How is electronic commerce (e-commerce) defined in Statistics Canada surveys?

Typically, Statistics Canada defines e-commerce as all sales of goods or services where orders were received, and the commitment to purchase was made, over the internet. Payment can be made by other means. The delivery of digital goods for which orders were not made online and orders made by telephone, facsimile and email are excluded from e-commerce. This definition was developed in conjunction with the international community to improve the comparability of indicators published by national statistical offices. However, some Statistics Canada surveys may use alternative definitions for e-commerce, so data users are encouraged to review the definitions, data sources and methods pages for specific surveys of interest.

What is the difference between physical goods, and digital products and services?

Physical goods are tangible objects over which ownership rights can be established. Examples include clothing, electronics and furniture. Conversely, digital products and services only exist in digital form and are delivered or stored within information and communication technologies. Examples include online subscriptions, music and video streaming services, and e-books.

What does it mean for a product or service to be digitally ordered or digitally delivered?

A digitally ordered product or service is a product or service sold through e-commerce. Both physical goods, and digital products and services, can be digitally ordered. In comparison, digitally delivered products and services are digital products and services that are delivered to customers over the Internet, regardless of how they were ordered. Therefore, digitally delivered products and services are excluded from Statistics Canada’s standard definition of e-commerce when they aren’t digitally ordered. Examples of digitally delivered products and services include music and video streaming services, e-books and online subscriptions.

What is cross-border e-commerce?

Cross-border e-commerce refers to the purchasing and selling of products through online shops across national borders, where the seller and the buyer are in different countries.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

IoT refers to the interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in all types of objects, enabling them to send and receive data. Examples include smart televisions, Wi-Fi enabled security cameras, automatic car tracking adapters, Canary smart security system, Cisco’s connective factory, Phillips hue smart bulbs and August smart locks. Traditional computing devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers are typically excluded from the definition of IoT.

What are Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)?

ICTs are hardware, software, networks and media for the collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information (e.g., voice, data, text, images), as well as related services.

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Developed by the United Nations, the SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The Canadian Indicator Framework encompasses the 17 goals, and adds specific Canadian ambitions and targets which have been elaborated by federal government departments. Statistics Canada is responsible for the collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination of data for regular monitoring of Canadian progress against the global indicators and has developed its own data hub for disseminating Canada’s SDG data.

What are the digital supply and use tables (SUTs)?

The experimental Canadian SUTs apply a conceptual framework developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to facilitate measurement of the contribution of the digital economy to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Canadian digital SUTs present enhanced details on digitally enabling infrastructure and the supply and uses of digital products, and digitally ordered and delivered goods and services.

How often are surveys related to the digital economy collected?

Many of Statistics Canada’s surveys related specifically to the digital economy are conducted on two-year cycles, however, other surveys featured in this data portal are conducted at different frequencies. Data users are encouraged to review the definitions, data sources and methods pages for more information on specific surveys of interest.

With respect to the adoption of digital technologies and the development of the digital economy, how does Canada compare to other countries?

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides several resources to compare indicators among member countries, including, most notably, the Going Digital Toolkit (available only in English).

Why is Statistics Canada collecting information on the digital economy?

Statistics Canada provides statistics on the use of digital technologies by Canadian individuals and households to policymakers to help better inform government policies and programs. Digital economy statistics are designed to help guide efforts to deliver more reliable and affordable high-speed Internet to Canadians. They also help policymakers to better understand barriers to using digital technologies so they can design policies and tools to help Canadians overcome those challenges. Additionally, digital economy statistics help the government identify online privacy and security threats that are affecting Canadians.

Statistics Canada also provides statistics on the use of digital technologies by Canadian businesses to policymakers to help them better understand how these technologies are currently being used by businesses and identify opportunities for increasing the adoption. The ultimate goal of these statistics is to improve Canada's innovation system and strengthen the overall economy.

How does Statistics Canada protect the privacy of survey respondents?

Data collected by Statistics Canada are protected by laws and other measures that guard a respondent’s privacy. The Statistics Act, the Privacy Act and other relevant federal policies and directives ensure data are protected. Information technology systems also protect information Statistics Canada collects from unauthorized outside access. All Statistics Canada employees take an oath to protect information the organization holds and receive mandatory confidentiality training. The oath is valid even after their employment has ended and is accompanied by penalties that include fines and imprisonment.