The census is conducted every five years. In select northern and remote communities, collection begins early to ensure access to areas that are easier to reach in winter and to count populations that typically migrate out of their communities in the spring. In these communities, census collection will begin in February 2026. For the rest of Canada, it will begin May 2026.
How does my community benefit from participating in the census?
Data provided by First Nations people, Métis, and Inuit across Canada can help communities and governments plan and evaluate programs and services that matter to Indigenous communities.
The census is the most detailed source of information available to individuals, communities, and governments. Census data supports local planning and decision-making, and it can help inform the development, expansion, or improvement of:
- Indigenous languages and school programs, such as Head Start and regional language initiatives
- Community health and social services, including healthcare, social assistance, and early childhood development
- Business and economic opportunities, such as trades training programs, market development, and business planning
- Existing programs and services, including child tax benefits and old age security pensions.
Which communities are included in early census collection?
To see if census collection begins early in your community, please consult the list below. For communities not listed below, census collection will begin in May 2026.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Cartwright (Labrador)
- Charlottetown (Labrador)
- Hopedale
- Makkovik
- Mary's Harbour
- Mushuau Innu First Nation
- Nain
- North West River
- Port Hope Simpson
- Postville
- Rigolet
- Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
- St. Lewis
Quebec
- Akulivik
- Aupaluk
- Baie-d'Hudson
- Cree Nation of Chisasibi
- Cree Nation of Eastmain
- Eeyou Istchee Baie-James
- Inukjuak
- Ivujivik
- Kangiqsualujjuaq
- Kangiqsujuaq
- Kangirsuk
- Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach
- Kuujjuaq
- Kuujjuarapik
- Lac-Juillet
- Lac-Vacher
- La Nation Innu Matimekush-Lac John
- Cree Nation of Mistissini
- Cree Nation of Nemaska
- Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation
- Puvirnituq
- Quaqtaq
- Rivière-Koksoak
- Salluit
- Schefferville
- Tasiujaq
- Umiujaq
- The Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation
- Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
- Cree Nation of Wemindji
- Whapmagoostui First Nation
Ontario
- Attawapiskat First Nation
- Bearskin Lake First Nation
- Cat Lake First Nation
- Cochrane, Unorganized, North Part
- Deer Lake First Nation
- Eabametoong First Nation
- Fort Albany First Nation
- Fort Severn First Nation
- Kasabonika Lake First Nation
- Kashechewan
- Keewaywin First Nation
- Kenora, Unorganized
- Kingfisher Lake First Nation
- Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First nation
- Marten Falls First Nation
- Mishkeegogamang Ojibwe Nation
- Moose Cree First Nation
- Muskrat Dam First Nation
- Neskantaga First Nation
- Nibinamik First Nation
- North Caribou Lake First Nation
- North Spirit Lake First Nation
- Ojibway Nation of Saugeen
- Pikangikum First Nation
- Poplar Hill First Nation
- Sachigo Lake First Nation
- Sandy Lake First Nation
- Thunder Bay, Unorganized
- Wapekeka First Nation
- Wawakapewin First Nation
- Webequie First Nation
- Weenusk First Nation
- Whitesand First Nation
- Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Manitoba
- Barren Lands First Nation
- Bunibonibee Cree Nation
- Garden Hill First Nations
- God's Lake First Nation
- Little Grand Rapids First Nation
- Manto Sipi Cree Nation
- Mathias Colomb Cree Nation
- Northlands Denesuline First Nation
- Pauingassi First Nation
- Red Sucker Lake First Nation
- Sayisi Dene First Nation
- Shamattawa First Nation
- St. Theresa Point First Nation
- War Lake First Nation
- Wasagamack First Nation
- York Factory First Nation
Saskatchewan
- Black Lake Denesuline First Nation
- Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation
- Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation
- Stony Rapids
Alberta
- Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
- Little Red River Cree Nation
- Mackenzie County
- Mikisew Cree First Nation
- Smith's Landing First Nation
- Wood Buffalo
Yukon
- Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Northwest Territories
- Aklavik
- Behdzi Ahda' First Nation
- Deline First Nation
- Fort Good Hope
- Gwichya Gwich'in
- Paulatuk
- Sachs Harbour
- Teetl'it Gwich'in Band Council
- Tuktoyaktuk
- Tulita Dene
- Ulukhaktok
Nunavut
All communities in Nunavut are included in early collection.
In which Indigenous languages and dialects are the census questions available?
The census questionnaire must be completed in English or French, but the census questions will be available for reference in the following Indigenous languages and dialects:
- Inuktitut (South Baffin)
- Nunavimmiutitut
- Innu (Montagnais)
- Atikamekw
- East Cree
- Oji-Cree
- Mi'kmaq
- Tlicho (Dogrib)
- Nehiyawewin (Plains Cree)
- Nihithawiwin (Woods Cree)
- Naskapi
- Blackfoot
- Saulteaux (Western Ojibway)
- Nehinawewin (Swampy Cree)
- Inuinnaqtun
Will Statistics Canada be hiring for census jobs in my community?
Recruitment for the 2026 Census of Population will begin November 4, 2025. To submit your census job application, please visit Census jobs in select northern and remote communities.