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.

How to participate

Consultation is now underway!

Completing the questionnaire online is quick, easy and secure. Select the “Complete the consultation questionnaire” button below to open the questionnaire.

Thank you for your participation. The consultation questionnaire will be closing March 31, 2023, at 11:59pm (EDT).

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 consultations with data users, followed by qualitative tests with respondents and, finally, a large‑scale quantitative content test.

User consultations will be primarily conducted online using an electronic questionnaire as well as through ongoing discussions with key stakeholders. Statistics Canada will then evaluate all results to make content recommendations to the federal government for the 2026 Census of Population.

The Census Consultation Guide for 2026 is available to help participants complete the consultation questionnaire and better understand how the content determination framework will be applied when defining questionnaire content for the 2026 Census.

Results

A report detailing the content consultations and the process that was followed to test and determine possible changes, will be published online in mid-2024. Comments collected during the consultation may be published anonymously in the 2026 Census of Population Content Consultation Report.

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

For questions, assistance or further information, the Census of Population Content Consultation team can be reached by email:
statcan.cpop2026consultation-consultationrpop2026.statcan@statcan.gc.ca