May 12 is Census Day, which means time is running out to submit the census in Canada.
Not filing on time or refusing to submit altogether could lead to hefty fines or even criminal prosecution.
Here’s what to know.
What is the fine for not doing the census?
The Census of Population is conducted every five years by Statistics Canada, as required by law under the Statistics Act. This is why participation by all Canadian households is mandatory, in addition to the separate Census of Agriculture required by farmers and other agricultural operators.
“Just as Statistics Canada is required by law to conduct a census, respondents are required by law to complete their census questionnaires,” says Statistics Canada on its website, which also encourages Canadians to complete their questionnaire online where possible.
Census questionnaires and access codes for online submissions were mailed out in the first week of May, and Canadians are being encouraged to submit by May 12, 2026.
“Canadians are encouraged to complete their census questionnaire as soon as they can. However, we should note that May 12, also known as Census Day, is a reference date rather than a deadline,” said a spokesperson from Statistics Canada in a statement.
“The Census Day provides a specific point of reference for respondents to base their answers on.”
This means that when the results of the census are eventually released, the data will be traced back to May 12, 2026.
The spokesperson also says the spring timing of the Census of Population, and, more specifically, the reference date, is intended to maximize the number of Canadians who are at home before the summer holiday period, which helps “collection procedures to run smoothly.”
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Failing to complete the census questionnaire could mean a fine of up to $500, according to the Act, while refusing to submit records could mean a fine of up to $1,000 and may even include being charged with a criminal offence.
Can refusing to do the census lead to jail time?
Although refusing to fill out the census or provide records under the Statistics Act used to mean possible jail time, the threat of imprisonment was removed by Parliament in 2017.
“The requirement to complete a census questionnaire is supported by the penalty provisions of subsection 31 of the act, which was amended in 2017 to remove imprisonment as a penalty,” the act says.
Section 31 of the act says that the $500 potential fine covers anyone “who, without lawful excuse, refuses or neglects, following a request for information under this Act, (i) to provide any requested information to the best of their knowledge and belief, or (ii) to provide any requested information when and as required under this Act; or (b) knowingly gives false or misleading information or practises any other deception under this Act.”
Section 32 of the act includes stiffer penalties for households that refuse to provide additional records if requested, stating that:
“Every person is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $1,000 (a) who, having the custody or charge of any documents or records that are maintained in any department or in any municipal office, corporation, business or organization, from which information sought in respect of the objects of this Act can be obtained or that would aid in the completion or correction of the information, refuses or neglects to grant access to the information to any person authorized for the purpose by the Chief Statistician, or (b) who otherwise in any way wilfully obstructs or seeks to obstruct any person employed in the execution of any duty under this Act.”
When do census fines actually kick in?
Although Sections 31 and 32 detail the potential fines and legal actions Canadians could face for failing to participate in the census, the Statistics Canada spokesperson said the agency will first send out reminders to those households.
“Households who have not completed their questionnaire by mid-May will not be penalized. They will first receive a reminder letter. Additional follow-up activities will then occur if needed,” the spokesperson said.
“In early June, Statistics Canada will begin to follow up on non-response cases by telephone or in person with households that have not completed their questionnaire. In mid-July, non-responding households with a mailing address will receive a final reminder letter informing them of their legal obligation to complete the census questionnaire and the possible consequences of failing to do so.”
Statistics Canada says the census is an essential tool and reference point for the government to monitor how Canada is changing over time.
Seventy-five per cent of Canadian households will receive the short-form version, which collects basic demographic information, while the 25 per cent that receive the long-form will also include social and economic questions.
The Census of Agriculture uses the same questionnaire for all farm operations in Canada.
Census data is used to update election district boundaries, gauge future business development, monitor government programs, plan transportation for various neighbourhoods and choose locations for schools.
It is not clear exactly when the results of this year’s census will be made public, but Statistics Canada says it could take approximately 18 months.
“Statistics Canada strives to release census data as quickly as possible to present a statistical portrait of Canada that is timely and relevant for all Canadians to use. For the 2026 Census, Statistics Canada plans for all major releases to be completed approximately 18 months from Census Day,” says Statistics Canada.
Haha I always have fun with this every year, always outdoing last year’s creativity.
🖕💩🤡,s
It’s depressing seeing adults making ridiculous inane statements about the census. But it explains the ecological disaster that they are leaving younger generations.
It’s depressing seeing adults making ridiculous inane statements about the census. But it underlines the ecological disout
I find it hard to believe that the large houses in our area running as illegal boarding houses or with multiple illegal suites, will be properly reporting the number of people at that address.
