Frequently asked questions — 2026 Census jobs

Statistics Canada is hiring various field positions including crew leaders (supervisory) and crew leader assistants, field operations supervisor assistants, collection support unit operators and enumerators (non-supervisory). Most of the available census jobs are crew leader and enumerator positions.

For more information on the responsibilities of crew leaders and enumerators, please consult Census jobs.

Yes, the main activity for enumerators is to go to people's homes in person and collect census information. Households are required by law to complete a census questionnaire. You would need to conduct in-person follow-ups with any households that have not yet responded to their census questionnaire. You will receive training and will have the support of your team and supervisors to complete this part of the job.

Yes, you can still apply. However, it is important to indicate in your application the dates that you are unavailable or to tell the recruiter if you are contacted.

Statistics Canada cannot guarantee a specific number of hours per week for census employment because workload varies by location. For supervisory positions, you must be available to work approximately 40 hours per week. For non-supervisory positions, you must be available to work approximately 20 to 40 hours per week. Most of the work is completed in the evening and on weekends.

Yes, you are paid an hourly rate for time spent in mandatory training.

Employees are paid for kilometres driven if it's required for completing their work assignment.

No, you do not need to be bilingual to apply for a census job. However, some census work locations are designated bilingual. To work in a designated bilingual area, candidates must pass a language proficiency test.

Yes. Non-supervisory positions are part time, from 20 to 40 hours per week. However, supervisory positions require candidates to be available for at least 40 hours per week.

As long as you can commit to being flexible and are available to work the required hours, you may be eligible. Most of the work will take place in the evening and on weekends. When completing your census job application, you will have the opportunity to indicate your work availability.

Census jobs are not based in a Statistics Canada office. They are primarily data collection jobs and require employees to go door-to-door in communities to obtain completed questionnaires.

A person with a previous conviction for which a pardon has not been granted may still be eligible for a census job depending on the severity of the crime, when it took place, and the individual's record and behaviour since the conviction.

To apply for a census job, submit an application online at Census jobs from November 4, 2025, to July 31, 2026.

Starting in November 2025, early recruitment for census jobs will take place in select northern and remote communities. Recruitment and collection begin early to ensure access to areas that are easier to reach in winter when roads are frozen and to count populations that typically migrate out of their communities in the spring.

Because of factors such as the high cost of living, challenging work conditions, seasonal constraints in completing census collection activities, and limited local hiring capacity in these areas, pay is set at $37.79 per hour for supervisors and $35.79 per hour for non-supervisors, plus authorized expenses. For a list of all the select northern and remote communities by province, visit Census jobs in select northern and remote communities.

In areas outside the select northern and remote communities, crew leaders (supervisors) are paid $31.32 per hour, and enumerators (non-supervisors) are paid $25.87 per hour, plus authorized expenses.

Statistics Canada is committed to ensuring an inclusive and diverse workforce. Applicants who require accommodation measures are encouraged to notify recruiters at any phase of the selection process.

If you can't provide a work reference, consider other people who can attest to your work ethic and character—for example, members of a board that you serve on, a teacher you helped with a project, a supervisor or coordinator where you volunteer, a supervisor at an internship, or a family that you babysit for.

Please note that we cannot accept personal references, such as friends or family members.

Gaining experience as an enumerator or crew leader for the 2026 Census can be valuable when applying for other positions with the Government of Canada. However, you must apply for these positions separately by going to Government of Canada jobs​ (opens in a new window).

Call 1-833-830-3106 and leave a message with your full name, the city where you live, the information you would like to change, and your phone number so that a recruiter can call you back. Recruiters make preliminary calls using the information you provide on your application. People with access to TTY (for people who have a hearing or speech impairment) should call 1-833-830-3109.

We need your email address to provide you with important information throughout the selection process.

You will be given a reference number at the end of the online application process. Please write it down for future reference.

Only candidates being considered for employment are contacted.

No. Only candidates being considered for employment are contacted.

The hiring process is ongoing, and recruitment timelines vary depending on the location and collection operations in your area. Please note that only candidates being considered for employment will be contacted.

Statistics Canada requires that employees hold the level of "reliability status" to work with the census. A reliability status is required for those who need access to protected information. The reliability check includes verifying personal data, employment history and references. It also involves declaring any criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted.

A name-based criminal record check is completed via the Canadian Police Information Centre database maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and a credit check is conducted by a licensed credit reporting agency. All security checks are reviewed by Statistics Canada security personnel.

Your consent is required before a security screening can be completed.

In addition, census employees are sworn to secrecy under the Statistics Act​ (opens in a new window) and are required to complete an oath or solemn affirmation. This oath remains in effect throughout their term of employment and for life. Under the Statistics Act, violations of the confidentiality provisions are a criminal offence.

After taking the Statistics Act oath or solemn affirmation, all people who seek to obtain information they are not authorized to have, who make false statements or returns in the performance of their duties, or who disclose identifiable statistical information are liable to fines of up to $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

As part of the security screening policy, security files must be retained for at least two years following an individual's departure from the federal public service to ensure that the individual has a reasonable opportunity to obtain access to the information in their file. When a request for access to the information has been received, the information will not be destroyed until the individual has had the opportunity to exercise all their rights under the Privacy Act​ (opens in a new window) or the Access to Information Act​ (opens in a new window).

No, we are unable to use any previous reliability status done either by the federal government or by a third-party. Because of the high volume of security screenings that we will be processing for 2026 Census operations, we will be unable to confirm or transfer existing reliability statuses from other government departments or agencies. If you already hold a valid government reliability status, you are still required to complete this specific 2026 Census security screening.

This reliability status will be issued for the length of your employment with the 2026 Census. It will not be transferable to other government departments or agencies.

Credit checks are mandatory to obtain a reliability status.

Credit checks are performed to determine an individual's reliability and trustworthiness. They are also needed to help us confirm an individual's name, place of residence, previous place of residence, current and previous place of employment, and other personal history information when there is difficulty obtaining this information through other means.

All T4 Statement of Remuneration Paid slips and RL-1 Employment and Other Income slips (Quebec only) will be sent to you electronically through Canada Post's Connect service in February 2027.

Your Record of Employment (ROE) will be available through your My Service Canada Account​ (opens in a new window) on the Service Canada website within five working days of receiving your final payment. Employees must log in to My Service Canada Account to print off their ROE.

Yes. Census employee earnings are taxable and insurable for employment insurance and Canada Pension Plan purposes.

Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for any specific questions related to reporting income.

Employees must register online for a Canada Post Connect​ (opens in a new window) account if they do not already have one.

Once registered, employees will receive an email inviting them to access their pay statements through their secure Connect account, after they have received their first payment.