2026 Census Dissemination Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians

Release date: December 17, 2024

Summary of results

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Introduction

The next Census of Population will be held in May 2026. With each census, Statistics Canada aims to improve its methods of dissemination in the publishing of census results; both in a timely and accessible manner, while maintaining high data quality standards. A primary goal of the dissemination process is to ensure that users receive the maximum benefit from the Census of Population product and service line.

Consulting with census data users allows Statistics Canada to identify whether the products that were disseminated from the previous cycle were sufficient in meeting users’ needs, while also identifying areas of improvement for the products, as well as new ideas or functionalities for products and tools that would be of benefit to data users.

Statistics Canada conducted its dissemination consultation process for the 2026 Census of Population from winter to spring 2024, using both an online questionnaire and engaging in virtual discussion sessions with a variety of stakeholders. All Canadians were welcome to participate in the consultation.

Statistics Canada would like to thank all those who participated in this consultation. User feedback is necessary to ensure that their needs and requirements are understood, to aid in the planning of products and services, and to design the release strategy for the 2026 Census of Population.

Consultation process: Overview

The consultation process started in January 2024 and ended in June 2024. Activities involved a detailed online electronic questionnaire (EQ) and virtual discussion sessions with a variety of external stakeholders.

The EQ, open for anyone to complete (anonymously), included questions pertaining to the overall satisfaction with the 2021 Census of Population product line; questions about the use of the 2021 Census products including census geography products; release strategy preferences; and questions with regards to whether and how users access information on data quality within the census products.

Statistics Canada received over 1,100 online EQ submissions from many sectors of Canadian society from January 9 to March 31, 2024, including:

Statistics Canada also met virtually with close to 200 census data users from the various sectors listed above to better comprehend their uses and requirements as it related to the 2021 Census of Population products, and what users would like to see moving forward with the census and products and services for the 2026 Census of Population. The objective of the virtual engagement sessions was to have an open dialogue with data users to understand how Statistics Canada can better serve their needs and priorities with regards to developing and planning the dissemination strategy and the products and services for the 2026 Census of Population.

Focus of the summary

This summary focuses on the overall findings from both the online electronic questionnaire (EQ) and the virtual discussion sessions as they relate to the following four dimensions: (I) Timeliness, (II) Accessibility, (III) Discoverability and (IV) Interpretability.

Results of the 2026 Census of Population Dissemination Consultation

I. Timeliness

Every five years, data from the Census of Population provides a timely snapshot of Canada’s population and its demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. ‘Timeliness’ refers to the delay between the information reference point and the date on which the information becomes available. Managing the dimension of timeliness effectively ensures that the data both produced and released remain relevant for a wide array of uses such as (but not limited to), policy, forecasting, planning, research, and marketing. Results from both the online questionnaire and discussion sessions clearly indicated that census data users want access to the data as soon as possible.

Census data users value timeliness as it relates to publishing the major release dates with clearly stated accompanying topics so they can plan their workload and necessary resources well in advance and have adequate time to respond to enquiries from their own clients and stakeholders. Many users emphasized that knowing as much information in advance about what will be released assists with their own workloads and expectations. Information that users consistently mentioned that is helpful to know ahead of each major release include: the release dates, the topic(s), and the planned titles of data tables with geography levels included.

Census users also wanted to stay informed of releases by way of a downloadable calendar (as was offered as part of the 2021 Census release schedule) in addition to the HTML and PDF versions of the release schedule that is posted once release dates are official. Users also expressed that it would be helpful to publish the release dates for smaller releases of census data and products that follow the completion of the major release schedule.

In accessing and working with the data products, census users were clear that both the ‘Census Profile’ and data tables need to be released on each major release date (as has been tradition, along with the release of other data products). Users felt that many of their data needs were met by these two data products, particularly throughout the major releases. Users who rely on accessing the data tables would like to see consistency in the geographic levels offered across the tables.

Data users expressed the need for more intersectional content in the data products. Prioritizing products, whether data or analytical, that allow users to perform intersectional analysis earlier in the dissemination cycle would be beneficial.

For census analytical products, users expressed that they required at least a high-level analysis of the data at the national, provincial, and territorial levels of geography on a major release day. Users find data highlights and analysis in The Daily and Census in Brief useful. However, some feel that Census in Brief articles can be too narrowly focused. The Daily often serves as a starting point for users to begin their own analysis and explore data products. Infographics are valued for their simplicity and ease of understanding. Users suggested that adding direct links to the data tables used in analytical products would save them time and would like details within those products about whether data points are available from the online census products or are custom requests. For census-related custom requests, users would appreciate a quicker turnaround time from when their initial request is submitted to when they receive the completed request.

