Statistics Canada is dedicated to protecting you from disinformation and misinformation about the 2026 Census.
Have you seen or heard something about the 2026 Census that doesn't sound quite right, or that raises concerns? Let us know right away by contacting the statcan.misinformation-desinformation.statcan [at] statcan.gc.ca (2026 Census misinformation watch mailbox).
Get the facts straight
Will Statistics Canada ask for my social insurance number, credit card or banking information?
No. Statistics Canada will never ask you for your social insurance number, credit card, or banking information. Census employees will never ask you to provide these details, whether it be by phone, email or in person when reaching out to you about the census.
They will also never ask for or offer money or donations of any kind, or anything on behalf of a political party.
If someone claiming to be from Statistics Canada contacts you and asks for one of the items listed above, it is a scam. Do not cooperate and please contact the statcan.misinformation-desinformation.statcan [at] statcan.gc.ca (2026 Census misinformation watch mailbox).
For more information about your security online and the privacy of your personal information, please visit Frequently asked questions—Security and privacy.
Does Statistics Canada sell personal information?
No. The Statistics Act (opens in a new window) prohibits the use or sale of individual census data, such as names, home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses and requires that the collected information be kept strictly confidential. They will never be given or sold to any individual or organization or put on any mailing lists. Statistics Canada is bound by law to protect the identity of individuals in all published data.
Will the 2026 Census results be available for free?
Yes. Summary results from the data collected through the Census of Population are available free of charge to all Canadians via our website. This includes Census Profiles, a wide range of data tables, analytical products, data visualization tools, and reference materials. For example, 2021 Census data can be found here: Census of Population (opens in a new window).
The summary results are based on aggregate data, and no personal or identifiable information will be released. Examples of aggregate data include information on dwelling types, average age, family size, and languages spoken in a given municipality. These data are used to inform decisions at all levels of government and can benefit communities, businesses, families and more.
For more details, visit How are census data used?
For the 2026 Census, Statistics Canada plans for all major releases to be completed approximately 18 months from Census Day (May 12, 2026). To learn more about what products and services will be available online for the dissemination of 2026 Census of Population data, visit: Census of Population products and services map (opens in a new window).
Are all Statistics Canada data available for free?
While a wide range of census data and Statistics Canada data are available for free on our website, there are some custom services and subscriptions that do have a cost. For example, there is a cost for a subscription to Statistics Canada's Public Use Microdata Files (PUMFs), but there are many free options still available. Find out more here: Access to microdata (opens in a new window).
Am I required to participate in the 2026 Census?
Yes, participation in the 2026 Census is mandatory. Under the Statistics Act (opens in a new window), all Canadian households are required to complete a Census of Population questionnaire, and all agricultural operators are required to complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire.
Statistics Canada is bound by the Statistics Act to protect respondents' information. The agency places the highest priority on maintaining the confidentiality of Canadians' information.
Can I make sure that the person contacting me really is a Statistics Canada employee?
Yes. Every census employee will have an identification card that features the Statistics Canada identifier, along with their name, employment number and photo.
If a follow-up phone call to a household is needed, the census employee will identify themselves clearly.
If you would like to verify a census employee's identity, starting May 4, 2026, you can call the Census Help Line at 1-833-852-2026.
Can hackers or other unauthorized people access my census information?
No. Statistics Canada takes great precaution to protect your information and employs technologies and practices to ensure that its strict security and confidentiality requirements are met.
Encryption technologies ensure that the transmission of information passing between respondents' computers and the agency's web server meets the required standards of security. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems and access control procedures limit access to computer systems and databases. For more information, please refer to Statistics Canada's Trust Centre (opens in a new window).
Is there a way to guarantee that the census website is legitimate?
Yes, a legitimate Statistics Canada website can be identified in several ways. Look for these features:
- The site URL in the browser address bar should end with ".gc.ca". This suffix is used by the Government of Canada and operated by Government Telecommunications and Informatics Services.
- The security certificate is provided through an authorized encryption service.
- Check for HTTPS in the address bar and a padlock icon. This means the website encrypts your data and protects your privacy.