This guide provides you with an overview of the 2024 Census Test questionnaire. It explains how to complete the questionnaire, why your participation is important and why we ask the questions. Note that you can complete your questionnaire online at: www.census.gc.ca
Complete your 2024 Census Test questionnaire online at www.census.gc.ca or use the paper questionnaire today.
To complete the questionnaire online:
- go to www.census.gc.ca and follow the link to the online questionnaire
- enter your secure access code, and follow the step-by-step instructions.
To complete the questionnaire on paper:
- print clearly using CAPITAL LETTERS
- mark circles with an "X".
Need help?
Visit www.census.gc.ca or call the Census Help Line at 1-833-835-2024 if:
- you need help completing your questionnaire or answering census questions
- you want information about the census
- someone in your household would prefer to complete a separate questionnaire
- you need more than one questionnaire for your household
- you want a new questionnaire or a questionnaire in French
- you need a copy of the questions in a language other than English or French.
For TTY (a telecommunications device for people who are deaf) service, call 1-833-830-3109.
What is the 2024 Census Test?
Statistics Canada is conducting a census test to evaluate new and modified questions along with the collection procedures and tools in preparation for the 2026 Census of Population.
A sample of approximately 187,000 dwellings has been selected to participate in this census test. Since accuracy depends on complete information, each household selected to participate in this test must, by law, complete and return their questionnaire.
Why is the 2024 Census Test important?
Leading up to the 2024 Census Test, Statistics Canada held content consultations on the census questionnaire. Responses were provided by various data users, including federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments; First Nations people, Métis and Inuit; the general public; academia; special interest groups; and the private sector.
Factors considered in developing census content include legislative requirements, program and policy needs, burden on respondents when answering questions, privacy concerns, input from consultation and testing, data quality, cost and operational considerations, historical comparability, and availability of alternative data sources.
Based on the content consultation results, the 2024 Census Test will assess whether proposed content changes are feasible and whether the content will provide relevant and high-quality data.
What happens to the information you provide?
The information you provide will be kept confidential, in accordance with the Statistics Act. Your information may be used by Statistics Canada in support of our other surveys or for analysis. No one outside of Statistics Canada can have access to information that identifies individuals.
Your role
Information from the census will be used by governments, businesses, associations, community organizations and many others to make important decisions for your community, your province or territory, and the entire country. The information you provide will help ensure that the 2026 Census accurately reflects Canada's changing society.
Your participation is important. Please complete your questionnaire today.
Please note that multiple versions of the 2024 Census Test questionnaire are being tested and that not all dwellings will be asked all questions.
Why we ask the questions
Step A – We need your telephone number to contact you in case there is information missing on your questionnaire. We need your address, as well as your mailing address, to ensure that all dwellings are counted.
Steps B and C – These steps help you decide who should be included and who should not be included on your questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.
Step D – The spaces at question 1 at the top of page 4 allow you to copy the names from Step B.
Basic demographic information – These questions provide information about the demographic characteristics of people in Canada. This information is used by all levels of government to make important decisions, such as planning community services and social programs, including Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services, such as child care, schools, hospitals and emergency services.
Languages – These questions are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups, including official languages, Indigenous languages and other non-official languages. The questionnaire also collects information on languages used at work.
Language of instruction – These questions are used to collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.
Activities of daily living – This question provides information on the number of people in Canada who may have difficulties doing certain activities, including those who may have a long-term physical, mental or other health condition. This information is used to identify people who are likely to have a disability. Statistics Canada will then follow up with a more detailed survey.
General health – This question seeks information on the health status of people in Canada to help plan policies, programs and services for the health care system. General health is an indicator of overall health status. General health refers to the perception of a person's health in general, either by the person, or by the person in the household who is completing the census questionnaire.
Place of birth – These questions tell us about where people and their parents were born. They provide information on the diversity of Canada's population, and on the movement of people within Canada and from other countries to Canada. This information is also used to assess the social and economic conditions of second-generation Canadians, and helps us understand Canada's immigration history.
Citizenship – This question provides information on the citizenship status of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the number of potential voters and to plan citizenship classes and programs. It also provides information about the population with multiple citizenships.
The information you provide throughout the questionnaire should reflect each person's situation on May 14, 2024, unless the questions specify otherwise. This reference date ensures that the information collected in the questionnaire provides an accurate snapshot of Canada's society at this point in time in our history.
Ethnic or cultural origins – This question provides information about ethnic and cultural diversity in Canada. This information is used by associations, agencies and researchers for activities such as health promotion, communications and social support programs.
Indigenous peoples – These questions provide information used by governments, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments and organizations, to develop programs and services for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.
Canadian military experience – This question provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.
Population groups (Visible minorities) – This question helps collect data that are used by governments, businesses, community groups, health care providers, researchers and a variety of organizations throughout the country to support programs that provide equal opportunity for everyone to share in the social, cultural and economic life of Canada.
Religion – This question provides information about religious affiliation and diversity. This information is used to help understand changes in Canadian society, as well as to plan facilities and services within diverse communities.
Mobility – These questions tell us where residents of Canada are moving to and where they are moving from. This information is used to look at the characteristics of people who move and to identify needs for housing, education, health, transportation and social services.
Second address – The main objective of these questions is to collect statistical information on populations who live part of the year in another location than their main residence for reasons related to vacation, work, study, health or family. This information will be used by organizations that deliver services to these populations.
Homelessness – These questions provide information on people's experiences with homelessness and other housing challenges over the past 12 months. This information is used by organizations and governments to support communities in addressing homelessness.
Education – These questions provide information on the education, training and recent school attendance of residents of Canada. Governments use this information to develop training and other programs to meet the changing needs of the workforce and of specific groups, such as immigrants, First Nations people, Métis, Inuit, and youth.
Labour market activities – These questions provide information on Canada's workforce, including the industries and occupations in which people work. Employment information is used to assess the economic conditions of communities and specific populations, such as First Nations people, Métis, Inuit and immigrants. Industry and occupation information is used to forecast job opportunities.
Commuting to work – These questions tell us where people work and how they get to work. This information is used to assess commuting patterns, public transit needs and energy use. Commuting information also helps urban planners identify locations for new hospitals, schools, and daycare and recreational facilities, as well as the need for roads and other travel networks.
Expenditures – These questions provide information on expenses related to child care and support payments. Along with the income information obtained from personal income tax and benefit records, these questions are used to derive disposable income to measure poverty in Canada. This information is also used to better understand the use of child care and the role of support payments in Canadian society.
Housing – These questions provide information used to develop housing communities and projects. Information on the number of rooms and bedrooms in homes, and on housing costs, is used to assess levels of crowding within dwellings and housing affordability. Such indicators are used by numerous organizations to help develop housing programs supporting the housing needs of Canadians.
Information on the age of dwellings and the need for repairs is used by municipalities to develop neighbourhood improvement programs.
Your participation is important. Please complete your questionnaire today.