Statistics Canada is dedicated to protecting you from disinformation and misinformation about the 2024 Census Test.
Have you seen or heard something about the 2024 Census Test that doesn't sound quite right, or that raises concerns? Let us know right away by contacting the 2024 Census Test misinformation watch mailbox.
Get the facts straight
I received a census test letter. Am I required to participate in the 2024 Census Test?
Participation in the 2024 Census of Population Test is mandatory. Since accuracy depends on complete information, each household selected to participate in this test must, by law, provide the information.
Participation in the 2024 Census of Agriculture Test is voluntary. It relies on your responses and those of other farmers across Canada to assess respondents' understanding of the questionnaire content and ensure that the 2026 Census of Agriculture questionnaire is easily understood by and beneficial to all data users.
Can I make sure that the person contacting me really is a Statistics Canada employee?
Yes. Every census employee will have an identification card that features the Statistics Canada identifier, along with their name, employee number and photo. When they contact you on the phone, census employees will identify themselves clearly.
If you are still unsure about the legitimacy of the person contacting you, you can always verify a census employee's identity by contacting the Census Help Line at 1-833-835-2024.
Respondents with access to TTY (for persons who have a hearing or speech impairment) should call 1-800-363-7629. Video relay services (VRS) can also be used.
Can hackers or other unauthorized people access my census test information?
Statistics Canada takes every precaution to protect your information, including sophisticated security procedures, techniques, software and hardware:
- Encryption technologies enhance the privacy of the information passing between your browser and Statistics Canada's servers so that access to data cannot be compromised.
- Census test data are processed and stored on a highly restricted internal network and cannot be accessed by anyone who has not taken the oath of secrecy.
- The information collected as part of the 2024 Census Test is only used to prepare for the 2026 Census. Data, results and analyses will not be released or published. Once they are analyzed, test records will be destroyed.
Is there a way to guarantee that the census website is legitimate?
Yes. When completing your census test questionnaire, look for these features:
- The site URL in the browser address bar should end with ".gc.ca".
- On the census website, as of May 6, 2024, you will be presented with a Start questionnaire button. Once you select this button, you will notice the URL in the browser address bar changes to https://surveys-enquetes.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/en/login-connexion/open-ouvrir.
- The security certificate is provided by Entrust and clearly identifies Statistics Canada as the owner of the site.
Will Statistics Canada ask for my social insurance number or credit card information?
No. Statistics Canada will never ask you for:
- your social insurance number
- your bank or credit card account numbers
- money or donations of any kind
- anything on behalf of a political party.
If someone claiming to be from Statistics Canada contacts you and asks for one of the above-listed things, it is a scam. Do not cooperate and immediately contact the 2024 Census Test misinformation watch mailbox.
For more information about your security online and the privacy of your personal information, please visit Frequently asked questions—Security and privacy.