II. Accessibility

‘Accessibility’ refers to the ease with which users can learn that the information (including metadata) exists, find it, view it, and import it into their own work environment. It also refers to whether the information or medium is appropriate. Users should be able to determine what information they are requesting and if it meets their needs.

Users appreciated the 2021 Census of Population data tables for their ability to cross-tabulate variables, enabling complex data analysis. The new corporate dissemination system introduced for the 2021 Census provided a different user experience compared to previous census cycles. Users who participated in consultations liked the customization options of the new system, expressing that it better met their needs.

When asked about the number of data products available to access from the 2021 Census, most users had no strong opinions. However, the variety of available data products sometimes made it challenging for users to choose the most suitable product for their needs. Clear and purpose-specific products would enable users to use census products more effectively.

III. Discoverability

‘Discoverability’ is the ease by which users find the information they require within the census products. When a user requires information—whether for data, analysis, or reference purposes, they need to know how to easily locate it within the Census Web Module and the overall Statistics Canada website and should feel confident that it’s the most suitable product for their requirements.

Overall, users felt that the 2021 Census design for the Census Web Module was well organized and presented the various types of products in a clear manner. The design of the menu bar that included buttons to go to ‘Census data,’ ‘Census analysis,’ ‘Census reference,’ and ‘Census topics’ made the module feel easier to navigate to the type of product that users were seeking. The ‘Census topics’ page was considered very useful. Some users would like to see a link to the ‘Census Dictionary’ placed in a more general area of the Census Web Module, rather than just within ‘Census reference.’ New census data users found the Census Web Module to be overwhelming and difficult to navigate at times. Some users reported challenges in determining which product was right for their needs, and that searching by variable—considered to be extremely useful in navigating census data—can be difficult to find within the Module. Users who access historical Census of Population data and information would like a simpler way to access this information within the Module so that they can perform time-series analyses with equivalent variables.

Outside of the Census Web Module, the Statistics Canada website was noted as being particularly difficult to navigate. Many users mentioned that the search feature within the website was lacking in relevance to terms they searched and returning useful search results. A number of users rely on external search engines to locate information published by Statistics Canada and tend to bookmark the information once found. Some users mentioned that they had to use specific ‘Statistics Canada terminology’ to access information they were seeking.

IV. Interpretability

‘Interpretability’ refers to the availability of supplementary information and metadata needed to interpret and use statistical information appropriately. This information normally covers the underlying concepts, variables and classifications used, the methodology of data collection and processing, and indications of the accuracy of statistical information.

Reference materials such as the ‘Census Dictionary,’ the ‘Guide to the Census of Population,’ topic-specific reference guides, and technical reports serve to help inform users about the concepts and important nuances of the methods and data from the Census of Population. Overall, users were very satisfied with the reference materials noting that they were well written and necessary to understand the Census of Population as a whole. Suggestions related to improving the ‘Census Dictionary’ included featuring access to the Dictionary more prominently within the Census Web Module, including more notes related to the historical comparability of variables, and including more graphics. For the ‘Guide to the Census of Population,’ some users would also like for this product to be featured more prominently in the Census Web Module, and flag changes within the Guide with the reason for change related implications. Similar comments were heard from some users with regards to the topic-specific reference guides, including more content related to historical comparability. While some users mentioned that the terminology used in technical reports could be simpler, largely, users want earlier release dates for technical reports, specifically the 'Coverage Technical Report'.

Information about data quality is available to users in a variety of ways—through notes placed within data products, topic-specific reference guides, and data quality guidelines, amongst other sources. While many users do not consult information about the data quality, those who do value the provided sources available to them and appreciate the ability to determine the relevance and limitations of the data relative to their needs through these sources. Overall, users who accessed data quality sources were satisfied with being able to interpret census data on a deeper level and felt confident communicating considerations and limitations of the data to their clients and stakeholders.

Conclusion

The 2026 Census Dissemination Consultation sought to understand the needs of a variety of census users. Many of those needs have been summarized through the four dimensions presented in this summary: (I) Timeliness, (II) Accessibility, (III) Discoverability and (IV) Interpretability.

Statistics Canada is currently using the results from the 2026 Census Dissemination Consultation to assist in planning a release strategy, including the development of census products, for the upcoming 2026 Census of Population.

In an effort to be forthcoming and transparent leading up to the dissemination of 2026 Census of Population data, Statistics Canada will publish information on a regular basis as planning for dissemination continues, including information on the release strategy as well as what users can expect from the product and service line.

Once again, thank you to all those who participated in the 2026 Census of Population Dissemination Consultation. Your feedback has been valuable.

Reference

Statistics Canada. 2019. Statistics Canada Quality Guidelines. Sixth Edition. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 12-539-X. Ottawa, Ontario.

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