeaways emerged from the consultation process:
- Respondents had a positive overall impression of the portal.
- Language should be plain and used consistently throughout the portal.
- Each section should include clear descriptions to help users understand what information is available.
- The most useful products for participants were dynamic interactive maps and data tables.
- Some users had trouble locating the data they needed.
Statistics Canada thanks all participants for their contributions to this consultative engagement initiative. Many of their recommendations were incorporated prior to the portal's launch, and others will be implemented over time as priorities and resources allow.