Purpose of the census test
Statistics Canada is conducting a census test to evaluate the new and modified questions in the census questionnaire and the collection procedures and tools in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population and the 2026 Census of Agriculture. Testing ensures that quality data will be available in 2026 to support a wide variety of programs.
Overview of the 2024 Census Test
The census test will take place between May 6 and June 28, 2024, spanning across all 10 provinces. Approximately 198,000 households and 10,000 agricultural operations have been randomly selected to participate in this test.
Out of the total sample, 89,000 households were randomly selected from Halifax, Montréal, Saskatoon, the Annapolis Valley area, the Rimouski area, and the Saskatoon area. Statistics Canada enumerators will assist respondents in these communities with completing their mandatory census test questionnaire.
The remaining 108,700 households were randomly selected from all 10 provinces. These households will be required to complete census test questionnaires but will not receive in-person follow-up visits from census enumerators.
Participation and confidentiality
Households selected to participate in the 2024 Census of Population Test will receive a letter containing instructions on how to fill out the questionnaire. Their participation is mandatory.
All information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and will be kept strictly confidential. Census test data are collected for test purposes only and will not be released to the public.
The 2024 Census of Agriculture Test, by contrast, is voluntary. Nevertheless, respondents are encouraged to complete the test questionnaire as Statistics Canada relies on the responses from farmers across Canada to assess their understanding of the questionnaire content.
This year, Statistics Canada is introducing a new participation method for a selected number of households (around 8,700). These households will be given two options. They can either:
- fill out a questionnaire, or
- allow Statistics Canada to count the members of their household using pre-existing information already provided to the government.
If households choose this latter option, no further action is required from them, and their legal obligation to participate in the census test is fulfilled.
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Contact
Statistics Canada
Media Relations
statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca