Statistics Canada has published the questions for the 2026 Census of Population and the 2026 Census of Agriculture in the Canada Gazette, making them available to the public ahead of next year’s data collection.
Canadians and agricultural businesses are invited to take part in the national census every five years. The data collected helps build a detailed portrait of Canada’s people, communities, and economy, supporting evidence-based decision making across the country.
Work on the 2026 census began shortly after the previous cycle, with Statistics Canada conducting research, consultations and extensive testing to ensure the questionnaires reflect Canada’s changing social and economic landscape.
“Every five years, the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture capture the most complete and accurate portrait of Canada, providing invaluable insights about our country,” said André Loranger, Chief Statistician of Canada. “These are data that matter, and it all begins by asking the right questions. A lot of work and consultation go into the development of the census questionnaires. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this work by sharing their feedback and taking part in census tests. This will ensure the census continues to deliver the reliable data Canadians have come to expect.”
The agency says it is committed to keeping questions relevant, accessible, and easy to answer. The next collection period will begin in May 2026, with early enumeration starting in February for remote and northern regions.
More details on how the census content is determined can be found in the backgrounder on Statistics Canada’s website.
