Frequently asked questions — The Online Recruitment Application

The online census recruitment application has been tested to comply with the Treasury Board Secretariat's directive based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines​ (opens in a new window).

The application has several features to make sure it is accessible to applicants, including users of assistive technologies:

• Each page of the application 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 the answer options have been identified.
• Pages with questions that are left blank, or incomplete will reload as "Attention" pages, offering same-page links to the questions that require revision.

Read the entire page

It is recommended that you carefully go through the content of each question or new screen of the online recruitment application before responding.

Page structure and navigation

All pages of the online recruitment application begin with a "Skip to main content" link. Selecting this link will bring you directly to the main content of the page.

All pages of the online recruitment application include a Level 1 heading indicating the name of the online recruitment application. A Level 2 heading introduces the current section, or the survey "step," and each question is contained within a Level 3 heading.

Depending on the question, various form elements (e.g., edit fields, drop-down combination boxes, radio buttons) will present the answer options. You can hear the question repeated after the answer options have been identified. If you do not need to hear the question repeated, simply provide your answer and move on to the next question.

If you are completing the online recruitment application in English, ensure the native language of your screen reader is set to English for best results.

Form controls

Do not use the "back" and "forward" buttons in your browser or the "back" and "forward" keyboard shortcuts. Instead, navigate with the form control buttons provided.

Every page of the online recruitment application contains the following navigational form control buttons:

• Next
• Previous

Blank or incomplete responses

If a question has been left blank or incomplete, the page will reload when you use the "Next" button. Questions that require revision will be listed sequentially at the top of the content area. Each question will begin with the Level 3 heading "Attention," offering a direct link to the question.

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accessibility of the online application, some content or services might be inaccessible to some visitors.

If you require assistance to complete your application, please contact the Census Recruitment Help Line at 1-833-830-3106.

To save time, please gather the following information before calling:

• Current email address. We require your email address to provide you with important information throughout the recruitment process. Make sure that you enter your email address correctly when completing your application.
• Contact information for two people (references) who have supervised you or know your work. Your application will not be complete without this contact information.

No, you do not need to install any software or programs to complete the online recruitment application. The application is completely 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 need 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 check that cookies are enabled in your browser settings.
• JavaScript: JavaScript is not required but enabling it will enhance the functionality of the online application.

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 provided with instructions on how to upgrade or modify your browser.

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

It is recommended that the latest browsers be used since they will have the most up-to-date security features.

Yes, the online application can be completed using a mobile device such as a tablet or cell phone.

You can access the website and online recruitment application  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during maintenance periods.

No. This application does not have a Save feature.

For security reasons, your session will time out if a screen is inactive for more than 45 minutes or if you close your Internet browser.

You will receive a warning after 40 minutes indicating that your session will time out in 5 minutes.

To continue your session and avoid losing information, use the "Stay Logged In" button.

Once your session times out, any information entered will be lost. You will need to start a new application.

No. The online recruitment application does not provide the option to print.

Once you submit your online recruitment application, a confirmation number will appear on your screen indicating that Statistics Canada has received your application. It is recommended that you keep this number for future reference.

The write-in fields only display 80 characters. Use the arrow buttons on your keyboard to view the start of the write-in field.

A legitimate Government of Canada website can be identified in several ways. When completing your online recruitment application, 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.
• On the census website, you will be presented with an "Apply now" button. Once you use this button, you will notice the domain in the browser address bar changes from https://www.census.gc.ca to https://surveys-enquetes.statcan.gc.ca.
• The security certificate is provided by Entrust and clearly identifies Statistics Canada as the owner of the site.
• Check for HTTPS in the address bar and a padlock icon. This means the website encrypts your data and protects your privacy.

The Statistics Act​ (opens in a new window) protects users' information.

All Statistics Canada employees take an oath of secrecy and face severe penalties for any breach of confidentiality. Only employees who need to view confidential files as part of their duties are authorized to access them. Statistics Canada protects its data through a series of physical, logical, and procedural methods in accordance with the policies outlined by the Treasury Board of Canada's Policy on Service and Digital​ (opens in a new window).

Confidential data are stored and processed on an internal network that is secured to prevent access by outside hackers.

No. Information is transmitted from your computer to Statistics Canada using a secure encryption protocol.

Completed online recruitment applications are sent directly to Statistics Canada's headquarters in Ottawa. Encryption, or encoding, ensures that only authorized Statistics Canada employees can access the files.

Statistics Canada places the highest priority on protecting your information. Transport Layer Security (also known as TLS) enhances the privacy of the information passing between your browser and our servers. By encrypting the information, this protocol provides a safe passage for data transmission and authentication.

Advanced security tools, software, hardware and established procedures are used to protect your information. Before being stored, the information is encrypted on Statistics Canada's web servers and remains encrypted until securely transferred to the high-security network. This network cannot be accessed by anyone who has not taken the oath of secrecy.

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 anti-virus software you have.

Clear your browser's cache. Most browsers cache images or files that you have viewed and store them locally to improve performance. It is important to clear your browser's cache after online sessions to keep others from being able to view your information later. Some browsers have the option not to cache encrypted sessions.

Yes. In the event of a system failure, users' data are not accessible to outside people or systems. Internally, safeguards are in place to ensure that there is no unauthorized access to data.

Here are some suggestions of what to do if you get one of the above messages:

• Ensure that your browser is set to accept cookies.
• Clear your cache.
• Ensure that all firewalls, external or other, allow for file uploads.
• If you have a router, ensure that it allows file uploads and that the maximum transmission unit is set to 1452 (note: this number may need to be adjusted depending on the operating system).
• Try another browser.
• Ensure that you do not have a virus that is preventing you from connecting.
• If all else fails, try another computer or mobile device.

If you are using a computer connected to a local area network (LAN), such as a computer at work, the security settings on that computer could be preventing you from accessing the online recruitment application. Try a computer or mobile device at home or a computer not connected to a LAN.

If you receive a message stating that your computer, mobile device or browser does not meet the minimum requirements, you will be instructed to upgrade or modify your browser so you can successfully access the secure site.

If your computer, mobile device or browser settings meet the minimum requirements, but the site is not accessible because of technical difficulties or too much traffic, please wait a few hours and try again.

The screen resolution on your computer or laptop should not be lower than 800 x 600.

For security reasons, your session will time out if a screen is inactive for more than 45 minutes or if you close your Internet browser.

You will receive a warning after 40 minutes indicating that your session will time out in 5 minutes.

To continue your session and avoid losing information, use the "Stay Logged In" button.

Once your session times out, any information entered will be lost. You will need to start a new application.

If you need assistance to complete your application, please contact the Census Recruitment Help Line toll-free at 1-833-830-3106, or the Teletypewriter (TTY) service line at 1-833-830-3109.

To save time, please gather the following information before calling:

• Current email address. We require your email address to provide you with important information throughout the recruitment process. Make sure that you enter your email address correctly when completing your application.
• Contact information for two people (references) who have supervised you or know your work. Your application will not be complete without this contact information.