2026 Census of Population Content Consultation

Before each census, Statistics Canada initiates an extensive consultation program that allows data users and interested parties across Canada to share their views on both the content and dissemination strategy of the Census.

To maintain the relevance of the census, Statistics Canada evaluates and reviews the census questionnaire content at the start of each census cycle.

The consultation period is now closed.

The consultation period on the content of the 2026 Census of Population through an online questionnaire closed on March 31, 2023 and is no longer available. Statistics Canada collected a wealth of information from data users and interested parties across Canada who shared their views on how they use census data and the type of information they believe should be available from the census. Statistics Canada thanks all those who participated in the consultation.

If you would like to provide us with further feedback or suggestions on content for the Census of Population, please contact: infostats@statcan.gc.ca.

Consultation objectives

Consulting with census data users and the Canadian public allows Statistics Canada to identify whether or not the questions asked in the census are relevant, how census data are used and how important the census is to Canadians. A formal consultation is set at the start of each census cycle. During that time, Statistics Canada invites data users, stakeholders and the general public to provide feedback on what information they use, for what purpose and what, if any, data gaps Statistics Canada should consider addressing in the next census cycle.

Methodology

The country relies on high‑quality information from the census. Statistics Canada uses the best standards and scientific methodology to design content for the Census of Population questionnaires. The longstanding and well‑established process to determine census content has been in place for many census cycles. It begins with broad consultation with data users, followed by qualitative tests with respondents and, finally, a large‑scale quantitative content test.

In preparation for the 2026 Census, Statistics Canada consulted Canadians from fall 2022 to spring 2023. User consultations were primarily conducted using an online questionnaire as well as through face-to-face discussions with key stakeholders; the online questionnaire is no longer available. During consultation, the Census Content Consultation Guide for 2026 was made available to help participants complete the consultation questionnaire and better understand how the content determination framework was applied when defining questionnaire content for the census.

Statistics Canada used the feedback obtained from content consultation to make updates and improvements to the Census of Population questionnaire. These changes were then evaluated using a series of qualitative tests in the spring and summer of 2023. Proposed changes to the census questionnaire will be further assessed in May and June 2024 with 198,000 households participating in the 2024 Census Test. Statistics Canada will then evaluate all results and provide recommendations to the federal government for the content of the 2026 Census of Population.

Results

A report detailing the content consultation and the process that was followed to identify and assess possible changes to the questionnaire was published online on April 17, 2024. The report "2026 Census of Population Content Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians," outlines findings on data relevance, uses and gaps for the Census of Population. Data from the Census of Population are important for all Canadians, governments and communities. Census data are vital for planning services that support education, employment, transportation, health care and housing.

Detailed responses were received from organizations and individuals representing federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments; First Nations people, Métis and Inuit; the general public; academia; special interest groups; and the private sector. Chapter 1 explains whom was consulted, Chapter 2 describes how information needs were assessed and Chapter 3 provides an assessment of the perceived data gaps in census content as well as the availability and suitability of alternative data sources. Lastly, Chapter 4 summarizes information needs by census topic and details how preparations for the 2024 Census Test will help meet these needs.

For reference, the 2021 Census of Population Content Consultation report is available here: 2021 Census of Population Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians.

Contact us

For questions, assistance or further information please contact: infostats@statcan.gc.ca.