Statistics Canada will conduct the next Census of Population in May 2026. In advance of the next Census of Population, the 2026 Census of Population questionnaire is now available on the Statistics Canada website.
In preparation for each cycle, Statistics Canada evaluates and reviews the census questionnaire. This process involves several stages of consultative engagement, testing and data evaluation. The agency applies rigorous standards and robust scientific methods to ensure the questionnaire is of the highest quality.
To allow comparability with previous cycles, the 2026 Census questionnaire includes returning and updated questions from the last census, conducted in 2021. It also includes new questions that will provide important data to measure Canada's diversity and support communities across the country.
The 2026 questionnaire includes a new question on general health, as well as a new question on sexual orientation for Canadians aged 15 years and older. The data Statistics Canada collects from these new questions will help fill gaps that other statistical programs cannot address at the required level of detail.
In addition, new questions collecting information on people living in private dwellings who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness over the past 12 months have been included to help shed light on people who may face significant social and housing challenges. Finally, the question on religion, which was asked in 2021 and is normally asked every 10 years, is returning in 2026 to respond to emerging issues, societal trends and analytical data needs.
To provide a comprehensive overview of the content changes of the 2026 Census of Population, a series of fact sheets and technical reports have been published on The road to the 2026 Census web page. These products explain the rationale behind why there are new and modified questions, outline the changes evaluated during the 2024 Census Test and describe the resulting approach for 2026.
Learn more
The final stages of preparations for the upcoming 2026 Census are now underway. Over the next year, Statistics Canada looks forward to continuing to work with key partners, stakeholders and Canadian communities. The agency can also build momentum, fill thousands of census jobs across the country and strengthen participation, all to ensure that high-quality data are available to support decisions in areas that matter most to Canadians.
The The road to the 2026 Census web page contains a series of supporting documents that explain the content changes, methodology and decision-making process leading up to the 2026 Census of Population.
The report, "2026 Census of Population Content Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians," outlines findings on data relevance, usages and gaps for the 2026 Census of Population.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).