StatCan App Consultations Questions and Answers

1. Why is StatCan developing a mobile app?

Canadians are increasingly using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to access Government of Canada information and services.

To keep pace with this demand and to better serve Canadians, Statistics Canada is optimizing its online information and services for mobile devices.

The app is being developed to support the agency’s modernization agenda. It also responds to the ever-changing data landscape and to users' requirements for more data in multiple formats and from multiple access points.

2. When will StatCan launch the app?

The agency is planning to launch its mobile application in early 2022.

3. What will the app do?

The StatCan app is a part of other modern platforms being introduced by the agency to provide more data in multiple formats and from multiple access points.

Its main purpose will be to connect with Canadians by sharing key economic news stories, fun facts, short stories on current events, announcements and departmental initiatives, throughout the day.

4. Where will the app be available?

The app will be available to download for free, from Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

5. Why do I have to download a Beta/test version of the app?

To participate in the consultation sessions, you will need to install the Beta version of the app on your mobile device or tablet. During the consultation session, you will be required to perform various tasks in the app to determine its usability and inform future enhancements.

6. How can I download the app?

The test version of Statistics Canada’s mobile application is only available to consultation participants. Detailed instructions on how to download the app will be provided to consultation participants by email.

7. I’m not part of the consultations but I’d like to share my feedback. Will there be other sessions?

If you would like to participate in future consultations, please refer to Participate in consultations.

8. Is this a legitimate mobile application from StatCan?

Yes, this is a legitimate StatCan product. Note that the final version of the mobile app is set to launch in early 2022, and the version used for consultations is only the Beta (test) version.

9. How much space will the StatCan app take on my phone?

The Beta version of the mobile application will take up approximately 70 MB of space on your device. Note that the application should be uninstalled after you have completed your consultation session.

10. Can I keep the app on my device after the consultation sessions?

No. The Beta version of the mobile application should be uninstalled from your device after you have completed your consultation session. The moderator will go through the process to remove the app with you at the end of the session.

11. Why am I being asked to download TestFlight?

TestFlight is a mobile application used for iOS devices to download Beta applications. Since the StatCan application is not currently available for public download on the app store, you will not be able to download the StatCan app Beta without first installing TestFlight.

12. How much storage space will TestFlight take on my device?

The TestFlight application should take no more than 10 MB of storage on your device. Once you have completed your consultation session, and you have deleted the StatCan app from your device, you can also delete TestFlight. The moderator will go through the process to remove the app with you at the end of the session.

13. Why am I being asked to enable internal app sharing?

Internal app sharing is a feature that enables the download of Android Beta apps, before they are available in the Google Play Store. Since the StatCan mobile application is not currently available for public download, enabling internal app sharing is necessary to download the app. Once you have completed your consultation session, you may turn off internal app sharing.