To support data collection for the 2026 Census of Population (May 2026), Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 positions nationwide. Recruitment is expected to roll out between March and July 2026, and valid work permit holders may apply if they meet the criteria. Applicants must live in Canada and have a Canadian home address. The online application deadline is July 31, 2026. The primary roles are Enumerator (non-supervisory) and Census Crew Leader (supervisory). Under certain conditions, the crew leader role may allow candidates to accumulate some eligible work hours for Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Why this hiring is happening

Canada’s census is conducted every five years by Statistics Canada and serves as a nationwide population count and survey. This round of hiring focuses on questionnaire collection and field operations. Statistics Canada notes that recruitment starts earlier in some locations, and early census collection may begin in February 2026 in select northern and remote communities.

Who can apply

To be considered, applicants must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit;
• Live in Canada and have a Canadian home address; and
• Be at the age of majority in their province/territory: 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan; 19 elsewhere in Canada.

Applicants who meet these requirements can submit an online form (Statistics Canada says it takes under 10 minutes) and must provide two references from people who have supervised them or are familiar with their work.

After initial screening and reference checks:

• Interviews are conducted for supervisory roles (non-supervisory roles generally do not require an interview);
• All selected candidates undergo security screening.

Statistics Canada also notes candidates are typically contacted only if positions are available in their geographic area.

Positions and pay: enumerator vs. crew leader

Most openings are expected to be for Enumerators and Crew Leaders, with smaller numbers of related roles (e.g., crew leader assistant, field operations supervisor assistant, collection support unit operator).

Role comparison (based on the information released):

For both roles, workers may claim authorized expenses such as mileage and parking. Mandatory training is paid per hour.

Will the work count toward Express Entry CEC requirements?

To count as Canadian work experience under Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the work must:

• Be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• Be paid;
• Be gained in Canada while holding valid temporary resident status (e.g., a valid work permit); and
• Total at least 1,560 hours (one year) in the three years before applying for permanent residence.

Work can be accumulated across multiple jobs and NOC codes, full-time or part-time. However, candidates can count a maximum of 30 hours per week, even if they work more.

1) Enumerators: not CEC-eligible

Enumerator work is classified as TEER 4 under Canada’s NOC system—NOC 14110 (Survey interviewers and statistical clerks)—and therefore cannot be counted toward CEC.

2) Crew leaders: potentially CEC-eligible, but not guaranteed

The census crew leader role may fall under NOC 12113 (Census Crew Leader in Canada) and therefore may be eligible for CEC hours. However:

• Duration limits: March–July employment will not, by itself, meet the full one-year (1,560-hour) requirement. It can function as a supplement (“top-up”) alongside other qualifying work.
• Duty-matching risk: To claim work experience under NOC 12113, candidates must be able to prove they performed most of the main duties listed in the NOC description and aligned with the lead statement. Statistics Canada has not publicly released the full duty set for census crew leaders (only primary duties), so whether applicants can credibly meet the “most main duties” threshold remains uncertain.

Illustrative calculation (CEC counting rules):

If a crew leader works from March 1 to July 31, 2026, and counts hours at the CEC maximum of 30 hours/week, they could accumulate approximately 660 hours toward the 1,560-hour requirement.

What the Canadian census is and why it matters

Canada’s census provides a detailed statistical portrait of the country by collecting information about people, families, and dwellings. The data helps inform policy and program design in areas such as education and childcare, health care delivery, public transportation, housing, and community planning.

Participation is legally required. Households must complete:

• A short-form questionnaire focused on demographics (e.g., age, sex and gender, language, marital status, household composition); and
• A long-form questionnaire covering topics such as place of birth, ethnic/cultural origins, religion, mobility, education, labour, commuting, and housing.