The 2026 Census is now underway only in select northern and remote communities. If you have received an invitation letter, please visit the Census collection in select northern and remote communities page to complete your census.
Those living outside the select communities will receive a census invitation letter this May.
Why does census collection begin early in some parts of the country?
Starting in February 2026, early collection for the census will take place in select northern and remote communities. Collection activities 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.
If you have received an invitation letter, please visit Census collection in select northern and remote communities to complete your census. Those living outside the select communities will receive a census invitation letter this May.
I received my census invitation letter during early collection. Does the May 12, 2026, reference date still apply?
No, when completing the questionnaire during early collection, please use today as your reference, not May 12, 2026.
Who should be included in the census?
The questionnaire for your household should include:
- all persons who have their main residence at this address on the day you complete your census questionnaire including babies born before this date, roommates and persons who are temporarily away,
- Canadian citizens,
- landed immigrants (permanent residents),
- persons from another country who have a work or study permit and family members living in the household with them,
- Persons who have claimed refugee status (asylum seekers) and family members living in the household with them, and
- persons staying at this address temporarily on the day you complete your census questionnaire, who have no main residence elsewhere in Canada.
My child is away at school and doesn't live here most of the year. Should I include them on my census questionnaire?
Students who are away at school or for a summer job should be included on their parents' questionnaire if they return to live with them at any other time of the year.
Students living elsewhere all year, such as in an apartment or shared housing, and who do not return to live at their parents' home should be included on the questionnaire at their usual place of residence.
How can I complete my questionnaire if I am away for work or travelling during the census?
If you have your secure access code, you can complete your census questionnaire online at Census collection in select northern and remote communities.
If someone else is currently at your home, that person can complete the questionnaire for your household and include you.
If you live alone or do not have a secure access code and are travelling within Canada or the United States, you can contact us at 1-833-852-2026 to complete your questionnaire over the phone with one of our agents. 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.
If you are travelling overseas, you may be able to complete your census questionnaire when you get home.
Should I include a family member who is temporarily abroad on my census questionnaire?
The family member should be included on the census questionnaire if that person usually lives in the same household as the respondent and is away only temporarily.
What do I do if an invitation letter was delivered to my cottage or second residence?
The questionnaire for your second residence must be partially completed and submitted. To complete the questionnaire for your secondary residence:
- Visit Census collection in select northern and remote communities and press the Start questionnaire button.
- Enter the 16-digit secure access code printed on the invitation letter for that residence. Answer the first few questions regarding contact information.
- Enter "0" as the number of persons living at the address where the invitation letter was received, and, when prompted, choose the appropriate description of the address from one of the radio buttons, and enter your name and telephone number.
- You can then submit the questionnaire.
If you received an invitation letter at both your primary and secondary residence, please complete a questionnaire for each location. The questionnaire for the dwelling where you live most of the time must be completed in full and submitted.
If Statistics Canada does not receive both questionnaires, you may be contacted for follow-up by phone or in person.
Do I need to complete a census questionnaire if I'm not a resident of Canada?
If you received an invitation letter and your main residence is not in Canada, the questionnaire for the address at which you received the letter must be partially completed and submitted. This will prevent follow-up activities at that address.
My ex-spouse or common-law partner and I share custody of our child. Which questionnaire do we include them on?
Children in joint custody (also known as shared parenting time arrangements) should be included at the address of the parent with whom they live most of the time (more than 50% of the time). Children who spend equal time with each parent should be included at the address where they stayed on the night before you complete your census questionnaire.
My spouse or common-law partner is in the military and has been deployed. Should I include them on my census questionnaire?
You should include your spouse or common-law partner on your census questionnaire, even if they are temporarily away, as long as their main residence is the same as your own.