This guide provides you with an overview of the 2019 Census Test questionnaire. It explains how to complete the test questionnaire, why your participation is important, and why we ask the questions. Note that you can complete your questionnaire online at: 2019 Census Test.
Complete your 2019 Census Test questionnaire online or use the paper questionnaire today.
To complete the questionnaire online:
- 2019 Census Test and follow the link to the online questionnaire
- enter your secure access code and follow the step-by-step instructions.
To complete the questionnaire on paper:
- print clearly using capital letters.
- mark circles with an "X".
Need help?
Call the Census Help Line at 1-855-850-2019, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time), or Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), if:
- you need help completing your questionnaire or want more information about the census test
- someone in your household would prefer to complete a separate questionnaire
- you need more than one questionnaire for your household
- you want a new questionnaire or a questionnaire in French.
For TTY (a telecommunications device for people who are deaf) service, call 1-833-830-3109.
What is the 2019 Census Test?
Statistics Canada is conducting a census test to evaluate new and modified questions along with the collection procedures and tools in preparation for the 2021 Census of Population.
A sample of approximately 250,000 dwellings has been selected to participate in this census test. Since accuracy depends on complete information, each household selected to participate in this test must, by law, complete and return their questionnaire.
Why is the 2019 Census Test important?
Leading up to the 2019 Census Test, Statistics Canada held content consultations on the census questionnaire. Responses were provided by various data users, including federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments; the general public; academia; special interest groups; and the private sector.
Factors considered in developing census content include legislative requirements, program and policy needs, burden on respondents when answering questions, privacy concerns, input from consultation and testing, data quality, cost and operational considerations, historical comparability, and availability of alternative data sources.
Based on the content consultation results, the 2019 Census Test will assess whether proposed content changes are feasible and whether the content will provide relevant and high-quality data.
Your role
The information you provide will help ensure that the content of the 2021 Census of Population is useful and accurately reflects Canada's changing society.
Please note that multiple versions of 2019 census test questionnaire are being tested and that not all dwellings will be asked all questions.
Why we ask the questions
The information you provide throughout the test questionnaire should reflect each person's situation on May 14, 2019, unless the questions specify otherwise. This reference date ensures that the information collected in the questionnaire provides an accurate snapshot of Canada's society at this point in time in our history.
Steps A to C – These questions are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.
Basic population information – These questions provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.
Language – These questions are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.
Veterans – This question provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the veteran population.
Language of instruction – These questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.
Health – This question seeks information on the health status of people in Canada to help plan policies, programs and services for the health care system. General health is an indicator of overall health status and refers to the perception of a person's health in general, either by the person, or by the person in the household who is completing the census.
Activities of daily living – This question provides information on the number of people in Canada who may have difficulties doing certain activities, including those who may have a long-term physical, mental or other health condition. This information is used to identify people who are likely to have a disability. Statistics Canada may then follow up with a more detailed survey.
Place of birth – This question provides information on the diversity of Canada's population, and on the movement of people within Canada and from other countries to Canada.
Place of birth of parents – This question is used to assess the social and economic conditions of second-generation Canadians, and helps us understand Canada's immigration history. Responses to this question are not used to identify family relationships.
Citizenship – These questions provide information on the legal citizenship status of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the number of potential voters and to plan citizenship classes and programs. It also provides information about the population with multiple citizenships and the number of immigrants in Canada who hold Canadian citizenship.
Immigration – These questions provide information about immigrants and non-permanent residents in Canada, and the year of immigration. This information is used to compare the social and economic conditions of immigrants over time; to evaluate immigration and employment policies and programs; and to plan education, health and other services.
Since the 2016 Census, Statistics Canada has supplemented the questions on immigration with administrative data. Using administrative data not only reduces collection costs and the burden on Canadians, but also provides more accurate information on immigration and additional variables such as admission category.
Ethnic origin – This question provides information about ethnic and cultural diversity in Canada. This information is used by associations, agencies and researchers for activities such as health promotion, communications and social support programs.
Indigenous – These questions provide information used by governments, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments and organizations, to develop programs and services for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.
Population group – This question helps collect data that are used by governments, businesses, community groups, health care providers, researchers and a variety of organizations throughout the country to support programs that provide equal opportunity for everyone to share in the social, cultural and economic life of Canada.
Religion – This question provides information about religious affiliation and diversity. This information is used to help understand changes in Canadian society, as well as to plan facilities and services within diverse communities.
Mobility – These questions tell us where residents of Canada are moving to and where they are moving from. This information is used to look at the characteristics of people who move and to identify needs for housing, education, health, transportation and social services.
Education – These questions provide information on the education, training and recent school attendance of residents of Canada. Governments use this information to develop training and other programs to meet the changing needs of the workforce and of specific groups such as immigrants, First Nations people, Métis, Inuit and youth.
Labour market activities – These questions provide information on Canada's workforce, including the industries and occupations in which people work, as well as the language(s) used at work. Employment information is used to assess the economic conditions of communities and specific populations, such as Indigenous peoples and immigrants. Industry and occupation information is used to forecast job opportunities.
Journey to work – These questions tell us where people work and how they get to work. This information is used to assess commuting patterns, public transit needs and energy use.
Commuting information also helps to identify locations for new hospitals, schools, and daycare and recreational facilities, as well as the need for roads and other travel networks.
Income – These questions provide information on expenses related to child care and support payments. Along with the income information obtained from personal income tax and benefit records, these questions help provide more precise measures of disposable income.
Since the 2016 Census, Statistics Canada has replaced the detailed income questions on the census questionnaire with administrative data. The use of administrative data not only reduces collection costs and the burden on Canadians, but also provides more accurate information on income.
Housing – These questions provide information used to develop housing communities and projects.
Information on the number of rooms and bedrooms in homes and on housing costs is used to assess levels of crowding within dwellings and housing affordability. Such indicators are used by numerous organizations to help develop housing programs supporting the housing needs of Canadians.
Information on the age of dwellings and the need for repairs is used by municipalities to develop neighbourhood improvement programs.
Please complete your census test questionnaire today.