Census of Population

Detailed information for September 2024 (Test)

The census paints a portrait of Canada's population and the places where people live. It provides high-quality information for communities across the country and is used to plan services that support employment, education and health care.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Population to paint a statistical portrait of Canada and Canadians on one specific day. The census is designed to provide information about people and housing units in Canada by their demographic, social and economic characteristics.

The Census of Population is a reliable basis for estimating the population of the provinces, the territories and municipal areas. The information collected is related to federal and provincial legislative measures and provides a basis for distributing federal transfer payments. The census also provides information about the characteristics of the population and its housing within small geographic areas and for small population groups to support planning, administration, policy development and evaluation activities of governments at all levels, as well as data users in the private sector.

Census data users include the federal government; provincial and territorial governments; municipal governments; First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders and organizations; libraries; educational institutions; researchers and academics; private industry; business associations; labour organizations; ethnic and cultural groups; private citizens; and public interest groups.

In September 2024, Statistics Canada will conduct a census test to evaluate new and modified questions, in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population.

A sample of approximately 24,000 private dwellings has been selected to participate in this census test. Since accuracy depends on complete information, participation in this census test is required by law for each selected household.

Reference period: September 10, 2024, unless otherwise specified

Subjects

• Commuting to work
• Education, training and learning
• Families, households and housing
• Health
• Immigration and ethnocultural diversity
• Income, pensions, spending and wealth
• Indigenous peoples
• Industries
• Labour
• Languages
• Occupations
• Population and demography
• Population estimates and projections
• Society and community

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The census enumerates the entire Canadian population, on a "usual residence" basis (de jure). The population enumerated consists of usual residents of Canada who are Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization), landed immigrants, and non-permanent residents and their families living with them in Canada. Non-permanent residents are people who hold a work or study permit or who claim refugee status.

Private dwellings
The majority of Canada's population resides in private dwellings. For residents of private dwellings, census data are collected primarily by having one adult member of the household respond on behalf of the entire household through self-enumeration using an online questionnaire.

Generally speaking, this census test has the same target population as the census. However, the sample for the census test is much smaller than a regular census and limited to areas where Statistics Canada relies on Canada Post to deliver the census material.

The census test held in September 2024 does not include people who live in the territories, people who live on First Nations reserves and settlements, Canadian citizens living in other countries, people who live in collective dwellings and full-time members of the Canadian Forces stationed outside Canada.

Instrument design

In preparation for each census cycle, Statistics Canada follows the Census Program's content determination process, which includes several stages of consultative engagement, as well as testing and evaluating data, to recommend questionnaire content for the next census.

Consulting with census data users and the Canadian public allows Statistics Canada to identify whether the questions asked in the census are relevant, how census data are used and how important the census is to Canadians. A formal consultation is set at the start of each census cycle. During that time, Statistics Canada invites data users, stakeholders and the general public to provide feedback on what information they use, for what purpose they use it and what (if any) data gaps Statistics Canada should consider addressing in the next census cycle.

Engagements were held from November 2022 to March 2023; nearly 3,000 Canadians shared their feedback. Content consultation was primarily conducted using an online questionnaire available to all Canadians. Through this, Statistics Canada heard from a variety of data users: federal departments; provincial and territorial ministries and organizations; municipal governments; First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, leadership and organizations; non-governmental organizations; researchers and academics; businesses; and the general public. Additional discussions were held with key stakeholders, such as federal departments and other research and analysis organizations.

Factors considered when developing content, as detailed in the Census Program's content determination framework, include legislative requirements for information, program and policy needs, the burden on respondents of answering the questions, privacy concerns, input from consultations and testing, data quality, costs and operational considerations, historical comparability, and the availability of alternate data sources.

Following consultation, Statistics Canada qualitatively tested new and modified questions with the help of Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre. These qualitative tests were conducted from spring to fall 2023.

In May 2024 Statistics Canada began a large scale quantitative test to evaluate new and modified questions in preparation for the 2026 Census. The first phase of the 2024 Census Test had a sample consisting of approximately 187,000 private dwellings and 400 collective dwellings. This first phase of the 2024 Census Test also included field test activities with the aim of validating the behaviour of field staff and respondents with regard to new procedures, systems, tools and communication materials. The second phase of the 2024 Census Test will take place between September and October, 2024.

The 2024 Census Test is one of the final stages of census testing. As a result of the consultation and the qualitative testing, Statistics Canada refined the new and modified questions. The 2024 Census Test will quantitatively test these questions to ensure data quality and the continued relevance of the census content.

Sampling

This census test will have a sample consisting of approximately 24,000 private dwellings.

The dwellings are split among two panels to measure the impact of various proposed changes to census content; each panel will receive a different questionnaire version. The sample is selected in a way that ensures coverage of a variety of geographic areas, while taking into account operational constraints.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2024-09-03 to 2024-10-13

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.

The 2024 Census Test reference date is September 10, 2024.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and, in some cases, from administrative data sources already held by Statistics Canada.

Collection includes response by Internet as well as by telephone interviews.

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce response burden, Statistics Canada combines the information collected in the census with administrative data such as immigration records and personal income tax and benefit data. For the 2024 Census Test, Statistics Canada will combine the data with these administrative records or with data from other surveys or administrative sources to evaluate the quality and relevance of new or modified questions.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .