Census of Population

Detailed information for 2026

The Census of Population is the primary source of socioeconomic data for specific population groups (e.g., First Nations people, Métis and Inuit; immigrants; language groups) and for detailed or small geographies. It is mandated by law in the Constitution Act (1867) and the Statistics Act (1985) to determine the population of Canada and of the provinces and territories every five years.

Population counts from the census have essential purposes, such as to realign the boundaries of federal electoral districts and to calculate transfer payments between levels of government. The data are needed by the public and private sectors to support decision making, like planning community services (e.g., schools and emergency services) or determining consumer and market demand in all parts of the country.

• 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.

It is a reliable basis for estimating the population of the provinces, territories and municipal areas. These counts are essential for maintaining Canada's equitable representation because they are used to set electoral boundaries; estimate the demand for services in the minority official language; and calculate federal, provincial and territorial transfer payments.

The census also provides information about the characteristics of the population and its housing for small geographic areas and for small population groups to support the planning, administration, policy development and evaluation activities of governments at all levels. The information provided by the census for these geographic areas and population groups is also used by the private sector and data users in their decision-making processes.

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.

Reference period: May 12th, 2026, unless otherwise specified.

Collection period: Early enumeration occurs from February to March and regular collection occurs from April through July, every five years.

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
• Religion
• 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 student permit, or who claim refugee status.

The census also counts Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who are temporarily outside the country on Census Day. This includes federal and provincial government employees working outside Canada, Canadian embassy staff posted to other countries, members of the Canadian Forces stationed abroad, all Canadian crew members of merchant vessels and their families. Because people outside the country are enumerated, the census is considered a "modified" de jure census.

Foreign residents such as representatives of a foreign government assigned to an embassy, high commission or other diplomatic mission in Canada and residents of another country who are visiting Canada temporarily are not included in the census.

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. Respondents can also request a paper questionnaire or complete the questionnaire with the help of a Census Help Line agent or a census enumerator by phone or in person.

Collective dwellings
A collective dwelling is a dwelling of a commercial, institutional or communal nature in which a person or a group of people resides or could reside. The collective dwelling must provide care or services or have common facilities shared by the occupants, such as a kitchen, dining room or bathroom. Examples include long-term care homes, residences for older adults, lodging or rooming houses, correctional facilities, group homes, hotels, motels, tourist establishments, hospitals, staff residences, military bases and work camps.

Statistics Canada takes a practical approach to enumerating people who live in collective dwellings. Most data will be collected using an electronic questionnaire completed by the administrator of the collective dwelling, who will provide the key information required for each resident. In cases where the use of electronic questionnaires may not be possible, census field staff will work with the facility administrator to collect information for each resident. Residents of most collective dwellings will also have the possibility to respond through self-enumeration using an online questionnaire, should they wish to. Additionally, Statistics Canada replaced field enumeration for most federal and provincial or territorial correctional and custodial facilities with administrative data available from the Canadian Correctional Services Survey (CCSS) and administrative data collected on an ad hoc basis from correctional service programs that do not yet report to the CCSS.

Instrument design

In preparation for each census cycle, Statistics Canada follows the Census Program's content determination process, which includes several key steps to ensure that each census produces relevant information for Canadians and decision makers. The well established process to determine census content begins with broad consultative engagement with data users, stakeholders and the public.

Statistics Canada conducted its content consultation process for the 2026 Census from fall 2022 to spring 2023 using an online questionnaire, as well as one-on-one discussions with key stakeholders. Detailed responses were received from organizations and individuals representing federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments; First Nations people, Métis and Inuit; the general public; academia; special interest groups; and the private sector.

Statistics Canada's Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships ran parallel targeted engagement activities with First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members and stakeholders across Canada. From November 2022 to March 2023, virtual and hybrid discussion sessions were held to obtain feedback on the census questions used to produce data about First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations. Participants represented community members, data users and Indigenous organizations.

Based on the findings from consultations, Statistics Canada modified the questionnaires, and various versions were tested qualitatively in 2023 through cognitive and one-on-one interviews. These interviews were conducted across Canada in both official languages. Based on the results of qualitative testing, the census questionnaires were further revised and tested quantitatively and operationally among 220,000 households during the 2024 Census Test. The large-scale test evaluated changes to the wording and flow of some of the questions, as well as the potential addition of new questions and overall respondent behaviour. For the first time, an electronic questionnaire was tested qualitatively in 2023 with collective dwelling administrators and quantitatively during the 2024 Census Test.

After statistically analyzing the results of the 2024 Census Test and considering costs, operational factors and safeguards against quality loss, Statistics Canada presented final content recommendations to the Cabinet of Canada. Upon receiving direction from the Cabinet, the Governor in Council prescribes the questions to be asked under section 21(1) of the Statistics Act. Within 30 days of prescription, the content is published in the Canada Gazette, as required under section 21(2) of the Statistics Act. The 2026 Census content was published in the Canada Gazette on July 5, 2025.

Sampling

For the short-form questionnaires
This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Demographic information is collected from 100% of the population. Data are collected for all units (dwellings) of the target population; therefore, no sampling is done.

For the long-form questionnaires
This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

For the long-form survey, a random sample of one in four private dwellings in Canada—approximately 25%—is selected systematically. The sample size was determined to ensure the dissemination of reliable estimates for small areas and small populations. The long-form sample is selected from the 2026 Census of Population dwelling list.

The long-form questionnaire consists of the short-form questions asked in the same format at the beginning of the questionnaire, followed by the socioeconomic questions that are unique to the long-form questionnaire.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: May 12, 2026 to current

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

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

The census reference date is May 12, 2026, unless otherwise specified.

Collection includes response by Internet, paper questionnaire, the Census Help Line and by phone or in-person interviews during non-response follow-up operations.

Wave methodology
Statistics Canada uses a wave methodology throughout the collection period to remind the majority of Canadians to complete their census questionnaires.

The first wave takes place during the first week of collection, when an invitation letter is sent out to most dwellings across the country. This first letter provides instructions on how to complete the questionnaire online with a secure access code, the date by which the questionnaire should be completed, the census website address and toll-free numbers for Census Help Line support, teletypewriter (TTY) service, or for requesting a paper questionnaire.

Around the second week of collection, a reminder is sent to households that have not yet completed their questionnaire. This letter also provides instructions on how to complete the questionnaire, as well as the census website address and toll-free numbers for Census Help Line support, TTY service, or for requesting a paper questionnaire.

Around the fourth week of collection, households that have not yet completed a questionnaire will receive a second reminder informing them that a Statistics Canada representative will be visiting their household or contacting them by phone to complete the questionnaire.

Throughout the collection period, Statistics Canada may use text messages or pre-recorded voice messages to encourage households to complete their questionnaire.

Statistics Canada subsequently conducts follow-up activities with non-responding households to complete their questionnaires, either door to door or by phone. In addition, a final reminder is also sent in July to households that have not yet completed their questionnaire.

Administrative data
Statistics Canada will continue to inform 2026 Census respondents that the information they provide will be combined with immigration data, income tax and benefits data, and data from other surveys or administrative sources, to enhance the data collected and reduce response burden.

Statistics Canada will continue to obtain income information from personal income tax and benefit data files provided by the Canada Revenue Agency, as well as admission category, applicant type, immigrant status and year of immigration from administrative files provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. For the first time, in 2026, data on dwellings located on an agricultural operation will be obtained from the Census of Agriculture.

This use of administrative data provides higher-quality detailed information for small communities and populations and reduces program costs and response burden on Canadians.

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