Canadians who have not completed their 2026 census forms will soon begin receiving follow-up reminders from Statistics Canada as the latest population count moves into the next phase.
May 12 is the official census reference date, but it is not a hard deadline. Statistics Canada says households that do not respond will first receive reminder letters, followed later by phone calls and visits from census workers.
Taking part in the census is required under the federal Statistics Act. Canadians who refuse to complete the questionnaire or knowingly submit false information can face fines of up to $500.
Statistics Canada says a final warning letter is expected to be mailed in July to households that still have not responded. Cases can eventually be referred to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, although prosecutions remain relatively rare. After the 2021 census, the agency referred 43 cases for legal action.
The census is conducted every five years and is used to measure population changes across Canada. Governments and municipalities use the data when planning services such as schools, hospitals, housing, public transit and emergency services.
Most households receive a shorter questionnaire that takes about 10 minutes to complete, while about one-quarter receive a longer form with additional questions about employment, education, income and housing.
Statistics Canada says census responses are protected under federal confidentiality laws and cannot be shared in a personally identifiable form without authorization.