Statistics Canada Hiring 32,000 Census Workers for 2026

Statistics Canada Hiring 32,000 Census Workers for 2026

Statistics Canada has announced plans to employ approximately 32,000 temporary staff across the country to support data collection for the 2026 Census of Population. Recruitment will begin in early 2026 and will include both supervisory and non-supervisory positions.

The initiative offers opportunities to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and valid work permit holders, contributing to one of the country’s largest data-gathering efforts. Selected workers will assist in compiling demographic information essential to national policy and program development.

• Recruitment begins between March and July 2026
• Roughly 32,000 positions available nationwide
• Jobs open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and work permit holders
• Enumerator and crew leader positions offered at hourly rates of $25.87 and $31.32 respectively
• Crew leader experience may qualify toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) work requirements
• Applications accepted until July 31, 2026

Overview of the 2026 Census Recruitment

The 2026 Census will be conducted in May, continuing Canada’s five-year national tradition of collecting data on population, households, and dwellings. The data informs government decisions on housing, education, public health, transportation, and community services.

Hiring for census roles will take place from March to July 2026, with earlier collection activities scheduled for February in certain northern and remote areas. Enumerators and crew leaders will be engaged to ensure accurate data gathering from households across all provinces and territories.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates eligible for census employment must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or hold a valid work permit. Applicants must reside in Canada, have a Canadian address, and meet the age of majority in their province or territory—18 years in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and 19 years elsewhere.

Applications are submitted electronically through Statistics Canada’s online form, requiring two references familiar with the applicant’s work. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026. Applicants will be contacted only if positions are available in their geographical area.

Screening and Security Process

Following an initial review and reference verification, interviews will be conducted for supervisory positions. All prospective employees will undergo a mandatory security screening before final selection. Non-supervisory roles do not require an interview.

Available Census Positions

Two primary roles are being offered: enumerator and crew leader. Statistics Canada will also fill a limited number of supporting positions, including crew leader assistants and field operations support staff.

Enumerator

Pay rate: $25.87 per hour

Enumerators are responsible for collecting census information directly from households, primarily through door-to-door visits. Work schedules vary by region, with most activity occurring during evenings and weekends. The employment period is expected to run from May to July 2026, with a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week.

Crew Leader

Pay rate: $31.32 per hour

Crew leaders oversee enumerators, ensuring data collection is completed accurately and efficiently within assigned areas. The position involves supervision, coordination, and quality control responsibilities. Employment is scheduled from March to July 2026, requiring availability for up to 40 hours per week, including daytime, evening, and weekend work.

All census workers will receive paid training and can claim approved expenses such as mileage and parking.

Work Experience and Immigration Eligibility

The classification of census jobs under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) determines whether the experience can count toward permanent residence pathways such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.

Enumerator positions are categorized under NOC 14110, corresponding to a TEER 4 occupation. As a result, experience gained in these roles does not meet the CEC’s skilled work criteria, which require TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Crew leader positions fall under NOC 12113 and are considered TEER 3, which may qualify as skilled work experience. However, the short duration of employment means the total hours worked will not reach the one-year minimum independently required for CEC eligibility. Crew leader experience could supplement other eligible work to meet the 1,560-hour threshold.

For example, a crew leader employed full-time from March through July 2026 could accumulate approximately 660 hours of experience that may count toward the CEC requirement if all other program conditions are met.

Other Census Roles

Additional temporary roles, such as crew leader assistants or support unit operators, are also planned. However, these positions are generally not classified under skilled TEER levels and would therefore not contribute to CEC work experience requirements.

Purpose and Scope of the Canadian Census

The Census of Population is a mandatory nationwide survey conducted every five years to gather detailed information about Canada’s residents and housing. Responses are required by law and assist governments at all levels in designing and funding social and economic programs.

Two types of questionnaires are used: a short form collecting basic demographic information such as age, gender, and household size, and a long form that includes detailed questions about education, employment, mobility, cultural origins, and housing conditions.

The data collected influences long-term planning in areas including healthcare, childcare, housing development, and public transportation systems, making the census a cornerstone of Canada’s evidence-based policy framework.

Regional and Economic Implications

The recruitment drive is expected to create short-term employment opportunities across all provinces and territories, including regions covered by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Temporary census positions often attract students, part-time workers, and newcomers seeking Canadian work experience.

Statistics Canada has indicated that hiring in northern and remote communities will begin earlier than in other regions due to logistical considerations. Training and orientation sessions will be conducted before field operations commence.

Application Timeline and Next Steps

Online applications for 2026 Census positions remain open until July 31, 2026. Early recruitment for supervisory roles will start in March, followed by large-scale hiring of enumerators closer to the census collection period. Selected candidates will undergo training before beginning fieldwork in their respective locations.

Statistics Canada advises that only applicants in areas with available positions will receive direct communication regarding their application status.

Background on the Census Program

Canada’s Census of Population has been conducted every five years since 1871. The process provides vital demographic and socioeconomic data used by all levels of government, academic researchers, and businesses to assess the country’s evolving population trends.

In the 2021 Census, over 23 million households participated, producing data that informed initiatives in affordable housing, Indigenous services, and labour market planning. The upcoming 2026 cycle continues this tradition of comprehensive national data collection.

Conclusion

Statistics Canada’s 2026 Census recruitment marks a major national employment campaign offering thousands of temporary roles for eligible workers, including those on valid work permits. The initiative supports the agency’s mandate to deliver accurate, up-to-date population data essential to Canada’s economic and social planning.

Readers can explore additional coverage of employment-based immigration and national programs through the site’s Canadian immigration news section.