Consultation objectives
The Census of Environment (CoE) User Satisfaction of Products engagement activity was conducted to better understand, from the users' perspective, the relevance, usability, accessibility, quality and impact of Census of Environment products. The Census of Environment program was established to provide foundational data on Canada's environment, including information on ecosystem extent and condition, ecosystem services, and links between environmental, social and economic data. This integrated information supports Canadians in making informed decisions about ecosystems and natural capital.
The primary objective of this engagement was to assess the usefulness of Census of Environment products and outputs during the program's first five years and to identify opportunities for future improvements.
Consultation methods
The consultation was conducted through an e-form questionnaire developed collaboratively by Statistics Canada's Consultative Engagement and Census of Environment teams. The questionnaire included 13 closed-ended questions and 3 open-ended questions covering product satisfaction, usefulness, data relevance, ease of access, information needs, natural capital valuation, and opportunities for improvement.
The e-form was promoted through social media, the Census of Environment portal, The Daily, stakeholder communications and partner networks. Data collection took place between September 25, 2025 and January 30, 2026, during which 125 responses were received from a diverse group of users, including representatives from the federal government, provincial and local governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other interested stakeholders.
Results
Participants generally expressed positive views regarding the usefulness and relevance of Census of Environment products and data.
The consultation identified several opportunities to further enhance Census of Environment products and services. Five key recommendations emerged from the feedback:
- Expand data on ecosystem condition, ecosystem services and natural capital valuation.
- Provide more geographically detailed data and reporting, for example, at regional, watershed and local scales.
- Strengthen linkages between environmental, socio-economic and health-related data, for example, exposure to extreme heat and poor air quality.
- Increase awareness of the Census of Environment portal and improve its organization to enhance the discoverability of products.
- Increase outreach activities to promote Census of Environment products and keep users informed about new data releases and tools.
Statistics Canada thanks participants for their contributions to this consultative engagement initiative. Their feedback will help guide the continued development and improvement of Census of Environment products, ensuring they remain relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of Canadians and the environmental data community.