The 2026 Census of Agriculture—in support of a strong agriculture sector in Canada
The Census of Agriculture begins in early May 2026. Farm operators will receive a letter with easy-to-follow instructions on how to complete the questionnaire.
Completing the questionnaire online is quick and easy. In May 2026, farm operators can:
- go to Statistics Canada’s website, www.census.gc.ca, and select the online questionnaire.
- use the secure access code received in the mail to complete the questionnaire.
Why is the Census of Agriculture important?
The Census of Agriculture has provided a detailed portrait of the agricultural industry across Canada since 1921. Census data are key to strengthening the economic growth, international competitiveness, and sustainability of the agricultural sector and to ensuring that farm operators have the support they need to continue producing fresh, healthy food for Canadians.
Census data are Canada’s sole source of community-level data on agriculture. Key decision-makers – including farm businesses – use this information to act in the interest of farm operators, farming communities and agricultural associations across Canada.
Farm organizations are also heavy users of census data. They draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, develop communications and outreach work, and conduct market research.
Policy advisors from all levels of government use Census of Agriculture data to develop strong farm support programs, to evaluate the impacts of external events on the agricultural sector, and to provide rapid, effective assistance in times of natural disasters—such as floods, droughts, storms and wildfires.
The Census of Agriculture comes with other benefits:
- Census of Agriculture data can help identify trends and provide information on emerging economic and social issues, opportunities, and challenges within the agricultural community.
- The questionnaire covers a wide range of topics, such as land use, crops, livestock, agricultural labour, machinery and equipment, land management practices, and farm finances. These invaluable data help inform research and policy across the Canadian agriculture sector.
- Census data give all stakeholders in the agriculture sector an equally reliable source of information.
Farm operators can support their community by filling out the Census of Agriculture questionnaire in May 2026. The questionnaire can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of the farm’s operations.
In accordance with the Statistics Act, farm operators are required to participate in the Census of Agriculture. By the same law, the information provided to Statistics Canada will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes.
What’s new?
For 2026, Statistics Canada made improvements to the questionnaire to make it faster and easier to complete. Data from high-quality alternative sources will be used to replace multiple questions, reducing response burden while ensuring data needs are still being met.
– November 27, 2025