Frequently asked questions—Completing and submitting the online questionnaire

Completing your census questionnaire online is an easy, secure and convenient option that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. Statistics Canada uses technologies and practices designed to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of your census data.

The following reasons make the online questionnaire easy to complete:

• Online edits prompt respondents when they have left questions blank or have entered conflicting information.
• Automated skip functions guide users past questions that are not applicable.
• Questions have been personalized with users' names to reduce the likelihood of one person's responses being recorded in another person's response area.

In addition, help is available for each question; details are provided within the application to assist users quickly.

The online questionnaire has several features to make it accessible to respondents, including users of assistive technologies, such as:

• Each page is logically structured, featuring a Skip to main content link; headings; and form controls, including Next and Previous buttons.
• Screen reader users will hear the question and the relevant contextual header repeated after hearing the answer options.
• Most questions have a help button (?) to give respondents further context and clarification if needed.
• Pages with questions that are left blank or incomplete will reload as Attention pages, offering same-page links to the questions that require revision.

Despite these features, some content or services might still be inaccessible to some respondents. For assistance, please contact:

• Census of Population Help Line: 1-833-314-3652.

Respondents with access to TTY (for persons who have a hearing or speech impairment) should call 1-833-830-3109. Video relay services (VRS)​ (opens in a new window) can also be used.

Completing your census questionnaire online is easy.

• Visit www.census.gc.ca.
• Follow the link to the online questionnaire and select the Start questionnaire button.
• Enter your 16-digit secure access code, located at the top of your invitation letter, and follow the instructions. Respondents who have lost or not received their secure access code should select Obtain a secure access code and follow the instructions.
• While answering the questions, use the navigation buttons (Next, Previous) to move forward or backward through the questionnaire.
• Use the question mark button for help text if you are unsure of how to answer a question.
• The session will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity, and all information you entered will be lost.
• Use the Submit button at the end of the questionnaire to submit the completed questionnaire to Statistics Canada.
• Make note of your confirmation number.

Your secure access code is a unique 16-digit number located at the top of your invitation letter. It is associated with your census questionnaire and is required to complete the questionnaire online.

Respondents who have lost or not received their secure access code should visit the census website at www.census.gc.ca, select Obtain a secure access code and follow the instructions.

If you have questions, please contact us at 1-833-314-3652. Respondents with access to TTY (for persons who have a hearing or speech impairment) should call 1-833-830-3109. Video relay services (VRS)​ (opens in a new window) can also be used.

For security reasons, your session will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity or if you close your browser. You will receive a warning after 15 minutes of inactivity indicating that your session will time out in 5 minutes.

When your session times out, any unsaved information will be lost. To return to your questionnaire, enter your secure access code and then your password, if applicable.

If you do not return to complete the questionnaire, your partial answers will be retained by Statistics Canada. You may be contacted by someone from Statistics Canada's follow-up program to obtain a more complete questionnaire.

There could be several reasons why the system did not accept your password:

• Your password was entered incorrectly.
• The caps lock key is activated on your keyboard.
• Cookies are not enabled in your web browser.

If you forgot your password, return to the login page, enter your secure access code and select the Start button. From there, select the link to reset your password. Answer the security question to validate your identity, then follow the instructions to reset your password.

If you require further assistance, please contact:

• Census of Population Help Line: 1-833-314-3652.

For the Census of Population, respondents with access to TTY (for persons who have a hearing or speech impairment) should call 1-833-830-3109. Video relay services (VRS)​ (opens in a new window) can also be used.

• Chrome 138
• Firefox 140
• Firefox ESR 128
• Safari 18
• Edge 138

It is recommended to use the latest browsers because they will have the most up-to-date security features.

If you have a firewall, you may have problems connecting to Statistics Canada's secure servers. You may need to change the settings on your firewall to allow communication between Statistics Canada's servers and your computer. The same will apply to any antivirus software you have.

If you have an ad blocker, a content blocker or a browser add-on, you may have problems with the display or functionality of the online questionnaire. You may need to change the settings or turn off the software to allow proper functioning and display of the online questionnaire.

No, you do not need to install any software or programs to complete the online questionnaire. The questionnaire is entirely web-based. All you need is a computer or a mobile device, an Internet connection, and a web browser.

If your browser does not meet the minimum browser requirements, you may have to download a more current browser version or modify your browser's settings.

The following requirements apply to computer workstations, laptops and other mobile devices:

• Cookies: To ensure that you are identified during your online session, you should ensure that cookies are enabled in your browser settings.
• JavaScript: JavaScript is not required but enabling it will enhance the functionality of the online questionnaire.

When you access the census website, a test will be done automatically to verify that your computer and browser meet the minimum requirements. If the requirements are not met, you will be given instructions on how to upgrade or modify your browser.

If you were directed to a Thank you page with a 12-digit confirmation number, your information was submitted.

Keep a copy of the confirmation code for your records.

There can be a lag between the submission of your questionnaire and the registration of its arrival at Statistics Canada. If this happens, you might receive a reminder to complete your census. Please disregard any reminders you receive after confirmation your questionnaire was submitted.

The Census of Population questionnaire cannot be printed.