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On this page
- The 2026 Census is underway and every response counts!
- The 2026 Census has begun, and we need your support!
- Small Actions, Strong Communities
- Three ways the census helps your community
The 2026 Census is underway and every response counts!
The census helps paint a statistical portrait of Canada's diverse population and the places where we live by collecting demographic, social and economic information from households across Canada.
Canadians rely on census data for information that support important decisions that affect Canadian families, communities and businesses. The information you provide ensures that the census accurately reflects Canada's changing society. Your responses are vital for planning services that support employment, education, public transportation, health care, and more.
How to complete the 2026 Census
All Canadian households receive a census invitation letter in the mail with instructions on how to complete their questionnaire. Completing the online questionnaire at census.gc.ca is secure and confidential.
Confidentiality and security
Statistics Canada places the highest priority on protecting your privacy as well as maintaining the confidentiality and security of completed questionnaires. Your answers are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and are kept strictly confidential.
For more information, census resources, or assistance, please visit census.gc.ca.
The 2026 Census has begun, and we need your support!
Census data are critical to decision makers and Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The Census of Population provides high-quality information on key socioeconomic trends and analysis that helps Canadians make important decisions that affect our families, our communities and our businesses.
The 2026 Census is underway across the country and households received a census invitation letter by mail with information on how to complete their questionnaire. Completing the census questionnaire online is easy, secure and confidential. Respondents without reliable access to the Internet can request a paper questionnaire or complete it over the phone by calling the Census Help Line. For more information visit: census.gc.ca/contact-us.
How you can help spread the word:
- Share the resources in our Community Supporter Toolkit, including articles, posters, web images and social media content.
- Engage on social media and share posts using the hashtag #2026Census.
For more information, please visit census.gc.ca.
Small Actions, Strong Communities
Living in a vibrant neighbourhood with connected residents, robust services and beautiful public spaces can have a huge impact on your health and well-being. It takes a lot of work to build these communities, and there are everyday small actions you can take to contribute.
- Plant something. Green spaces aren't just nice to look at—they create a calm, peaceful environment and make the air we breathe cleaner. Whether it's planting a tree at your local park or some flowers in your garden, planting greenery is a fun and easy way to improve your community.
- Volunteer your time. Even if you can only spare an hour a month, it can be very rewarding to give back. Clean up the shore at a nearby lake, visit a retirement home or sign up for volunteer shifts at your local food bank.
- Shop local. Be mindful about your purchases and make a conscious effort to support local businesses. Visit an independent grocery store for your weekly food shopping, check out a new family-run restaurant in your neighbourhood the next time you eat out or buy that housewarming gift from a local store.
- Participate in the census. Information collected in the census helps determine which communities need more parks, schools, hospitals and more—all adding to the quality and livability of your neighbourhood. To make sure your community is represented, participate in the census. Completing the census online is a confidential and secure way to submit the questionnaire.
- Start a club. It doesn't matter if it's a book club, curling club or travel club—it’s an opportunity to share interests and spend time with people in your neighbourhood and a great way to foster a sense of community and make new friends.
Help plan the future for your community. Complete your census online today, visit census.gc.ca.
Three ways the census helps your community
The census is a valuable tool that provides a detailed statistical portrait of Canada and its people by their demographic, social and economic characteristics. It allows us to better understand who we are as Canadians and what programs and services we need to support our communities.
How do you, your family and your community benefit from the data collected through the census? Here are just some of the ways:
- Business and economic opportunities. Local businesses can use demographic information from the census to identify new market trends and needs. Age, education, and employment data can also help identify the need for job creation and new postsecondary programs in targeted areas, such as training in the trades.
- Health care and social services. Community health care and social services organizations, as well as not-for-profit groups can use population, housing and income distribution data drilled down by neighbourhood to help identify gaps, and plan and address needs identified by their communities.
- Education and community services. Age data and population numbers are used to understand how an area is changing and estimate future program needs.
How can we help our future generation learn about the benefits of the census?
The 2026 Census Teacher's Kit has classroom-ready activities that have been reviewed to meet curriculum requirements—these activities make subjects like mathematics, social studies, and language studies in English or French come to life in a fun, concrete and dynamic way.
For more information about the 2026 Census, please visit census.gc.ca.