Data is Important, See How Statistics Canada is Preparing for 2021 Census

From May to June 2019, Statistics Canada conducted a census test to evaluate the census questionnaire—including new and modified questions—as well as collection procedures and tools to get ready for the 2021 Census of Population and the 2021 Census of Agriculture. The data collected from the 2019 Census Test is now being analyzed and reviewed by Statistics Canada to identify whether proposed census questions allow for timely and relevant data—the kind of data that decision makers in communities across the country can use to plan services that support employment, education and health care.

In April 2019, Statistics Canada published the report 2021 Census of Population Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians, which outlines findings on data relevance, uses and gaps for the Census of Population. Detailed responses were received from organizations and individuals representing federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments; First Nations people, Métis and Inuit; the general public; academia; special interest groups; and the private sector.

In the coming months, Statistics Canada will be launching a new Community Snapshot Toolkit—a fillable set of templates that will allow you to create a statistical snapshot of your community. An in-depth report on how Statistics Canada is preparing for the next census will also be published in early 2020.

For up-to-date information on what is new for 2021, please visit The Road to the 2021 Census on Statistics Canada’s website. Your support is greatly appreciated as we move toward the 2021 Census of Population. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email at statcan.census-recensement.statcan@canada.ca if you have any questions.