Setting: A newcomer family recently settled in Canada receives a visit from a friendly census worker.
Text description - Comic Strip 1: The Newcomer Family
Frame 1:
Scene: A census worker stands at the door of a home.
Census worker (speech bubble): "Hi! I'm here to help you complete your census questionnaire."
Resident (speech bubble): "My English isn't very strong…"
Frame 2:
Scene: The census worker holds up a paper with translated text.
Census worker (speech bubble): "No problem! The census questions are available in many languages."
Frame 3:
Scene: The resident sits at the table with the census worker. He is smiling as he fills out the census online in his language.
Caption box: "The census is filled out with support and understanding."
Frame 4:
Scene: The census worker waves goodbye at the door. The resident and their family stands inside, smiling and waving back.
Census worker (speech bubble): "Thank you for completing your 2026 Census."
Caption box: "Census data help provide the information needed to plan programs and services in your community, like schools, transportation, and language programs."
Reflection questions
- Why is it important that the census counts everyone living in Canada, not just people born here?
- How might language barriers make it harder for some people to participate in the census?
- How can information about the languages spoken in a community help improve services for newcomers in Canada?