From what’s being asked to $500 fines: What you should know about the 2026 census

Geoff Bowlby, assistant chief statistician of Statistics Canada, shares what Canadians need to know about Census 2026.

Statistics Canada will start collecting information from households across the country for the 2026 census starting Monday. Canadians will be asked new questions this year, including on sexual orientation and homelessness.

“There are so many important uses of the census, and we have to get as close as possible to 100-per-cent response for it to be an effective census,” Geoff Bowlby, assistant chief statistician for Statistics Canada, said in a Zoom interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday.

Here’s what households need to know about Canada’s 24th Census of Population.

What is the census?

The census is the information collected every five years that paints a portrait of the country and its people, according to Statistics Canada.

StatCan will collect demographic, social and economic information for the Census of Population from every household dwelling, including houses, apartments and condo units. In addition, the federal agency will gather data on the homeless population, Bowlby said.

One in every four households will get the long-form census, while the rest will get the short-form census, he added.

When will I get the questionnaire?

Check your mail on Monday for the federal government’s letter providing information on how to fill out the census.

Can I do the census online?

The mail you receive will provide an access code and more information on how to participate in the questionnaire, including online, Bowlby said. You can also request to mail in your responses or provide them over the phone, he added. He said someone can even visit your residence if you want to answer the questionnaire in person.

What questions will be asked?

The short-form census will contain about a dozen basic questions, including on age, gender, sex at birth and language, Bowlby said. It will also ask you to list all the people who live in your household.

The long-form census will contain 70 questions, such as details on education, employment status and type of job, Bowlby said.

Is the census mandatory?

The census is mandatory because of its “importance” to Canadians, governments and the private sector, Bowlby said.

StatCan will request that everyone complete the questionnaire by May 12, he added. The results will be released starting in early 2027.

If you don’t fill out the census, you will get up to two reminder letters, possible phone calls, a visit by a StatCan employee and potential fines of up to $500, Bowlby said.

How will my data be used?

The data will be used by all levels of government to plan programs and services such as federal transfer payments to provinces and territories, transit routes, Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit, according to StatCan.

As for privacy concerns, Bowlby said StatCan has measures in place to protect confidentiality, including the encryption of data.

Changes with the census?

The 2026 Census of Population features new questions, including those related to sexual orientation and homelessness, Bowlby said.

The changes reflect the country’s evolving population and demographics, according to StatCan.