2026 CENSUS

Three ways the census helps your community

The census is a valuable tool that provides a detailed statistical portrait of Canada and its people by their demographic, social and economic characteristics. It allows us to better understand who we are as Canadians and what programs and services we need to support our communities.

How do you, your family and your community benefit from the data collected through the census? Here are just some of the ways:

1. Business and economic opportunities. Local businesses can use demographic information from the census to identify new market trends and needs. Age, education, and employment data can also help identify the need for job creation and new postsecondary programs in targeted areas, such as training in the trades.

2. Health care and social services. Community health care and social services organizations, as well as not-for-profit groups can use population, housing and income distribution data drilled down by neighbourhood to help identify gaps, and plan and address needs identified by their communities.

3. Education and community services. Age data and population numbers are used to understand how an area is changing and estimate future program needs.

How can we help our future generation learn about the benefits of the census?

The 2026 Census Teacher's Kit has classroom-ready activities that have been reviewed to meet curriculum requirements—these activities make subjects like mathematics, social studies, and language studies in English or French come to life in a fun, concrete and dynamic way.

For more information about the 2026 Census, please visit census.gc.ca.