Census shapes your city

Bowlby says it is very important to get accurate results. Federal funding for health and social services is based on census numbers. Electoral boundaries for MPs, MPPs, and MLAs also depend on census counts. Locally, the data helps decide where to build schools, hospitals, police stations, and transit routes.

“The census is so important for people to fill out,” Bowlby said. “It’s a key piece in our democracy.”

In Prince George, B.C., City Councillor Garth Frizzell says cities rely on census data to avoid costly mistakes. He gave an example of a city building a $20-million facility, only to find out it is the wrong size for the real population.

“What data helps you to do is not make those stupid decisions,” Frizzell said.

Frizzell also warned that communities with low response rates can be left out of federal funding formulas.

He said the long form takes more time to complete, but it gives planners the detailed information they need for the next five years. It helps track age groups, language demographics, and urban growth patterns.

“It’ll be not just a better snapshot,” Frizzell said. “It’s going to be a statistically confirmed snapshot of what it was in 2026.”

Households that have not received a letter or need help can call the census helpline at 1-833-852-2026. Statistics Canada will send reminders by text, mail, phone, and, if needed, in person throughout the month. The questionnaire is available in 28 languages. Data collection will continue until mid-summer. The first results, including population counts and dwelling totals, are expected in early 2027. All data will be available to the public by December 2027.

by Dave Branco

Census shapes your city

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