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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsDomestic Policy11yrs ago

Should the government reinstate the long form mandatory census?

In 2011 the Conservative government announced that due to privacy concerns the long form census would no longer be mandatory. It would be replaced by a short form census that would only collect basic demographic data.Opponents of the census include civil liberty advocates who argue that the long form census is too invasive and violates people’s privacy. Proponents of reinstating the census voluntary survey argue that without the mandatory long form census it’s harder to track trends in income inequality, immigrant outcomes in the jobs market, labour shortages and demographic shifts.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 26.8k Canada voters.

61%
Yes
39%
No
47%
Yes
34%
No
6%
Yes, if it was easier to complete online
3%
No, I would prefer a mandatory short form with an optional long form census
5%
Yes, the information is vital for economists, scientists, statisticians, and the government to accurately make important policy decisions
2%
No, privacy is more important than statistics
3%
Yes, but it should only be required every 5 years

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 26.8k Canada voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 26.8k Canada voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @47BQ4GKfrom Nova Scotia  answered…6yrs6Y

It should be part of the income tax form

 @4QXVML3from Ontario  answered…6yrs6Y

YES, but make it an online census and emailed to those email addresses given on their income tax submissions. If needed, offer paper format to those isolated areas.

 @8PD7DQJfrom Ontario  answered…6yrs6Y

Neutral. I am not educated enough on this issue to make a reasonably informed decision.

 @9RS542Rfrom Alberta  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but it should include questions that are beneficial for progressing our society and what direction we are headed

 @9K6M454from Ontario  answered…2yrs2Y

if the next government ran in today and was less corrupted and vindicative about people, i'd say yes for every set of years and online.

 @B293PLFfrom Ontario  answered…1yr1Y

I am for the census but the government shouldnt gather information that isn't needed and should be transparent.

 @9MKYHZ7from Alberta  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but the short form census should be mandatory and only have basic questions that cover most areas the government should know about to make important policy decisions such as population, basic demographics, and citizenship status

 @9F5KMPVfrom Alberta  answered…3yrs3Y

The census shouldn't be mandatory. The census should be optional for all canadians. A person shouldn't have to share any information they don't want with government. The census is helpful in understanding the country and its citizens. A long form census would be more helpful but short form would do. Privacy matters.

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…2yrs2Y

Should the government incentivize the construction of affordable housing?

Yes

▲  2.7k3 replies2 agree

About This Data

Based on 26.8k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government reinstate the long form mandatory census?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://canada.isidewith.com/polls/903923553

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