China needs to know who you are and where you live
They’re going after our property and want to know all about your house. They want to tax owners and price people out of their homes and make it housing for refugees.
Wow! Now Im wondering if all these idiots who fill it out with false info are the same ones who continually complain about the Government not doing enough for them. Yjey puposely handicap the people who could be of help and then complain like helpless children. Well if you hinder the operation then you deserve to feel the failure!
@James S. and Willow, I’m actually a card holding conservative but at least I’m educated and willing to have a respectful conversation. Very sad that there are so many ignorant people who believe it is their way or the highway and don’t know any history at all. All you can do is insult people because you are so ignorant.
It’s funny how the older generation drones on and on about younger people and how they avoid “obligations” and “responsibilities,” yet it’s the older generation that shirks it’s responsibilities and civic duty. Fill out your census.
Why did Global news wait until the deadline to talk about the Census? A week earlier on the news would have been better. We get no mail so had no idea a census was sitting in our mailbox
The it will always be wrong info . Not giving my real info .
T
Its just a spying ring that they say we must do ? Im sorry its a free country and you can go pick off
Stupid really they are trying to enforce
I had to access the questionnaire online after being promoted by a family member. The majority of residents in our small community did not receive a census in the mail. I wonder how they will address this for the population that is not as privileged to have online access. Further concerns around why so many people did not receive one at all.
Everybody answer:
Homeless, three spirt, handicapped, indigenous, Liberal with a grade 6 education for maximum community benefits.
Imagine s fine and s criminal record which would stop you from traveling outside Canada because you didn’t fill out a Federal Government government form. Sounds like 1940s Germany.
Oh wait 1940s Germany didn’t make census a criminal offense.
What do you do if you never received a census form?
Another pointless waste of taxpayers money. Regardless of what we put on the form, chairman Mark Mao Carnage will do whatever the F he wants.
So is that a federal or a provincial law
I did my duty. I filled it out. I have 14 relatives from Pakistan living in my house. I earn over a million a year. I’m a Liberal and love Carney! Cant wait till the next census.
I always fill it out with completely false information.
Does the census not include Brampton cause that the 1 place where a census is mandatory
Does this census include houses that have 30 people from india living in a one bedroom basement apartment. Or do they get the pass on that. We pay for their house cars allowances welfare list goes on we need to do a census on the government spending
Different pm…same party…same b.s.
No confidence.
Libs are corporate owned and work AGAINST Canadians interests…
That’s the monopoly mafia at work….corporate owned, self serving crooks with zero alternatives.
Yay canada
Hey, Census Canada, you can eff right off!! Come and get me, jackasses!!
Fine me then…I’m not playing anymore games with our brain dead government.
Alberta and Saskatchewan, the feds never listen to us. Now it’s, they are invading our privacy. Hey guys pick a lane
Just like the mainstream media to focus the story on trying to get the sheep in this country, also known as the electorate, all hysterical about a $500 fine, and not focus on the incompetence of the grossly overpaid and underworked public sector that will, in all likelihood, completely mismanage all of the collected data.
Deadline for submitting census is July 31 not May 12 as per your broadcast tonite.
Many people don’t know how to do this census questionnaire,or even know it is illegal not to fill this form.Have places where you hire people to help those who don’t know how,and not everyone has internet,a vehicle,the mental or physical capacity..Treathening fines is cruel and not democracy.
This Census is a farce & therefore USELESS! With SO many ILLEGALS in Canada, the data will be skewed & WORTHLESS.
Then there is the LANGUAGE barrier. How does the government ensure that the information collected is accurate?
This is just the government covering their a$$ so that they can declare that a 2026 Census has been distributed.
What a continued waste of taxpayer’s money!!!
As a Canadian born citizen, I MUST complete & submit my questionnaire by May 12, 2026, because you are able to find & fine me. Being on a fixed income, I can barely afford food so I would be unable to pay the fine.
I am DISGUSTED by what my country has become & worry for my grandchildren’s future.
I would love to tell you what you can do with your Census, but you would surely jail me, given that freedom of speech is now a crime.
I am a senior who has worked her whole life, paid may taxes & can now barely survive, but keep on supporting those refugees who are probably not completing the Census.
How many seniors aren’t Davy for online!! We are in our 70’s and our info was dropped off Friday evening May 8th on our front gate. Such service!!
Remember, it is only illegal to refuse. If you tell them you’ll gladly do it if properly compensated, that isn’t a refusal, you’re negotiating in good faith.
Too bad politicians have spent years redacting and withholding information from Canadians and never faced any fines or prison time.
Rules for thee is not gonna fly anymore.
