The aim of the Collective Dwelling Status and Classification Survey is to collect and verify information for selected collective dwellings in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population.
Collective dwellings refer to dwellings of a commercial, institutional or communal nature in which a person or group of persons resides or could reside. The dwellings must provide care or services or have common facilities, such as a kitchen or bathroom, which are shared by the occupants.
The survey will update contact information for collective dwellings and ensure that establishments are correctly classified for the 2026 Census. It will also collect information about additional collective and private dwellings that may be located at the same address. This will improve the efficiency of collecting census data in 2026.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes. In addition, information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used.
Collection period:
May 5, 2025 to June 20, 2025
Collection methods:
Telephone interview
Survey participation:
Voluntary
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about:
- the name, address and contact information for the collective dwelling
- the type of facility (e.g., hospital, long-term care home, hotel, campground, etc.)
- overnight capacity of the facility
- private dwellings at the same address
- other collective dwellings at the same address or with the same contact person at a different address.
Published data
Data gathered by this survey will not be released or published but will be used by Statistics Canada to update the Statistical Building Register in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population.
Survey-specific questions
- What information does this survey collect?
- Is my participation mandatory?
- Why was I selected to participate in this survey?
- Can I complete this survey online?
- How do I know my information will be kept strictly confidential?
- What is a collective dwelling?
- What if this is a private dwelling, not a collective dwelling?
- Why is this survey important for the 2026 Census of Population?
1. What information does this survey collect?
The Collective Dwelling Status and Classification Survey asks a brief series of questions about your facility or establishment. This includes address, contact information, facility type and maximum occupancy. It also asks whether there are other dwellings at the same address and if you are the contact person for other facilities.
2. Is my participation mandatory?
No, this survey is voluntary. However, your responses will help us improve our database, which will support more accurate and relevant data collection for the 2026 Census of Population.
3. Why was I selected to participate in this survey?
Your facility was selected to participate in the survey to help us verify and update our database in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population.
4. Can I complete this survey online?
No, this survey can only be completed over the phone with a Statistics Canada employee to ensure accurate and complete data collection.
5. How do I know my information will be kept strictly confidential?
Statistics Canada places the highest priority on protecting your privacy, as well as maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information. Strict measures and procedures are followed to ensure that your data is protected and that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
All Statistics Canada employees must take an oath of secrecy, which remains in effect for life—even after employment has ended. The Statistics Act states that employees are liable to fines and/or jail terms if they reveal personal information. In addition, only Statistics Canada employees with a need to know can access personal and confidential information.
6. What is a collective dwelling?
A collective dwelling is a dwelling of a commercial, institutional or communal nature in which a person or group of persons resides or could reside. The 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, campgrounds and work camps.
7. What if this is a private dwelling, not a collective dwelling?
Statistics Canada would still like to confirm a few details about your dwelling to ensure that you get the appropriate questionnaire for the 2026 Census of Population.
8. Why is this survey important for the 2026 Census of Population?
Completing this survey will help ensure that your information is accurate and will allow us to customize the census questionnaire and streamline the data collection process for the 2026 Census of Population.