Statistics Canada Hiring 32,000 Workers for the 2026 Census: What Work Permit Holders Should Know
The 2026 Canadian Census of Population, scheduled for May 2026, will involve large-scale hiring across the country.
Statistics Canada has announced plans to recruit approximately 32,000 temporary workers to support census data collection.
Importantly, foreign nationals with valid Canadian work permits are eligible to apply for many of these roles. Some positions may also contribute partial qualifying work experience under Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC), depending on the role and duties.
Who Can Apply for a 2026 Census Job?
To be considered for a census position, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
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Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit
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Live in Canada and have a Canadian residential address
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Have reached the age of majority in their province or territory
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Age 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan
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Age 19 in other provinces and territories
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Eligible applicants must complete an online application form, which typically takes less than 10 minutes. Applicants are also required to provide two references familiar with their work.
Application deadline: July 31, 2026
Following screening, some candidates (mainly for supervisory roles) will be invited for interviews and security checks. Applicants are contacted only if positions are available in their geographic area.
Official hiring information is published by Statistics Canada:
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/employment/census
Available Census Positions and Pay Rates
Statistics Canada is primarily hiring for enumerator and crew leader roles.
Enumerator (Non-Supervisory)
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Pay: $25.87/hour
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Main duties: Door-to-door collection of census questionnaires
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Work hours: Minimum ~20 hours/week, mostly evenings and weekends
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Employment period: May to July 2026
Crew Leader (Supervisory)
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Pay: $31.32/hour
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Main duties: Supervising enumerators, coordinating collection activities in assigned areas
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Work hours: Approximately 40 hours/week, including days, evenings, and weekends
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Employment period: March to July 2026
For both roles:
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Authorized expenses (e.g. mileage, parking) may be reimbursed
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Paid mandatory training is required
Statistics Canada has also noted early hiring in some northern and remote communities, with census activities beginning as early as February 2026.
Can Census Work Count Toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
Under Canadian Experience Class, work experience must:
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Be paid
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Be gained in Canada with valid temporary resident status
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Fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
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Total 1,560 hours (one year) within the last three years
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Count a maximum of 30 hours per week
Enumerator Roles
Enumerator positions are classified as TEER 4 under National Occupational Classification
(NOC 14110 – Survey interviewers and statistical clerks).
Result: Enumerator work does not count toward CEC eligibility.
Crew Leader Roles
Census crew leader positions fall under NOC 12113 (TEER 2).
Result: Crew leaders may be able to count this experience toward CEC if they can demonstrate that they performed most of the main duties listed in the NOC description.
Due to the short contract length, this job cannot meet the full one-year requirement alone, but it may contribute partial hours.
Example:
Working 30 hours/week from March 1 to July 31, 2026 could provide up to 660 qualifying hours toward the 1,560-hour CEC requirement.
A key uncertainty remains: Statistics Canada has not yet published the full detailed duty list for crew leaders. As a result, whether the role will clearly meet NOC duty requirements for CEC will depend on future guidance and documentation.
What Is the Canadian Census?
The Canadian census is a nationwide population survey conducted every five years by Statistics Canada.
Its purpose is to collect data used to shape public policy in areas such as:
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Health care
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Education and childcare
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Housing
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Transportation
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Community planning
Participation is legally required for Canadian households and includes:
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A short-form questionnaire (basic demographic information)
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A long-form questionnaire (education, labour, mobility, housing, and background)
Official census information:
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm
Reality Check for Work Permit Holders
Census jobs can be a legitimate short-term employment option, especially for those already authorized to work in Canada. However:
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Most roles are temporary and seasonal
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Only crew leader positions may count toward CEC, and even then only partially
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These jobs do not create or guarantee permanent residence
Census employment should be viewed as supplementary Canadian work experience, not a standalone immigration pathway.