A lot of very immature and ignorant, not to mention paranoid, people out there by the looks of these comments. People, you really need to grow up….
Why is the only option to submit online?
I know seniors and others who use basic cell phones or landlines only and don’t have access to internet. There should be alternate methods to provide their census info
My agriculture census form asked all sorts of questions about my equipment, animals, and fertilisation practices… Almost like the government wants to know who to crack down on for environmental restrictions (on how we feed the nation…) very invasive 20 mins of my time
They don’t answer questions in the House of Commons, gaslight Canadians, and turn off cameras in house committees restricting transparency on where OUR money is being spent. And yet, they have the audacity to fine Canadians for not wanting to disclose details of their household. Transparency goes both ways.
Funding allocation doesn’t seem to be going well since we seem to send our money overseas while our infrastructure declines. Healthcare sucks. Education sucks. Roads suck. And crime is out of control.
I hate muslims. Why is that not a question in the census? Stop immigration from Muslim countries. Why is it that all restaurants employ them? I don’t want a p@ki touching my food! Put that in your census.
What a joke
Hey JO. Pull your head out of the Liberal azz! Look around you and see the chaos and separation already underway because of the liberal swine. Because of Trudeau! Because of Carney!
But no, you will blame everyone else for being the problem. Another blind azz anti Canadian f*csist.
Im only thirteen and I got a fine for a fight that I didn’t even do and it was 250
Couldn’t find my spectacles …. so accuracy is inaccurate
I live in 2 places … I got 2 Census forms …
Will I get 2 Fines !!??
What they should make Mandatory …. is
VOTING IN ALL CANADIAN ELECTIONS ….,
That is MUCH more logical … ⚠️✏🗳
How can older seniors without computers fill those census forms. I sent mine already but received a call yesterday from an older couple in my building who were having trouble with their wifi and were panicking. I went down and fixed the problem but they were really worried about getting a fine.
Didn’t recieve info by mail or email so come get me and we will see you in court
Goverment of Canada 🇨🇦
@Jo how does asking me my sexual orientation or religion help with getting money for schools and hospitals. It’s an invasion of my privacy and offensive. Also I know all governments send out censors but only Carney and this Liberal government ask such personal and private questions which is none of their business
I am amazed at how communist settings can be allowed to pass a bill showing us we have no choice. Or face a fine. Herebi was thinking Canada is a safe haven for personal rights not being stepped on. Yet again i bewildered at how this law was passed in the first place.
I fewl as if my freedoms are now in question because we all know our government and how easy it is to get a bill passed. This is a prime example ….
Since when was the public (the people). Informed of thier rights being set aside to pass this bill.
Ohnwait right we didnt get a chancento vote on this bill it was passed by the government alone ….
If I’m white am I now considered a visable minority.
I was born in this country over 40-years ago and I yet to be polled or contacted regarding census.
Can’t be done online?
Please..what a joke. Do you want to tell me what 3/4 of those questions have to do with funding for schools etc. Nothing but another way of invading our privacy!
So I get less than 2 weeks to fill out, but will take 18 months for feedback back. Sounds typical. I rather pay the fine.
It is really sad reading comments from such ignorant Canadians. The census is not a Liberal or Carney government initiative. It is a Government of Canada requirement and has been for decades. Both Conservative and Liberal governments support and insist on the census. It is making media coverage because there has been a lot of these yahoos saying they are refusing to fill it out. If you don’t fill it out, then don’t expect your community to benefit from tax dollars for schools and hospitals. It is really sad that Canadians are so divided by politics right now. I really don’t want to see us go down the rabbit hole that the US is in right now.
What a joke it is not for essential services. Its more about immigration and foreigners
Didn’t get one last time. Can I demand a fine from them for failing to include me?
(Wouldn’t that go over well, eh?)
Whats with the odd focus and push from media and cohorts? Seems rather unprecedented. Nothing normal about this govt or it’s actions and non actions, alike.
Have not received census as yet. Live in Senior Residence in pointe Claire, quebec
This time I plan on being a gay Indian in a wheel chair.
I get the paper version, then artistically fill it out. Now if it was voluntary, I would do it accurately. But those socialists, just have to use a stick and make people do things.
I would rather go to jail than give them any private information I have never filled out a census and I never will
Disgusting behavior from the government they have 0 right to know about sexual orientation
Would of thrown mine in the trash, but just decided to mark everything without looking so they don’t get any accurate information.
I found some of those census questions offensive. What business is it of the government to know my sexual orientation or religious beliefs that should be an option to answer or not. Carney and this Liberal government are pushing the boundaries of privacy