StatsCAN Mobile App:
Bringing government data to Canadian's fingertips
Ottawa, Canada
News and Media
5,000+
Overview
Picture this: 100,000 Canadians visiting Statistics Canada's website daily, struggling to access critical economic and social data on their mobile devices. Small business owners checking employment statistics during lunch breaks. Researchers trying to access population data while commuting. Students working on projects from coffee shops.
The feedback was clear and consistent: "If we had a mobile app, it would make our lives so much easier."
Users were frustrated with the multi-click website journey just to find relevant content. Many would abandon their search entirely when the information wasn't immediately accessible or relevant to their needs. For a department serving essential data to the nation, this wasn't just a UX problem—it was a barrier to informed decision-making across Canada.
The Perfect Storm of Challenges
What seemed like a straightforward mobile app project quickly became a masterclass in designing under pressure:
Technical limitations within government infrastructure
Extremely tight deadlines with public launch commitments
Slow government approval processes conflicting with agile design needs
Building mobile expertise within a tam traditionally focused on the web
Then came an unexpected opportunity that tested my adaptability: when team capacity shifted due to planned transitions, I stepped up to take on additional responsibilities beyond my core UX role. This meant coordinating across departments, managing stakeholder communications, and ensuring we maintained momentum toward our public launch deadline.
The first major setback: Our initial UI layout completely missed the mark. Users found it confusing and unfamiliar. I had to quickly pivot, redesigning the entire interface to align with patterns users already understood from other mobile experiences.
The Breakthrough Moment
After months of stress and iteration, our second round of usability testing became the turning point.
I watched as users navigated the redesigned app with genuine delight. Their faces lit up as they discovered how easily they could access the data they needed. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—users weren't just satisfied, they were excited about a government app.
The key insight: User delight wasn't just a nice-to-have—it was the differentiator that would drive adoption and long-term engagement. This realization shifted our entire approach from "functional government tool" to "delightful daily companion for data-driven Canadians."
Designing for Everyone, From Day One
Accessibility wasn't an afterthought—it was embedded in every design decision from the start. I personally conducted all accessibility testing to ensure the app could be used by everyone:
VoiceOver optimization with logical reading order
High contrast ratios exceeding WCAG standards
Clear, descriptive labels for all interactive elements
Intuitive navigation patterns that work for both average users and those with accessibility needs
The goal was simple: whether you're a power user or someone with visual impairments, the level of delight should be identical.
80%
usage of personalized content feature
65%
users access the app at least twice per week
4.4*
Average App rating on Stores
Collaboration Under Pressure
Working with a diverse team of business stakeholders, developers, user researchers, and internal staff taught me the art of translation—turning complex technical requirements into user-friendly experiences while maintaining government security standards.
We recruited existing website users who visited daily, plus new potential users to validate broader appeal. Testing sessions revealed insights that shaped every iteration, from information architecture to micro-interactions.
Impact That Exceeded All Expectations
The results spoke for themselves:
Yearly download goal achieved in just 3 months
High user satisfaction scores with requests for additional features
Recognition as early technology adopters for Statistics Canada
Positive feedback from both users and stakeholders: "Great design" and "easy to use" became common themes
What This Taught Me About Design Under Constraints
This project proved that constraints often breed the most innovative solutions. Working within government requirements while delivering startup-level user experience taught me:
Accessibility improvements benefit everyone - optimizing for screen readers made navigation clearer for all users
User delight drives adoption - even in government contexts, emotional connection matters
Cross-functional collaboration is everything - the best solutions come from diverse perspectives
Rapid iteration is possible anywhere - even slow-moving organizations can embrace agile practices
From Government Impact to Startup Relevance
The skills I developed on this project (designing under pressure, building consensus across departments, delivering accessible solutions at scale, and maintaining user focus amid constraints) are exactly what fast-moving startups need when navigating complex challenges.
Whether it's regulatory compliance in fintech, accessibility in healthcare apps, or simply launching an MVP under tight deadlines, I bring proven experience in transforming constraints into competitive advantages.
