Census underway across Canada

By Your Southwest Media Group

Canada is counting its residents again.

The 2026 census of population and census of agriculture began May 4. Homes and farm businesses are receiving invitation letters by mail that contain instructions about completing their questionnaires, a Statistics Canada statement said.

"Each letter includes a unique, 16-digit, secure-access code that allows respondents to access and complete their census questionnaires online at census.gc.ca," the statement noted. "The process is easy and secure."

The population census collects demographic, social and economic information from every household in the country, while the agriculture census does the same on every agricultural operation, the statement said.

"This data will provide invaluable insights to all levels of government, as well as Canadian businesses and non-government organizations," chief statistician André Loranger said in the statement. "It will ensure that they have access to the up-to-date information they need to plan critical services and programs such as employment, education, child care, health care and so much more."

Statistics Canada employees will contact people who don't complete a questionnaire and help them do it, the statement said.

According to the Statistics Act, a census must be conducted every five years, and every household and farm operator in Canada must participate.

"All information provided is kept strictly confidential," the statement said. See census.gc.ca for more information.